Ian bashes Ride Engine

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

Whats up with this

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCssBE-h7KZ/?taken-by=ianalldredge

Anyone else having issues with their RE?

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

did I misunderstand the history of Ride Engine or was it not started with Ian onboard?

Kevin

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Engine was started by Coleman on an artisanal basis, had a few teething issues, was widely adopted among the central coast and nw surf glitturderatti.
The big sell-out to 7nations/überborg/schlingshiyutt/etc netted some dollars, perhaps some boge "engineering" and definitely a BS distinction between Hexcore (fancy name for coremat - the same cheap old shit peddled in $$$$ surf fins) and whatever they call the stuff they charge more for. Not that there's anything wrong with coremat but...
Looks like the "engineers" used theories to determine how much glass to use instead of common sense. Did they forget to add lots of extra glass for wear and tear, abrasion, unknowns? Yes, they did.

Maybe this is someone's way of letting it be known somebody got a raw deal, somewhere along the way.... Or just the result of selling a $50 harness for $300 instead of a $55 harness.

Overall it's consonant with a few other slingy engineering fails over the years....

Twisted Evil

Not all that glitturd was gold! Twisted Evil

Or maybe somebody ate a tainted taco
Get well soon, Engine.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

This is all bullshit. I have 15 days on my RE, best harness I have owned.
Look at these images, how in the world did this happen under normal use and care. No way! This was an intentional
Breakage. If someone was using this harness when this happened the person would be in two pieces.

People might not like the performance / cosmetics of Slingshot gear but no way do they make nothing but quality equipment. Their stuff is like a tank. And I for one can say their customer support / warranty is great.

Derp · Since 02 Sep 2009 11 Posts

I had an issue with my core mat Ride Engine harness and they are taking care of me. If you're hard on gear and kite often, it might be worth paying the extra $50 for the team series.

The fact of the matter is, this harness is so much better than anything else, I would probably buy a new one every year if I needed to.

Harri · Since 26 Jan 2016 6 Posts Austria • Salzburg Kook

Ian aldridge is sponsered by dakine (who also launched a harness with rigid shell, the c1) take a look in his bio on instagram. Shame on ian to use such postings for promoting his sponsor's stuff. If the picture is real, i would like to see his ribs.
I am on a RE team series since a few months, everything works great. I love the simple slider with the rope. Also tested the dakine slider with the belt and also the ion traveller hook: both are really the worst you can get for a sliding spreader bar.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Ok then so it was Aldridge that ate the bad taco?
Go the Borg!
But jeez, a couple more layers of glass, mo betta, unless he drove over it or something.

sfbomber · Since 27 Jun 2012 114 Posts Stoked

Looks like it was run over by a truck...

goon.bunny · Since 09 Mar 2016 5 Posts Kook

Hey guys, my name is Coleman and I make these harnesses. Ian really likes Ride Engine harnesses but has a problem with me that I would rather not go into so he switched back to Dakine. Anyhow I recently provoked him and that post about the broken shell was retaliation. That harness in the picture was smashed on the ground and stomped on. It didn't break while riding. The more people you can let know that that is the truth the better. I think in the end Ian is gonna look bad for this but I do want to try and stop the rumors of poor quality for good. Any assistance anyone feels like offering with that would be appreciated.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Love my RE harness.
Best harness I've owned in 30+ years of windsurfing and kiting.
It's a game changer in terms of comfort, ease of use, and performance.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Thanks Coleman for clearing that up Thumb's Up

Hope u guys can work it out - negative nonsense casts a long shadow...

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Yeah keep m straight Coleman
Sorry for the tr Twisted Evil

llin'
Spring fever trollin Twisted Evil

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

yeah coleman welcome to nwkite!
anyhow I was lucky enough to purchase an engine custom back when coleman first started making them in his garage. he's been very supportive over the years and listening to my feedback as well as helping me resolve any problems I've experienced. I still use it everyday I kite.
he came up with a great concept and it works for many kiters. when I first looked at the image of the damaged harness, my first thought based on the break pattern was "did someone just drive over that?" then I thought, what does the kiter look like if that was his harness?
really poor decision for a sponsored rider to go on social media and talk trash. if you've got issues with another kiter, this isn't the best way to resolve them, it just makes you look bad in other's eyes. on the upside, ian is a fantastic rider and love watching him, he really knows how to rip in the surf and strapless airs, just prefer to not see the negative promotion whoever it is. thats the shit I will always remember.

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

Stringy, you were very diplomatic but I agree that's some serious bull$hit - a sponsored rider by definition is being paid to promote one brand's product, so they already have no credibility when it comes criticizing competing products. If this guy Ian is sponsored by Dakine and intentionally damaged a product from a competing company, and then questioned whether the damage is due to poor quality, that's not only wrong but likely has legal implications. And even if he didn't intentionally damage the harness he should just keep his mouth shut and stick to positive promotion for the company he is sponsored by.

Hopefully someone from Dakine is paying attention. They need to get a muzzle on their sponsored dog.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Lame. Grow up Ian.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I can think of a bunch of scenarios for this damage. None of them come from someone wearing and using this harness.
I agree that there is a lack of professionalism with his post. He is an amazing rider and should know better than to bash a competitor's product. Like Coleman points out, they have a beef with one another and social media is a real bad place to air your laundry. I have seen quite a few pro riders loose their privileges with their sponsors for the same thing. Some of them learn, some do not.
I have only used my Ride Engine harness for 10 sessions and it is super comfortable and supportive. I love the sliding rope simplicity as well. When I purchased it, I was told my the dealer that if I didn't like it, they would give me a 100% refund. How do you turn down that deal? My only concern I had was that it was difficult to get tight enough at first. I learned that getting the straps wet before putting it on helped. The more I use it the easier the process gets.
Dakine and a few other harness manufacturers makes great products as well. Everyone won't like every harness on the market. Just like anything else, we all have different bodies and different preferences. There is no best anything.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed