Power Kite Forum - Suggestions for seat upgrades to standard PL BigFoot

Suggestions for seat upgrades to standard PL BigFoot

Windstruck - 24-10-2015 at 08:27 AM

Over the past couple of sessions, and most significantly yesterday, I've become increasingly uncomfortable in my PL BigFoot buggy's seat. I am interested in purchasing a nicer seat either new or used.

I don't at this point want to build a backrest frame, invest in a new rail system, or anything like that. Does anybody have any good suggestions for seat replacements or things I can put into the seat well to make things more comfortable? I know I've seen ideas in older threads about putting in kayak seats, etc.

For me it is sort of a combination of feeling uncomfortable along both the back and sides.

Thanks in advance for your ideas! Pics and suggestions on where to buy things would be great. :thumbup:

ssayre - 24-10-2015 at 08:36 AM

Dude, make a spring back backrest. Less than $20 or free if you have odds and ends. Super easy.

ssayre - 24-10-2015 at 08:41 AM

Here is a link to the last backrest thread but there are many variations. I like a backrest with a little flex and I like the webbing of springback to hold you in. I can ride for hours with no discomfort. Just a mad wife if I stay out all day.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=29208

Windstruck - 24-10-2015 at 08:41 AM

Sean - I know, I know....

The thing is, the stock side rail seat set up on my BigFoot has those padding tubes that extend the entire length of the side rails from front to back. I figure I would have to cut them into two parts to create a split to expose the metal side rails so I'd have something to clamp onto. Not the worst thing in the world of course, just something I'd like to avoid if possible.

Any pics on suggestions would be appreciated. Backrest wouldn't really solve the side discomfort issue, but would be a step in the positive direction. Appreciate your suggestions as always.

3shot - 24-10-2015 at 08:44 AM

Steve. You just crossed off the only real viable options imho. Rail upgrade with new seat or homebrew backrest. The PL just doesn't have the rail height to support deep dish higher seat backrest.
www.buggybags.co.uk has a direct replacement seat, but the back height is only marginal.

Kent at A Wind Of Change use to sell a bolt on padded backrest for the PL. I bought one for like $75. He may still have one or two. Ultimately, I just had to upgrade from my PL solely for comfort reasons alone..

ssayre - 24-10-2015 at 08:47 AM

We posted at the same time but I put the link on the last post. I would have to see your side rails, I know they are a little different than mine. I did not have to cut my padding, but I would in a heartbeat if I needed to, you don't need padding behind you anyway. There are many many cheap good diy variations. It took me a few times to get one i like. Abkayak has a nice looking pvc solution on his flexi. Is the discomfort from not having back support or is it pressure on the hips?

ssayre - 24-10-2015 at 08:48 AM

buy mainekites buggy with vtt rails seat and sell yours before i do

Windstruck - 24-10-2015 at 09:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

www.buggybags.co.uk has a direct replacement seat, but the back height is only marginal.

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Would you interpret this as meaning it would be compatible with a BigFoot?

3shot - 24-10-2015 at 09:17 AM

Not sure Steve. Someone will have to chime in who knows more about this company's product line. I think their seat would still need a rigid insert in the back for the PL or the top 1/3rd will still just fold back. VTT seats (mine anyway) are made with a pocket on the back that a small cutting board slides in. Yes, Van sends you a cutting board to slide in the back of the seat for additional support if needed.

3shot - 24-10-2015 at 09:21 AM

Also Steve, in that picture, the seat would be leaned way back more on PL siderails.
Got to have rail height to achieve more vertical back support, or brew a backrest. Again, in my humble opinion..

Windstruck - 24-10-2015 at 09:31 AM

Yeah, I'm thinking that is a bust too. I'm going to check with Kent. They actually live about 30 minutes from me now that they moved from Vegas to SLC a couple of years back. Thanks guys!

dman - 24-10-2015 at 02:12 PM

Check with Van as well. He made seats for the PL and Flexi buggies that made a huge difference in comfort. I had one on my flexi that was as comfortable as my libre.

soliver - 24-10-2015 at 04:38 PM

I know you ruled it out, but I really think you ought to consider the VTT rail kit. I know he still makes them and it really makes a completely different buggy out of a PL. it adds several inches to the LENGTH and A LOT to the depth... I'm not sure what they cost now, but I think it's a worth while investment.

http://www.vantantech.com/VTT%20Gallery/Kite%20Buggies/XR+%2...

skimtwashington - 24-10-2015 at 04:42 PM

My upgrade of Bigfoot seat:

super light weight, high back and a removable seat..

soliver - 24-10-2015 at 05:22 PM

Van has been cool lately too with selling his stuff unpainted at a discount ... All it requires is a can of spray paint.

soliver - 24-10-2015 at 05:36 PM

On second look, I wouldn't discount the Buggy Bags seat... It might be worth investigating and exchanging a few emails. I know they've been in th business a good long while.

