LE replacement advice

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 264 Posts Obsessed

I had a leading edge go out on my 13m. Luckily, I was just pumping it up to go out and I am happy it didn't go out on me on the water. (plus the wind kicked up right then and the 9m saw action instead. woohoo!)

my question is: should I simply replace it myself or have the pros do it? I don't really know WHY the leading edge went out. I was just pumping up and it was starting to get hard Shocked

when boom it deflates. Do i need to worry about a thorn or some wierd crap which is better for the guys at airtime to figure out? Plus if there's a problem, they'd probably be good about taking care of it.

Or should I just replace the bladder and not worry too much? ( i already botched the attempted repair of the bladder). If i do go this route, where do i get the replacement from? airtime? or order from Best (its a 2007 waroo)?

thanks!

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

i patched my bladder, and let the patch set. Re-inflated and it burst again about 1 cm from the original. Why? becuase there was a little hole in the LE that caused the bladder to balloon out through and then pop. So, maybe check for that. in the end i just bought a new kite and gave that one to my brother...

Mark · Wed Jun 18, 08 1:01 pm

Airtime in Hood river is great if you don't feel like messing with it.

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jun 18, 08 1:17 pm

you probably say yeah, just have airtime do it until you get the estimate for a new bladder.

Bladder inspection is easy so take the bladder out and see where the blow out occurred. I suspect its not a thorn otherwise it wouldn't have gone boom on you, it would have leaked out slowly.

I would say patch it, its not that hard and I was actually going to take photos and explain the process of patching a big hole as I just received my box of tear-aid type A patch yesterday.

new bladders are not cheap. If the hole isn't huge you can borrow some patch from me or even come over and we can tackle it together. -although you must bring a contribution to the unicorn gods (preferably beer)

Nak · Wed Jun 18, 08 1:18 pm

You might want to check out Airtime's new bladders. Lighter and far more durable than the old ones. I would guess that knocking half a pound off of your leading edge would be a good thing.

Replacing a bladder is pretty easy. Follow Airtime's instructions and you should be fine. It's easier with help, but it can be done solo with a little creativity.

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy,

That'd be really tight if you could explain that repair process with pics, and a list of 'ingredients'. I'd use the info, for sure. What's this: "box of tear-aid type A patch"? where can you buy it?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Sounds like you had a cavity where the bladder wasn't filling in up against the sleeve. I had this happen twice where the bladder slipped away from the end of the LE where it is supposed to be folded over and velcroed in. So check the ends first.

Usually this is a pretty easy and cheap repair even if you have to take it all the way out...good luck!

Thumb's Up

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jun 18, 08 1:41 pm

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0028443516558a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=tear-aid&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=tear-aid&noImage=0

they also sell a patch kite for $10 but I opted for the 5 foot roll of the stuff. Cabella's was the cheapest place I could find it.

here are the links to the bladder repair stuff, I just thought I would post my own stuff here.

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-patch-a-bladder-from-the-inside-for-a-kiteboard-165020/

http://www.ikiteboarding.com/kiteboarding/articles/how-to-seal-your-own-kite-bladders.aspx

there is also this guy..

http://www.kitebladder.com/

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

ahhhhh!

Everytime today when I take a quick glance at nwkite and see this thread I think it says LF replacement...

...and I wonder why anyone would want to replace their Liquid Force.. then I look closer and see you have bladder problems...

Not recommended.. but back in the day I had a couple of the ends blow out and just tied it in a tight knot and then backfilled the end of the le bladder with random bits of foam...

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

LE bladder replacement is a skill that takes time to master; you're going to have to pay your dues.

i'm sure you'll end up replacing one or two before you get it right. try to get warranty bladders from your kite manufacturer so you dont have to pay for them.