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Meg
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 04/23/2009 : 10:02:42 PM
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| It sure would be helpful to get a recommendation for a really good tried and true scooter. We'll use it on carriage roads and trails with roots/ rocks. Ability to maneuver well on tight turns and basic athleticism of the scooter is most important. Also, has anyone had problems with pads getting raw with running about 10 miles on pea stone like rocks as the road material? Using booties makes me nervous about them running hot and overheating--seems risky to use booties. Water would always be available if it was needed. I don't mind spending some money on two scooters--if they're going to be good ones. Thanks for any suggestions--we focus on 30 mile races. Do as much swimming as we can to keep the dogs conditioning up, but on cool mornings thought scootering might be a good change. |
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AdventureSource
Canada
190 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 12:00:55 AM
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If your looking for a scooter that can be dragged down a road for a mile or two and then picked up and driven home. I'd go with a Diggler.
If your looking for a Cadillac that you will take great care of go for the pawtrekker. If you are looking for speed try a Downhill by BLAUWERK. http://www.dogscooter.com/ScootersCatalog.htm As far as paws by the end of the fall we are running trips of 60kms in a day and have had only a couple problems. We have never used booties. just check the paws everyday and give them the entire time they need to heal. |
Adventure Source Tours
Experience Dogsledding!!
http://www.adventuresourcetours.com |
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petmezz
Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 05:34:00 AM
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HI
the best scooter i have come across is the Kickbike http://www.kickbike.com.au/ especially for trailes with roots and big holes and rocks. it looks a little funny but workes great. you could make one yourself out of an old bike or find a supplyer whear you are.
oh and if you make one yourself add suspenshion much nicer ride |
forget people give me the dogs |
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RSmith
USA
2402 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 09:17:33 AM
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Those girls don't look like they're about to hook up any dogs anytime soon. lol
Those scooters don't appear to be 'dog worthy'. Looks like road rims/tires. ?
Digglers, from what I've seen are the narley ones.
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Roy Smith
Adirondack Kennel
Skandinavian Hounds
http://www.adirondackkennel.com |
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Ronin
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 5:23:04 PM
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| The diggler downhill with the big tires is the best scooter for trails. I run some pretty gnarly trails with mine and if your doing anything but paved trails you need a diggler. I'm a big guy and I bomb down some big hills with my diggler, even hooked up four fast dogs and done creek crossings. You will not be sorry if you buy a diggler as it does it all. |
http://www.roninkennels.com |
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SKIJOR#1
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 7:58:02 PM
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| I race the Diggler Alpha dog. It is fast, fun and a blast to take corners at high speeds. It has one of the bigger foot boards of any around. Johnn |
Johnn Molburg, www.arcticstarsleds.com |
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Mike Callahan
USA
324 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 8:07:06 PM
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Hi Meg
Welcome to SDC Talk. You say you have lots of rocks and roots in the trails you use. So do I. You need a scooter with at least 26" wheels. I have used the 20" wheel scooters like the Diggler and they often bottom out in ruts or over rocks because they have such low ground clearance. The feeling of scraping bottom is a little unsettling and can make you lose control. The 20" and smaller wheel scooters are inadequate in my opinion for comfort and control. The small frames need to have tall riser bars to adapt to grown adults. The riser bars on a small frame with small wheels profoundly affect your steering in a bad way.
Larger wheels are better for rolling over objects when a smaller wheel might just slam into it and stop you dead. Larger wheels also allow you to have more travel in your suspension forks.
So far there are very few scooters out there that are designed for adults. Scooters with 20" or smaller wheels are only good for children or small women. The sport needs to grow so there will be more competition for a better scooter.
