I have a question kiters...

So I bought this 2011 F-One Trax 134 just a few weeks ago brand new. I've only had four sessions on it and the laminate on the bottom of the board, on one of the tips, is beginning to peel back. Personally I've never seen this before and have been riding for three years and owned many different brands of boards. I showed it to a buddy of mine who also has never seen this before.

I contacted the shop I bought it from who put me in contact with the F-One rep and after a couple weeks of emails I got the word that F-One is denying my warranty claim; here is what they say "this small delamination occured because of an impact in the first place, then the fiberglass opens up a bit at the abs rail, causing water infiltration and finaly delamination." But the delamination is occurring across the whole tip of the board through the three points. Now I've banged more than a few boards around and never seen this happen. Nowadays I baby all my gear and keep all my boards in padded day bags; this board I kept in a Dakine Slider bag.

So my question is: am I getting hosed by F-One or does this type of thing happen all the time to brand new boards that cost nearly a grand?

I bought this board brand new and got a screamin' deal (for F-One anyway) but still paid a pretty penny and I just don't feel that I got a quality product.

Now go ahead kiters and give me your opinion... love or hate I'm here to learn.

Also, the first photo is of a few of the fins and screws which have rust stains after only three salt water sessions which I always washed off with fresh water afterwards... what kind of quality is this?

Thanks for your input!

Your getting HOSED by F-0ne !!

That one shot with File comment: Right Tip - delamination across the whole side

That's "NOT" from impact damage !!!

I suspect that contamination occurred in the molding possess, (like wax)
in the mold ? (maybe)
Some of it may have leaked in-between the lamination's.

I make aircraft quality parts from molds and was trained by one
of the Best in the Nation.

If you need F-one to contact me then Pm for my E-mail, but
forward This post first.

In the mean-while , i can assure you, I will NOT be purchasing an F-one
board unless they make Good on your board !!!

I've ran my Underground into the beach, (and kept riding over sand) and haven't
sustained -- that much damage !!!

Bille Floyd

YOU SHOULD'VE BOUGHT AN EPIC!!!!

Sorry guys....that's was a little inside joke between me and my buddy Loon there...

Seems odd that they would not warranty that. I mean 4 sessions? If a tiny impact like that is all it takes?? Man I've been grinding my boards, on reef, and rocks, and had way worse impacts.

Obviously I can only go by what you say and the images, but the pic, like Billie said, where there is a long delam, looks like a weakness to me.

[/quote]YOU SHOULD'VE BOUGHT AN EPIC!!!!

Sorry guys....that's was a little inside joke between me and my buddy Loon there...[/quote]




No really though, I've seen the board in person and it's worse than it looks in the pictures. Those pics don't do it justice on how the delamination looks. It's a sweet looking board. To bad that F-One's customer service won't step up and do the right thing.

I was supporting OP.

btw. it should not be hard to fix it on your own if f-one are still being ass-hattish about it.

So I had a very similar looking delam - except mine was on 2010 Xenon Laluz, a year older and probably a hundred more brutal sessions WAY MORE ABUSED. When I first purchased this board a year ago - I was nervous considering the ultra-light weight construction. The shop I purchased from convinced me saying the Xenon warranty is solid and they have confidence in their gear. (Kite Zombies - awesome service, great shop).

Don't get me wrong as this board was bomber and withstood some really good abuse above my expectations. However, a week or two ago I noticed some delamination just like yours. Functionally the board was fine for the moment, but I loved the board so much I wanted it repaired before it got worse. I contacted the shop with pictures and next thing I know Xenon steps up and not only replaces the board, but upgrades it to a 2011.

Apparently unlike F-One, Xenon does not accept any kind of gear failure. Ironic thing is that a year ago the two boards I was deciding between was the F-One Trax and Xenon Laluz... Decision factor was Kite-Zombies offered a fair deal (as the 2011's were coming out) while I couldn't find a deal I liked for the F-One. I'd buy the Xenon again in a heartbeat and will probably buy again in the future.

nope thats crappola. f one are tearing you a new one.

get loud and threaten.

the shop owner should be backing you up. he should also take it back for a full refund and sell you something else aswell.

boards should be able to with stand small impact dammage without catastrophic failure. The boys and F one obviously have no clue how to build boards properly.

Have to say it sounds like they are screwing with you, if you look at my Laluz, there is only a small amount of delamination, I contacted Surface 2 Air in the UK, I’m also getting a new deck no questions, so a thumbs up for them. Won’t be going anywhere near F ONE, good luck though

[/quote]btw. it should not be hard to fix it on your own if f-one are still being ass-hattish about it.[/quote]

Taut - I'm sure I could fix it myself and keep it working but should I really have to that to a brand new board that I paid a high dollar for? And my main concern is that if it's happening on one tip this soon how long will this board actually survive? Can a kiter have confidence in his equipment if the board is disintegrating beneath his feet as he rides?

I owned a North Jaime Pro 135 that I bought used, took it on a 5 week hardcore kite trip through Brazil where I beat the crap out of it, not only on the water but through traveling, nicked and dinged and never had any delam issues.

For what F-One charges for their gear their customers should get something high quality! I bought a Wainman Blunt for roughly the same price and not only did I get a quality board but I also got a board bag, a multi-tool, a bag for the multi-tool, and they threw a t-shirt into the box as extra swag; Go Rabbit Gang! In retrospect I should've gone with the Joke but I wanted to try something else as I've been riding Wainman kites and boards for over a year just wanted something different. I was even gonna quiver up with the new Bandit V's but now... I dunno.

The shop I bought it from, Greenhat Kiteboarding, has been very responsive and they did back me up, as much as they could until they just put me in contact with the rep directly. I don't expect a refund from them and hold no grudges as it's not their fault that the board is having issues. I like the board, I want the board... I just want what I paid for... a high quality board for the high price I paid for it.

Thanks for all your input and support kiters... I knew I wasn't crazy!

DJ A-Ron... I got the only two things from Epic you don't have and why get anything else when I can just ride yours! HaHaHaHaHaHa! And I don't even have to pump it up!