K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: jinder on February 14, 2005, 09:25:32 am
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Hey guys...
How long have you guys ridden your Pro-Flex? When did you first hear about them and how much bikes have you owned (Pro-Flex bikes that is).
As for me...I been a massive fan since 1996 when I first saw the 756 and 856 at a Bike store in London Ontario. I had a 856 in 1997 for a few weeks...I was in LOVE with the bike. In Dec of 2004 I bought a 957 (as you all know) - my fav bikes of all time - I love it! I know there are new bikes out there that are better than my 957...but I really don't care...I love everything about my 9...its the old inner Jinder reaching out to my youth... [smiley=nod.gif]
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Hi,
I remember reading about Girvin/Proflex bikes for years. I started out in the days when pretty much everything was rigid. The year after I bought my first bike (now my tourer), I remember seeing suspension forks. I almost bought a Girvin flexstem back in the day.
Then...I was reading a mag and I saw a pic of the then K2 5500/Oz. Man, I was hooked. too bad it was soooo expensive. This must have been in 1999. I don't remember exactly when, but I do remember hunting them down for a while, hoping the price would drop. Then, one day in 2001 or so, maybe 2000, I noticed a frameset on ebay. so, I thought about it. I was lucky enough that I didn't delay too long (which is what I normally do), and was able to get one. It was one of the last ones that ediscountbike.com had.
Then,during the year or so it took for me to get all the parts and the paint job sorted out, I found this website, and man, what a huge help its been.
anyway, that's my K2 story. Of course, I'm leaving out the part where I turned a mongoose frame (ebay for 60 bucks) into a front susp. mtb with a xlink, in the days when I thought the xlink was the best thing going. now, that bike is dead (anyway want to buy the frame?) and I am totally into carbon and slider forks.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
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I had a roommate with an 856 back in the day (1996). It squeaked like crazy, but rode so smoothly that it was amazing to behold. He won some pretty big races in the west on that bike. I got a MtnTek hardtail about the same time (All STX components) - my first MTB. Didn't make the switch to full suspension until 2000 - the summer before I got married. I was set on building up a Jamis Dakar frame, but borrowed my future father-in-law's 98 5000 one day and was convinced it was the better ride. Supergo happened to have the same frame on clearance for $400, and the rest is history. Unfortunately, just a month later, Ediscountbike dumped a bunch of all-carbon frames for $500, which I certainly would have gone for, but I can't say I've had any other regrets...
Bought a second, matching 5000 on ebay in 2001 for my wife. XTR drivetrain, race face LP cranks, Mavic Crosslink wheels, etc for $450 on ebay. A screaming deal at the time (and still not bad!)
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AWESOME STORYS.... come one guys... everyone now.. :)
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ok around xmas 1995 i rode a freinds diamond back hardtail(mostly xt equipped}.It was SO much nicer than my old giant sedona rigid.I started looking and soon realised i could buy an xt hardtail or a FS lx quality bike.About that time I read a mba shoot out test of FS bikes and a proflex 656 was the champ(under 1000 fs bikes????).So i came to look at proflex,s and that shiny girvin fork had me hooked.Decided to up the ante and get a 756 as it looked more upgradeable(i was right for once)So in about march or April 1996 I shelled out 2500 nz dollars and ....................
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In 1995 I got rid of my trusty cromoly Diamback hardtale and purchased my first dually, a 955. I bought frame only and had it equiped with a mix of LX, XT and had manitou comp forks put on instead of the girvins. Late last year the 955 finally got the girvins it always deserved when I picked up a set of carbon crosslinks.
In mid 1996 I picked up an 855 and had it spec'd exactly the same. This frame cracked recently.
Both these frames always had a terrible groaning sound however I recently did an overhaul of the 955 pivots and now it is smoother and quieter than ever.
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Also in 1995, a friend begged me to go riding with him. I bought a diamondback and rode, and crashed, and bled.
Then riding at a spot called "The Toilet Bowl" I saw these 2 guys unload the ugliest bikes I ever saw. Ugly yes, but thier 955s were fast and agile, with yellow sponges for springs. No way I said to myself.
Then in 1997 I saw the 957 in a bike mag and went mad. That shiny thing was gorgeous,and went to buy one new. No luck, sold out. So I bought a Proflex beast. Best thing I ever did.
When the 4500 and 5500 came out I went nuts again as I was a true Proflex worshiper. The price was out of my range and the Beast fit me well.
Then in 2001 Ediscount posted an ad in the mags for Oz framesets with fork for $799 and my ship had come in.
Sold the Beast and built it up with bike mag sale items. What fun and this rig performed beyond my wildest expectations. Best thing is that it is ever evolving and keeping up with the competion. Latest aquisition is a Evo that I got from SDmike. Cannibalised the Diamondback to outfit the Evo and wow.