I use a Blauwerk Downhill. It has the 26" wheels but it can be greatly improved. The wide rims that come stock are overkill. The frame is very heavy but strong. The bars are also too heavy and overkill. Here is a photo of my team last Fall with the Blauwerk.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/mycijor/Scootering/Callahan_2.jpg |
http://skijorbikejorcanicross.blogspot.com/ |
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Meg
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2009 : 9:41:55 PM
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| Well! I sure wasn't expecting so may responses to my scooter recommendation request--you ALL are very thorough and each of your responses oozed experience with this sport! Thank YOU. I'll check out the Diggler Downhill, Alpha Dog and Blauwerk Downhill (hard to find a picture of that one, but will find it). Anyone have a strong opinion on having the brush bow handy on the Pawtrekker to hook up to? Would it keep the gang-line from tangling on the wheel--does that even happen? And anyone used the Toucan 26"/20"? I'll need to decide soon because we'll lose our cool mornings soon here in Maine. I wanted to respond to each of your suggestions once I figure out how to maneuver around in the SDC talk. Wish I had known about you all 8 years ago, our training program/sled dogs would have surely benefited. I was taken by surprise by all your help--the dogs do try to bring out the best in us--me too, if I take the time to watch them like they watch me. Truly, Thanks, Meg |
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petmezz
Australia
44 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2009 : 03:55:40 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by RSmith
Those girls don't look like they're about to hook up any dogs anytime soon. lol
Those scooters don't appear to be 'dog worthy'. Looks like road rims/tires. ?
Digglers, from what I've seen are the narley ones.
lol yeh you have to look past that crap. i can ashour you the right modle is definatly dog worthy. i know people who have been using them for years and running up to 4 dogs (now that's insane). i made mine and is very simular 26in frount, 20in back frunt suspenshion i have had it for 4 years and it has evolved to sute my needs, i don't follow a nice road, i go bush with 2 dogs. i tried the scooters with both 20in. on my first trip i didn't see a rock untill to late i ended up 5 meaters in frount of the scooter.....
mor photos  http://www.kickbike.com.au/sled%20dog%20racing.htm
http://www.kickbike.com.au/Cross%20Max.htm |
forget people give me the dogs |
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Ronin
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2009 : 06:19:21 AM
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A diggler Alpha Dawg With 20" wheels has 5 and a half inches of clearance. I don't know any other scooter with more but even if there was one there is only so high you can go before the platform is too high off the ground. The fastest scooter team I have ever seen on one of the most technical dryland courses out there uses a 20" diggler.
I researched scooters for two years before buying my diggler and I can't tell you how many people see it at races and ask me about it. They are rock solid. Good luck and have fun, scootering is really a blast! |
http://www.roninkennels.com |
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SKIJOR#1
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2009 : 08:50:58 AM
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| Hi I was impressed with the bow on the Diggler full suspension, but as I build my bungee system into the stem of my wheel protector I could not do it with the bow. I also thought it might be nice for the full suspension Diggler, but while looking at all the photos, ( especially liked the kick bike photos, as I am a stop and smell the roses kind of guy), the much shortened bed I would not like on that model. I love my Digler. Johnn |
Johnn Molburg, www.arcticstarsleds.com |
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eaglesleddogs
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2009 : 7:20:18 PM
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Hi Meg!
I've checked them out and cast my vote for the Diggler Alpha dog! Turning corners fast, durability, large foot board, and recommended by top racers! |
Christina Eagle
Eagle Sled Dogs Pointer/Greyster Crosses |
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siberianbrat
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2009 : 2:17:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Meg
Anyone have a strong opinion on having the brush bow handy on the Pawtrekker to hook up to? Would it keep the gang-line from tangling on the wheel--does that even happen? And anyone used the Toucan 26"/20"?
I've used the brushbow (prototype for the Diggler DSK/Alpha Dawg, but almost exactly the same as the one on the Pawtrekker) and, yes, it does help a little bit in preventing you from running over the line. It also helps a little bit in keeping the dogs back on track in front of the scooter, should they decide to go off to one side.
But with that being said, I didn't see much need for it and much rather run dogs without it. The dogs need to be pulling anyways and keeping that line tight, and if the momentum of the scooter sometimes makes it travel faster than the dog thereby making your line go slack, then you just have to be quick to slow it down by hitting the brakes.
With the brushbow on, I'm also a bit leery that I might crash into the dogs and injure them more seriously than if they were hit by just the front wheel. And btw, the brushbow remains rigid and does not turn when your front wheel turns. Maybe it's just my perception, but I felt I can manuever better and was more agile without the brushbow.
As others have mentioned, the Diggler has the widest platform out there, which makes it more stable and comfortable for riding. The premise here, of course, is that you will have your feet planted on that platform more often than not, as your dogs will be doing the work most, if not all the time. There are scooters out there with smaller platforms and some with platforms that can only fit one foot at a time, which doesn't make it ideal for dogscootering.
