Power Kite Forum

Peter Lynn Folding Buggy - looking to buy -- FOUND --

Windstruck - 16-5-2015 at 01:21 PM

Just bought one! I'm looking to buy a new or used Peter Lynn Folding buggy. I live in Utah and would pay for shipping plus whatever we agreed was a fair price for the buggy.

Bladerunner - 16-5-2015 at 05:02 PM

The Flexifoil buggy on here breaks down to fit in a small car quickly with only a few bolts. If the folder takes 2 minutes to pack up it doesn't take twice that time to break down a Flexi'. It is a far superior and more comfortable buggy when put together.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28153

Windstruck - 17-5-2015 at 11:22 AM

@ Bladerunner - thanks for the advice! My knowledge about buggies is definitely in the infant stage. My reason for thinking I want a folding buggy is for ease of transport, but it the assembled machine is inferior to a Flexfoil once assembled (and assembly is easy) then that reasoning sort of falls apart. Do you have a Flexfoil buggy for sale?

ssayre - 17-5-2015 at 11:32 AM

Welcome aboard swesting. buggy availability is hit and miss. I would scoop up the first buggy you can find in the 300-400 range. Either pl or flexi. Flexi are thought of to be higher quality but my pl buggy has been hauling my large frame for a year now.

Windstruck - 17-5-2015 at 11:39 AM

@ ssayre - thanks for the warm welcome! It's good to have a hobby and I simply love all things wind related. Just found this site but I've been into traction kiting for a while now with five kites and a Mtn. skateboard for zipping around. Looking to expand to snowkiting this winter (I live in Park City, UT). I just think buggying looks like a blast!

I will most certainly take your advice regarding snapping up a buggy. I weigh between 200-210 lbs so I'm thinking I most certainly want one with 20mm axles, figuring that EOMs wouldn't have increased them from 12 to 20 if the smaller ones weren't failing.

ssayre - 17-5-2015 at 11:43 AM

Most likely good thinking. I've got the pl xr buggy with the 20mm bolts and I ride rough grass fields. A buggy is more versatile than a mountain board because of it's large wheels allowing you to ride fields that might not be adequate for the board.

Windstruck - 17-5-2015 at 11:50 AM

@ ssayre

Continued thanks for all your great advice. Truly appreciate it. Realistically, how long does it take to break down a PL XR buggy into small enough parts to throw it in the back of an SUV? I doubt it has to be taken all the way down; I'm thinking breaking down the rear so it becomes just long, and not both long and wide. Like yourself I am also thinking some rougher fields may some places that I will be using a buggy too. Should I be looking for BIG tires or are all standard buggy tires plenty big enough for what we are talking here. I live in Utah so I won't get to ride along the sea shore (no Big Foot I'm thinking). Finally, standard or wide axle? It seems that is yet another decision.

Sorry for peppering you.

1oldkid - 17-5-2015 at 04:45 PM

How far are you from Tooele? Not trying to be nosey, but just to mention that some time back I stumbled upon a small dry lake bed (BLM access fee) west of there, south side of I80, but before the salt flats (Bonneville).
When you get a buggy check it out, I was there for just a few hours one day and it was just big enough to have a lot of fun on!

Hope you find a buggy for the summer!

Oh btw, welcome!

acampbell - 17-5-2015 at 04:45 PM

Big difference between the PL folder and the standard XR+ is the form factor when broken Down and the time it takes.

PL Folder collapses into a near cubiform package that can fit in the back of most sub-compact hatchbacks. It involves stainless and fabric origami with lot of folds. I haven't timed the takedown.

The regular PL bug goes in to a rectangular space (length of the axle and wheels). It takes 30 seconds to loosen two seat straps and the back axle falls off. (This is a lot more secure than it sounds).you don't need to touch the seat besides the back straps. I have thrown it into the back of a Toyota Prius or Camry with 1/3 fold-down rear seats. If you need to make the front fork narrow, the foot pegs come off in 20 seconds with a ball point pen or another pointy thing.

With the exception of thinner axle bolts (12mm compared to 20mm for newer PL), the Original Flexi stainless bugs are structurally superior and are made with a higher grade of stainless steel. (PL buggies still do rust). Also the take-down requires wrenches, more time, the inclusion of a drift or other long pointy thing to line up bolt holes and bushings. Often new swear words are involved.

Having been a dealer for both and no longer having a horse in the race, I would now choose a PL BigFoot for versatility and stability for my 200 + lb frame. The frame can rust in an unsightly manner but that is not structural and can be cleaned up with 0000 steel wool and WD40 (thanks Bobby). The actual best combo from mainstream commercial parts is the wide axle back end of a Flexifoil and the the Bigfoot front end of a PL. The bolt holes match for the down-tube. We called it a "FlexiFoot". I just don't like the back-axle take down with bolts and therefore would insist on one-piece transit on a bike rack.

lunchbox - 17-5-2015 at 05:41 PM

I got a PL folding buggy and a PL XR+.

