So, I have an opportunity to purchase an older Flexifoil buggy that was only used a couple times, and brought over from the UK.
The kites that come with it are a Beamer 3.6 and a Flexi Bullet 4.5. so that will attest to the vintage.
here's a pic (hopefully)
I'm 6'2" with long legs, and tipping the scales at 265lbs
My questions to the learned brotherhood(and sisterhood) are:
Will I fit in this, my first buggy, and will I break it when I have my first OBE?
Is 3-400 USD about the market value?
Am I nuts to buy a buggy when I cant seem to find a place to fly it with out taking an hour and a half ferry ride then driving through the beautiful state of Washington to their pristine buggy beaches.
colin

A libre would be better if you can find one but I imagine the flexi will do well but be cramped. I'm 5'10 and 240 and I ride a pl xr buggy which is no bigger and widely thought of as being weaker. No problems after a year of heavy use

The PL BigFoot+ buggy is likely stronger and more sturdy than the one you mention. Hard to find used and will likely run you about $500. I'm 6 feet tall with average length legs (32" inseams on pants) and I have the BigFoot adjusted to get the downtube as short as possible and I'm stretched out with my outside leg straight when making a sharp turn. A PL Folding buggy that I owned before this one I had the downtube extended all the way and wanted my legs straighter. Can't speak for the Flexifoil buggy, but most of these buggies have been getting "beefier" in more recent model years. In the Peter Lynn buggies, the company went through an evolution of sorts with thicker tubing and stouter rear axle bolts. Original rear bolts were 12MM, then they went to 15MM, and now are at 20MM. The front bolts are still 12MM and I can see why they upgraded those for the rear.

I guess I'd suggest checking out the rear axle bolt sizes of the buggy in question. If they are smaller than 20MM then I'd be weary based on your stated size and weight. Not sure, but I think the XR buggy Sean (ssayre) owns has 20MM (at least 15MM).

No personal experience, but Sean notes the Libre, something I've seen repeatedly by many PKF users being the one mentioned as the strongest of the "stock" buggies.

As for locations, are there no soccer fields or other similar sports fields any closer? Good luck finding spots! Buggying is an absolute blase, speaking as one that just took up the sport earlier this year!

So.....what is the actual asking price for all three items...or do you have to make an offering price first?

$300 to $400 for that package is well worth it....I can tell you that the quality of the flexi is (as far as breaking, thin walls, and welds) is 100x better then any PL buggy (especially older ones) so.....Size wise you will fit but being big in this particular buggy you will have back support issues.

However, since you said this is your first and you need to travel a bunch I personally wouldn't go out just yet and dump a huge amount of cash. If you purchased this and loved it you would have no problem selling and getting your money back to make the next step up. You could almost get that much for just the buggy. Parts are still available and the Stainless steel is great.

I know a couple forum members that are big guys...weigh a lot and have not had any issues with flexi bugs...even riding tandem....

go buy that stuff now before one of us finds out where it is....after that go try and break it....you will never forget your 1st obe

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

go buy that stuff now before one of us finds out where it is....after that go try and break it....you will never forget your 1st obe

Agree. Buggies are kind of like cars. Would you be more comfortable in a compact car or a large SUV. Sure the SUV would be more comfortable but they cost twice as much and the compact will still get you where you need to go.

Also, you can do a DIY backrest on the flexi bug

I completely agree with the other guys pining in (folks with A LOT more experience than me!) on this thread. Get this deal off the street! I have also heard that in general the Flexi bugs are built more sturdily than the Peter Lynn buggies and that the Libre's are a step up again. I've heard that early on PL was derisively referred to as "Peter Thin" due to failures in the tubing and weld points on the frames. When you are ready (don't know if I ever will be), the bug you really want can be found here: http://popeyethewelder.com/

Here's the bottom line: like so many that have come before you, this is a hobby/sport that is great fun and a wonderful pass time to get yourself thrown into. Sites like this one are a wonderful place to get to know online fellow enthusiasts to the power kiting sports. It will fuel your fire and before you know it you will be developing a kite "quiver", buying and trading stuff as your tastes and skills evolve, and yes, as your obsession grows and grows.

Personally, I had been dabbling in static traction kite flying for several years and had been staring longingly at a cadre of folks that went snow kiting next to the highway near my home every time the wind howled. Then somehow I got to looking at buggy videos on YouTube and decided I wanted in. I bought my first used buggy right here on this site from a great guy (Michael Gaylan) and popped my cherry as it were in a PL Folding model. Loved it. Had my first OBE in that thing, and believe me, you won't ever forget your first OBE. Had my first CBVOBE in it too (Code Brown Vertical Out of Buggy Experience) and no, I won't soon forget that one either. Spencer (soliver) and I had a few chuckles about that one in a different thread.

