This will be my first time to NABX so I am attempting to be prepaired as much as possible starting with how to transport my buggy.
I have a PL XR+
I have heard that a golf travel bag is the best way to pack it for the flight down but have also heard that the soft bags tend to tear/rip.
Also...if the golf bag is the way to go, will the rims and tires fit in as well?

Really looking forward to NABX..less than 3 months to go

Cheers
Ken(K3)

Hey Sailor,
Oh earth-bound misfit, you...
Hope you were smart and saved the box your XR+ came in...?
Sometimes tough to find another one long enough for the axle.

Take your buggy apart and pack it into the box.
Add what ever extra packing material (socks and underware) to cushion all the parts.
Place the box in a surplus army canvas duffle bag (substitute what works for you), Place your wheels in the bag on top of the box and add whatever kites will fit.

Remember to deflate your tires.
Remember to secure your downtube head bushing when the fork is removed.
Place all your nuts in a bag (this is the fun one).

Variations on the theme are always encouraged.
Custom solutions are available if you want to spend the dollars.
I saved my box and bought the duffle bag (first bag I found long enough to hold the axle) for $20.
Worked for me for several years.

Heavy-duty vinyl with a canvas lining is my preferred buggy bag material now.
I pack the frames in them and place them in my custom 48"x24" H-D cordura duffle.
Wheels and kites fit too.

The stainless steel edges can work through unreinforced canvas pretty quickly.
In an emergency, you may tape and pad all the ends and edges of the steel, stuff it in an unprotected bag and hope that makes it home.

Have I forgotten anything?

Just get it here.


"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

I'll be exiting oregon via i-5 if anyone needs me to take there buggy to nabx.

Last year I used a Flexifoil buggy box to ship my little Peter Lynn Comp XR+ with wide tires. Sent it UPS ahead of time to the hotel. Shipped it back from the FedEx office near the airport in 'Vegas. The box was spent by the time it got home.

This year it is going to be a Mystic Gear Bag, 150x 45x35 cm and will check it along with a large suitcase or duffel like Corey described. I'll pay $100 more if they are over 70 lbs combined (likely) but they will be with me and I avoid the shipping hassle that costs near as much.

When I pack the bug, I fold and tape heavy cardboard over the ends of the frame parts to keep them from cutting anything. remember to toss a roll of tape in to re-pack at the end of the week. I use a heavy padded bubble mailer to hold the nuts, bolts and tools. Use kites and clothes to fill the voids and you are good to go!

I rent a small SUV and I find it easy to get all the stuff into the back, leaving room for an ice chest . On the way out of 'Vegas there is an exit with a Target where I stop to by a cheap (disposable) foam cooler, a case of water, power bars and gorp. Ice at a nearby convenience store. Do NOT count on finding a cooler at the little store near the casinos- last year they just had cardboard ones.

I won't be taking my buggy this year. If you would like + if it will fit , You are welcome to use my ski bag ? My buggy ( flexi ) parts + kites fit in it last year ?

I don't care if it gets a bit of wear and tear.

Oddley enough Corey, I still have the original box it came in...lol

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell When I pack the bug, I fold and tape heavy cardboard over the ends of the frame parts to keep them from cutting anything. remember to toss a roll of tape in to re-pack at the end of the week. I use a heavy padded bubble mailer to hold the nuts, bolts and tools. Use kites and clothes to fill the voids and you are good to go!

What Angus mentioned above is what I think I might do.
I will purchase a golf travel bag so my 120cm axle,the rest of my buggy ,kites,gear..etc will fit.
I will get a good quality bag as I hear they are quite rough with them at the airports.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner I won't be taking my buggy this year. If you would like + if it will fit , You are welcome to use my ski bag ? My buggy ( flexi ) parts + kites fit in it last year ? I don't care if it gets a bit of wear and tear.

Thanks for the offer Ken but I kinda would like to have one of my own.

I have another question and that is about Customs.
When I bring my buggy and gear accross the border, what should I claim it as?
traction kite gear?...sporting gooods?......golf gear?
How pickey are they?
Any past experiences?

