Ozone Edges - leading edge tears

Select to expand quote

Andy T said...
Note to self; don't buy ozone edge

Worth buying for the exsperience
Put a good mate on mine last week
He used to demo for north and wipika in the uk
He's always rode c kites
Said it was the most powerfull but balanced kite he had ever flown
Well worth trying if you like power and hangtime

Me to, 8.5 is my magic number

Select to expand quote

Kozzie said..

Chris6791 said..
I've got several Ozone Edges spread across 2013, 2014 and the V8. So far 3 out of the 4 have needed leading edge and bladder repairs at exactly the same point. They all burst open about 1 inch from the bridle connection point closest to the centre strut?

Now one or two in the same spot is a coincidence but I'm up to five repairs on three different kites on either side of the centre strut. At this stage I'm assuming the V8 hasn't failed yet as it's only been on the water a handful of times?

Is anyone else having this problem? If so is it just the freeride guys or do the guys that race on them have this same problem?

do you use a pump with a airgauge ?!? i find people that use these stupid psi gauges are WAY overpumping theyre kites and causeing them to rupture. take the thing off and learn to pump it by feel. all your trying to do is make a rigid structure so just try bend the kite between a section on leading edge (middle of 2 stitch points) and if shes hard to bend then thats plenty.

Yup, pump with gauge, but I don't 100% trust it so usually back that up with a flick of the finger for a nice ping, or the fold test. I think the general consensus is that while I may not be under-inflating, I could probably pump another 1 or 2 PSI in them.

My newest is the 6m is a V8 with the new fabric Cauncy, I've got nothing to lose by pumping it up a little harder but I'll let you know if I have any drams with this one.

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..

Chris6791 said...

Kozzie said..

Chris6791 said..
I've got several Ozone Edges spread across 2013, 2014 and the V8. So far 3 out of the 4 have needed leading edge and bladder repairs at exactly the same point. They all burst open about 1 inch from the bridle connection point closest to the centre strut?

Now one or two in the same spot is a coincidence but I'm up to five repairs on three different kites on either side of the centre strut. At this stage I'm assuming the V8 hasn't failed yet as it's only been on the water a handful of times?

Is anyone else having this problem? If so is it just the freeride guys or do the guys that race on them have this same problem?

do you use a pump with a airgauge ?!? i find people that use these stupid psi gauges are WAY overpumping theyre kites and causeing them to rupture. take the thing off and learn to pump it by feel. all your trying to do is make a rigid structure so just try bend the kite between a section on leading edge (middle of 2 stitch points) and if shes hard to bend then thats plenty.

Yup, pump with gauge, but I don't 100% trust it so usually back that up with a flick of the finger for a nice ping, or the fold test. I think the general consensus is that while I may not be under-inflating, I could probably pump another 1 or 2 PSI in them.

I'll put a carton of your fave beer that it doesn't make any difference to what you already do Chris
It's an unfortunate problem you get with the edges,
They've not made a bad kite or anything, it's just a weak spot,
I've been vocal about this error in the past as I've constantly had this occur,
Has it stopped me buying edges , no
Will I buy an edge again, yes possibly if they reinforce them or the new d2 solves this problem,
Here plums tell me why these all failed


The bottom 5 pictures are 5 failures in different places , all next to bridle poin and on the same kite, the 1st in my 10 which split, it's gone again different place but again bridal point,
Please tell me what I'm doing wrong
When you've done that I've got a load more photos from different years and sizes
Plenty of other brands have issues here and there on boards, kites , bars, etc etc but they generally re design the fault, the edges were a premium race kite, and needed to be of the lightest construction, but now ?
Ps I'd pay the xtra if the was a freeride option

Have to jump in here. We have sold A LOT of edges since 2013 and what you are saying, simply isn't the case. They use the exact same material and construction method of the LE and bridle points as every other Ozone model. Edges just have far less dacron on the wingtips and very minimal protective patches on the LE.

I have not seen one edge come in for repair with these little splits on the LE, without the rest of the kite looking very well used... Just look at what Neil said, this happens on all makes and models.
Looking at those photos of your kite, it is pretty flogged :) So to me, it looks like you are just a heavy user and loves to fly the Edge in strong winds over there with the occasional unplanned landing at full speed..

I do think they should go back to the sheathed bridles, the full length strip of webbing on the struts and some more protection on the LE for self launching and landing like on the other Ozone models. It's no longer a race kite.