I sold the Folding buggy for the same amount of money as I bought it for just a little while ago to allow me to buy a bigger more sturdy buggy (BigFoot+), this time off of eBay. I love it even more than the folding buggy.

So... get the Flexi and go out like the rest of us and get hooked into a GREAT activity. Before long you will be swapping, selling, and evolving your quiver just like the rest of us, both kites and hardware. That Flexi buggy may stay with you forever or it may stay with you for a few months. If it is in decent shape and you take loving care of it you should be able to recoup your investment right here on PKF for the buggy alone, so get on it!

Welcome to the Monkey House. Always room for a few more good chimps.

On my way to work, so this'll be quick.
The Stuff is listed for 1000$ cad. so no great deal,. I was thinking more like 3-400 was a good price for the bug, and 50-75 for each kite same for the helmet and harness(which probably won't fit)...
So I'll have to do some talking to get them in line:D
But it is local which will save me lots on shipping or ferry/gas charges to go and get it.
I'm meeting with them tonight, so we'll see. I'll keep you all posted, and thanks tons for the replies.
colin

Horse of a different color. I'd take a hard look at the bug at those prices. My first bug (a lovingly used PL Folding model) had been used on beaches quite a bit and had thus gotten wet a bunch of times with sea water. Some corrosion (cosmetic, not structural) at various points on the frame (particularly where the back wheels attached to the frame and the bearings probably need swapping out by and by). My second and current buggy (a used PL BigFoot+) was bought from somebody in Las Vegas. This buggy was a "dry lake bed" buggy and looks and feels practically brand new, even though it saw quite a bit of action before it became mine. Striking difference between wear and tear in dry versus wet/salty exposure is what I'm trying to say.

When you look at this buggy be sure to remove the rear wheels and inspect the back axle points where the wheels attach as well as the welds and frame tubing for stress fractures. See if the bearings spin freely with your fingers with the wheels off. You can immediately feel the difference between smooth and rough bearings, or bearings that are so shot that they may seize up on you. A rough bearing by finger feel may still roll nicely (that was the case with my Folding bug) but I figured the time was ticking on them. Bearings are straightforward to replace, but they aren't free.

These are just a couple of little tips; I'm sure you know how to look over used stuff that has and will continue to take a beating. Good luck tonight!

Hey Colin,
I just saw a Flexifoil buggy in Kitchener, Ontario selling for $250CAD on Kijiji. Shipping could be an issue but I figure I would throw is out there for you.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-other/kitchener-waterloo/flexif...

Colin- I am the fat guy that bec was talking about and while I am only 5' 11" and tip the mighty scale in the 240 range I have used my flexi with a wide axle and #@%$#! seat to carry others tandem including a guy that was probably pushing 250 as well and never had a problem. I love my flexis- as for price I would say that $300 is a fair deal- I paid 450 for my first one used and then scored big on my second one for only $150 (right place right time) both are older and have the 12mm bolts vs the newer ones with 15mm. Yeah I bend bolts every once in a while but a new bolt is $6 and I always have a spare with me so no big deal
good luck
s

Colin,
try contacting Markite (Mark) or Vince H. (really?)
They're both active in the Cdn market - 'cause they live here:-) There's gotta be something available, that can ship to the Island for a reasonable price.

BTW: where are you thinking of riding?

Thanks again guys.
my desk top seems to have packed it in. Great timing!
I know the buggy is overpriced. I just have to convince the owner.
Sounds like it wouldn't be a bad first ride for me tho. Fitting into stuff has been an issue for me since I was a teen. you should have seen me trying to squeeze into an xl kiteboarding harness for my lessons last summer. HA!
I'll go up Island tonight and have a look at this stuff, and see if I can talk the guy into a decent price.
If not, there are plenty of fish in the sea. (Tdot- my brother lives in kitchener!)
Hiaguy- mostly in school fields locally. most of the beaches out here are rocky, or narrow I will try to get down to washington state when I can. I've been down there without a buggy, and it is my kind of HEAVEN.

Quote:

I know the buggy is overpriced. I just have to convince the owner

well...sounds like you have to figure a price to offer/counter with. People were assuming $3-400 was owners asking price(a steal for buggy and kites).... but which is why I asked "..what is the actual asking price?" before.

If you got buggy and kites for $500-550 would still be a really good deal.

I did not refer to my great friend this way...I was talking about him and a couple other members that I know either ride them (flexis) or at least did and were big tall guys....I think Angus is a tall and big guy from what I have read , Beamer Bob had one (modified) , and of course Flyguy0101 plus the rider he was going with tandem (total weight of two riders)...
Sea salt shouldn't matter too much since it is stainless steel and I was talking about a great deal being the buggy and kites for that price....If you could pick a buggy up for under 400.00 you would be getting a fair deal...less and it starts getting better...depends on how long you want to wait to be in the right place at the right time....good luck.

Quote: Originally posted by flyguy0101

Colin- I am the fat guy that bec was talking about and while I am only 5' 11" and tip the mighty scale in the 240 range

nice gear , easy $ ...seems like a good starting point.

Update.
Got the desktop working again! $50 bucks from a local techy guy.
Which should leave me $$ for a buggy.
Unfortunately, I couldn't talk the guy into a reasonable price last night.
He was a really nice guy, who had only used all the gear 3 times. Had shipped it from the UK to France and then to Alberta, and had finally brought it to Vancouver Island. Lines on the bullet were still in the wrapper. The buggy obviously had more dust on it than anything. Tires still had the little whiskers on them.
We spent some time adjusting the buggy to it's longest setting on the seat tube(?) and it was still quite small for my legs. I suppose I could have made the fit work if the bug were going cheap.
I explained where I thought the used market price was and that half of what he was asking was more in line.
He said that he had expected to have to come down in price, but not nearly that much. So he decided to keep the gear.
We talked about possible local flying locations, and what a steep learning curve there was with fixed bridles. I let him know that depower kites were more forgiving. I also told him about PKF
So no buggy for colin yet, but I met a nice local guy with similar interests.
I am thinking about calling him up, and seeing if he'd like to go and try out his buggy again. I have a smaller fixed bridle (thanks again to Tedwessley) and an older 7m apex depower that might just rekindle his interest in the sport.
I think I'll take a welding course this fall and whip up a buggy? Or maybe the right one will come along.
I am still hoping to get to Washington State in August for a vacation. Maybe there will be some buggiers down there that I can meet.
Thanks again for all the posts to my questions! I have never been a member of an online forum, and you folks have been really fantastic.
g'night,
colin

I saw a nice flexi on flea bay last night....no seat in Texas but you can get those easily enough...or have one made....I actually recommend having one made...better back support and you can run side rail padding under the seat straps...you can't do that on the original flexi seats....

This is also a great time to just put some music on and go fly what kites you have static....(like a stunt kite)....You get that down and when you get in the buggy you will be off and running ...less of a learning curve.

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

go buy that stuff now before one of us finds out where it is....after that go try and break it....you will never forget your 1st obe

Colin - sorry it didn't work out to grab that Flexi. From your description it sounded pretty sweet. There has been so much good advice thrown your way that this may now just be piling on but here goes.

I've never even seen a Flexi so I can't comment with direct experience for either its size or quality. I do, however, trust implicitly the folks that have been giving you advice and they are all saying it is good quality (Libre too, but more $$$). My first buggy was a Peter Lynn Folding model. I'm 6ft even and a few pounds under 210. I had it adjusted out all the way on the downtube and had to sling the seat back a bit from the ideal fore/aft CG point to get my legs as straight as I want them for comfort. This caused the tail end to break free a lot on hard turns which wasn't ideal for control. I ended up selling it and buying a PL BigFoot+.

In every respect the BigFoot was a big step up, both in terms of size but overall strength too. I now have the seat slung all the way forward and the downtube set to its shortest position and my outside leg completely straightens out when I make a sharp turn. So.... My two cents would be to keep an eye out for a PL BigFoot as well as the others suggested earlier as it will likely really fit you well and feel solid.

I'm a devoted PKF buyer and seller but actually got lucky and bought my BigFoot used on EBay, so look everywhere! To give you some feel for recent pricing, I paid $500 (+ shipping) about a month ago for what turned out to be a nearly new buggy. The Folding model went in and out of my hands for $450. By what I've seen, prices for good quality buggies seem to run in this general price range though it may be possible to snag one for less, timing being everything of course. It is certainly possible to spend A LOT more for the high end custom rides and exotics.

