Have decided to build rather then buy my first buggy. Basing my project off of something similar to what popeythewelder had post on another forum, along with what I found here...
http://members.tripod.com/daniel_gagnon0/id195.htm
I've got an old rockshock from one of my old mountain bikes that a friend and I are going to attempt to mod for front suspension..should be interesting :tumble:

My questions are..where is the best place to buy tires for such a project and trying to keep it a bit inexpensive as well. I've seen it mentioned numerous places that wheelbarrow tires would suffice...true? And if so, what size? Also, is it out of question to have a smaller wheel in the front then the tires in the rear? I ask because in order to keep the front fork mod to a minimum and keep the shocks, etc. relatively the same as they are I can't exceed a 3" wide wheel / 3.25" -3.5" including the hubs.

Any help, thoughts and suggestions before I get going to deep into this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe

We have looked into building a buggy too but have not made the plunge yet. I found some tires that would probably work at Grainger.com they are and industial supply house. I was going to use them to build a handpulled beack cart to haul other kites and coolers. I would be worried about the bearings also most industrial tires and wheelbarrow wheels are not made for speed and getting over 20 mph is pertty easy on any hard surface.

There is not cheap good source for bug wheels/tires. Best bet is to get them as spares from a kite shop.

Scoop

Scoop..
You having a shop and all..got any spares?

Don't do wheelbarrow rims, the bearings are not up to the task, I'm having to change mine once a month for normal use, more frequently if I'm hard on it.

The only way to go is to get something that'll fit standard buggy bearings, 12,15,or 20mm shaft.

Charlisle tire seems to be the cheapest place to mail order the rubber.

Not having the easiest time finding the actual wheels / rims rather...wheels seem to be relatively plentiful as I can go to just about any tire place on the net and get those.
~Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by code Not having the easiest time finding the actual wheels / rims rather...wheels seem to be relatively plentiful as I can go to just about any tire place on the net and get those. ~Joe

Yup, here in the states the plastic rims are difficult to find without going through a buggy dealer/importer. I've even gone as far as contacting a plastic BMX bike rim manufacturer, and a boat dolly manufacturer that uses plastic rims for source info. Nada.

I've thought that getting ATV or golf cart rims (or any standard 4 on 4 bolt circle rims) would be the bomb, especially if you want some "big foots" for the soft sand.

Happy hunting, and do keep us posted with your progress.

Greg... I actually considered doing that as my dad just bought a gas golf cart that he pimped out with giant wheels, lift kit, etc. So he's got an extra 4 free for the taking..They've got mad tread on'em too, not the typical golf cart tread. I may just use'm for the two rear tires and then maybe something a bit thinner for the front..not sure yet...they just seem too big to go all around.
~Joe

Contact JEllis on here or Pelton windsports, JEllis carries a tonne of Libra stuff and Pelton carries PL parts, one of them should be able to hook you up with some rims pretty quickly.