Not sure if this is new info here or not, but thought i would pass on the info just in case.

I used to do some Powered Para Gliding, and within that sport, I did trike based launches since I am a big guy and its just much easier. I bought a setup called a trikebuggy, which was a flexfoil buggy modified to mount an engine on the back.

I was speaking with the trikebuggy owner recently and he was telling me that the company (or guy, can't remember how many people used to make them) that used to build the flexi buggy for FlexiFoil is still making them and they are being sold in the USA through Trikebuggy.

You can see and buy them here...

http://www.trikebuggy.com/products/buggy.htm

Seems a little expensive to me, but so do all of these buggys. I realize how much work goes into design and manufacture and the small numbers of sales, so I get it. You can contact Chad (contact info on the site) who owns Trikebuggy if you have any questions.

Forgot to mention that chad and the designer came up with a slider rear axle (again, I am going on what Chad from TrikeBuggy tells me) that allows the wide axle to compact down very small to allow for easier transport of the wide axle buggy. It also offers a kind of suspension for the buggy.

He tells me he still has several of the solid axle narrow and wide versions if one were to prefer that, as well as a few used buggys.

That looks like the original Flexi stainless. I guess the price can be higher if the original isn't made any more. He is in a price range that has it competing almost directly with nicer buggies though. Way nicer.

Did you guys look further at the website...? Check out the "Transformer". :o

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Originally posted by cheezycheese Did you guys look further at the website...? Check out the "Transformer". :o

Perfect for those low wind days. It would lend credence to those questions about "how fast do you have to go to get the kite to fly?"

Chad tells me it is the original Flexi stainless. It was built by someone other than flexi obviously, so apparently he still builds them for a few other uses. Chad just happens to be one of them, and has modified it with the extending axle, which from what I have heard is strong and forgiving of bumps.

Anyway, thought maybe if someone is looking for a flexi, this is where you can still get them. He does still have some with the original flexi logo on them.

As for price, he said he as some with the solid axle that he can let go for a couple hundred less than the new version.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob That looks like the original Flexi stainless. I guess the price can be higher if the original isn't made any more. He is in a price range that has it competing almost directly with nicer buggies though. Way nicer.

Ok, that makes sense then. But even at $800 he's competing with like new Ivanpahs. Seems like we've seen Libres going for that price range or less recently too. Both are a slight or major step up unless the Flexi is exactly what you want for what you do and how you do it.

I am not sure on pricing for other stuff.. I do find it a bit expensive sounding myself, but wanted to pass along the information. I have not tried anything else out, but can say that I am a big guy and the flexi took a beating with me in it. If I ever do decide to go to a buggy, I will have to get some research in... they all seem expensive until you fall in love with one I would suspect.

Ahhh, I see whats happening here...I think, he is using these buggies to sell to paragliders who want to add a motor and sit in a buggy http://popeyethewelder.com/flying-buggy

He is obviously hiking the price up for that market, good luck to the guy, he is providing a service for that market, and probably adapting them in a way to suit the paramotor.

If he is selling the standard buggy with no alterations then he is making a few $$$, I doubt he will sell any to the kiting world unless he stikes someone with no knowledge of prices what-so-ever. However, Paragliders have much more $$ in their back pockets than us poorer kite buggiers they can afford it.

I think Titanflyer, you hit the nail on the head....with no prior knowledge you thought the price was high for what you are getting....and you are right

Flexi are still making buggies, they are bringing out a new stainless one out very soon, and for a first as far as I know, they are being made in a factory in England.

You can buy a brand new Flexi Scout for $615