Only 1% of time? That's all? I just don't know myself and am cynical. Maybe 'Yeldarb' Doesn't agree w/ figure...?
Another might say(Oscar Rodgers), There is no excuse... sorry.... not rocket science...FIX IT!!
Not a money issue? Maybe not. Often it IS when something obviously is known and fixable isn't fixed. Someone out there CAN custom make a better
part(s) for PL. And it will cost.....more.
I don't know? Suggesting possibly...not assuming..
I don't want to seem old fashioned, but having a downtube stamped with WEI XIN (China) does give me the feeling of high quality or quality control.
Are most buggies made of Chinese steel or parts?
Unfortunately, all PL buggies are produced in China. Chinese steel is (generally) not the highest quality, especially when you get into specialty
metals such as stainless. How the steel is produced and what percentage of materials are mixed / smelted together makes a huge difference in the
quality of steel.
I am not sure where many other buggies such as the Libre or Flexi buggies are produced. Most of your high end buggies such as the Ivanpah, Apexx and
PTW buggies are made in house, mostly with local materials. The materials selected should be a much higher grade product than that being used in
mass-produced buggies in China. Also, welding and build quality is going to be scrutinized much more because of the personal pride of the builders in
regards to their products.
Price usually tells the tale. PL buggies are very affordable because they are being mass produced with the least amount of expense possible. High
end buggies like those listed above are built in much smaller numbers, using higher quality materials and workmanship, costing much more. Like most
things in life, you get what you pay for.
Lots of ideas have been given about the "best" buggy or why one is better than another. The real question of the thread is what is a quality "Bigfoot"
replacement that is not a boat anchor in weight, or super configurable as a racer for the flats. Stainless, strong, bigfoot tires, good clearance,
reasonable weight, available in the U.S. Maybe the Bigfoot is the only buggy made with these characteristics (if you remove strong)
the best buggy that you could ever get is one that you build yourself. cheap labor, custom design, sized to fit you and nobody else. you want heavy
duty, stainless, or anything else, make your own.
if it breaks, bummer. if it flys like an eagle, good work. pay someone else to make you a bug, you get their bug.
want the best? only you can make it happen. PTW makes the best buggy, Van makes the best buggy, Kent makes the best buggy, if I made them, mine would
be the best. Oh, wait. I make the Ivanpah II, and it's the best.:evil:
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
Saying which buggy is the best is like asking which kite is the best. Each one has its benefits and weaknesses. It really depends on the pilot using
the buggy and the conditions in which it is being used at to determine which one is superior to the others. As for as strong and durable, I would put
the Ivanpah up against anything on the market, downside... It's heavy and it is designed in a way that it does not break down easily. It is awesome
if you have a truck to haul it and a large dry lakebed to ride it on, but even I don't even use it at our local park/flying field, it's way to heavy
and big to ride there. Out on Ivanpah it is like a lounge chair on rails and the extra weight really comes into its own.
As far as a replacement for the Big Foot, it comes down to cost vs. weight vs. quality. You will not find another buggy on the market that is better
than the Peter Lynn Bigfoot for the same price - or even close to it. Any other bigfoot buggy currently on the market is going to start around
$1700.00+ and is probably not going to be stainless steel. I believe the Libre Truck II is galvanized and starts at $1900.00 for full big foot, the
Ivanpah with Big Foots is a little under $1800.00 (powder coated steel).
Right now I can't recall any other buggies fitting into this same category (under the 2K price range).
I would talk to van since you are in Texas and would guess that already having the wheels would. Bring price down a fair amount. Something like the
widow or cricket but would have to check with him