BUGGY DATA AND CARE

Standard buggies are 1.5m long by 1.05m track, weigh 8 kgms and are all
non corrosive except for spokes, rims, front hub and rear wheel bolts. 
You must check regularly that the wheel bolts remain tight.  A tic-tic
noise usually indicates a loose bolt.  If these bolts are run loose they
can bend off or break inside the hub - very difficult to get out - or they
can bend the back axle tube.  Also check other bolts regularly but don't
overtighten the rear frame bolts.  Use the shortest front tube setting
if you can as it will allow tighter turning.  Having the headstem fairly
tight will assist high speed handling - replace bushes when necessary. 
Tire pressure; too low and you can roll the back tires off.  Buggy rolling
resistance (75 kgm occupant) can be as low as 1 kgm (hard surface) and
sideways resistance varies depending on surface but usually in the
range 35 kgm to 55 kgms.  Some users add non slip coatings to the
steering bars - a good idea I think - don't fit toe enclosing straps
unless you are happy to break legs or ankles.  But why not try velcro
straps.  Also no seat belts please!  You will sometimes want to part
company with your buggy in a big hurry!  The reason for not tilting rear
wheels outwards as for some wheelchairs is that it increases rolling
resistance.  Wheelchairs do this for armpit clearance.  We do not use
larger diameter wheels because they sometimes catch your flying lines
on upwind courses.  Fat tires DO work better for softer sand, in fact
amazingly better.  Tyres of standard outside diameter but 75mm
wide extend the range of ground conditions suitable for buggying to a
very significant extent.  I now think that balloon tyres 150mm + wide will
allow upwind (just) buggying even in dry soft sand.  I confess to having
initially been mistaken about the efficacy of fat tyres, mislead by the
results of my first attempts to use them two years ago.  Keeping an open
mind is obviously VERY important!  Rolling resistance for fat tyres
higher on grass and lateral resistance is slightly lower, (but tail
hanging is easier).  Understeering becomes a bigger problem.  Tarmac
performance is superior (let the pressures off) with fat tyres and the
improved ride derived from the bigger air cushion is most welcome.  For
multi surface use, fat tyres with high crowns work well, keeping the
contact patch small on hard surfaces but allowing a bigger contact patch
progressively as surfaces soften.  Fat tyres on plastic wheels have
also eliminated all of the remaining corrosion susceptible buggy parts
except wheel bearings.  Double lip stainless steel bearings are available
at greatly increased price for those buggying in salt water
environments.