Ok gang, so I'm close to being able to afford my 1st bug and I'm trying to decide what to get. Your experiences can help me decide.

I've looked into both the PL Competition XR and the VTT Cricket.

I like how much you can alter the XR with interchangeable parts, but I've heard how it can be uncomfortable, and some other criticisms. I have seen Van's rail kit for the XR, but that's an extra $250. It also looks like a snap to disassemble and assemble if needed.

The Cricket on the other hand is looks like an awesome bug without needing the rail kit to make it more comfortable. But it looks like it may take a little extra to assemble/ disassemble.

I still am not 100% funded for the purchase, but I'm not far off.
I'm leaning toward the Cricket, but am not sure what others think. What do y'all think?

I haven't buggied in both but I have sat in both. I would consider Van's buggy an upgrade from the pl comp-xr. It was more comfortable and had more secure rails. The XR is still an upgrade over my buggy but I don't ride it very much. To me the Cricket would be the clear choice if the price was the same but I have a truck to carry a big buggy.

Another thing to consider is where you will be riding. If at the beach, the stainless PL XR+ will not rust. The Crickit is a steel bug that if scratched could rust.

FWIW - I love my old school PL buggy (In fact I'm buying a second one tomorrow- thanks Lad!). It's lighter than the new PL bugs, and breaks down super fast.

Because it's light I can ride with less sail, or in less wind; also, because it's small it's always in my trunk so I'm ready for an impromptu session at any moment :wee:

As for comfort- I've noticed that I'm very comfortable on handles, also with a waist harness- but if I fly with a seat harness my lower back just kills me.

Where you will be riding, and how much trunk space you have for transportation may be factors to consider. My PL Comp XR breaks down enough that it fit in the trunk of my Honda Accord (when I owned that car). If you have a truck and breaking it down isnt an issue, then something bigger would be easier to get around. I do not know how well the VTT breaks down. Not something I've ever really investigated. Nor have I really taken it out for a spin... Certainly looks more comfortable to sit in...

I'll definitely be on the grass more, and I drive a truck, so breaking it down will only be an issue if I have to take it out in my wife's car. I'm not so concerned about transporting it; breakdown/ set-up are more a convenience concern.

I am inland about 95% of the time, but spend an annual vaca on the beach in south GA (Yes close to Jekyll, yes I know its the bomb, yes I've been in touch with Angus).

But I've found a couple of places close to me around Atlanta that could serve as practicing grounds, so primarily inland on the grass.

after a couple of conversations with some folks, I may be leaning back toward the comp xr.

What's the deal with the wider wheels vs the standard wheels (6.5" vs 4")

I'll mostly be on grass, does it make a difference?

Do the wider wheels require a wider front fork, or if you start with the standard can you upgrade without having to get a new front fork?... How's it work guys??????:shocked2:

All I can say is that I love my XR+, even when I didn't have a wider axle and longer downtube it wasn't super uncomfortable. Now that I do have those it's really quite comfortable but I will admit that I wish I had taller/longer siderails. I will never pay $250 for Van's siderails, though. That's $70 less than I paid for my entire buggy and siderails aren't that hard to make. I'm betting you could have your local fabrication shop make some up for you for a lot cheaper than that. If you're not over 6' tall you should be pretty comfortable in the stock XR+. If you are, get the extended downtube and you'll be nice and comfy.

I ride on grass all the time and I still have barrows on my bug, I haven't found them to be a problem at all and some say they're better for grass than midi's. They say you'll slide more with the midi's but I'll eventually be getting them anyway. I'd like to be able to transition from grass to sand without having to change tires, although you can ride on hard pack sand with barrows. You do not have to buy a wider fork to switch to midi's.

If I were you I wouldn't pay full price for an XR+, you can find a good used one here on the forum for pretty cheap, I think I paid $320 shipped for mine and it was hardly ever used. If I had the choice that you have, I would get the XR just because you can always find extra/used parts and the fact that it is stainless. Either way you'll end up with a good buggy that will be loads of fun for many years to come.

I've been offered a pretty good deal on a new XR. Just trying to decide whether I want to get the "midi" wheels or not. Pretty sure I want the wider back axle.

I wish I had known 4 years ago what I know now. It would've saved some steps in modding and trading. If you have a chance you should at least sit in a buggy that is less entry level. On the other hand, I see buggiers that have been doing it longer than I have, do a fine and happy job in a PL or Flexi bug.

Wide tires might have a bit less bite on grass. They also might make a slight difference on softer sand. If you are making impressions in the sand it will kill your speed pretty bad. Sand that you leave more than a scuff mark on will be better handled with bigfoot lites or larger.

My PL is a much more stable buggy with the longer side rails and wide axle.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that Van's side rails are not worth the expense. Some extra support to keep you in the buggy by resisting the sidepull from the kite is quite addictive once you've felt the difference. $250 is not so expensive when you consider what your "next" buggy might cost.

Isn't the only real difference between a Cricket and an XR+ the longer/taller siderails and the seat? How is the Cricket not an entry level bug? Or were you referring to another buggy when you said he should at least sit in something that's less entry level? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or anything, I'm just ignorant when it comes to this.

As for the siderails, fair enough. I guess I have to realize too, that it's a package, not just siderails. You get the seat and the pads as well.

For $250 you get more than siderails. You also get a new custom seat and siderails pads as these are longer than stock. I feel its worth every penny. Nite an Day difference ... :roll:

The rail kit is half the metal in the buggy almost. plus the seat and pads. They fit the XR+ frame perfectly as Van used an xr+ i had sitting around for a model so he could get it right. I ride a buggy with the xr+ kit regularly. Its still pretty light like the xr+ and does very well on the grass fields. the x wide tires would be good going to the beach, but not absolutely necessary if you plan on staying on the hard pack most of the time. You will find out where you can go with them.

The kit changed my situation from a 'My buggy isn't quite big and comfortable enough for 6' 280 guy to ... Hey, I can do this too!!! :D

As I said, I'm back to the comp XR, but pretty sure I'm going to hold off on the rail kit. I'm not a big guy, and don't know that I need it yet.

I am thinking of getting the extra long rear axle (120 cm) as the whole flipping over thing seems kind of unappealing.

Thoughts?

I would highly recommend the wider axle, it was my first upgrade and I'm glad I went for it. You might be able to find a used one here on the forum if you post a wanted ad.

Soliver, the extra wides from PL fit right on with no need for a different fork!

The VTT XR+ kit is a nice upgrade!

If you think $250 is expensive, wait until you see the 2012 price

The cricket is priced higher than the PL XR+ and it is not stainless steel. It's not for everyone so you have to consider where you buggy and if corrosion is an issue. You also have to consider whether or not your back needs support. Some of us older folks ( me included ..haha) needs that back support that the XR+ does not provide. The Cricket is $699 , the XR+ kit is nothing more than the cricket seat and rails so it is proportionally priced since it's pretty much about half of a buggy. I design the cricket's width to be the same as the XR+ so that the rails will fit both. The cricket rails are 6" longer and the front of the seat are also wider. The fork and downtube are about the same. The rear axle on the cricket is 48" long and square ( no bending issue). It is also twice as heavy as the XR+. It is heavier, wider and longer than the XR+ in dimension and weight. The metal used is twice as thick.

I hope this helps you decide.