Ive recently had 3 Reos blow their bladders. Ages vary from 2017 to 2022.
Im hearing this is actually a common problem with Reos.
Anyone else on here experience this?
Has anyone got Ozone to repalce the bladders ?
I have been on Reo's for over ten years and have never had a bladder failure. I don't treat my kite with kid gloves either. I feel your unfortunate pain, but bladder issues with Reos isn't a common issue that I have come across.
Hi guys take a seat - this goes on a bit.......
It's unfortunately not just a problem isolated to Reos but all ozone kitesof around that era and before.
The black right angled valves will snap at either the point that the hose retainer sits or in some cases the base of the valve. On others the inflate valves will crack at the base.
There is a later batch of these valves just before the high flow system replaced them that are not prone to this happening and the only distinction is 2 mould dots on the back of the one pump valve as opposed to one on the valves which break.
It is a totally pointless exercise replacing valve by valve so don't get sucked in by anyone suggesting to do that.
Now for the good news.......
Ozone have a full back catalogue of replacement v2 bladders available with the high flow system and new valves. These are the same ones that come on new ozone kites and a great improvement in my opinion.
Unlike many brands these bladders are readily available, very affordable and built quickly to order (so not old stock).
My opinion is that heat and humidity play a factor in how quickly the vakve deteriorate but reckon you've been very lucky to not have had one go yet dafish.
Main - call your local ozone dealer and they will be able to quote you on new ones. If you don't have a local one feel free to msg or call me and I can order them for you also.
Hope this helps.
Ryan
The Sail Doctor
Kite and Wing Repairs
Select to expand quoteCornishryan said..
Hi guys take a seat - this goes on a bit.......
It's unfortunately not just a problem isolated to Reos but all ozone kitesof around that era and before.
The black right angled valves will snap at either the point that the hose retainer sits or in some cases the base of the valve. On others the inflate valves will crack at the base.
There is a later batch of these valves just before the high flow system replaced them that are not prone to this happening and the only distinction is 2 mould dots on the back of the one pump valve as opposed to one on the valves which break.
It is a totally pointless exercise replacing valve by valve so don't get sucked in by anyone suggesting to do that.
Now for the good news.......
Ozone have a full back catalogue of replacement v2 bladders available with the high flow system and new valves. These are the same ones that come on new ozone kites and a great improvement in my opinion.
Unlike many brands these bladders are readily available, very affordable and built quickly to order (so not old stock).
My opinion is that heat and humidity play a factor in how quickly the vakve deteriorate but reckon you've been very lucky to not have had one go yet dafish.
Main - call your local ozone dealer and they will be able to quote you on new ones. If you don't have a local one feel free to msg or call me and I can order them for you also.
Hope this helps.
Ryan
The Sail Doctor
Kite and Wing Repairs
Thanks for that. Ive had them repaired now but it wasn't cheap. Only just started kiting again after going down the wingding rabbit hole for a few years and couldn't believe all 3 blew within months of each other.
Select to expand quoteMain said..
Ive recently had 3 Reos blow their bladders. Ages vary from 2017 to 2022.
Im hearing this is actually a common problem with Reos.
Anyone else on here experience this?
Has anyone got Ozone to repalce the bladders ?
Hey Main,
Just curious, a 2022 Reo would be the V6 with the new bladder system that should have fixed previous issues, can you confirm the year, model and the exact issue? TIA
When you say they have been repaired what was done to them exactly? I was the ozone rep until I resigned for personal reasons recently. There have been zero failures of the new V2 valves and bladders, so I suspect your 2022 kite is not actually a 2022?
One is a 2014 with bladder replaced in about 3years ago then replaced again recently.
One is a v4 bought new but can't remember when.
the other is about 3 to 4 years old.
Just rereading my OP and it's not 2022 (typo) because I haven't kited for a least 2 -3 years.
They are down the coast at the moment so can't quickly check the versions. They are not current models What is strange is that the bladders burst as soon as I pumped them up and used them one after the other..
Select to expand quoteRango said..
I'm more interested in the winging rabbit hole and what caused it to cave in.
It started when I was struggling to paddle into overhead Kirra on a prone foil. I was probably only making 1 in 3 takeoffs and then struggling to get back around and onto the wall. The drawn out bottom turns were basically taking too long...
So next decent swell I jumped back on a short board and couldnt even paddle out without falling off.... I then paddled into a few waves and it was a disaster in every way...foot placement, tippy left to right, nosed dives etc....
