Buggying

So Slarti, do you think the Zebra would be substantially easier to partially assemble/disassemble over the Sysmic?

Zebras are great entry level buggies. The three buggies I've had are the PL, Zebra and Sysmic S1. My most common recommendations for newbies is to get started with a Zebra and when upgrade time comes to progress to the S2.

To answer the question though, the Zebra is definitely easier to strip and re-build than the Sysmic, but not as easy as the PL. Unfortunately, there seems to be an inverse relation ship between the 'goodness' of a bug and the ease with which it is assembled

Are you aware the Zebra is essentially a cheaper version of the Libre? If youR looking for an 'upgrade' buggy a Libre (such as a Vmax) could be a viable option. Libre do make very good buggies and before the Sysmics came onto the market the Libre's were the upgrade buggy of choice. Personally I think you get better bug for you buck with the Sysmics these days but that's not to rule out Libres completely. If the Vmax assembles much like the Zebra (which I suspect it would) it could well be the right bug for you.

Another thing I've just realised you may not be aware of is that all the 'upgrade' buggies (including the Zebra) are significantly longer than the PL. In the PL you'll find the rear axle is just behind your back while the other bugs all have extended side rails which pushes the rear wheels further back, leaving you more centrally mounted. This makes a much nicer ride but does mean you need to find a little extra space when packing. Some models of Libre have optional extenders that you can add between your side rail and axle to lengthen the buggy by a foot or so. Possibly an 'extendable' Libre without the extenders might suit you. Hopefully John may be able to advise you on that.

Bones ..... you are one of the few that has a *sniff* ... salt lake down the road.

When the wind is right ... and you are seeking it, you will be able to go fast.

Compromising on the buggy choice .... hmmm
I don't know your situation but If I were you I would ONLY be considering a race buggy ... and I would be working alternatives to transporting it.

You got a salt lake

Possibly an 'extendable' Libre without the extenders might suit you. Hopefully John may be able to advise you on that.

IMG_0423.JPG (2.55 MiB) Viewed 530 times

Putting the 8" extenders on has made it less likely to break out at the rear - it's nicely balanced now and the steering is a little quicker with the swan neck on it because of the steeper rake angle. (I think 'rake' is the right term?) Still leaves you four 8mm bolts to undo to get the axle off and then get the seat straps off the axle. Seat is a little wider and easier to get in and out of than an S2. Bit more comfy too. Nigle's full race Vmax is nicer still. Another four 8mm bolts to loosen to slide the downtube out if necessary. Mind you, even without the extenders, it has never felt unstable at any speed.....

Bones ..... you are one of the few that has a *sniff* ... salt lake down the road.

When the wind is right ... and you are seeking it, you will be able to go fast.

Compromising on the buggy choice .... hmmm
I don't know your situation but If I were you I would ONLY be considering a race buggy ... and I would be working alternatives to transporting it.

You got a salt lake

This is exactly why I want a Sysmic.

Would love an S2, if you get one can I have ago?

But out of the budget at the moment, am still thinking of a wider axle as the cheaper option, can you get side rail extensions for the PL comp xr +?

I know there is an XR+ upgrade kit available in the U.S ,which includes new steel siderails,pads and seat, to give you a deeper locked in feel.
Not sure if the side rails are any longer. Check Dakitez.com.
You can get 150mm longer extended Peter lynn side rails for $145 locally too.

Just had a look and emailed them, comes with side rails, custom seat and pads! Would be ideal teamed with a wide axle and a lot cheaper than a new bug...

I think you should buy a new car like a station wagon ........
i have a sysmic 2 and a use easy roof rack about 45 too75 dollars on camping shop work very good even for heavy buggy ,but also but havy lifting all the time .....

my suggestion , after a day of crazy kite on the play ground, end hurry too go home for a meal, or run from bad whether;
last think you wont too do, is an pack this beast .very heave!! libre prob much easy no the same result speed and stability prefer the sysmic
much better up too you now hope this found you help-full

Just had a look and emailed them, comes with side rails, custom seat and pads! Would be ideal teamed with a wide axle and a lot cheaper than a new bug...

I just had a look too. Could be viable. Or you could get the PL extended siderails for $145, and still be able to afford a wide axle for $245.

I notice they also have a carrier for a buggy
http://www.dakitez.com/servlet/the-795/Hitch-Mounted-Buggy-Carrier/Detail

Unfortunately it looks like it would need to be attached in place of the tow bar, which would be a real hassle.

Anyway, I just ordered an S2. Now we need some wind.

Anyway, I just ordered an S2. Now we need some wind.

You lucky bugger! may get a wide axle for the comp if the Core sells! But can't afford anything more at the moment . Just booked a big trip over east for January!

