Hi Bandit Kiters (or is it Kite Bandits?)

I absolutely love my Bandit 4 Kites but yesterday the bar on my 12 m broke. It is a 2011, as are the others, so the bar has lasted just over 12 months (just out of warranty). It begs the question. When will the others break (I have 3 all V4's 2011)? Fortunately it was only blowing 12-14 knts so no damage to me or other kiters/spectators.

The problem with where is has broken is that you couldn't have checked/noticed that it was about to break. You can see the corrosion in the photo but that was under the rubber cover until it came off.

I'm interested to know if anyone has had a similar problem?

I'm also interested to know how F-One and their distributors respond to this because it is potentially a serious safety flaw in a product they have already had one recall on. So far nothing from F-One France or the Australian distributors.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the heads up,

I'm using the 2012 Airlight bar, hopefully that will not have the issue,

Also that 7m kite I sent you with bar should be sweet, as that bar and lines were hardly used and always washed in fresh water, then left to dry.

Thanks again and it's a reminder for everyone to check there safety's before going out for a session, as who would suspect there bar to break....

Kitesafe
M

I had a Airush bar break in half in the air on me once. Had it inspected by a engineer and itturned out to be a mistake made during forging of the bar, metal was poured in too cold Or something and it pitted and formed hollow pockets in the sold aluminum forming week points. There are many areas a flaw can form during the molding of a bar. Defects can happen.

Was a good lesson for me. Reminded me stuff breaks and nothing is perfect, crap happens and now I don't jump huge in shallow water anymore because if something goes wrong I drop like a rock and ground isn't as soft as water.

I don't know if one broken bar out of a few thousand bars means anything.

But for your first post here, it is surely an interesting choice.

cynic in da house !

Well these guys thought it meant something.


Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 09:45 - FONE Bandit 4 Bar Recall - we are replacing all FONE Bandit 4 bars under warranty due to corrosion on the bars ... please contact me (bruce@ocean2air.co.za) so we can arrange this. The Bandit 4 Bar will be replaced with a new Bandit 5 bar !!

On this site. http://www.ocean2air.co.za/news

They are 95% same-same, just the chicken loop is like B3.

well, you are not the only one, the same happen to me and to every one that kite on salt water, The problem is than in the rush of selling the B4, the bar was already late and they forget to anodized. I get in contact with my local dealer and they replace it immediately with a b5 bar that is anodized.

Hey guys - this statement (above) was put on my site for our customers in South Africa - there is no recall on the bars I was just alerting customers to check on the bars as we have found some bars corroded badly and we will replace these ones under warranty ...

If you are not sure speak to your local FONE dealer.

I can't imagine F-one will not replace the bar even if the warrenty year has passed.
Why hasn't F-one commented on this topic yet? Come on, it's been a week. This is pretty bad for your brand.