Decided to change things up a bit. Installed but no wind yet to test it out. Stock tube is 18". The long tube is 22". Doesn't seem like much but sitting in it; it feels way different. It will be interesting to see how the buggy handles with this longer wheelbase. It really changed the feel in the steering and gave it some "wheel flop" that wasn't there before as read about here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_geometr...

Anyone who has a bigfoot buggy with the kinked downtube; how long is it from the end to the center of the bearing?


http://www.vliegerop.com/index.php?inhoud=producten&id=8...

The 38mm measurement on all their downtubes is the size of the square tubing being 1.5".
















The different 304 suppliers?



And be careful with your "single wrench required" bolts or you'll be using two wrenches on them..




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I also need some clever ideas for some better "foot straps". They aren't so much used as to hold my feet to the pegs as they are to keep my feet from flying off the foot pegs when going fast over bumpy ground. That was always a problem when I first started riding. These work great. Until they break. And they always break at the worst possible time. I think the UV from the sun makes them brittle. Something minimalist that doesn't look out of place.

Did you get the "kinked" downtube for the PL Bigfoots like in the 1st pic? If so that can also lower you center of gravity a little... so that's cool.

I had the same problem with my feet slipping off the pegs. I never got the chance to figure out a strap to help keep in place, but I did put some grip tape on my pegs, and that REALLY helped. You can get at any hardware store. They make it for ladder treads.

The flop is probably happening due to the new rake of your fork.

soliver; I got the long straight one. The pictures enlarge to show it.

Can't wait to see the new ride! I'd bet you'll be more comfortable in it. As for the "flop", are you certain the headset to fork connection is tight enough. If you recall my PL came with a fork that didn't fit correctly. Not sure if it was a problem with the fork or head tube though. At any rate I had to put a couple of washers in there to take up slack.

FYI, sorry I disappeared this past month or so. Due to house hunting and nursing a chest injury I wasn't admitting to, I've been out of commission. Looks like we found a house though and I'm on the mend (slowly) so hopefully I'll get to go out and play soon!

Josh

What I meant by flop was with the short tube; the front tire was "neutral" in regards to turning from lock to lock. Now with this tube and the slight change in head tube angle(which I didn't forsee or consider); when rotating the tire from center; to a side; it's like there is break over point where it suddenly pivots down fast under the weight/pressure.

From what I've read; I don't think it will be an issue when it's in motion though. I wish it would cool off outside so I could try it out.

I wanted to make an update.

With the original "short" downtube; the front fork was almost straight up and down. This allowed for very easy steering. Also the buggy was extremely nimble and also could be twitchy at higher speed. This may have also been due to the short wheelbase.

With this longer downtube; it really mellowed the buggy out. Also; on hard turns on a lake bed; with the short tube the buggy used to slide; now it really digs in and "carves" in the turns. The front tire has a lot of bite to it.

Also with the short tube; my shoes were positioned more on top of the foot pegs and at the time I felt I needed straps to keep them from getting bounced off when going fast over bumpy ground. Now with the longer tube; I could likely use heel straps now. Also; my feet don't bounce off now due to the new foot position.

2 different fork angles and wheelbases made for 2 very different feeling buggies. I sometimes miss how nimble it was with the shorter tube. It could U-Turn and turn around in very little space and had very responsive steering.