F-One bladder issues (again :( )

[kjorn]

I have two bandits, versions 7 (10m) and version 8 (7m), both have had terrible bladder issues. The little nipples keep breaking.

My 7m has now had ALL of them break, that's a total of 6, my 10 has had 3 break.

F-One don't support kites that old, they only keep bladders for the last two releases.

There are some f-one bladders on ebay, but for different versions. Does anyone know if previous versions fit newer ones? There is a 2012 8m leading edge bladder, I assume this won't fit my 7m?

My advice - f-one bandits are great kites. But don't keep them long, flog them before the bladders die. And don't buy used Bandits. Seriously, mine was like new, it's still crispy, it flys amazing. But I have missed so many sessions with broken bladders and I've spent so much time trying to source new ones and so much time trying to fix them

Any advice on using different nipples? Can I glue North nipples on?

[grigorib]

That’s an easy fix, nice that your kites served you long that even plastic valves started cracking.
I’d either order replacement bladders or for half of the price you can use replacement valves. Second option is cheaper but requires more work on your end.

[kjorn]

That’s an easy fix, nice that your kites served you long that even plastic valves started cracking.
I’d either order replacement bladders or for half of the price you can use replacement valves. Second option is cheaper but requires more work on your end.

Well, the kite has sat in some guys house for a few years then he sold it to me. Bridles had no wear, pig tails had no wear and canopy was crispy so I believe him when he says he didn't use it. I've used it maybe 12 times.

Replacing the bladders will cost more than I bought the kite for. Maybe I just need to do that. Pretty annoying.

[grigorib]

That’s an easy fix, nice that your kites served you long that even plastic valves started cracking.
I’d either order replacement bladders or for half of the price you can use replacement valves. Second option is cheaper but requires more work on your end.

Well, the kite has sat in some guys house for a few years then he sold it to me. Bridles had no wear, pig tails had no wear and canopy was crispy so I believe him when he says he didn't use it. I've used it maybe 12 times.

Replacing the bladders will cost more than I bought the kite for. Maybe I just need to do that. Pretty annoying.

Airtime sells both the bladders and the valves. Last time I was buying them bladders cost me $30 or so and $100 for LE ($220 complete) and valves were $15 a pop (and would have cost $150 to replace all). Great kites deserve good bladders

[caps]

I still heavily use my bandits (versions seven and eight)with little wear other than replacing the bar. Probably about 300 days between them all- 8/10/12. No bladder issues. While your kites may not have been used much, I think they lived a hard life prior, being stored poorly. Sorry you had to get such a sucky deal. Go to a kite shop when you have the time that sells used kites and ask them how to evaluate a used kite. It’s like old-school horse trading! Live and learn

[mikesids]

@Kjorn- I had the same issues with the valves cracking on my Furtives a year or so back, replaced two of the strut bladders ( PITA) , and superglued the other cracked connectors ( much easier) - so far so good. Hope that may help.

[nixmatters]

I have two bandits, versions 7 (10m) and version 8 (7m), both have had terrible bladder issues. The little nipples keep breaking.

My 7m has now had ALL of them break, that's a total of 6, my 10 has had 3 break.

F-One don't support kites that old, they only keep bladders for the last two releases.

There are some f-one bladders on ebay, but for different versions. Does anyone know if previous versions fit newer ones? There is a 2012 8m leading edge bladder, I assume this won't fit my 7m?

Have you checked this option? They seem to offer replacement bladders for every single Bandit model and size!
https://drtuba.eu/bladders-valves/repla ... it_2015_7m
You can also consider their StickOn valves, but for the small price difference I'd rather go for a complete bladder:
https://drtuba.eu/bladders-valves/stick ... ite-valves

No affiliation to Dr.Tuba at all. It's just that I see they advertise here quite a lot and we need them to continue, so this forum can run and develop!

[Gigi;)]

Hello,

if you need valves that don't break and can replace your originals, take a look of these:

https://drtuba.eu/products/unipump-valve-system

I have two bandits, versions 7 (10m) and version 8 (7m), both have had terrible bladder issues. The little nipples keep breaking.

My 7m has now had ALL of them break, that's a total of 6, my 10 has had 3 break.

F-One don't support kites that old, they only keep bladders for the last two releases.

There are some f-one bladders on ebay, but for different versions. Does anyone know if previous versions fit newer ones? There is a 2012 8m leading edge bladder, I assume this won't fit my 7m?

My advice - f-one bandits are great kites. But don't keep them long, flog them before the bladders die. And don't buy used Bandits. Seriously, mine was like new, it's still crispy, it flys amazing. But I have missed so many sessions with broken bladders and I've spent so much time trying to source new ones and so much time trying to fix them

Any advice on using different nipples? Can I glue North nipples on?
DA1CCE52-8668-4A57-BF0F-FF1B7FE95E9D.jpeg

098E31FF-BF59-48B0-A4DE-F9319338FECE.jpeg

[longwhitecloud]

I don't like the fact that 2014 kites or newer even are all failing due to bladder issues. One pump just makes things far worse.. so many fail points.

[kjorn]

Hello,

if you need valves that don't break and can replace your originals, take a look of these:

https://drtuba.eu/products/unipump-valve-system

I got this kite out of storage (in a cool (temp) garage UK) and started removing the bladders to repair. The NEW nipples have now split!!

What the hell am I doing wrong? This kite has had zero air time, it's just sat in the bag in the garage in about max 20 degrees of heat.

The new bladder was an F-One genuine replacement. The nipples I repaired were DrTuba genuine F-One parts ... all of them have failed.

What should I try next? Replace the bladders with some other brand? Abandon the kite?