I have been riding SS now for 2 years. Owned both the 05 and now the 06 Fuels. I love the kites and still haven't found anything that compares.....to my style of riding at least. I have however had the same problems with both models regarding the bladders, the struts in particular. It seems after around 5-6 months of use i get leaking bladders. I repair one, then another goes. They all leak in the same spot as well. The bladder separates slowly from the nipple and eventually causes a leak. I can repair it with bostik rubber cement but this is only a very temporary fix. I understand all kites deteriorate slowly over time, but for a $2000 kite only 6 months old I feel it is a genuine factory problem.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Is Slingshot or any of their distributers aware of this problem?

Does anyone have a SS contact i could raise this issue with?

Thankyou.

Yes. Known problem particulalry in hot climates and older kites. If you bought your kites new and they're less than a year old, it could/should be a SS warranty job. I think I had to replace all of my 04 fuel bladders that year, but havnt had a problem since. Props to SS when they did go, they got me promt replacements.

If you didnt buy the kites new or they're a bit older, the best thing is the U-stick replacment nipples Much better that contact adhesive and alot cheaper than new bladders. 'Bout 10 bucks a pop.

Cheers Oakie

'U-Stick' is the brand i take it? Is this a kitesurf brand or something i can get from a hardware store? do the nipples fit ok?

Thanks again.

they are stick on kiting specific valves and available from your local kite shop. They come in either 9mm valve, 11mm dump valve or slingshot nipple.

Windforce in Nedlands has good stock of them. I think sos and choice also do them.

They retail for $20 each.

its not pressure.

they melt off.

On a cold day I pump up to 6.5psi and on a warm one 5-6 psi. I got a new bladder today which will get me back on the water. I will invest in some u-stick nipples and if worst comes to worst Ill get a new set of bladders ($230 i think).

Hey,there is an alternative to the leaking bladders and the delaminating nipples, punctured tubes and continuous trips[}:)] to the local kite shop.. its called a zip!!
Imagine this if you can, arrive at the beach, put the kite down and layout the lines, connect them, launch and enjoy. At the end of the day you just undo the zip and roll it up. Whats missing, the F**k**g pump. Can it be true, Bloody oath it is....its called a VENOM.
I flew Slingshots for a few years, and Wipikas and Best, but get a zip cos they fly real good. The best zips are fitted to Peter Lynn Kites. The best zips are available in Perth at Hold The Line, hey, didnt a zip just win the National Wave Championships of Oz.

how did they go in freestyle nats?

I just rang Andy Regan (SS importer and allround nice guy) and explained the problem when this happened to me on a Diesel a few months back. He explained it was not the glue but the welding process. He provided a solution, despite my kite being past a year old. I'm sure he'll be able to help one way or another.


Email:
info@slingshotkiteboarding.com.au