H-Bomb!

[gum-nuts]

The new carbon kite buggy from Hobbs kite buggies...

http://www.carbonkitebuggy.com

[andy666]

At least it looks better then the original. It's it funny that they have gone back to a more traditional design and materials

But why keep pushing the carbon fibre? They dribble on about the carbon fibre adding strength to the steel frame.

The H-Bomb's rear carbon fairing removes the requirement for metal cross bracing and backrest by optimizing uni-directional and double-bias fibres to create an incredibly light yet strong component.

What's wrong with a steel tube backrest? I imagine there wouldn't be that much of a weight saving?

They also talk about the fairing around the seat adding strength to the frame and protection from debris? The side fairings are held on with 4 tek screws, how is that going to increase rigidity? And the under seat protection is an optional extra!

I started laughing though when I read this

Unlike metallic components carbon fibre does not fatigue or corrode.

The entire buggy is stainless steel! So what, the buggy may fall apart, but at least the decorative side panels won't?

The seat itself though will be good quality, because it's made by buggybags in the UK.

The best looking thing on the buggy is the carbon fibre rear axle, one place where using carbon fibre provides a definite benefit and it's just for show.

Still a long way from home run, but at least it's not a complete swing and a miss like the original carbon buggy was.

Get rid of the stupid carbon around and behind the seat, drop the price by $500-$600 and it'll be a good buggy.

[plummet]

yep. that ain't no carbon buggy. Its a stainless buggy with a carbon axle option.

[SoutherlyBuster]

High impact resistence??? Hmm wonder if they did a damage after impact analysis?? In the Aircraft industry this is standard practice as carbon fibre does not like to be impacted, ie can have delaminations below the surface that you may not even see, but the damage is there and can result in a weak structure. Plastic splash gaurds on the other hand are tough and give when impacted.

Let's wait and see what happens when Criss has a go to put it through it's paces under high load.

Regards,

Norman.

[gum-nuts]

I keep in touch regularly with Dave, the new H-Bomb has been put through its paces in the Gobi desert over the last few months and is performing really well - when I get to see some pictures I will stick them on as well.

Personally, I think it looks really good, it would be interesting to see how it stacks up in an independent test. I also think it's great to see a unique Aussie designed and engineered buggy.

[Slartibartfast]

..been put through its paces in the Gobi desert...

Wow, Gobi desert.

What's going on there?

[andy666]

I agree that it's a good looking buggy (so was the original), but they are using carbon fibre only for its visual appeal, not for any functional purpose. All it does is add cost!

[eyrewaves]

Wow - those images Hbomb and Hbomb1.

The "FatBoy" of the buggy world.

[nigel]

I can only give Dave a huge thumbs up for this new buggy.

Considering he came down to Sandy Point a few years back and most of us let rip at his fancy carbon buggy, he went back to the drawing board and has produced the H-Bomb.

If he wants to use carbon fibre, I'm not going to stop him.

It might mean that I will not be breaking 5mm S/S plate on my Libre in the future.

For the only Aussie buggy on the market at the moment, I think it's looking good, and even seems a fair price if you wanted to get a buggy of similar quality from Europe.

Hats off to you Dave.

PS: when do we/I get a go.

[jhn.holgate]

Nice to see the pricing is realistic I wonder if the carbon plate at the rear can come off to facilitate some storage room?

[gum-nuts]

I agree that it's a good looking buggy (so was the original), but they are using carbon fibre only for its visual appeal, not for any functional purpose. All it does is add cost!

The carbon fibre does have a functional purpose -

The H-Bomb's rear carbon fairing removes the requirement for metal cross bracing and backrest by optimizing uni-directional and double-bias fibres to create an incredibly light yet strong component.

It's just a different approach to providing rigidity to the frame as well as the seat and back rest. If I had the $$$'s I would probably buy one rather than an import.

If there was no innovation or evolution in buggy design then we would still all be riding around in Peter Lynn buggy's - wait! I still am

[Tiger37]

H Bomb, Sysmic S2 or Libre V Max???????? What would you have if the price was the same?

[gum-nuts]

The Bomb! Looks great, is unique and an Aussie design and build. Except for the seat!

With Landseglers - i'll keep dreaming!

[andy666]

The carbon fibre does have a functional purpose -

It's just a different approach to providing rigidity to the frame as well as the seat and back rest. If I had the $$$'s I would probably buy one rather than an import.

If there was no innovation or evolution in buggy design then we would still all be riding around in Peter Lynn buggy's - wait! I still am

The fairing behind the seat is "functional" in that it replaces a stainless steel backrest that would normally be used. The use or carbon in this area wouldn't provide any strength improvement over stainless steel only a weight saving. And imagine it would be only a slight saving.

The carbon back axle will provide a performance improvement (assuming it's made similar to the peter lynn carbon axle that I run), by allowing an amount of flex and working as a suspension system to improve the ride quality.

[andy666]

As for the rear fairing... I hope that it's held on by more then the 4 tek screws that can be seen in the picture below? Otherwise I don't imagine it's going to add a whole lot of strength.

[Clive]

Nice to have something Buggy to talk about.

Definitely a functional improvement on the earlier model.

Price point is definitely cheaper than my Libre Majestic, the seat looks nice, the side fairings are blingworthy, centre of balance looks visually similar to my libre.