Your idea of welding your own is a provocative one. There have been some threads about this that you could search for. Popeye the Welder may have some plans. Like all things along those lines it could well end up as a labor of love. Probably not end up being cheaper, but man, if you can pull it off there would be something awfully special about rolling around in something you made yourself! Value - priceless.

Good luck with all this.

Steve

I started off buying a couple wheels from harbor freight and a garage sale bike to use the front end. I was going to make the rest out of wood. Best decision I ever made was buying a stock buggy even at full price. I'm pretty sure if I would have continued on the hybrid wood buggy road, it would be in pieces today

Good posting here fellows.

I'm 5'11" and 266 lbs, Big Boned, fat...........

My 1st bug was a Kite Trike 3 from Cloud 9 It was cheap $300. Every time I rood it I had to
fix something. Always loosened all the bolts. Finally blue LocTight on every thing and most of that crap stopped. Being large you WILL need a back rest. I designed 3 different ones and finally got #3 to work and then it was better but still 90-95%.

For what's it's worth get a heavier buggy. A back rest is a plus. Loc-Tight every nut and bolt!
ride on fat tires or Big Feets. The bigger tires will adsorb the bumps and put less stress on the
frame/axle/bolts and your bulky frame.:bisou:

Van @ VTT could build you a buggy to fit and probably a back rest as well.

The best thing I did was to buy a heavy buggy. The Ivanpah was the best investment I've made because it's bullet proof. Heavy yes! Great back support Like sittin in a rockin chair. And... no problems! More $'s but worth it for us heavy people. And... I have only had one OBE in it. My fault.

Buy the stuff and use it sell it, move up.

Cheeks - not fat; rather think of yourself as "gravitationally challenged". :bouncing:

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

Cheeks - not fat; rather think of yourself as "gravitationally challenged". :bouncing:

calorically(?) impaired fluffy :duh:

FYI; 1 calorie = 4.18400 joules
1 Big Mac ='s 550 calories = 2301.2 joules

The joule (/ˈdʒuːl/ or sometimes /ˈdʒaʊl/), symbol J, is a derived unit of energy in the International System of Units.[1] It is equal to the energy transferred (or work done) when applying a force of one newton through a distance of one metre (1 newton metre or N·m), or in passing an electric current of one ampere through a resistance of one ohm for one second. It is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule (1818–1889).[2][3][4]

In terms firstly of base SI units and then in terms of other SI units: where kg is the kilogram, m is the metre, s is the second, N is the newton, Pa is the pascal, W is the watt, C is the coulomb, and V is the volt.

There, I generate lots of electricity. But still fat!:frog:

Dearest (butt) cheeks - as a scientist myself I wholly appreciated your response. You can light up my home with all your electricity anytime.

"Fluffy" - I love it Davis. :singing::singing:

Personally I prefer my weight in stones. The Brits go right to the core in the weight unit department.

I've had a stainless Flexi for 10 yrs. modded a seat back and made runners for it. Not as comfy as an Ivanpah,
but a lot easier up and down steps! 1/4 the price... Get the wide axle. With the short freestyle axle it gets pretty
twitchy above 25mph.

So I'm almost 19 stone and just a hair over 18 hands tall.
I'm thinking metric is easier, but I still have to convert back to good old imperial mostly...
I was schooled during the Canadian switch to metric, so I do small measurements in mm, medium measurements in feet and inches, and long distance in kilometers. Weight is in pounds. room temperature as well as winter temperatures are in Celsius, but cooking temperatures are in farenheight, as well as when it's hot out (it's a hundred degrees in the shade).
This has nothing to do with a buggy, or lack thereof for colin, but maybe explains why I look so confused and lost some of the time. Or maybe I'm just feeling the breeze on my face.

Thanks again all, for the buggy input. Just sitting in one made me realize I have to make this a priority in my life.
Now how to get a PTW superbugII to Vancouver Island for 500 bucks.

Quote: Originally posted by TEDWESLEY

Personally I prefer my weight in stones. The Brits go right to the core in the weight unit department. I've had a stainless Flexi for 10 yrs. modded a seat back and made runners for it. Not as comfy as an Ivanpah, but a lot easier up and down steps! 1/4 the price... Get the wide axle. With the short freestyle axle it gets pretty twitchy above 25mph.

Your so right about up & down the stairs with an Ivanpah.
DON"T DO IT!:eekdrull: Hire 2 men to help you with it.

Quote: Originally posted by ColinW

Now how to get a PTW superbugII to Vancouver Island for 500 bucks.

You pull that off and you are a trading GOD!