I kite during my lunch hour so every step needs to be as quick as possible so I can get the most kiting time in.

I think I can set up the folding in about 20 seconds. The XR+, about 30 seconds. Maybe even quicker...I'll have to time myself this week.

Each of them will fit in the back of my Toyota Camry without taking the wheels off or the foot pegs.

I ride in a hard packed dirt field that has ruts in certain places. I love the folding buggy because it's relatively light and you can get up to speed really quickly which I like because my fields is only about 150 yds long. But, I've had to get that thing welded about 3-4 times.

The XR+ is rock solid. The only issues I've had with that buggy are two belt clips breaking and the front fork cross brace broke once and had to be welded.

Not really too bad considering I've had them both of them for probably about 7-8 years now.

I would love to try a Flexi but I haven't seen too many for sale and I don't want to buy new at the prices they charge and when the XR+ is still going strong.

soliver - 17-5-2015 at 05:45 PM

For portability I agree that the PL Comp XR is where it's at... I used to drive a small Chevy S10 with a pretty small bed and my first buggy was the Comp XR with the VTT rail and seat kit and I had an extra wide back axle (from a PL Bigfoot) both of which I recommend. All I had to do was undo two buckles and then the back axle slid right off... All fit in my small p/u bed no problem. Probably just as easy to fit in a SUV.

ssayre - 17-5-2015 at 05:54 PM

@swesting: I have a truck so I have never broken mine down, but like mentioned above, you would probably only need to take the back axle off at most. That wouldn't take any time at all. Unless you planning on traversing soft sand then standard barrows would be fine. My only experience is with a standard pl buggy and axle so I can't advise on anything else.

Lunchox, glad to hear the xr is going strong. I really don't plan on a buggy upgrade for my smallish spots.

If you get a pl buggy, I would recommend an easy diy back rest. It is an absolute must once you get going frequently.

Windstruck - 17-5-2015 at 05:58 PM

To everyone this afternoon - thanks!!! You've been incredibly helpful. I just bought a PL folding buggy from someone on the PKF and am very pleased with the experience. I'll get the buggy in the coming days and look forward to taking it for a cruise! Hard not to crack a smile at the thought of a new grown man toy!

@ 1oldkid - first of all, love the name! Second, I live in Park City so not too far... I saw in another post from the folks at A Wind of Change that they had found a place out that way too, off of Exit 77 I believe. Same place? Or at least near by. For now I'm going to try cruising around some big fields up here, but I'm sure I'll adventure down into the valley sooner than later. Maybe we can organize a few of us?

1oldkid - 17-5-2015 at 06:11 PM

Ha! Thanks.

It's been a couple years since I was there, can't remember what the exit number was...I'll have to take some time this summer and go back to get better directions..

Congrats on the buggy! :thumbup:
Be safe and have fun!

acampbell - 17-5-2015 at 06:11 PM

Lunchbox, thanks for the input on the folder. I admit that I have personally not set one up or torn one down but have watched customers and JIBE attendees do so.

I would still pick either of the PL's over Flexi with the caveat that you have to make sure you are getting are getting parts from later production runs. Earlier parts led to the occasional moniker "Peter Thin" (and many weld repairs).

soliver - 17-5-2015 at 06:44 PM

CONGRATS!!!

Bladerunner - 18-5-2015 at 11:10 AM

Search spring back, back rests. They don't sell them anymore but they are easy to make. It makes the buggy so much more comfortable + the side straps work to hold you in better. My buggy is almost identical to the folder once built and I couldn't ride near as long without it!

Windstruck - 18-5-2015 at 05:53 PM

Bladerunner - thanks for the great tip about a backrest. As suggested, I did look up an older PKF thread from 2007:

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=4649

Some folks had done some fantastically creative things, but the one that struck me for its simplicity was to simply purchase a kayak add on seat such as one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=New%20kayak%20seat&...

I should be getting my buggy within two weeks and will begin experimenting.

1oldkid - 22-5-2015 at 02:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by swesting  
Bladerunner - thanks for the great tip about a backrest. As suggested, I did look up an older PKF thread from 2007:

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=4649

Some folks had done some fantastically creative things, but the one that struck me for its simplicity was to simply purchase a kayak add on seat such as one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=New%20kayak%20seat&...

I should be getting my buggy within two weeks and will begin experimenting.


Now that is a cool idea...
My Flexi seat back (stock) has always rubbed me right where my beltline is, if I sit up straight to fly, and it can get bothersome after a while...
So I though I would scrunch down and slump a bit to get away from that, or just not wear pants.

But that wouldn't look very good....:lol:

Thanks for posting that!


bobalooie57 - 22-5-2015 at 03:50 PM

A stadium seat is another, less expensive way to go. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000296Y3G/ref=dra_a_rv_ff_fx_it_P2...