When I bought my buggy I considered a few things important,

1. Stainless steel ....doesn't rust, even when scratched, looks good, I think the question of weaker welds with SS is moot so doesn't concern me, it's metal and weldable. BIG TICK for the Hbomb ( does a carbon fibre axle make much difference on a racer... Probably not)

2. Size..... Big is beautiful, more stable, BIG TICK again

3. Adjustability..... Adjust the length, to suit centre of gravity, choice of seat sizes, A Medium tick here, Bobs Dragester is loose for me ... Did Bob fit into mine... Dunno can't remember, but I doubt it. Snug is good at least if you want to put on the power. The side rail design is good provided you're the right fit. (So is there a choice of seat sizes?) My foot pegs are adjustable but given they sit at about the same location as the Hbombs fixed ones I'd be happy enough.

So my score for you Dave is an .......... 8

I think what you get for the price is very good, at today's prices mines probably $1000 more, note I wouldn't give mine a 10, the back pocket on the seat fell apart after 1 week of use, the neck adjustment squeaks a bit from time to time, the quality of the SS steel finish is average, both in welds and polish.

Ultimately it's how it handles that will make or break, so when do we get a ride

[andy666]

(does a carbon fibre axle make much difference on a racer... Probably not

Maybe not if you are running Bigfoot tyres at low pressures (<10psi), but with the disc wheels it definitely will.

At yeppoon over Easter, chook was following me for a while on a long run. When we pulled up he mentioned that he had been watching the carbon axle on my PL buggy and he was amazed at how much it flexed going over bumps.

[DJ_Sylk]

Any chance he can bring one out to Lake Lefroy for review and testing?

[Clive]

Maybe not if you are running Bigfoot tyres at low pressures (<10psi), but with the disc wheels it definitely will.

At yeppoon over Easter, chook was following me for a while on a long run. When we pulled up he mentioned that he had been watching the carbon axle on my PL buggy and he was amazed at how much it flexed going over bumps.

As I run bigfoots, I hadn't really given that much consideration, but that could be an issue if you have skinnys and bumpy territory. You've seen my bigfoots run over the pumpkin holes at the inlet, I'm not planning on going to skinnys, bigfoots just have more give on the beach and can run into the soft stuff with ease.

[Hobbs Kite Buggies]

Hey Guys - Many Thanks for your comments on the new buggy - I am going to clarify a few points raised

1) No teak bolts have been used! All fasteners are A.4 (316 grade) stainless, M8 cap head bolts are used to secure the fairings. The fairings are secured to the side rails with welded 6mm thick tags that are drilled and tapped.

2) Is the carbon just for show? …... Definitely Not! ……. Many off the top European manufacturers are introducing designs and hardware to reduce frame flex i.e the new MG Supra has a bottom stainless tube - Extreme Buggies last year introduced their 'torsion or flex control system' this is effectively a rigging system that ties the bottom of the side rail riser to the rear section of the side rails reducing downward flex. Our carbon side fairings effectively do the same job above but are lighter and stronger. Within the fairing design I have incorporated flex control, belly pan, and somewhere to stick your race numbers. Yeh it looks cool but it is definitely not just for show!

3) The comments on the rear carbon axles have been correct - in that the carbon rear axle works really well with the disc wheels and does add a level of suspension. If your running BFF wheels the advantage is probably only weight as the carbon axle is 3.5KG lighter than the stainless version. Unless you are racing and require a light buggy to accelerate faster it really doesn't make that much difference.

3) John - I took onboard yourself and Clive's comments regarding spare kite storage! Behind the seat where the seat bottom webbing straps come through the fairing, there is room to stow a couple of kites within the fairing. There is no requirement to remove the rear fairing to do this.

4) Each buggy is 'bespoke' I make the side rail spacing plus leg length adjustment to the customers size - unless you import a race buggy from Europe, and as far as I'm aware there is no other buggy currently available in Australia that offers a made to measure option as standard.

5) Unfortunately I will be sending the demo buggies to Europe to be tested on the European race circuit plus an attempt at the 24hour endurance record. The guys in Sydney will get to see my personal buggy and have and take it for a spin, but at this time don't have any plans to send a demo buggy to Victoria.

Many Thanks to all those who have provided critique and constructive feedback since I started this buggy building journey - and know that a lot of that feedback you now see the results off within the H-Bomb.

Thanks

Dave

[DJ_Sylk]

Hay Dave how about bringing it to Lake Lefroy for the September Regatta and if the wind is kind a couple of attempts at the Australian speed record?

[Clive]

Great feedback there, custom fitted to each buyer that's top stuff.

Sorry I'm not an engineer so to understand the stresses etc using the carbon fairings is beyond my expertise.

Despite wishing to give it a ride, taking it to Europe for racing would certainly give you the best exposure, particulary as no doubt you want to sell some.

Sincerely hope it all goes well for you, and keep us updated on your feedback from the racing fraternity

[jhn.holgate]

And if we can talk you into another trip to Speed Week....or Kingston.....

[gum-nuts]

Dave, You seem very popular... everybody wants you to come to their event

[Tiger37]

Or how about hosting an open day close to your home in Mona Vale - somewhere suitable around Sydney perhaps Dave?