Besides the obvious width and height adjustments on the buggy there are also the adjustments for trail and rake based on the set of holes on the front fork.



While I have read the theory behind rake and trail changes, what difference should I expect on the way the buggy rides now that I moved the wheel from the back hole to the front hole. I was told by someone that it makes the buggy ride better upwind but not sure exactly how that works.

Another adjustment that I have absolutely no clue what effect it has on the buggy is at the neck connection. See picture below. I am set on the middle settig but have no clue what this will do to the buggy when changed. Looks like it might change neck angle which in combination with trail and rake affects handling. But not sure exactly how. Any ideas?

One affect of rake and trail is that the buggy tends to track straight with effort required to turn. The other way and the fork tends to dive into a turn and doesn't want to track straight. You want to to favor tracking straight. I think most important is tow point and front/rear balance. You want the buggy to be mostly even but the rear tires should break loose the most.

Thx. Mooved the wheel from the back hole (pictured) to the front hole. In theory that should increase rake/decrease trail and make the buggy more agile to turn, not sure though, so will have to experiment and see. Currently i think both front and back break at about the same time.

Moving the axle forward will make the buggy want to track straight ahead more at higher speeds, also makes it turn at lower speeds in a larger circle.
Move the axle to the back hole will make it turn a tighter radius at slower speeds and will make it much easier to turn at higher speeds.
Depends whether your into speed runs or better control at low speeds, something in the middle would be a good start. Or not...

Quote: Originally posted by Glx

Currently i think both front and back break at about the same time.

Sorry to say, the thinking part needs to be for SURE. Or not...

Thanks Jeff. The explanation above is exactly what I was looking for. I moved the wheel forward so this should help with the speed runs since I am still continuing on pushing the envelope with my PB.

I am not sure about what breaks first because not completly certain how to check. Currently I have been flying overpowered and fast and I start tacking the buggy upwind and bringing the kite slightly behind. Under that maneuver I feel the whole buggy starting to slide sideways at the same time. Is that the proper way of checking?

That's it. When you're giving her all she's got and the power overwhelms the traction, you find out how you are balanced.

Thank you sir.

The other part of the equation is kite selection...

A full on race kite sits further forward in the window and pulls the buggy differently than a intermediate kite that sits back in the window. For those with different kites this makes buggy setup harder to nail down...

Today got to take it out again after moving the wheel forward. It has a very noticeable increase in the turning radius but at the same time it feels even more solid at speed (yippee can't wait for a on shore high wind day so I can see exactly what I can do now).
As for sliding sideways, definitely now the whole buggy slides sideways as one, front and back come loose simultaneously.
Thank you guys for the advice.

So jealous of you guys at Nahant... that's okay... you do the math, so when I get a buggy I can copy...