The ground clearance at the front end of the Diggler platform is 6.5", and I think it's pretty substantial clearance for off-road use. And the Diggler frame (at least on the Alpha Dawg and DSK models) seems practically indestructible.
I've been using Digglers with my dogs (run up to 3 at a time) for almost 4 years now and I can't say enough about how great they are. I've got an Alpha Dawg and two DSKs, plus a Dirt Dawg that I sometimes lend out to kids or smaller adults.
I've used a Toucan (both the 26" and 20") a couple of times and I wasn't too impressed with it. It did not feel as stable or as nimble as the Diggler. I've also heard about the frame bowing after continued use by heavier individuals.
I've used the Blauwerk Downhill as well. It's a solid scooter and I like it and with all things being equal, might give you a slightly faster ride compared to the Diggler due to it's larger wheels. However, I would still choose the Diggler because of the wider footboard and it's designed such that it's very stable yet still agile enough for running dogs through a variety of terrain.
Not sure whereabouts you are in Maine but I've got a friend who runs dogs and she lives Phillips. She also has a Diggler Alpha Dawg and if you want to try before you buy, I can pass on her contact info to you and you can probably make arrangements to check it out. |
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kenhaggett
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2009 : 4:55:41 PM
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Like most things; bikes or other equipment a lot of it is personal preference. I have been running three or four times a week this spring with a couple of different Pawtrekker models. I really prefer the narrower foot bed for pedaling, I find I'm less apt to bump against it and can kick more smoothly. The brush bow for me allows for more dog control when training to gee over, haw over etc. I don't typically have slack tugs so that's not much of a issue. With some of my bigger Sibes I find if they go off to the side the tendency for the scooter to tip is much less than when the line is attached higher up on the frame. I ran one of my bigger guys on my kick bike last week and had a hard time keeping the rear wheel on the ground when he was trying to go and I wasn't. I could hold him but it is much easier with the lower attachment point on the brush bow.
I don't think bumping the dog with the brush bow would cause any more damage than running over them with the wheel would. I hope to never test that theory. Disk brakes make stopping pretty quick and if you keep your eyes on your dog/s hitting them shouldn't be a issue. |
Ken Haggett
Lake Elmore, Vt.
http://www.peacepupsdogsledding.com |
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vmassey
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2009 : 1:23:54 PM
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| We have a Diggler Alpha with the double suspension and disk brakes. I hate it. It took us over a year of messing with the brakes before they stopped heating up and making the scooter feel like it was going through 10 inches of solid mud. They still squeal like crazy. It is heavy to load and unload, the handlebars are too high for me. I am 5'2" and weigh about 120 lbs so for me it is just too much scooter. I have been using my toucan for about 3 years and Love it. It is what I use in races now after my experience with the diggler disk brakes. Have looked at the pawtrekker but did not realize that the brush bow doesn't move. I prefer to use a skijor belt anyway so hooking to the brush bow doesn't matter. If you pay attention and keep the line tight you won't run over the gangline. |
Vicky Massey
Alaskan Malamutes...not fast, just fun!
I Whisper.....But my dog doesn't listen!! |
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siberianbrat
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2009 : 6:15:34 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by vmassey
We have a Diggler Alpha with the double suspension and disk brakes. I hate it. It took us over a year of messing with the brakes before they stopped heating up and making the scooter feel like it was going through 10 inches of solid mud. They still squeal like crazy. It is heavy to load and unload, the handlebars are too high for me.
I think what you are describing is the Diggler FS (full suspension) model, which has the same frame as the Alpha Dawg but comes equipped with both front and rear brakes (edit: I meant to say "shocks", not brakes).
I don't like that either. I tried it a couple of times and when I would kick, sometimes I would end up hitting the rear shocks, because of where it's situated (directly above the rear wheel). And the rear shocks add about 7 or 8 lbs to the overall scooter weight and makes it a little bit less nimble. It probably makes for a heck of a fun ride though for what it was originally designed, that is, barrelling down a mountain trail.
BTW, Diggler now uses a much better disc brake setup. They now use Avid brakes, which are easy to adjust (it has a dial which allows you to quickly push through or retract the pads). The disc brakes they used previously were some off brand that I couldn't even find replacement pads for from local bike shops and had to get them direct from Diggler. |
Edited by - siberianbrat on 05/06/2009 12:10:28 PM |
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Scootering
