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Build quality turned to shit

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richieski
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Build quality turned to shit

Postby richieski » Wed May 04, 2022 9:33 pm

I have noticed lately the quality of kites is crap. Not sure if this is due to them using lighter (weaker?) materials.
It's a shame as the cost is insane.
RRD seem to have kept the wheel, valve that works. Kevlar etc, oh wait it's maybe 0.5 kg heavier.
Is it just me or am i wrong? what's your experiences.

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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby fernmanus » Wed May 04, 2022 9:39 pm

My experience has been the opposite. Guess it depends on what brand/model you are purchasing. Very happy with newer gear from North, Duotone, Ozone, and Ocean Rodeo.

Saltyman
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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby Saltyman » Wed May 04, 2022 9:50 pm

I'm also sceptical. We will see if the new light weight kites last as long. I don't think they are more durable. Time will tell. They might even go back to a bit more Dacron on the wingtips.

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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby Boston kiter » Wed May 04, 2022 10:41 pm

My friends 2021 rebel exploded mid-air this week. Only flown about 10m times, never crashed hard, no signs of wear or damage. The leading edge just completely failed, not on the seam.
I have a 2018 rebel and a 2021, the 2018 is definitely more robust.

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Toby
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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby Toby » Wed May 04, 2022 10:41 pm

but isn't Aluula way stronger than older material?

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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby rnelias » Wed May 04, 2022 10:57 pm

Boston kiter wrote:
Wed May 04, 2022 10:41 pm
My friends 2021 rebel exploded mid-air this week. Only flown about 10m times, never crashed hard, no signs of wear or damage. The leading edge just completely failed, not on the seam.
I have a 2018 rebel and a 2021, the 2018 is definitely more robust.
a bunch of 2021 Duotone kites having leading edge problems with leading edge prematurely cracking :( some guys are applying rip stop reinforcements in the leading edge to avoid it. It's a shame for such an expensive kite.

I'm usually buying and selling kites here where I live and, from the kites that I could get on my hands, Naish, Cabrinha, Elev8 and Slingshot seem to have the best build quality while others do not inspire much confidence to hold in shape for more than 2 seasons of reasonable use.

fernmanus
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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby fernmanus » Wed May 04, 2022 11:32 pm

. but isn't Aluula way stronger than older material?
Yes, but what percentage of kites even use Aluula? You have OR and the Duotone DLAB Kites.

I have heard of a few Aluula failures, it is not indestructible, but it does appear to be pretty tough.

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jumptheshark
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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby jumptheshark » Thu May 05, 2022 1:44 am

richieski wrote:
Wed May 04, 2022 9:33 pm
I have noticed lately the quality of kites is crap. Not sure if this is due to them using lighter (weaker?) materials.
It's a shame as the cost is insane.
RRD seem to have kept the wheel, valve that works. Kevlar etc, oh wait it's maybe 0.5 kg heavier.
Is it just me or am i wrong? what's your experiences.
lol

My whole kite weighs .5 kg and its definitely the most durable design I’ve had so far.

Kiting 19 years.
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Lamilu
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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby Lamilu » Thu May 05, 2022 2:37 am

I just sold a 10m North Rebel 2013…
Sure I had to replace the hoses as rubber degradates…
Also rubbery protections started peeling…
But the kite worked fine, used it so so much, but always protected it from sunlight when possible.
People in my country have 2 kite quivers at most…weak and strong wind.
Imagine changing kites every 6 or so years, as real progress is incremental our days…
Industry would suffer too much.
So now maybe they dont make them to last so long…
Like modern cars…paper metal…few years and they become junk.
Anyways…selling kites is getting tougher…thats why they invented wings.. :lol:

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Re: Build quality turned to shit

Postby Bille » Thu May 05, 2022 4:06 am

jumptheshark wrote:
Thu May 05, 2022 1:44 am
...

My whole kite weighs .5 kg and its definitely the most durable design I’ve had so far.

Kiting 19 years.
What kind of kite , are Ya using ?

I got a 10m PL Venom from 2005 ; it's still going strong, and i use
it to teach and buggy !! :D

Bille


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