Durable Tube Kites

[CosmoDog]

While waiting for wind at 3rd yesterday, two kites popped while sitting on the carpet. So here's our idea, one of the kite companies should come out with a special durable kite line. Say 1.5-2x the wall thickness for all bladders, thicker material all around and then back it up longer warrenty. I know it will weigh more, but for kites <16m it should not matter much. I think there would be a big market for something like this.

[uncleneil]

Cosmodog,
How hot was it outside while you were waiting for wind. If you pump up your kite nice and hard and then wait for the wind the air in the bladders expands due to heat. POP!!! If it is just sitting there. Don't blow it up tight till your ready to ride. As for thicker bladders. The bladder never reaches it's full capacity. They are usually much bigger than the sleaves they fit into. PLUS, thicker means more money and weight. Just something to think about.


uncleneil

[CosmoDog]

It was cool and most of the kites were in the shade. I know the bladders dont take any load, but they do fail because of wear, sand, and voids. I have repaired probably 10+ bladder holes in my 2+ years of kiting - seems like 10 too many. I believe if brand X had a kite that held up better, they would get alot of business.

[Jason Kitchen]

Maybe you have answered your own question.....
You should go from brand X and start flying brand Y or Z...............
you know somebody will ask
http://www.briskites.com.au

[just do it]

How about getting a foil? No more pumping and bladder repairs.
The bladder thickness isn't really the problem but it is the seams on the bladders and how well they fit the kite itself. If they are not a good fit everywhere they will expand differently and create spots where the bladder is highly stressed.
I saw a few kites blow up in the heat in Brasil and there is no way of getting a new bladder in Brasil.

[sq225917]

do what the sensible companies do, makes the bladders too big, so theres no weak spots.

i've flown leis for half of my five years kitesurifng and i've not popped one yet.

[macca]

a good 3 years kiting and not one bladder repair, had 1 rip in half after a crash landing, but that was a sowing machine job.

[sq225917]

i know this is going to sound obvious, but i think the biggest culprit in failing bladders is not blowing the sand out of the nozzle before you inflate them, it gets into the seams.

all the guys i know who remain puncture free and meticulous about this one.