Thanks again!
Ken(K3)

Hi, we come from Holland,
I'm going to cut me back axle in two parts, make a small plate to mount again.
We put the two buggies in a great sportsbag or else in a Golfbag.
I also hope this will work.

Hey Sailors,

Traction kite gear?
What does that mean to a lay person?
Golf equipment?
Why take a chance mystifying the man?
Or appear a liar if they happen to look.

Tell it like it is, with a minimum of explanation.
These are kite/toys.
This is my personal gear.

Too often we want to tell our story.
Stifle that urge.
Wrong time and place.

We're not smugglers.
This isn't business.

These are kites.
I am representing my country at an international event.
Please don't send me to the too-much-fun jail.


"Often wrong... Never in doubt"

the coreylama

Quote:

Originally posted by coreykite Hey Sailors, Traction kite gear? What does that mean to a lay person? Golf equipment? Why take a chance mystifying the man? Or appear a liar if they happen to look.

No we will tell what it is. but with a Golfbag you can take some more length with you.
Normal bag is L+W+H = 1,57 mtr
Golfbag is alowed L+W+H = 2 mtr
Therefore we prefere a golfbag,
the weight stays 23 kg each bag.

For a PL XR it's pretty easy to fit all into a hockey bag with tons of spare room for kites.
The three rim sit in the bottom. Are you riding the tires as tubeless - beware deflating that you might have an issue getting the bead to seal up again, you can always just take tubes and put them in. But take a spare tube, if you ride a tire until it blows the tube will likely have a huge tear.
The standard axle usually fits diagonally in a hockey bag and depending on the bag the longer axle may fit. many hockey bags have gone to the hard bottom with wheels but too many bells and whistles on that style of bag and a higher price. You do want good construction though to stand airport handling - especially stitching on handles and corners etc.
I get a bag of cheap tennis balls and cut a small holes in some and larger holes in others. The large holes will fit snugly like and end cap on the axle ends and then the others onto the ends of side rails and end of downtube and fork. You can get some thicker foam like pool noodle foam to cut sections to custom fit off ends of the buggy that need padding (like flange ends of side rails).
last thing, get a couple of webbing straps with buckles or sliders and basically wrap all your parts and kites as tightly together inside the bag so there isn't much movement and it'll be less likely to get an impact cut on the side of the bag at the airport. I've also picked up the cheap plastic crazy carpets (for sliding down the snow) at end of season and cut these to use as internal bag liner for extra protection.
Golf bags work fine as well, usually nice hard bottom and wheeled.

Hey Ken,
Glad to hear you are coming.
You might want to call the hotel ahead of time to make sure you get the correct shipping instructions. I have FedExed mine several times and the shipping address has changed over the years. Last time I shipped it to their receiving dept and had to go around the back to the hotel's loading dock to pick it up, but everything was in good order and they had taken good care of it. I usually attach a big label with my phone number and arrival date.

See you there.
Steve.

I use the tennis ball idea when hauling my wide flexi in the back of the suv. I take the back wheels off and roll the buggy in front tire first. The tennis balled back axle ends wedge against the interior trim at the back door. The front wheel just drops over the ledge in front of the cargo area. The buggy doesn't ever move and sits low to allow packing of other stuff on and around it.

I made a stupid mistake last year !

I took every small heavy piece I could and put them in a bag for carry on to reduce weight.

Of course it never got through X-ray In hind site I see why. They were very good about it. I only had to turn over an adjustable wrench and Hex. keys. They understood I NEEDED the bits and pieces to put my gear together.

tmdc96 ... it seems we're leaving the same day. if you have space i'm goin to fill your bag to the max. J/K

this the bag your looking for, but at Sport Chek, they have it a 5 piece set and in CDN Dollars too. :wink2:
http://shop.samsonite.com/storefront/outlet/outlet-sport-bag...
COMES IN BLACK TOO

if you need some space, Kitemama isnt bringing much. I might send my buggy down with Speed Demon ELI.

did i mention BBill's wants $105.95 on March 28 - checkin?