In addition to adding a foot of width, the wide axle that Trikebuggy sells for the Flexi Classic puts the axle a foot back. Any thoughts as to how this would change the handling?
S

Scud. The original wide axle from flexi did as well. Hopefully somebody who has used one will pipe in as well
Scott

Yep, the Flexi stainless buggies had the option of the wide axle. When you install it, your back wheels moved back in proportion to the increase in width, keeping the buggy properly balanced.

Yep, the Flexi stainless buggies had the option of the wide axle. When you install it, your back wheels moved back in proportion to the increase in width, keeping the buggy properly balanced.

This is correct. There are lots of examples if you type in flexifoil bug or flexifoil wide axle into images on your search engine...

Any thoughts as to how this would change the handling?

It changes the handling because the two outer most points on your lips start to turn upward into a smile, therefore reducing drag and increasing apparent wind.
I know, I got one right before WildWood and I'm still smiling. Get one and you wont regret it. HUGE DIFFERENCE! Then just keep your short axle and you can switch them up.

Does the longer length help with what would be called "weather helm" in a sail boat? i.e. the kite is pulling the back of the buggy downwind and you must turn the front wheel down wind to compensate. Does having the rear wheels a foot back, move the center of pull far enough forward to eliminate the problem.
I certainly would keep the short axle. I love my Classic for the confined spaces of my local field. Great on tight turns, easy to pop up on two wheels, but for long high speed tacks at the beach it leaves something be desired. I don't really have the space to keep several buggies, nor do I get down to the beach often enough to justify the expense.
S

Changing to the long axle would seemingly make the center of pull move forward, making that problem worse. It seems like my front end was light on my Flexi if anything, but I had the long downtube fully extended. Given that, you should be able to adjust things by shifting the seat/downtube. It was awesome to get the back tires out from under my elbows and not have the buggy tip up so easily.

All joking aside.....You can leverage yourself much better against the wind (especially up). It was nice not having elbows hit the wheels anymore too. And as far as straight runs down the beach it was a night and day difference.

The pop up on two wheels will not happen as much...I guess if you tried really hard you could do it, but for 99.9% of the time it just stayed flat on the ground. You also had a lot more control to scrub off speed when you really start cooking without getting too squirrely in the ass end.

You can still do some pretty tight turns with the wide axle, as I sometimes just fly in a soccer field and don't feel too much difference getting it to come around. I am in the same boat as you $$ and not living close to a beach or where I can go long distance to warrant a bigger buggy. (other members mentioned too that having the bigger buggies requires a way to transport them)
I am only 5' 9" and 160# (wet with a brick tied to my foot) so sitting in my flexi is a big difference from someone lets say 200+ and 6'. I fit into buggy much better then the big guys. However, it's the best bang for your buck to change the way your buggy rides without getting a new one. (If you do decide to get new... Check out Van's available from Rich shehatesmyhobbies they are AWESOME)
You can also come to WildWood this fall..one of the best times you'll have and I will let you try mine out before you buy. Good Luck!

http://www.coastalwindsports.com/TutorialMenu.Html

This is a pic of me in my old Flexi wide axle complete with the back porch (which I have to wrap up and send to Drewculous today). I'm 230 lbs and 6'4". Huge ab workout but the backrest took a lot of the pressure off.