Armstrong Foil is junk

[mr_daruman]

Armstrong service is tops.
Blew my A-wing bladder, pumping way too fast while still folded (kind of a no no for wings due to the bladder sizes...habit from kitesurfing) bladder inside was probably twisted and blew. Contacted Armstrong, sent a couple of pictures, response right away and new bladder arrived 1 week later.

[nmmc01]

I’m experiencing similar problems as others have reported with my HS1850 wing. When I first got the wing it fit my fuselage very securely but after a few months it started to loosen up. Now it is so loose even when it is securely screwed to the fuselage that it pivots a few mm at the attachment point. I also noticed black liquid draining out of the wing when I took it apart. I reached out to Armstrong and was told that this is normal behavior and that nothing is wrong. I wouldn’t consider this normal behavior and am very disappointed in the response I received. I guess I’m going to have to resort to the epoxy solution. #dontbuyarmstrong

[Flyboy]

Is the noticed wear of the carbon components within the fuselage/mast/wing connection (in GoFoils as well as Armstrong) due to use in the water? Or due to repeated assembly/disassembly?

It seems typical of the problem with a lot of kitesurfing equipment: a carefully considered technical solution ... that doesn't hold up all that well over time. A consequence of inadequate testing prior to production.

I currently have a Gong alu foil. The wings to fuselage connection employs the same kind of "sleeved" fit, although it is not tapered. Some people have complained about a bit of looseness in the fit. Mine seems perfectly solid ... but I am using in fresh water & leave it assembled.

[BayAreaKite]

Stainless steel is stronger than titanium. I do not understand why companies like Armstrong market hype titanium which is weaker and softer than steel. Titanium has a higher strength:weight ratio, that's it. So using it on bolts that weigh a few grams is kind of pointless.

[jkrug]

Stainless steel is stronger than titanium. I do not understand why companies like Armstrong market hype titanium which is weaker and softer than steel. Titanium has a higher strength:weight ratio, that's it. So using it on bolts that weigh a few grams is kind of pointless.

i'm not 100% sure on this, but i thought titanium was used because it doesn't seize up like stainless does. i've had the hardware on multiple foils seize up on me, but my Armstrong never has.

[BWD]

Fasteners are about the system and its application from design/materials through maintenance and assembly/daiassembly. No magic metal or design.
A friend took apart the steering gear in a 30 yr old sailboat this summer and said he was surprized no problems because it was all aluminum - gear, bolts, nuts etc. And then he would replace the bolts with stainless because it was stronger
No need.
For boards I think good old 316 and brass is pretty damn good. Needed a footstrap in a pinch and grabbed one from a 20yo windsurfer, mounted with stainless into brass, sitting for > 10 years.
Used in salt water for 10 before that. Ridden hard and jumped hard.

Titanium is cool but i don’t know the point except saving 5 grams. All-stainless needs care and grease. Beware crevice corrosion.

[geokite]

Yikes, at least try to have *some* history of credibility when dissing a brand.

[longwhitecloud]

Carbon fibre and stainless steel can both be electrical conductors - this will form a battery (one part acts as the anode, one part as the cathode).

This can cause galvanic corrosion.

[purdyd]

Stainless steel is stronger than titanium. I do not understand why companies like Armstrong market hype titanium which is weaker and softer than steel. Titanium has a higher strength:weight ratio, that's it. So using it on bolts that weigh a few grams is kind of pointless.

Armstrong uses stainless 316 bolts.

The middle of the fuselage is titanium and the bolts screw into that,

Also, on the board mount they use titanium tee nuts and washers with stainless 316 bolts.