Next month I will be buying my first ride, it will be a PL Comp XR, or the PL Race Buggy. I really want to get something with a suspension system. What I need to know from any of you buggy guru’s out there is: Can I put the Peter Lynn Suspension back axle ST 140cm thread 15mm, on a PL Comp XR?

Ok, no one seems to know the answer to my other question, so here is another. Which is the better idea and why?
1. PL Comp XR with its 15mm or 20mm axle replaced with an PL Suspension 15mm axle.
or
2. PL Race buggie with the 15mm already in place.
I realize that the suspension axle will prevent me from learning or doing some tricks, but at my age comfort comes first, tricks later.

Hey Tigger,
You could have picked up a phone...

Here's the skinny...
The 140cm (long) suspension axle fits any PL Comp buggy.
The 15mm refers to the fact the axle bolts are 15mm, not the 12mm that earlier Comp buggies had.
Those folks would want to know they'd need new bolts and bearings in their back wheels to fit their new axle.
Both the torpedo axle and the suspension axle are 140cm long and fit any PL Comp buggy.

By making the axle longer, one increases sidegrip and stability.
This can be a good thing, particulary if you know what you're doing.
It can also mean that the buggy won't slip before you get popped out.
Depends on the rider, their skills and the moment.

Making the axle wider also upsets the geometry of the basic buggy.
Makes turning a bit different.
The Race Buggy combines the wider axle with longer siderails.
Making the change in two dimensions brings the geometry back into line.

The suspension doesn't really make the ride more comfortable.
That mostly depends on the surface you ride on and your tire pressure.

Unlike off-road desert racers, where their suspension travel allow them to jump over stuff, buggies need to have their tires on the ground, maintaining traction, or we go downwind.

On the kite/buggy, with the kite always downwind, the buggy tends to flex, ever so slightly, downwind too. Slightly unweighting the upwind wheel.
The suspension allows all three wheels to maintain their contact with the ground.

Dropping a couple of pounds of air pressure from your back tires will give a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Riding on a surface like we have at Ivanpah makes you a bit spoiled.
Only beaches, at the right tide/time are better.

The Flexifoil buggy has a wide-axle option that not only gives you a 140cm axle width but also incorporates a 12" frame extension, just behind the pilot.
This aids in center-of-balance and also provides a nice rear shelf for carrying an extra kite or whatever.

The Flexi Buggy has a slightly wider seat.
It has bolts at all connections making for a tighter, quieter buggy.

The wide axles are a bit more hassle to haul around, but you can get used to that, if you have the vehicle.
(I have to mount/remove my back wheels each time.)

Bottom line?
It's not the gear that is cool.
Good sport, good winds, good kites, played by skilled users, is really fun.
That's what looks cool.
That's what matters.

It's the loud voice of the marketeers, wanting us to believe if we just buy the gear, we'll be cool too.

Ultimately there can be no "better" or "worse" without a context.
First, learn to buggy.
Get comfortable doing it and then you'll understand what specific things you can use to enjoy yourself more.

Buying stuff, hoping it will make you happy, seldom does.
In my experience.
But I live in my own world.
(At least they know me there.)


Safen Up! Buggy On!

:Often wrong... Never in doubt "

the coreylama

OK, OK, OK,
Corey, Ya got me convinced, If I am going to buy a buggy with suspension, then I might as well buy the PL Monster, then I'll have suspension coming out of everywhere. On the other hand I've gotta choose either the stock PL Racing Buggy or the stock PL Comp XR. The racer comes with 15mm wheel bolts, makes it easy. The hard part is, if I choose the XR I have to choose between the old 15mm wheel bolts or the new 20mm wheel bolts? Anybody got recomendations?

Tig,
The Comp XR buggy has 15mm bolts on the axle.
The XR+ is the one with the 20mm bolts.
Haven't had one here yet, but they're coming.

For most of us it won't make a difference.
Except the swapping of bearings and bolts to fit old wheels on a new frame.

Not being a jumper (usually) or beat-n-bash type of rider, the 15mm bolts are plenty strong for me.

The Race frames I have are built from the stock of parts I bought from Active People a couple years ago when they closed their doors.
Not truly a "stock" Race buggy although all the parts are.
Prime example is the XR front fork on my frames that wasn't introduced until after the factory Race had been discontinued.
And the fitting of a Comfort Seat, also introduced later.

It's a nebulous world in buggyland.
We're still at the beginnings of this sport.
By trying various ideas we find what works and what doesn't.
Usually what doesn't work is apparent first.

Eventually it comes down to very simple things.
Convenience.
If it's not fun and easy, why are you doing it?
Opportunity.
It's hard to find the connection if you only get to play a couple times a year.
Reward.
Faster and cheaper than any other form of therapy.

And... The wind is FREE!

Aahhh, but I digress.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama