I have been using the 9m and 7m in the past few days. They are 2020 models practically new. However, I can't close the valves to the struts properly no matter how tight I press them. When I deflate the kites, the struts loose most pressure too. I have never had this problem with other brands, so I wonder whether there is something special with this version of the Neo. it is the same for all struts of the 7m and 9m, so it is not one individual fault.
Anyone has seen or know about this problem and solution?
Thanks
My advice is to take the clamps out of their covers and see if the clamps actually work. If they don't then I'd suggest changing the plastic clamps. We've got plenty of spares if you want some, just send me a PM.
In case they work outside the cover then it's most likely due to the cover itself that is pinching in the clamp when you press it down. Sometimes it's just a matter of moving the cover around so it doesn't interfere with the clamping mechanism.
All that being said, some clamps tend to hold better than others across various brands and years.
Hope this helps
Christian
Thanks, I will check the clamps today. As the kites are practically new, latest model, any wear and tear is out of questions. The facts, that none of the clamps worked properly on two different Neos and I never had similar problems with my previous kites of other brands, suggested that there may be something extra I needed to do or be aware with this brand. I was wondering if others, riding duotone kites, have had similar problems and foud some simple solutions. Otherwise,the kites fly great as expected.
Yeh , me and 4 other kiters have never bothered clipping struts, only the 2 females at our beach always did.
Well I must be that 20% who do or a female as some people put it. I've had a leading edge go and had to do the swim , was thankful to still have struts that floated so I wasn't towing a sea anchor. The 80% you've observed a probably in a river ,closed waters or bloody close to shore. If you venture offshore to reefs clipping struts is a pretty good idea. Damn sure the kite designers didn't put them there just for women and looks
Mr Airborn, it might be just the wording of your post, but if you have been teaching for 10 years with such ignorance of safety issues, and you still teach, then you are either lucky or have a very good insurance. In my 20 years of kiting, i have seen plenty of "lucky" guys in deep trouble (including myself). I suggest you try yourself, and include in your teaching, an exercise of rolling up and getting to shore an entirely deflated kite, but do it not more than 100m from shore, otherwise you may not make it for dinner on time.
Indeed, I haven't needed my quick release for about 15 years and (i hope) most kiters did not either. Does this suggest they are not so important...? Or important only for girls... (with grey bears like me :- )
I had a run on my 7m this avo. I compressed the clips with such force that I was worried to break them. At the end of the session only the middle strut held, the two others deflated with the leading edge. I have flown Slingshots, Ozones and Cabs in the past 10 years with absolutely no problem with closing the strut valves with normal force which even a child can exert. It is absolutely unreasonable having to apply extreme force on a Duotone kite. I suspect, the tubes are made of a harder material which cannot be closed easily.
So, Duotone, you put out a great kite, but it has an obvious safety issue. If any of your reps read this forum, this is the time to act... I mean now. When the legal issue of duty of care arises, it's usually too late.
Cheers guys, have fun and stay safe.
We use a lot of Duotone kites both in the school and personally.
I will say they can take a little bit more force than some other brands, the hoses are quite thick and they do need a fair bit of pressure on them. If you don't quite get that last "click" they'll often let out a little air.
They should seal to effectively 100% though, I've tested bladders etc. with just the hose clipped up not connect to anything plenty of times and had no issue.
Someone suggested above taking off the covers and making sure they actually work, give this a shot for sure. Have a look at the little teeth on the clip and make sure you're clamping it right down, they really need that last little notch to seal properly in my experience.
If you have trouble clamping them properly, you can also apply a little pressure to the toothed side to allow it to clamp down further with ease.
Thanks for the comments. It's true, if I apply significant force I can close the tubes. I've done a couple of sessions on both kites now and I had no issue, but the force must be much more than on the other brands I've flown.
I was actually seriously suggesting to include into the lessons a crash management when the students needs to roll up a totally deflated kite and swim to shore (50m). It's my distant memory now, but I still remember the struggle of rolling up the bar, lines and then the kite in 20kn with reasonable seas, even with inflated struts... and then floating on them while catching breath.... I was way out, I am not sure if I could have made it with deflated struts.
Those clips are readily available in hospitals, as they are also used there for intravenous hoses and drips. If they are not holding themselves in place, take it out and push the bit with the small teeth and bend it forward. It will then be back to new almost.