So to get my balance back on a surfboard I pulled out a kite and went kitesurfing. After about 30 minutes I dialed the board back in and suddenly realised how much I enjoyed kitesurfing and at about the same point in time it dawned on me how boring wingdinging actually was by comparison.
To cut a long story short Im now mainly surfing and kitesurfing again. So about 2-3 years down the foiling rabbit hole..!
Select to expand quoteMain said..
One is a 2014 with bladder replaced in about 3years ago then replaced again recently.
One is a v4 bought new but can't remember when.
the other is about 3 to 4 years old.
Just rereading my OP and it's not 2022 (typo) because I haven't kited for a least 2 -3 years.
They are down the coast at the moment so can't quickly check the versions. They are not current models What is strange is that the bladders burst as soon as I pumped them up and used them one after the other..
Sorry to hear you've had a bad run with your reos, but the good news is you found your way out of the dinghole!
The 2014 was possibly replaced with bladders which had the rotting right angle valve issue. Anyway, They can all be reborn with the Ozone V2 bladders sets and I've probably got your sizes in stock although I probably don't have the 2014. They take about 3 weeks to arrive from Ozone. Ozone is the only brand I know of that makes replacement bladders for all their kites going back to 2010, same with parts for any of their control systems etc.
Select to expand quoteKPSS Used said..Main said..
One is a 2014 with bladder replaced in about 3years ago then replaced again recently.
One is a v4 bought new but can't remember when.
the other is about 3 to 4 years old.
Just rereading my OP and it's not 2022 (typo) because I haven't kited for a least 2 -3 years.
They are down the coast at the moment so can't quickly check the versions. They are not current models What is strange is that the bladders burst as soon as I pumped them up and used them one after the other..
Sorry to hear you've had a bad run with your reos, but the good news is you found your way out of the dinghole!
The 2014 was possibly replaced with bladders which had the rotting right angle valve issue. Anyway, They can all be reborn with the Ozone V2 bladders sets and I've probably got your sizes in stock although I probably don't have the 2014. They take about 3 weeks to arrive from Ozone. Ozone is the only brand I know of that makes replacement bladders for all their kites going back to 2010, same with parts for any of their control systems etc.
Thanks - I got them replaced already each time I burst one so Im ok now.
Select to expand quoteThanks - I got them replaced already each time I burst one so Im ok now.
Did your repairer replace the valves individually as they failed or supply the new bladder kits as me amd Steve have said is the was to go?
If it is being done valves by valve then or with non genuine bladders I question the logic/reasoning given the ozone sets are really economical and readily available ($180 -220 for 3 strut kites plus fitting charge and any associated shipping).
Any repairer suggesting or doing otherwise is giving really bad advice.
Ryan
The Sail Doctor
Kite and wing repairs
Select to expand quoteCornishryan said..Thanks - I got them replaced already each time I burst one so Im ok now.
Did your repairer replace the valves individually as they failed or supply the new bladder kits as me amd Steve have said is the was to go?
If it is being done valves by valve then or with non genuine bladders I question the logic/reasoning given the ozone sets are really economical and readily available ($180 -220 for 3 strut kites plus fitting charge and any associated shipping).
Any repairer suggesting or doing otherwise is giving really bad advice.
Ryan
The Sail Doctor
Kite and wing repairs
I've got no clue !
I'll ask them specifically. I paid over $300 a kite so I hope it's been done properly.!
Select to expand quoteKPSS Used said..
When you say they have been repaired what was done to them exactly? I was the ozone rep until I resigned for personal reasons recently. There have been zero failures of the new V2 valves and bladders, so I suspect your 2022 kite is not actually a 2022?
Got sets from KP and replaced entire bladders (LE and struts) on 6m and 8m V2 and both are as good as new again. Easy as pie to replace them but you do need a helper to make it quick. Those grey elbows are going to break if they haven't already. Best replace them now before you find yourself in a bad situation somewhere.
Yep I've outsourced that to the experts as pumping up a kite and connecting the lines is where my knowledge limit finishes.the leading edge and struts are about the only bits I know as well 
I had the valve snap on my V2 Enduro 8m. It was at least 5 years old and had spent a bit of time on the heat in the back of my ute when away camping, so to be expected. I had KP replace the bladders in all 3 of my Enduro's and they have a new life. They did a great job and was reasonably priced.