Select to expand quote

WOK said..
Seems a bit strange that the certain FEW had issues

Anyway had a ride on a customers 9mt Edge V8 last saturday, HOLY CRAP, this new model is freaking awesome

Always thought the Edge was a beautiful kite but not my cup of tea, the V8 has changed that, anyway am ordering some for demo very soon as people really need to try this kite.

Ozone this year are a brand to be reckoned with, if you want the best performance get your hands on one !!

Jason
West Oz Boardsports

Sigh. Another nepotist

Select to expand quote

Kitepower Australia said...

cauncy said..

Chris6791 said...

Kozzie said..

Chris6791 said..
I've got several Ozone Edges spread across 2013, 2014 and the V8. So far 3 out of the 4 have needed leading edge and bladder repairs at exactly the same point. They all burst open about 1 inch from the bridle connection point closest to the centre strut?

Now one or two in the same spot is a coincidence but I'm up to five repairs on three different kites on either side of the centre strut. At this stage I'm assuming the V8 hasn't failed yet as it's only been on the water a handful of times?

Is anyone else having this problem? If so is it just the freeride guys or do the guys that race on them have this same problem?

do you use a pump with a airgauge ?!? i find people that use these stupid psi gauges are WAY overpumping theyre kites and causeing them to rupture. take the thing off and learn to pump it by feel. all your trying to do is make a rigid structure so just try bend the kite between a section on leading edge (middle of 2 stitch points) and if shes hard to bend then thats plenty.

Yup, pump with gauge, but I don't 100% trust it so usually back that up with a flick of the finger for a nice ping, or the fold test. I think the general consensus is that while I may not be under-inflating, I could probably pump another 1 or 2 PSI in them.

I'll put a carton of your fave beer that it doesn't make any difference to what you already do Chris
It's an unfortunate problem you get with the edges,
They've not made a bad kite or anything, it's just a weak spot,
I've been vocal about this error in the past as I've constantly had this occur,
Has it stopped me buying edges , no
Will I buy an edge again, yes possibly if they reinforce them or the new d2 solves this problem,
Here plums tell me why these all failed


The bottom 5 pictures are 5 failures in different places , all next to bridle poin and on the same kite, the 1st in my 10 which split, it's gone again different place but again bridal point,
Please tell me what I'm doing wrong
When you've done that I've got a load more photos from different years and sizes
Plenty of other brands have issues here and there on boards, kites , bars, etc etc but they generally re design the fault, the edges were a premium race kite, and needed to be of the lightest construction, but now ?
Ps I'd pay the xtra if the was a freeride option

Have to jump in here. We have sold A LOT of edges since 2013 and what you are saying, simply isn't the case. They use the exact same material and construction method of the LE and bridle points as every other Ozone model. Edges just have far less dacron on the wingtips and very minimal protective patches on the LE.

I have not seen one edge come in for repair with these little splits on the LE, without the rest of the kite looking very well used... Just look at what Neil said, this happens on all makes and models.
Looking at those photos of your kite, it is pretty flogged :) So to me, it looks like you are just a heavy user and loves to fly the Edge in strong winds over there with the occasional unplanned landing at full speed..

I do think they should go back to the sheathed bridles, the full length strip of webbing on the struts and some more protection on the LE for self launching and landing like on the other Ozone models. It's no longer a race kite.

The 1st photo was from a kite used 3 times, the 9 was and still is getting flown as I gave it to a local lad,
I do understand that being an importer/ distributor / retailer you'd want to back you product, that I can live with that
But please don't make it out that this is plain ficticiouse , every single model and size I've had has done this, why I don't know
I've received emails in the dozens regarding the riding exsperience of the edges,
I hope I've been truthful , they're a very sweet kite, but I've always mentioned the faults I've had, most I'm glad to say have gone past this and enjoy/ froth over this kites performance,
I've never made a claim on any edge I've had or owned, Neil at htl has always repaired them,
Last time this subject was brought up it was jumped all over as being not true
Yet I checked the used stock at the retailer,
I found nearly every kite had a le repair, not other brands just edges, and in the same spot
So how can this not be a problem? When the evidence was there
I've just unpacked my 10 which on a whole ( or hole) is in fantastic condition,
This popped mid air jumping in 20/23 knts under load, my 7 which was as new popped again mid air on re direction afew weeks ago during a jumping transition in 35/38 knts ish again under load, whilst I had my 10 out I've just checked out the other load points on the le , hey furkin presto , another spot,







I'm not bagging the kite or brand, but it's how it's dealt with, my flexifoils are renowned for delam valves at the dump valve, they admit it and when an issue they send it out,
I'd hate to think how many emails I've received which have resulted in a sale for ozone especially the edge and zephyr, same goes for the shinn range of boards especially the monk,
So just setting it straight on that,
Hope the new v8 gives that edge freeride exsperience
I weight 83/85 kg, I do ride as hard as possible, I rarely drop the kite in the drink, I mostly blow up around 9 , I jump on nearly all outward tacks, I generally jump in transitions, I always teather or assist launch
And I live in a windy , very windy joint

steve, cauncy,

you both know your **** so lets just stop calling cauncys kites ozone edges and figure this problem out. just pretend its a kite like any other.

now its blowing up same location year after year by same user.

that location is near a center bridal attachment point? (please correct me where wrong as id like to solve this)

now the type of damage does appear to be one from pressure.

exploding mid air during jump tranys etc meaning huge amounts of force.

small kites super big winds a decent 85kg rider (ozone makes there **** for 80kg riders)

so now we need to make those forces either lessened (not pulling that bar so damn hard/pendulemning the load etc)

cauncy one question..... are you locking off your center strut valve? if you leave it open (just close your end 2 struts (shortest ones) will allow more air pressure to be passed thru larger area.

also the way your resteering the kite is literally forcefully YANKING on that center bridal line. if its reasonably light or under tensioned then completely loaded and yanked on in a certain direction then i could see this damage occuring quite easily.

those kites are very high ar thus sit super forward in wind window and get some serious forces ripping thru the window then loaded in alternating directions.

cauncy if you think about this it would be nicer to have all those forces evened out a little over the attachment points... adding a tiny few cm knot adjustment so that the other attachment points on the same bridal relay are under tension more then just that center one should even out the load.... or simply changeing your jump technique so that both center bridal arrays become under load more evenly throughout the jump.

just a little thought anyways... let me know what you guys think, especially you cauncy as you have years experience blowing these things up so am i even in the ballpark with this?

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..

Kozzie said...
steve, cauncy,

you both know your **** so lets just stop calling cauncys kites ozone edges and figure this problem out. just pretend its a kite like any other.

now its blowing up same location year after year by same user.

that location is near a center bridal attachment point? (please correct me where wrong as id like to solve this)

now the type of damage does appear to be one from pressure.

exploding mid air during jump tranys etc meaning huge amounts of force.

small kites super big winds a decent 85kg rider (ozone makes there **** for 80kg riders)

so now we need to make those forces either lessened (not pulling that bar so damn hard/pendulemning the load etc)

cauncy one question..... are you locking off your center strut valve? if you leave it open (just close your end 2 struts (shortest ones) will allow more air pressure to be passed thru larger area.

also the way your resteering the kite is literally forcefully YANKING on that center bridal line. if its reasonably light or under tensioned then completely loaded and yanked on in a certain direction then i could see this damage occuring quite easily.

those kites are very high ar thus sit super forward in wind window and get some serious forces ripping thru the window then loaded in alternating directions.

cauncy if you think about this it would be nicer to have all those forces evened out a little over the attachment points... adding a tiny few cm knot adjustment so that the other attachment points on the same bridal relay are under tension more then just that center one should even out the load.... or simply changeing your jump technique so that both center bridal arrays become under load more evenly throughout the jump.

just a little thought anyways... let me know what you guys think, especially you cauncy as you have years experience blowing these things up so am i even in the ballpark with this?

Like your way of thinking, but I've had my bridle points split all along le, not just the closest to middle, I never close off my struts unless I know I'm going to head a fair way out, some local spots require it, I've always tweeked my pigtails on le bridle and mess around on back line setting, tuning the kite to conditions and how I like it to fly, I'm no pro but I'd class myself as a very smooth kiter, the edge from my exsperience isn't a kite that benefits from aggressive steering or bar input, it IMHO is a kite that performs better with a progressive action , there's too much lag in steering to kite response, this can be tweeked with a bit more rear line tension , You'd need some decent sensors and software to monitor the benefits of some of your suggestions, I do fly flexifoil kites along side my edges also, they don't give me issues as my edges do but don't fly as powered or with the same feel, however my 8 is a nice bit of gear in correct winds, you carnt be that specific to change your kiting style to suit your kites reliability , I've dabbled with a few kites recently and for extended periods without any issues

**** ay

will revisit when more sober

Had 15, 11 and 9m 2013 edges. All ripped same spot both sides. Did reinforce repair on all spots, no problem since. I've always accepted stuff breaks if you ride hard/crash hard.

Select to expand quote

Loftywinds said...

Now I know whom to target. Thanks

1 2 3 4 you declare a thumb war?