Reading through this thread I notice that those using univalves are also commenting on push-fittings failing.
Whilst many people do modify their poles with a univalve it is good to be aware of the damage that using a univalve can cause to poles, fittings and hose. Most water-fed poles are not used with univalves and are set up for standard use which does not involve hard and repetitive tugging on the pole hose, connections, brush connections and brush jets.
If modifying a pole by fitting a univalve it is advisable to also carry out several other modifications so that the setup can cope with the extra strain - I believe that the makers of the univalve would also advise these extras to be added to prevent pole component damage as they supply components to carry out the other modifications needed (as shown in links below). We do not generally offer advice or guidance on such extra modifications needed as we do not supply or recommend the use of a univalve, but I thought it would be useful to add these points to the conversation.
1. To prevent damage to the brush jets and connectors a stop should be fitted to the gooseneck hose above the gooseneck exit to prevent it being pulled back into the pole when activating the valve - this prevents the rapid damage that can occur to the brush T connectors and the brush jets. Fitting a red clip on the brush T-connector is not the same and will not prevent this damage. The part that univalve makers sell is
https://ex-ceedinnovation.co.uk/shop/tubeless-upgrades/hose-stay/ other things can be used in its place such as a tight O clip etc.
2. Upgrading the hose to PU hose - this prevents the premature failure of PVC hose that can happen with the constant pulling and the hose remaining under pressure throughout its length. Inserts can also be fitted to the PU so that they better cope with the pressure and force applied if fitted to push fittings -
https://ex-ceedinnovation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Tube-Insert11-500x501-2.jpg Another tip that has been mentioned is regularly cutting off the last 1cm of pole hose so that a fresh section can engage with the push fitting's teeth.
3. Replacing push fittings with O clipped barb fittings or adding extra stem to barb adapters and O clips. The univalve is supplied with barbed fittings - this is because a push-fitting would not last on the univalve. Therefore it is good to look at the pole setup if fitting a univalve and replace any push fitting in the setup with barbed and O clipped fittings. This would apply to the straight 8mm push fit connector that we supply as standard on the bottom of the orange gooseneck hose. Usually this does not need a stem to barb adapter where the orange hose connects, however when pulling pulled hard it will either need a stem to barb and O clip adding to both sides or replacing with a barbed and O clipped fitting.
Many forum users will already do all of the above I'm sure
