Libre Special or Flexi buggy?

[teeth204]

OK, I have a choice between a Flexi buggy with wide axle on standard wheels or a Libre special with wide axle. The Libre is £70 dearer. I've never buggied before but have been ATB'ing. What should I choose??

 

Thanks for any opinions.

[andy mcmahon]

If it is for general cruising and not free style I would recommend the libra as you sit in a libra as opposed to sitting on a flexi . I had a wide flexi and now have a camleon.

 

Andy m

 

[andyc]

Depends what you plan to do. Fit a standard axle to the Flexi and you've got a great freestyle buggy. The Libre is a great cruising machine, and can be up-graded to more of a race-spec machine if required. The wide axle flexi is a bit of an odd thing (I owned one) :- the wide axle adds stability, and therefore greater speed. But the high sitting position, for me at least, made anything over 20mph a little unnerving Like the man above, I sold my Flexi to make room for a Cameleon.If you go for the Flexi, I'd invest in a Peter Lynn XR seat to drop you a little closer to the deck. If you want to freestyle, you need to lose the wide axle. The Libre seating position is better suited to higher speeds.

 

Final point - the Flexi is stainless, the Libre isn't. If you're going to be using this on the beach, you'll be glad of the stainless.

 

Hope that helps a little.

 

A.

[djstu_d]

Final point - the Flexi is stainless, the Libre isn't. If you're going to be using this on the beach, you'll be glad of the stainless.

 

 

A.

 

may i ask why ?????

[maddogbarker]

I have just sold my Libre Special in order to buy a Flexi.

 

Reason was I found the libre special had too much of a laid back seat. Not that it was uncomfortable, just really relaxed. I want to do more freestyle, so have opted for the flexi.

 

It is true, that the flexi is more of a 'sit on' buggy, but because the backrest is more upright than the libre, you really can wedge yourself in it by pushing on the pegs.

 

 

Had the flexi out once - luvvin it!

 

Steve

[Newbie One]

I agree with the comments about sitting in the Libre as opposed to on the Flexi. I got the wide axle thrown in with my Libre cos the guy had had it in the shop for ages without any interest being shown in it. Add to that the fact that the Flexi's were out of stock and that the Libre was going for a song the choice was made easier. After trying a flexi, with standard axle, and after learning to use the Libre with a wide axle I knew that I had made the right choice. Comfort and speed are just what I wanted and the Libre delivers both. Excellent buggy and I wouldn't swap it for a Flexi despite how good I think their kites are :).

[adam_h]

I'd say the libre, I have one and love it

[KiteBoyStu]

what andy c said - flexifoil - ideal for cruising with wide axle - fit shorter axle later for freestyling - libre is heavier and less (but not totally) trickable

 

or save up and buy a typhoon like mine

[Mark Rose]

I started out on a libre spesh and loved it.

[madasabloke]

If it's a cruiser ya want check mine out, link in the signature, got the extras for cruising and up for grabs in the near future...... (good offers willing!)

 

Also have a flexi, they are great for tricking but I find it a bit uncomfortable for extended periods, espesh on my lower back, Libre is an arm chair! (fast one though!!)

 

[Sticky]

I'd probably go for the Libre if I was starting from scratch at this point. I bought a Flexi buggy and have since put a Peter Lynn race seat in it, a wide axle on it and a Trikbitz roll-bar on the back. It now feels like an armchair () but I've spent a lot of money on it. I don't actully regret it as it goes as it's been part of the learning curve and I like the way my buggy is now.

 

Try and decide what you want to do with it. You want to cruise get the Libre; you want to trick get the Flexi.

 

Just my thoughts. Happy flying.

[.Joel1599968690]

I was in this very position... So i think i have the solution covered... buy both!!!

 

I am purchasing a vMax in January, currently I have a PL Comp Standard and keep bending bolts etc on it and other sorts of hassles. So buying a vMax with semi-wide wheels and wider axel, selling the PL, and using that money to go towards a flexi.

 

Some will call me greedy But I have about 5 people now that come flying with me, however they all use my kites and buggy etc etc. Only one of them owns a kite herself. So for me it makes sense to own 2 buggies or i sit there all day waiting

[cboshier]

as mentioned above, it depends what you want to do with the buggy, i think if you're considering a flexi, then your weight is also an issue.

Of course there is another option now, as I'm doing a special introductory offer on my new buggy design of £300 ex p&p take a look at this thread for what people have had to say about it.

[teeth204]

Thanks for your help everyone.

 

I think I'll probably go for the Libre - but it will be used on the beach so is that going to be a problem? Surely a good powder coated finish should stand up to some salt and sand? Or do I have to reconsider and go for the stainless flexi?

[andyc]

Libre's seem to stand up pretty well. The powdercoat finish seems prone to chipping though, exposing the steel underneath. Lots of people touch-up any scratches with Hammerite, which seems to work. As long as you look after it, it will last just fine. Personally I prefer the low-maintenance stainless - being a lazy sod

[cboshier]

i could have sworn i replied to this post this morning, is it just me who seems to be losing posts these days?

 

anyway, most of it's been aid already now, however I thought I'd just plug my new buggy design and the special introductory offer of £300 + p&p for the first 5.

which, looking at your price range may make it another option.

 

learn more either from the original thread, here, or at kiteracers.org

[.Joel1599968690]

You are all aware that the Libre Vmax can be ordered in Stainless aren't you ?

[Newbie One]

You are all aware that the Libre Vmax can be ordered in Stainless aren't you ?

Teeth 204 is cos he said does he go for the powder coated one or the stainless steel cos of using it on the beach on his previous post!!!!!

@ Teeth 204. I got mine re-powdered with two coats of powder and it is lasting just fine. It does help that I run the paint plant where it was done so any time I get any paint damage I can redo it and change the colour scheme when the mood takes me. The current scheme is black body with silver head set and back axle and it looks quite smart even if I do say so myself.

[cboshier]

You are all aware that the Libre Vmax can be ordered in Stainless aren't you ?

 

but not at the prices i'm offering at the moment............

[.Joel1599968690]

My dilema is do I go the Vmax with teh larger axel in stainless etc etc, or just go the full race deluxe. Will wait for some more price quotations here in oz over the coming days

[getting-air]

Libre all the way for crusing compared to the flexi its very stable and can get some good speeds up with it, whereas the flexi feels a little unstable at higher speeds. The powder coating is strong, but when it does chip just touch it up and its fine

[phil 1]

I'v owend a libre special for about 2 years and youse it on the beach most weekends and not had any problems.The powder coat will chip but the steel is galvanised so no rust:) I allso use it for free style and find it ok for ground base tricks and have maniged some small jumps in it not shore if it will take a hard landing.