I notice they also have a carrier for a buggy
http://www.dakitez.com/servlet/the-795/Hitch-Mounted-Buggy-Carrier/Detail

That's a good looking rack.
Here is another site selling them with a bit of a review and some better photos: http://www.bigmikeskites.com/VTT/BuggyR ... yRack.html

If you are wanting to increase the rear axle width without changing to a wider axle, then the Asymmetric wheels 18/8.5-8" or ("ass"ymetrics as some like to spell it) will get you an overall rear width of 1470mm. I have a set for beach visits.
If you wanted to widen on the cheap and don't have ambitions of freestyling I can't see why you couldn't use longer axle bolts and spacers(within reason) as that is the general effect of fitting the Asymmetrics, a longer axle bolt and an offset rim.If it damages your back axle then you have a good excuse to tell your wife why you need a Gigastrong Axle

13 minutes for the S2 from the boot to all together, tightened, and the bag strapped on. And that is the first time I have done it, expect to get quicker.

Transported in three parts,
axle with wheels attached
cockpit
downtube, forks and front wheel

Kites are now all in stuff sacks and can all fit in the Sysmic 80l bag, awesome.

13 minutes for the S2 from the boot to all together...

13 minutes is really good.
Can't say I've ever timed myself but I dare say I would be pushing 1/2hr, and that's even with a friend.

I bought a set of ratchet ring spanners from Super Cheep Auto and tell you what, that 17mm spanner makes tightening those swan-neck bolts so much more pleasant:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... escription

I definitely need a ratchet spanner. 17mm is the right size for the downtube and axle attachments? One of those bolts is quite difficult to get too.

I definitely need a ratchet spanner. 17mm is the right size for the downtube and axle attachments?

I'm pretty sure it is. It definitely is on the S1 and I believe I used exactly the same spanner when helping Jason (from Briskites) set up his S2 at Kingston.

One of those bolts is quite difficult to get too.

Is that the rear bolt on the bottom of the "swan-neck plates" you're talking about?
I find the top two are fairly easy to get to as is but the bottom two (and particularly that rear one) take a bit of cussing to get tight. A trick I've found is to tilt the whole buggy up and if you rest the front wheel on your forehead you'll have good access to those underside bolts. If you're on a lake you may want to do this before bolting on the rear wheels. You feel a little silly with a kite buggy balancing on your head but it gets the job done
The other option is to flip the whole buggy over and work on the bottom bolts with the bug upside down but I find it's enough to just balance the bug on me noggin and crank it with a ratchet spanner

I definitely need a ratchet spanner. 17mm is the right size for the downtube and axle attachments?

I'm pretty sure it is. It definitely is on the S1 and I believe I used exactly the same spanner when helping Jason (from Briskites) set up his S2 at Kingston.

One of those bolts is quite difficult to get too.

Is that the rear bolt on the bottom of the "swan-neck plates" you're talking about?
I find the top two are fairly easy to get to as is but the bottom two (and particularly that rear one) take a bit of cussing to get tight. A trick I've found is to tilt the whole buggy up and if you rest the front wheel on your forehead you'll have good access to those underside bolts. If you're on a lake you may want to do this before bolting on the rear wheels. You feel a little silly with a kite buggy balancing on your head but it gets the job done
The other option is to flip the whole buggy over and work on the bottom bolts with the bug upside down but I find it's enough to just balance the bug on me noggin and crank it with a ratchet spanner

I found that I can fold the seat back far enough to squeeze the cresent through.

I bought a couple of ratchet spanners in the weekend. You are correct, the 17mm fits the round nuts, however the axle bolts use a different size which is smaller, imperial, and not compatible.

You are correct, the 17mm fits the round nuts, however the axle bolts use a different size which is smaller, imperial, and not compatible.

That's annoying.

The rear axle on my bug is held in by 6 bolts (and 6 'acorn nuts') and they are so close together you can't fit the ring of the ratchet spanner over the bolts so you have to use open enders on both ends. Even more annoying though is that while all 6 of those nuts are 17mm only 5 of the bolts are :grrr: - for some reason one of my bolts is a little smaller .
I found I can just use the same spanner but have to be very careful with it as the bolt is quite loose in the jaws. I figured it was just an anomaly made especially for me so didn't mention it before. If it gets too annoying I guess I'll just replace that 'runt' with a decent 17mm bolt, but unlike you I hopefully won't be undoing the axle too many more times. Guess you'd be able to replace all 4 of your bolts with decent 17-ers if you wanted.

Hi guys,

Finally it's been about 6 months in the making but I have picked up my double buggy carrier. The guys at Aus4WD built it based on design by VAN (you rock man)...

Had a hitch made up for the caravan as well, so I can roll it on at home, roll it off during our trips and hook it to the back of the car (as the rack is removable) and go straight to the beach.

Couple of pics...

IMG_0447.jpeg (1.48 MiB) Viewed 364 times

If anyone is interested in one let me know I'll put you in touch with Sandy at Aus4WD they will look after you guys.
BTW the Sysmic wheels were not on, at the time of the pic, but it fit's perfectly with both buggs.

Well, today two of the axle bolts came off the S2 while I was on the go. I thought they were tight, but I must have been wrong. I spent ages at masters trying to find compatible bolts, still have to try them out and see.

Can anyone tell me what high tensile bolts are about?