A year ago i took up kite flying, it's awesome, and cannot get enough of it. I have built up reasonable skills, and don't often find myself in
difficulty, can re-launch it when i do.
Time has come now that i NEED a buggy. I have never used one, and have no idea what to look for so need so advice.
The Kites: HQ Beamer V 3m, and Flexi-Foil Rage 2.6m.
Wind conditions: typically 10mph - 25mph. Can go higher.
Surface: Relatively sandy beach. Some areas compact some very loose sand. Brancaster and Hunstanton beaches in Norfolk, UK. Will also use it in
fields.
My Weight and Height: ~70kg. ~170cm. In other words average!
I have no intention of jumping nor racing just messing around.
Budget is minimal unfortunately, max £500.
Any suggestions? Would i need to have 'Big Foot' tyre's?
I'm assuming all buggies collapse for travel, as I only have a small car (ford fiesta). Or do i need to get a bigger car.
Would something like: Peter Lynn Competition Standard Freestyle Buggy be suitable? My main concern is tyres and using them on the beach.
Thanks in advance.doneski - 30-9-2011 at 02:53 PM
I use an old Peter Lynn folding buggy that I like. It's about the only thing that will fit in as opposed to ON your car.
Folds down real small in seconds.
Not a bad buggy for people with no space.John Holgate - 30-9-2011 at 04:48 PM
I've seen some of the guys I buggy with dismantle their PL & Flexifoil buggys pretty easily and put them in the car - small cars, too. They are
probably your only options. Std tyres are fine at low tide on the hard sand. Midi's are a little better, but still won't go over the soft stuff -
but they do slide sideways well. I think you would need bigfoots for the soft stuff, but then you're back to the small car dilemma. I would start
out with a std PL or Flexi - you can always upgrade the axle/tyres if needs be.
The new Apexx basixx looks good too, although I've never seen one in the flesh and don't know how easy they are to dismantle.Bladerunner - 30-9-2011 at 05:28 PM
If your sand is soft you will probaly want Big Foot or at least Big Foot light sized tires. Barrows do not run well at all on soft sand. This allows
you to kite on higher tides.
If transport is an issue a few models break down pretty fast. The PL folder is a good starter but not a very comfortable buggy. It would not be my 1st
choice.ripsessionkites - 1-10-2011 at 12:02 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by John Holgate
The new Apexx basixx looks good too, although I've never seen one in the flesh and don't know how easy they are to dismantle.
4 bolts and everything will fit into a PL Pro Bagpopeyethewelder - 2-10-2011 at 12:23 AM
Hi...if its mainly for cruising, you want to be comfy in nice deep side rails with good back support....the beaches around Norfolk are not ideal but
ok....Hunny is probably your best beach on a northerly....or travel up the coast to Mablethorpe, probably the best beach on the east coast....My
advice is buy a second hand race type buggy with at least bigfoot light wheels, and for your budget you should have no problem.
My other piece of advice for what its worth is...although this is probably the friendliest kiting forum in the world, you will have much better chance
of finding your buggy
If you dont want a buggy that big, I have a wide axle stainless Flexi buggy here in Lincoln you can take away for £220mougl - 2-10-2011 at 03:15 PM
I have used a PL comp XR+ on wides on the beach with some loose sand. It was not perfect, but it worked. I second the Bigfootaswell87 - 3-10-2011 at 01:55 PM
Cheers for the advice guys, its given me something to think about.
@popeyethewelder thanks for the offer, but think i'm going to hold out until the new year.jimbocz - 4-10-2011 at 05:38 AM
Everything Popeye said is right on, including the addresses of the UK forums. I would go on there, find the place nearest to your house where people
fly and drive there on a windy weekend day. People will be delighted to show off their buggies and talk your ears off about what buggy you should
buy. Once you have sat in a few and have a better idea of what is available, then you will know a lot more about what you want to buy. Don't buy
anything until you've at least done that.
I would also recommend that you buy a lesson, where you can gain any necessary kite skills and have a go in a buggy with an instructor. Again, the
forums can help you find one near you, or I can wholeheartedly recommend http://mjbkites.co.uk/ in Essex. When I was in exactly your position, Mark got me in the buggy for the first time and helped me figure out what
to buy. Once I had bought my buggy, he checked it over for safety and showed me the best way to break it down to fit in the car. Every buggy will
break down to fairly small pieces, it's all about how much time and trouble it is.
It might not be worth much because I live in Twickenham but you are welcome to come where I fly and I'll be happy to show you what I know. I am
planning a trip to Camber Sands this Saturday, or possibly Gunnersbury Park (near Kew) if the wind stays westerly. Either place is perfect for a
beginner and I'll get you going in a buggy. I've got an extra buggy so you can use it as much as you like and all the kites you'll need if yours
aren't suitable for the wind. Just email me at jim@NOSPAMjimohara.com (remove the NOSPAM) if you think you can make it, or send me a private
message on either kitecrowd or racekites since I don't check here very often.
By the way, £500 is plenty for a buggy, but probably not an Apexx. You should be able to pick up a fine first buggy for closer to £250, which will
leave you more money to spend on a helmet, more kites or a drysuit.
