I just ordered a radsail eolo buggy off ebay for £150 new and i've noticed a lot of shops are selling them off for around the same price. Anyone know the reason why? It's my first buggy :D Read some reviews that say the rear axle bends, tyers deflate and it's a bit fragile. Think it'd be ok for a b00b thought, don't you?

Pete

how much do you weigh?

8.5 stone. why?

Not to offend!! I think that is a good weight for this buggy. I am about 15 stone and I need to make sure the buggy will hold me. I think weight will be a large factor in your new buggy's safety and longevity. It should be a good first buggy. I hope you have a load of fun in it!

Seany

The rad buggy should do fine for a first buggy, just a little bit of advice though, don't jump or race it and it should be fine. When it's time to really start pushing hard, move up to a different bug.

Also, it is a good idea to get in the habit of pre-flight checking all your gear. For a buggy, this means going over the bolts/nuts making sure they are tight and visually inspecting the welds. For the kite, this means checking linesets for weak/worn spots and handle leaders for wear. Also check your bridle for tangles that can reduce your ability to control your kite after launch.

seany

ok..i'm really excited :D I won't be able to jump with it anyway with a 3m kite i don't think. I'll be going to camber sands in the next few weeks. Anyone go?

I would love to but it is quite a drive from here...
<-------look at flag

But I hear a lot about Camber and there should be somebody there should you have any questions. Stay on the hardpack cause you will roll easier and need less power. Let us know how you do!

seany

I'm guessing hardpack is that wet hard sand. i'll practice on the fields behind my house so no one can see :P then i'll go to the beach. Coming from germany so it'll take at least 2 weeks to arrive :\

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actually they say 4 days max :D

Hardpacked sand is sand that's still damp enough not to get fluffy, but does not have water sitting on the surface any more. Usually extremely hard and fairly fast, but it can get a little soft in the right conditions. Normal Barrows should work good for it.

I'd go and practice right in front of the experienced guys myself, at least then when you do something wrong instead of having to learn through trial and error, they can simply tell you what you did and how to fix it for next time. Should save lots of time and frustration. Never met a kiter that wasn't somewhat helpfull to people getting started.

Well there's no buggiers for miles around here. I think the closes beach suitable for buggying is about 1hr away and i'd have to get a lift there anyway. I'd be practicing a lot on my own. I'll just ask hundreds of questions in here

Well, ok, we'll do what we can over the puter, but if you get a chance to hook up with the other guys I'd do it at least once in a while.

Put it this way, I have a fairly large park about 3 blocks from my house. More than big enough to buggy. I still drive 45min each way to get to another park, about the same size, feild is in way worst shape simply because the wind is better and there's other guys flying there. Even myself, I learn faster when trying to stay ahead of the new guys. Some of them push me pretty good at times.

yea, there is nothing like a little friendly competition to really push your skills! What fun!

unfortunately, there's been lots of no wind days for us lately, when the 13m Century falls out of the sky, the only thing left to do is pack up and head for home.

Of course it's been super windy when it's pouring rain.

Same here in the uk. But i pulled the muscles in my neck kiting and my mum won't let me out anyway

As i said, i can only get lifts places. Unless i work out a way to carry the buggy on my mo-ped :D

What are the weak points of this buggy? if it's the back axle, couldn't i just buy a new one? Or do you mean it has no suspension?

It doesn't have inner tubes and i read on a review that they gradually deflate. Could i overcome this by getting inner tubes or would i need a whole new wheel?

I was looking at this http://www.powerkiteshop.com/accessories/peterlynntyres.htm

If I am not mistaken, the rad buggy has 6 inch rims instead of 8 inch (or maybe that was the rockville?) But either way, tubes would solve the deflation problem.

The axle is not usually the weakest point. It may bend under heavy load or landing 2wheelers and small jumps too hard, but most designs allow for flipping it upside-down to put the bent side up and then you would just bend it back the other way. I think the weakest points, in order from weakest, are
1. axle bolts
2. where the siderails clamp or bolt to the downtube
3. headstock welds

I think almost any buggy can bend/break at some point and with certain types of use. I still think it is a good idea to preflight your gear, whatever it is.

Did you get the bolt thing sorted?

Seany

No and the seller won't reply to my emails, guessing he's waiting till the week warranty runs out :\

But can you pop out the inflation nozzle to put the inner tubes nozzle through?

Yes you can. Just pull out the valve stem and then you can install the inner tube.

Susan

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PKD Brooza's 2, 3, 4 and 5.5 meter
Libre V-max and Special buggys

What about pumping up the tyers with no inner tubes? I'm taking them to the garage next week for the high pressure things. Footpump didn't work. What does everyone else do?

I have only heard about this, but it may be worth a try. Do this outside. Lay the tire on its side (off the buggy) and pour a little water in the top around where the rim and tire should meet then pump for all you are worth. The theory is that the water will help seal it to get a little pressure in it. As soon as there is a little pressure, then it should seal good. I have also heard to tie a rope around the circumference of the tire and twist it to tighten it. This will force the sidewalls out against the rim, also allowing it to seal better. If these dont work, then you will need tubes or a high-volume air pump.

Seany

You can also try a racheting strap around the tire to get it to seal. Tightening the strap will cause the edges of the tire to press out against the rim of the wheel and keep the air in while it builds pressure. Using dishsoap (with the water) also helps the seal. Higher pressure makes it easier for sure. The dishsoap will bubble if there are any leaks which will help you identify the problem areas. After you get the tire filled, place it in a tub/bucket of water and look for air bubbles. No bubbles and your good to go. If you get bubbles then you have a leak and it will need to be fixed/patched.

One advantage to tubes is that you can repair a puncture when your out on the beach easier. Just use simple patch kits for bicycles. Be careful that the valve stem isnt going to get pinched or cut by the hole and also be careful when putting the tube in/out that you dont pinch it with your tire tools.

Hope this helps.

Ok then i'll give it a go..but i'll try the high volume pumps first. Good news, they're sending me a headset for free :D

That is great news! I am amazed everytime I hear of a story like this... even after it happened to me. I think kite and related gear manufacturers stand behind us (kite consumers) more than perhaps any other industry... Does anyone else have this impression?

Seany

Seany~
I build buggies for friens and family(non-profit), But if they have a problem, I
am more than happy to fix it for them free. I know that it aint the same, but I think us kiters are all alot a like in that way....
Even the manufacturers!

Rob

I got the replacement. Looking at the thread it looks unsmooth and screwing it in it sticks at places, don't think i'll be able to get this one off. So i think the screw sticking is just down to being badly made. WD40 doesn't seem to help.

I think what happened was when i screwed it in, because the screw is soft metal, it just broke the threat and locked it in. I'm gonna buy a good quality screw

If you are looking for good quality hardware, dont go to one of the huge home improvement places. They are called Home Depot and Lowes and Menards here. Go to an automotive parts store, they will have the super hard stuff that will take the abuse and still spin the nut on and off...

Seany

We only have small local 'car' shops here so i doubt they'd sell bolts.