sflinux gets the problem. The smaller the kite and the strut, the harder to get enough pressure in the strut when taking out the hose. The kite I've got is far and away better than anything else I've tried and therefore I can't buy a substitute.

-Droffats

The lay up and quality of the carbon can make all the difference. True, no board can take it all, but I think there is hope for carbon. Carbon fibers are unidirectional but than can be woven. That is what many top layers are. But that is mostly cosmetic and doesn't add the flex or strength the way l...

Is there any way to convert a kite to a single point of inflation (one pump or whatever) without having to cut holes in the leading edge fabric? The only other way I can think of involves running hoses all along the LE to the struts. Maybe someone out there has a way. I can figure it though. Thanks,...

There are many different kinds of carbon fibers, weaves, and the bonding agents. Through the appropriate use of those three things, and the layups, carbon can be made to have excellent impact resistance, but then other dynamics suffer -- weight and/or flex etc. The term "carbon fiber" is really broa...

zfennell has good points. I primarily know "carbon fiber" from the bicycle business where it is widely accepted and has a significant market share. I've got Buddha working with Freakdogkites.com to build me a custom carbon board right now. My knowledge of what he is doing bonding layer and core is n...

They work great for me (the Cabrinha Sync). Can't speak to the rest -- I've only tried them in a shop, not riding. I've put the Syncs on all my boards. (anyone want some Spleene, Nobile, or older style Cabrinha footpads and straps? No? Didn't think so.) :x I ride a lot in the cold, and with 5mm boot...

I've got about 4 1/2 hours on the board so far and I love it. I don't know about snowboarding as I've only used it with a kite, so I completely agree with everything else Brian wrote about it. Because of the convex side, it might be something to consider if you've got big paws too. Plus, for me, it ...

I sold the board to the guy it got stolen from. It was in his underground parking space drying out overnight. Apparently, a shared space in the apartment building. Anyway, 7 days or so later, boop, there it is on Ebay. The seller is 20 miles away and describes it sort of as a wakeboard with a bunch ...

It might be a good idea to write down the serial numbers of your gear -- boards and kites. A board was stolen from one of our local kiters and the Milwaukee Police Department refused to help because (among other things) the owner did not have solid proof the board was his (a serial number). The boar...

Ozone and Nobile 555 are both easy. The only Oz I have experience with is the Edge 2, but the easy relaunch seems to have to do with the higher pressure LE -- the kite hammers the water but seems to pop right up onto its side immediately. So maybe that is true on all Instinct 2 models. Neither the O...