Valve delamination and glue failure is ALWAYS caused be excessive heat. Here in Canada we see it only on kites that people have used in the tropics. I personally have been to hot climates many times with no problems, but I never leave my kites in a hot car or anywhere where the heat can become excessive. I have North, Naish, and Ozone kites.

If you buy a kite (even a new one) in a tropical country you have no way of knowing its history. Having said this, I hope that all kite manufacturers find glue that withstands higher heat.

CG

Heat and moisture are the problem. That being said, the other issue is how difficult it can be to remove and reinsert various bladders. Since I end up doing most of the repairs around here, I see them all. The more basic Slingshot style one pump system is the easiest type to repair. Ozone and North are similar. Cabrinha's system with little screws and clam shells is not too bad if you can keep track of the parts. RRD valves are very hard to remove from the kite. The Naish Octopus is crazy hard, but newer Naish kites have a bit more room to work the valves.

To the manufactures: I say keep it simple, bladders need to come out easily. If it's not valves it's other bladder punctures or fabric repairs. I just had a North here with tiny access on the very pointy wing-tips.

The repair price goes up with the degree of difficulty.

Flysurfer, no valves to go bad!

Nuff said

It doesn't get much hotter and humid then Bali.. Here brand new kites get valves delaminating in few weeks..
The guy who does all the repair has to glue so many valves that is probably one of the most expert in the world.. Kites with the worst record ever of valves delaminating are North..
Naish were a nightmare (he pretty much refuse to repair them!) till couple of years ago but we do not see them anymore.
The one that hold better are Cabrinha and Ozone and that is why we sell them...
Bye Jankie

How do you store your kite? Do you roll it like a poster or do you fold it flat like harmonica?

I was told by my kite repair friend that rolling a kite in warm weather streches the bladder around valves and it slowly unglues them. All the kites are affected.

Hi,

That might be actually a solution.
I always fold my kites like a harmonica (loose, not tight) and store them in a large plastic box, leaving my car clean.
I never ever had any valve problems and I can assure you it was very hot in my cars when the car was parked. You could fry eggs on the bonnet.

Cheers
Caesar

I've never understood why folks roll up their kites until I saw a "how to" video on a manufacturers website where in that video it showed how to pack up your kite... basically roll up each wing tip to the middle. I've always folded mine from the tips to the middle rather than roll it... it's faster but it's harder to get in the bag that way. I think if you're not careful it's easy to roll it up too tight and put some pressure where you don't want it. If you fold it the same way every time you probably develop creases which may or may not be harmful. Tough to call.

As an aside I had a sleeping bag and I remember the instructions were very clear... do NOT roll it up... rather just stuff it willy nilly into the bag. The reason.... rolling is very hard on the stitching.

In the case of a kite... rolling wouldn't likely damage stitching but it could affected bladder valves if they're being squeezed to hard from a tight roll. You add a little heat and that might be the just the force needed to pull them off slightly.

I know that to get a valve off a bladder all you have to do is hold the valve under hot water and pull/peal gently on it and in about 40 sec it's off. Easy as pie. Heat and valves is not good.

The good part is if they do leak... for the most part you can easily take them off and re-glue them in place with a little work. I've done it several times on a friends kite. Depending on the kite it can be a lot of work.

Yes i "always fold neatly,loosely" never roll.....zero issues......and i have North Rebels 2010/2012

Stored in a room at our 1 block from beach condo.......AC at 78 to 75 degrees / 50% humidity

Rarely have a kite in hot car while i kite because i usually bring only one kite with me

Even if i have one kite in car i go out late in afternoon or early morning....so minimum heat in car

Folding technique and storage may be the culprit.....not so much the brand in particular

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Given the nature of the sport, you would think that someone would come up with a solution for valves which you could leave in your car in the heat of the summer and never have a problem. It is the reality for most people that don't live on the beach. I would never leave my house without my quiver in the event it got windy and I could score the afternoon off work. I would never get out if I was not always prepared when the opportunity to get out presents itself.

Yes I am very good at replacing valves now. And I carry 6 with me at all times.

Can't someone invent VALVELESS bladders ???
Just wondering....is it possible?

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