2021 Duotone Kites poor construction quality ?

[octavt]

Hello guys!

Less than a year ago I switched to duotone (2021 rebel 8m and 11m). Performance wise I am content, the kites are fast for their size and shape, good hangtime and overall nice to ride. This being said I have some doubts about the quality of the construction. Some time ago I have noticed the glue that holds the pannels together became yellow and starting to detach more and more. The stiching then started to open on three of the pannels on the trailing edge. There were some other issues with the bladders but I'll discus that maybe in another post.

Ever since I noticed this problem, I looked at a several of kites on the beach , even older north duotone and could not see the glue coming undone, I understand it may get yellow from the UVs that's not really a problem but peeling of is. I don't leave my kite inflated on the beach when take longer breaks and at home I store it inside and out of the sun.

Is this a normal thing? Did you have this type of trouble with your kites?







I was thinking of switching to the 2022 rebel, but now I'm not so sure anymore.

[SolarSet]

is it on both kites? DT is not famous for their quality but this looks like some serious problem with type of glue they have used.

[nixmatters]

Some time ago I have noticed the glue that holds the pannels together became yellow and starting to detach more and more. The stiching then started to open on three of the pannels on the trailing edge.

Can you check if it's glue or the common double adhesive tape, which is a tissue with acrylic glue.
If it has come off one side it should be easy to peel it off the other.

[nikalaitzian]

"A" brand quality....

[duddd]

this looks like a warranty problem. a 2021 kite should not have these problems while we are still in 2021.
have you tried contacting Duotone or your dealer?
maybe we can have @Dan-at-Duotone check your post
i know Duotone had terrible long waiting times for their kites to be delivered this year, but i would have hoped they would keep their quality standard at the same level even if they got rushed to release the material

[octavt]

@Solarset I will check my 11m next time I go kiting, it's dark blue and I did not notice it.

@nixmatters from what I can tell it's glue not tape

@duddd I contacted my dealer and he told me that this is a warranty problem and he is 99% sure they will change the kite, but the reply he got from duotone is that the kite can still fly normal and the glue it's just a way for them to keep the pannels together for sewing in the factory. Also they offered me 50$ credit. I give them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they did not see all the pictures and videos I gave my dealer but I don't know it does not seem very normal to me.

[HugoMC]

That's sad to see you would expect good quality from a brand like Duotone....

I have had there bars wear down on me before. After 6 months the bar was extremely worn. They did send me a replacement though.

[octavt]

@HugoMC like this ?

[bkkite]

I've got used Core XR4s from 2016 and haven't seen anything like this on my kites... Would definitely go back to them for warranty.

[jonysan]

Am I missing something? Duotone say the glue is 'just' to hold the panels together while stitching. OK. so the glue is not considered an important part in the panel to panel joint strength ? Then the stitching is the only thing left to hold the panels together. In your photos the stitching has failed/come apart.
Is this a result of wear/abrasion , caused by not looking after the kite, or are Duotone not securely finishing the ends of the stitching 'runs' ? looks like the latter, as the surrounding material doesn't look worn.
A needle and thread should sort it !