Bladerunner - 25-10-2015 at 09:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

Sean - I know, I know....

The thing is, the stock side rail seat set up on my BigFoot has those padding tubes that extend the entire length of the side rails from front to back. I figure I would have to cut them into two parts to create a split to expose the metal side rails so I'd have something to clamp onto. Not the worst thing in the world of course, just something I'd like to avoid if possible.

Any pics on suggestions would be appreciated. Backrest wouldn't really solve the side discomfort issue, but would be a step in the positive direction. Appreciate your suggestions as always.

I am a big fan of the " spring back " style of back rest. As Sayer mentions the side straps add a ton of lateral support. A cheap, easy and comfortable fix. Mine folds down and out of the way to make buggy storage simple. :thumbup:

If I had more hands I would give more thumbs up!

I installed the foam and cover over the straps after they were all attached. The side straps simply come out of the Velcro seam. If your covers are a sewn tube you could unstitch it and make Velcro seams ?

volock - 25-10-2015 at 10:08 AM

Why not just build some rubber sheet/pad into the pipe clamp for the back rest and have it attach over the padded siderails? Depending on the situation with your hips, I imagine a backrest pulling in (or spreading) the side bars a bit, along with providing back support might solve two issues at once.

Windstruck - 27-10-2015 at 05:26 AM

Van - sent you a U2U - interested in learning more about VTT rail kits and seats from you.

If anybody has his email address I'd appreciate it. U2U for privacy.

3shot - 27-10-2015 at 05:54 AM

Steve contact him through email.
Google vantantech. His number is on there too.
Sorry I'm moble...

Windstruck - 27-10-2015 at 06:41 AM

Thanks Jason - will do!

soliver - 27-10-2015 at 02:14 PM

Hey Steve,...
Info at van tan tech dot com

Trying to save him from the email robots

Windstruck - 27-10-2015 at 02:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

Hey Steve,...
Info at van tan tech dot com

Trying to save him from the email robots

Thanks! Sent email

soliver - 27-10-2015 at 03:14 PM

You won't be disappointed... but as we all learned (from my recent experience) it is very important to regularly remove the rails from the axle and clean out any water from the axle lugs to avoid galvanic corrosion. Or put a little grease down in there.... :smilegrin:

one year closer to 40 today, BTW :no:

ssayre - 27-10-2015 at 03:19 PM

Happy birthday Spencer!

3shot - 27-10-2015 at 04:45 PM

HBD buddy!!

Windstruck - 27-10-2015 at 05:23 PM

Happy birthday young man!

soliver - 28-10-2015 at 08:59 AM

Delayed Reaction Man says:

"THANKS GUYS!!!!"

Funny part was that I forgot that I posted that and then wondered "hey, how'd they know???" When I checked the forum today :lol:

robinsonpr - 28-10-2015 at 10:15 AM

I see you've already seen the buggybags seat.

http://buggybags.co.uk/ocart1/index.php?route=product/produc...

Before I upgraded and got my "man's" buggy I was going to get one of these for my Peter Lynn XR. "They thought it could not be done" is what the buggybags people say about that seat!

They make all the custom seats for the PTW buggies and the work it top class heavy duty stuff. Worth a punt if you can one shipped at a reasonable price!

acampbell - 28-10-2015 at 12:52 PM

Late to the party on this post, but...

Here is a specific post from Bobby Muse that was from a link posted above. He bent up a copy for me and I had it on my Bigfoot for a while. Then it went on to Don Leech. Served all of us well. Very comfortable with the PL style pipe padding and nylon cloth cover. No mods were needed to the original PL seat.

BTW, I have some spare new sets of PL tubing padding with Blue fabric straps featuring velcro. Can be adapted to most any length with some simple fold- pleats.

Bobby's post to follow...

+++++++++++

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=8698#pid652...

This is the thread that describes how I built my backrest. The pic links were broken so I fixed those. They show cad drawings of the dimensions for a backrest for an XR+ and an original Flexi buggy.