Power Kite Forum

Keeping my balance?

Ed Cline - 22-5-2019 at 03:02 AM

My 6 ply tires have served me well. On medium parking lot gravel they are a solution. That field is lost though, so now it's back to bumpy uneven grass.

I'm gonna need softer tires or tougher buttocks. The PL Rally I ride doesn't seem to have a big foot fork option so I'll be limited to barrows , midi size, or a mix.

On my barrows and on the 6plys I now use, my bug tires all break loose at once. When I'm holding the line and power up beyond that, the skid is controllable and even. And fun.

This is an accident or an angel, not my skill. Not so long ago I needed Angus? to tell me my front fork was on backwards, this should establish my credential as an expert :duh:

Finally the question. Can I mix a couple of Big foots or Beach Racers on the rear with a midi on the front :sniff: and somehow keep the bug in balance?




Cerebite - 22-5-2019 at 12:20 PM

I would be skeptical of mixing tire sizes as the contact patch will be different between the two sizes, particularly if you are running low pressures for suspension/ traction purposes.

Ed Cline - 22-5-2019 at 03:48 PM

Thanks. Being careful is what I am doing :P
There's a few players on this forum who will know for sure what you can get away with and watch out for?
I'm guessing I'll end up on midis but hope against hope.

Thing is that the neck is adjusted almost all the way out , and the seats back pretty far, so I can't change the weight distribution much.

eric67m - 22-5-2019 at 07:29 PM

Some of the SOBB crew rides or has ridden bigfoots with a smaller front. I believe "buggeyed" rides with a midi in the front and "wind_dog" rode a Barrow on the front of his old buggy, both with bigfoots on the back. Thinking about it this is also on sand vs your grass location.

How many people in the world would also be interested in a bigfoot fork for the peter Lynn rally buggy?

Wind_dog - 22-5-2019 at 07:31 PM

On my original Flexi with long wide axle, I ran BFlites
on the back and a midi up front. Very well balanced on the beach. Not a significant change from all midis except I could get into some softer sand and ride was cushy.
16 inches up front and 21 inches in the back means you are always going downhill. That is faster! :D
Try it. You will like it.

Blitzhound - 22-5-2019 at 11:48 PM

I ran midi's in the back and a barrow in the front on my Vmax. It did make a noticeable difference on the beach. I can't speak to the grass. (16" all round.)

Windstruck - 23-5-2019 at 03:53 AM

Ed, while certainly not suggesting you get a new buggy, the Sysmic S3 has an optional build configuration like you are talking about with a midi up front and BFs in the rear:

http://www.buggykiteshop.com/index.php/buggy/sysmic-s3/sysmi...

I've got two sets of rims/tires (6-ply and BFs). I've got my 6-ply setup installed now since IBX was my last riding but it will be easy for me to slap on my BFs in the rear and have a seat in it and see how it feels being jacked up. Rick had it right I bet; going downhill would be faster!

Ed Cline - 23-5-2019 at 04:44 AM

Thanks guys .
I don't think I want the California rake on my bug. I guess if I time the turn wrong the downhill momentum would carry me through the maneuver? :D

Good to hear that midi and bf feel the same except for soft sand.
Wonder what sand is like? Does it still get into everything?
Never bugged anywhere but small inland fields.

Mr Eric, Put me down for a Bigfoot fork in the poll.
I think it would fit the PL Rally and the Drifter interchangeably.
If it was gonna be custom made it might as well have a better foot peg arrangement too.
Hey if your going to wish, might as well go big.

Looking at Wind of Change it would only cost a few hundred for 4 tire assembly's complete.
Sure I checked out the Buggy Kite Shop, but black wheels are okay, and local is a plus.
Wind of Change is a fast ship with excellent customer service.

So I guess I'll wait a few days for a little exposure to my question, and look for a place to store the 4 6ply's for that day when a new field opens up somewhere.

Ed Cline - 23-5-2019 at 05:01 AM

Mr Steve,

I looked at the S buggy's. If I could change the balance like they can I know I could use mixed tires. The price is fair and the build is beautiful. My bug is 65 lbs all up.

Do you think I have room if I get shed of the Rally?



Mind you, no kite bags loaded up.:ninja:

ps Just noticed the spare in the lower left of the pic. That's where it is:puzzled:

Randy - 23-5-2019 at 05:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck  
Ed, while certainly not suggesting you get a new buggy, the Sysmic S3 has an optional build configuration like you are talking about with a midi up front and BFs in the rear:

http://www.buggykiteshop.com/index.php/buggy/sysmic-s3/sysmi...

I've got two sets of rims/tires (6-ply and BFs). I've got my 6-ply setup installed now since IBX was my last riding but it will be easy for me to slap on my BFs in the rear and have a seat in it and see how it feels being jacked up. Rick had it right I bet; going downhill would be faster!


Gee - this is making me think. My Minivan is getting ready for the glue factory (300k+ miles). So do I buy a new minivan at 40k or something, or by a folding kite buggy that fits in a suitcase for 1-2k$ and carry it around in my Honda civic??? Looks like the math would be in my favor....:lol:

Windstruck - 23-5-2019 at 07:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ed Cline  
Mr Steve,

I looked at the S buggy's. If I could change the balance like they can I know I could use mixed tires. The price is fair and the build is beautiful. My bug is 65 lbs all up.

Do you think I have room if I get shed of the Rally?



We can see sunlight streaming in from somewhere, so yes, you've got plenty of room in there. Glad you found your spare. ;)

Agreed on the allure of the S3 and the tantalizing concept of being able to (reasonably) conveniently disassemble your ride and get it as luggage on a plane. I fantasize often about flying with a kit to East Coast annual buggy gatherings and even to SOBB which realistically is a two day haul for me (it's "only" about a seven hour drive to Ivanpah or Alford from my home). Of course I'd likely have to swallow a tape worm to slim down for that ride. I'm well beyond it's upper weight limit. :saint: