SS.. some issues

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Man I hate being that guy bustin on a brand, but I spend thousands on SS gear from boards to kites so I feel justified to call out issues when I see it.

1. Leash is cheap bungy and breaks.. bye bye kite, I switched mine to Cabrihna leash so it won't happen again, but three other guys have had kites go away, one into a tree and SS says "Wow never heard of that must be a freak thing blah blah...

2. Bad welds on CL are bustin out. This design was fucked from the get go, but were stuck with it so check yours regularly.

3. Bought a yellow kite... turns out its 90% white. This is a quibble but white kites get dirty fast and are harder to sell. I know through the years SS has taken the last of the Tejin available and this sometimes means weird color configurations, but dont list a white kite as yellow when its not.

I know errors occur in manufacturing but design is SS department. Why use 650 pound kite lines with cheap Bungy in leash? Cmon guys. These kites are not cheap and losing one over this kind crap is not cool.

Ok fanboys have at me.... Very Happy

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

bahahah, im makin some popcorn for this one

shiiiit i'm still slayin it on my 2008 best kites

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2377241
etc.
You don't have to be hein to figure out why this is a bad idea.
Get it straight boys...

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Yep the first time I saw those lil' wires I knew it was bad design. Then I found out the weld is right at the bend and thought "are they really that stupid?" Oh yeah.

I know that companies have no long term testing of products, so we end up being the test dummies. (too exspensive I suppose)

But If I can see the problem before it happens, someone needs to get their shit straight on the design end.

Sella · Sat Oct 13, 12 9:50 am

Their leash clip has been weak for years and the new Comp Bar chicken loop clip I bet is the #1 restocked item for Windance since I've bought 2 just this year to the tune of $20 per. I like the bar feel and push away safety but agree you should definitely check your SS metal for fatigue as one side one of the clips will get a small crack in it. The kites and lines are bomb proof and yes the chicken loop takes some abuse dragging my fat ass around the river but those two metal clips should be beefed up....or redesigned completely.

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

I have always respected Tony Logosz's designs and concepts. He pushed the boundaries of windsurf board shaping and has unquestionably left a lasting legacy in the kite board industry. That being said, for every mind blowing positive innovation he and his team have, they seem to have an equal poorly executed idea. Slingshot and the legendary Logosz Boards have a reputation of releasing products in to the market place before they are adequately tested in both design and manufacturing. It usually takes them a season or two to work out the design and/or manufacturing defects. Frustrating when you're spending 1000's of dollars on gear and they don't own up to the flaw. Even more frustrating is not being able to trust and rely on your gear to work the way it is supposed to. Ultimately leaving you with the "turd" in your hand.

Years ago, North used a cheesy clip on their leash that when under pressure (as in activating the safety) would allow the fifth line to slip through. Thus fully releasing your kite to the wind gods. They don't use that clip anymore.

Good luck with your journey.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

You are obviously hooked in too much!!! Twisted Evil

Im sure if you contact slingy they could look into warrantying such a product for you. Sorry you dont find it adequate. I have never had a problem with the bars in all my years of riding them for the record!

Slaker · Since 29 Jul 2008 41 Posts

FYI, those bends are supposed to be there. I think the first run of them a few years ago were straight and they broke really easy so Tony redesigned it to already be bent, I haven't broken one since. Don't get me wrong though I agree that seems to be a visible weak point that I would like to see changed, especially when I am doing things like this:

Link

As far as the leash I break those all the time. If you are riding suicide a lot I would suggest fashioning a custom leash as I have not found a production leash that doesn't break after a while. Things like this are made as good as they need to be for the average rider to reduce cost.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

Most companies wont admit it, they all got problems. I know and been though this many times, being a carrer rider like its a job is tough work, and if I start going off
you all will hate me, even more, so most companies are nice to me at some point,
If I tell the truth it would open the a>b door, we do not do this.
....So lets just say call slingy and they will make it right, if they dont thats really rare. But I can say that slingy bar will rip your hands up, and that stiching on the control rope too. and never use the eject just unhook and let go. and I never used a slingy leash, the rappid fire was way better and I use that, comp stick is not the best. Wish they let me desigh the bar, and have you choose,
the secret agent.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Jonpnw · Sat Oct 13, 12 2:55 pm

Every kite company has design and manufacturing flaws at times. Its how they deal with the issues that arise.

Go SS Go!

Nak · Sat Oct 13, 12 3:05 pm

I'm not sure metal plates would be the answer. They would look beefier or sure, but due to manufacturing process plate just isn't as ductile as wire. Initially, strength might be higher, but I really think you'd have more problems in the long run. I'm not trying to be a fanboy here, but I will say I haven't had a problem with my Chickenloops yet. My most used bar is a 2010 model which is supposed to be the worst, and as of yet no problems. (I will take a close look at those welds though...)

One thing to consider with a leash is: how strong do you really want it to be? Guys riding suicide probably want it to be stronger than guys who use it as a last resort safety. Personally, I'd rather mine break with excess load. I think from a liability standpoint, it's probably a lot safer for a company to make a leash that's not too strong. Certainly there's a market for a "suicide" leash though... I think making a really nice "suicide" leash would be pretty easy for an individual. There's a new winter project for me!

I know the clips on the leashes used to release at ridiculously low loads years ago; I wasn't aware that's still a problem? I'd love to hear any specific cases along with pictures of the clip in question. Are these clips bending over time with hard use? That could be causing a problem. What is the perfect clip on a leash?

@Lurk: What part of the bungee broke? Was it the bungee line that feeds through the bar, or was it the bungee on the leash itself?

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Bettyboarder · Sat Oct 13, 12 6:11 pm

We haven't had problems with our SS stuff at all. I been riding the same leash for at least 2 seasons without any problems.

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Had a similar issue with SS CL welding point snap. Went to SS and they immediately replaced it no problem. I don't believe that Slingshot would deliberately pot out or continue the manufacture of a defective part/design. No kite company out there is perfect, but SS is darn close!

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

approx 3% of all customers are going to complain or have issues
you can't please everyone

Rienstra is harder on gear than any of you guys put together and his stuff lasts all year with no issues.

I have never heard of a CL wire breaking
Leashes on a very rare occasion can break but if you checked it regularly I'll bet it had wear.

I use those leashes on a pulley bar and have never had one break

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 114 Posts Stoked

Anyone have pictures of a broken slingshot leash?
I'd like to know where they break, as I'm starting to ride suicide with those leashes. Thanks.