Non-proflex bike opinion...

[whisperdancer]

Sorry to post this question here, but I do value your opinion and there is no off topic thread...

I got the opportunity to buy a Kent Eriksen ASR frame. It comes with the 3.75in Yeti carbon rear triangle (pre 2010 version), a fox rp23 kashima shock, the titanium main triangle and a fox front suspension.

Anyone has ever seen one of these? Are they a sweet ride, or is a updated ASR5 a better bike? For a little more, I can get a complete 2011 ASR5 with top components (X0, Crossmax, formula x1).

Thank you in advance.

[Spokes]

Sorry mate don't know that bike,but I'm sure others on here will.

Chris

[Colin]

Try Retroriders?

[whisperdancer]

Well, decided not to buy it. The titanium bling call was not enough for me. I will concentrate myself on building a custom "faux" 957 proflex from a k2 1000 frame, which was my first task.
If the mtb bug catches again (2 small kids, very difficult to ride right now) and in case I can't keep the pace due to the "old" bikes, I will think on a newer one.

Luckily I don't ride a new bike for a veeeeery long time, so I don't know what I've been missing...

Just in case you don't know it, here is the frame and fork that are for sale:

[Spokes]

That does look very nice indeed. If you fancied that and you're building the 1000 from scratch why not try a modern twist with up to date forks and rear shock conversion. With eBay deals I'm sure you could build something quite special for not much money.

Chris

[whisperdancer]

My goal is to build the proflex in a cheap way:

- I can paint it for free and I already have the 957 decals
- I have a brand new noleen cross link carbon with a smart shock for it
- I have a carbon swingarm to put on it
- I have a manitou swinger on which I'm still thinking on an adapter - almost there!
- everybody is selling the 26'' wheels and vbrake wheels are cheap
- vbrakes are cheap and light, with no maintenance
- Have 2 or 3 more components for it

I will paint the frame (still deciding on the color - Maybe a dark matte brown that matches the carbon and contrasts with the yellow) and then I will see what's the next step.

[Spokes]

You seem to have it well sorted. My only question is why paint it if you are putting 957 stickers on it? As you know the 957 was a bare polished frame. I think a coloured frame with 957 decals will look wrong? Polishing the frame may take a while but would be worth it. If you want to paint it why not paint it in silver/aluminium colour, that way it will look kind of original. But it's you bike and good luck!

Chris

[spikebender]

I polished out the ($20) 656 I built a few years back. It came out nice. someone had done a  crappy spray paint job on it, and that was kinda my only option at the time.

[whisperdancer]

You seem to have it well sorted. My only question is why paint it if you are putting 957 stickers on it? As you know the 957 was a bare polished frame. I think a coloured frame with 957 decals will look wrong? Polishing the frame may take a while but would be worth it. If you want to paint it why not paint it in silver/aluminium colour, that way it will look kind of original. But it's you bike and good luck!

Chris

That was my first thought: polish the frame, put the stickers on an then clear coat it.
But then I read about some polished bikes becoming dull and with some corrosion, even with clear coat on (didn't knew this cold happen).
It seems the 7005 alloy is worse than the 6061 regarding corrosion over time.

I then started to think on a different paint, something like a dark matte brownish color, that would go nicely with the carbon swingarm and fork, and would make contrast with the yellow stickers.

I have access to all car manufacturer colors, choose one, strip and paint the frame for free. Only the decals cost me money. I think a polishing job would cost me, since it's time consuming and I don't have the time or patience right now (I think I will never will). The original 957 had no clear coat. Riding in adverse conditions or by the beach, and it had to be taken care of much sooner than a painted bike.

So, in the budget conscience and trying to add a touch of modernity, the almost monocolor with the flashy yellow stickers and details on the fork, that will be my route for now...

PS: meanwhile, that Kent Eriksen titanium bike lowered in price...

[Spokes]

Ok I see your point and agree that polished frames take a lot more care than painted ones. If your set on your colour choice good for you.
A friend of mine had an Orange 5 re-painted in 2013 metallic aluminium colour and even up close you would swear it was a polished frame..
Look forward to seeing it!

Chris

[whisperdancer]

Ok I see your point and agree that polished frames take a lot more care than painted ones. If your set on your colour choice good for you.
A friend of mine had an Orange 5 re-painted in 2013 metallic aluminium colour and even up close you would swear it was a polished frame..
Look forward to seeing it!

Chris

Is that the sterling silver paint? I just saw it and it looks amazing. I think it's going to be a little difficult for me to get a similar formula, but I will certainly look for it.

[Scooter]

Did the 957"s originally have no clear coat? My 957 doesn't and I thought I was told here that if it was an original 957 that it would have a clear coat?

[Spokes]

No the 957 have a clear coat, that's the point. Whisperdancer is saying that polishing a 7005 frame and the clear coating it doesn't always work. The origins 957 was apparently made from 6061 which holds its shine better.  Although everything I've read, including the sales brochures specs, say they are all 7005 and make no men's ion of 6061. My 957 even had the metal Proflex plaque saying Program 7005.? That's another discussion that's been had several times...

Chris

[Spokes]

Ok I see your point and agree that polished frames take a lot more care than painted ones. If your set on your colour choice good for you.
A friend of mine had an Orange 5 re-painted in 2013 metallic aluminium colour and even up close you would swear it was a polished frame..
Look forward to seeing it!

Chris

Is that the sterling silver paint? I just saw it and it looks amazing. I think it's going to be a little difficult for me to get a similar formula, but I will certainly look for it.

Yes that must be it. I'll ask him and find out the name but it was the 2013 colour.

Chris

[Spokes]

Ok I see your point and agree that polished frames take a lot more care than painted ones. If your set on your colour choice good for you.
A friend of mine had an Orange 5 re-painted in 2013 metallic aluminium colour and even up close you would swear it was a polished frame..
Look forward to seeing it!

Chris

Is that the sterling silver paint? I just saw it and it looks amazing. I think it's going to be a little difficult for me to get a similar formula, but I will certainly look for it.

Yes it was the Sterling silver and take it from me you have to look twice to check it is not a polished frame!

Chris