I'm not sure what it is; but this is the second time. A long while back; the weld on the right foot peg of all things gave way. I had a local guy TIG weld it back with a stainless rod. Has held up great since.

Now; the back right.... not sure what to call it since it's not really the back axle. Anyway's pretty substantial crack in it. I'll have to get it welded back up.

If anyone here rides a stainless buggy; inspect your welds once a month. Preferably during the no wind down time before your next outing on it. If you do high speed runs; definitely look it over first.

I've owned a lot of different stuff and things over the years and these welds giving up like this I find perplexing.

Man, that is crazy ! And why I have a flexi bug :D

It's nice but it's also almost $900....

http://www.powerkiteshop.com/buggies/flexifoilbuggy.htm

I've had my welds break in the exact same place. Local welder fixed it up and it's been good ever since.

Have been riding the XR+ which has been solid as a rock...no issues but I do miss the difference in weight and ease of transport and breakdown.

I want to be sure I know what the complaint is.... So something you've used for nearly a decade is showing metal fatigue? That's crazy. That never, ever happens. Never in the history of the world.

Quote: Originally posted by erratic winds

I want to be sure I know what the complaint is.... So something you've used for nearly a decade is showing metal fatigue? That's crazy. That never, ever happens. Never in the history of the world.

Good point, other than it doesn't equate to why this isn't common with most other buggys. The Peter Thin buggy has earned that title for a good reason. It is what it is.

I can't remember the number of times I had to have my PL buggy repaired. I was on a first name basis with the guys in the shop. Cracked or broke just about every stress joint on it.

Quote: Originally posted by rtz

It's nice but it's also almost $900.... http://www.powerkiteshop.com/buggies/flexifoilbuggy.htm

Like everything, you don't have to buy the best and most recent, and you don't have to buy new. I know it is a bit different in the UK / USA, but you don't have to pay that kinda money to get one !

I know several Apexxes that have needed welding repairs. Mine hasn't but it happens. No one would dismiss PTW as a premier welder, buggy designer, but I had a rear axle thread fail on our Hero buggy. I blame the combination of the leverage the Landsegler wheels have on the axle along with the course, rough surface on Ivanpah. If you use your stuff you will cause wear/tear or break things. If you make your buggy buying choice because it is the lightest/cheapest available, then breaking and bending is a price for the convenience.

Quote: Originally posted by erratic winds

So something you've used for nearly a decade is showing metal fatigue?

I bought this new in 2010. I was just talking about with cars, motorcycles, bicycles; we don't deal with welds cracking. I've never even read about a Libre having welds crack. It just seems like on these stainless buggies; some of the welds are pretty light and minimal. Especially when tubing is cut at an angle it makes the ends more like a knife edge(thin). And both my broken welds involved angle cut tubing.

Anyways I got it rewelded so maybe those were the only two weak welds on the buggy.



I like this buggy because it's convenient. I just keep it in my vehicle. That wouldn't be the case if I had a big race buggy.

Example picture to show scale:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, you could squeeze it in !! :D :P

They are using "cheap stainless" tubing. If they used the good stuff , the buggy would cost ALOT more. This is a prime example of why I chose to build my own. Not a crack one yet. I also used schedule 40 316L stainless pipe ,not tubing.


@ BB, My vote is the leverage of the taller wheels.

JMHPO WG