Is the one-pump inflation system just another form of planned-obsolescence ?
One-pump is the rust in kitesurfing.
When your one-pump f#cks up badly, you just go and buy another kite, right ?
Why would you even attempt to fix up something that's way too much hassle ?
lol.
And yeah,
we all shifted to one-pump ...
cause the choice was taken away.
One-pump is a deliberate scheme to limit the useful life of a kite.
what's so hard to fix about a one-pump system?
do you have trouble pulling the hoses off the valves, or working out how to replace the cable ties? or is it too difficult to line up the valves in the LE bladder?
i suggest you return to pole dancing if repairing a bladder causes you concerns
I have had it since 2004 and havent had any issue with the one pump at all.
04 fuels for two years
06 octanes for two years
09 rev 1 for 3 years
and now rally's.
So I have kept my kites longer than most and would know if the system had a bad design flaw.
Would never go back to a kite with out it.
Would you take the aircon and powers steering off your car because it makes the car complicated to repair, would you go back to those timber wheels cause they don't get punctures like those new rubber ones, me thinks not!
Stamp,
I'm sure you're a real hands-on type of guy. ^^^
You probably like to fix your own stuff and have the skills to do so.
But most of the kiting crew aren't like you (or me),
so they go and buy a new kite when the plumbing fails.
Do you get my premise ?
if your to incompetent to fix it give it to a kite repairer why would you throw out a kite you can rip em in half in still fix them
i dont know anyone who replaces a kite because of a valve needing fixing.... they are so simple to fix.... One pump kites have much less valve failure than non one pump kites...
I think your trolling for an argument that isn't there....
Hey Slave, better check your tinfoil hat for leaks. You know that if it leaks and you don't fix it right away then the government and the corporations and especially the kite makers will be able to control your mind. Did you notice that foil has gotten thinner over the years? They've taken away our choice of foil thickness so that it's more likely our hats will leak and won't shield us from their mind-control transmissions.
I never liked one pump until I got a one pump kite.
Then I liked it....
Are there any non one pump kites around anymore?
I dont think slave really cares.
He just learnt the word "obsolescence" from his word of the day calander and feeling very clever and wanted to show it off.
my word of the day.
"drouge"
Ps usually my sticking unstitches before the one pump fails. I think theres a stitching conspiracy out there... Bastards are making kites from those disolving stitches ... designed to melt after 2 years.
Yeah, and what's the deal with using such light fabric in the kite and such thin lines? Surely if kite companies used main-sail weight fabric in the kites and 10 mm diameter lines we would see more durability?
I'm more of a believer in the market. One Pump systems still exist because the customer wants it. If the idea was bad - people would have avoided the one-pump when companies were selling one-pump and non one-pump systems simultaneously.
The kite companies would then respond to this by phasing it out. Look at Sigma shape with Naish - good design, but I don't think the kite buying public were entirely sold on it.
To be honest Slave, do you really want to go back to trying to get that tiny white ball to seat in the valve before plugging it off? That system used to drive me nuts...
Heres a thought Slave....... When your kite slams into the ocean, and you have an octopus / one pump set-up with out clamping the lines, the struts will take some load off the leading edge bladder. Actually makes your kite last longer
With Slave on this one.
I hate the bloody one pump system and would happily opt for a multi point inflation system if manufacturers presented the choice.
My point is, when you have a product that is put through extreme stress and strain why would you want to manufacture multiple points of failure?
And if you are not blowing valves on a regular occasion then I guess you are just not going hard enough.
I am sure shops love one pump. God knows they have made a small fortune from me buying replacement valves.
Of course why on earth would you want more choice?
Maybe flatwater riders crashing their kites more have a different experience. I have had a few repairs from crashing the kite in the waves and having it ripped by a massive volume of water, but never had a valve blow out. I did have a leading edge bladder explosion walking up the beach with an old SS kite.... but i took it out, patched it and put it back in, connected up the valves etc and good as new. 
I kinda feel bad for the dude with an old non-one pump who is still setting up when i've arrived, set up and am on the water while he's still fiddling around inflating each strut...
must admit i wont buy a kite unless it is one pump, I don't care if it does break more or adds weight, i just wonna pump and go. If its rust so what stuff rusts, maybe bridle kites is the real rust, cos again my bridle has worn out on a few kites, but my C kite is fine.