Terry
Terry
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Well, back in nineteen and ninety-seven, I was happily riding my old Jamis Dakota rigid up one of our long punishing cow hoofed pocked Bay Area fire roads, when two guys on Gary Fisher Joshuas floated by. Joking about my biopace ringed jackhammer, they suggested that I get something more up to date.(pricks) Anyway, I took the Jamis in to my LBS for a tuneup when I saw one of Joshuas on the floor. I took it for a parking lot spin. Kinda sucked. Compared to a rigid, it felt like a hobby horse.
I broused around some more and then I saw it (angels singing) A matt blue 756 with yellow lettering and polished Girvin fork. After a test spin I was hooked. I would come back an visit it for a few weeks; at $1200 bucks it was forbidden love. On another visit the Proflex team truck was delivering new coil over 856's and my 756 was nowhere to be seen. It had been moved into an obscure corner along with other "last year's" models. On that day the shop owner offered me the bike for $900 out the door. I lit off my Mastercard and grinned for the rest of the year. Then I saw it (angels again) a carbon fiber 5500. $4000? The shop folded and I wouldn't see another until Supergo, and later Ediscountbike, started blowing out the frames.
My stable now includes two Carbons, an Evo, and a pristine blue 855 that I picked up from a guy that didn't ride it. I haven't ridden it either, for that matter, but just looking at a "new" world cup frame all original spec., complete with sticker from the now defunct bike shop is almost like coming home again.
I have ridden many bikes with fancy shocks and pivots, but none feel right and bring out my best like the Proflex/K2s.
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February 1995...
Had destroyed "woodsbikes" from Trek and Bianchi in the 80's and early 90's when I ran across a Proflex dealer. He convinced me that a 455 would be a "raceable" bike perfect for a guy like me.
Neither I nor the bike turned out to be raceable, but it sure could take a beating. I sold it off for a Schwinn S-20 that turned out to be just another pretty face. [smiley=turtle.gif]
The S-20 has moved on to the land of purple anodized CNC machined cantilever brakes. [smiley=disbelief.gif]
The 455 was sold off to a guy who wouldn't sell it back for $400! (Smart feller!) [smiley=groucho.gif]
Anyhow, I got fired up on this website last year and snagged a thashed out 856 frame. Been building it up ever since.
The 3 best things about the 855? [smiley=nod.gif]
1. When climbing the rear end hooks up like it has chains on the tires.
2. My Crosslink ELT is so sweet. Plush-o-rama.
3. It just looks bad-to-the-bone. Sheez, just look at the gallery shots of these bikes.
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In 1995 my Bro turned me on to Pro Flex. We liked them so much we both bought new 855's. At the time I also purchased a 254 for me a 253 for a friend in North Carolina. The 855 is gone (I know where it is though, dusty in a friends garage). The 253 is in NC and is dusty in her garage. I still have the 254 and along the way I grabbed an 854 for fun. See them in my gallary. The 854 frame will be on ebay soon. Check out the 254 city cruiser. I see nothing like it on the city streets.
http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?album=vexableman
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Rode a ridgid specialized rockhopper from '94-'00. Then I left New Zealand for the great red land of Australia. Stuck in Melbourne with no wheels I spotted a Proflex 955 world cup in the Tradingpost magazine- a bike I had never head of or seen before!!!
After bartering with the mad englishman who was selling it got it down to my budget of AU$500, plus it was really shiny so I couldn't resist!!!!
After that I discovered this website downloaded all the specs and info I could & rapidly upgraded to a proflex 4000 that I bought off a ski instructor returning from mammoth mountain in Cali (she's now a good riding buddy!) [smiley=laughing.gif]
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October of 1997.
I was looking for a new bike as my Nana had left me a little pin money. At the time I was riding a Specialized Rockhopper (rigid) with toe-clips. Went into the bike shop and tried some hard tails and then spotted some awesome looking full suspension bikes (Pro~Flex 857's and a few 957's...even a grape colored one!) I tried one red large 857 and the rest is history. Went clipless, bought some riding gear, the whole nine yards. I thought I was sooooo cool.. 8).and I was! [smiley=laughing.gif]
[smiley=beer.gif]
forgot to mention, too, that I knew NOTHING about the bike...Girvin, ...nothing. :o the shop owner said it was a "bike of the year". [smiley=yawn.gif]..after that test ride....even after a few blown shocks, a couple of cracked cranks and a headset that disintigrated like a Mission Impossible story.....I was still in love with that bike....she's more of a gray mare to me now, but she has expereince..and some of the sweetest memories I could have...on and off
[smiley=beer.gif]
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Wow.... I really enjoyed your stories... looks like we all started more or less in the same way. Proflex is a magical name for me, as it is for all you too.
I am sure there are more personal stories to come...
RIGHT ON! :)
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Hello
I am a little old... i am 43 years old
so i enjoyed riding very much and about when i was 21 years old i prefered motocycles and cars, i think it's normal...
When i was 29 years ols i made some races with go-kart that i apreciate very much, but after some years i discovered that it is very expensive. So it cames the old passion of riding a bike.. now the bikes are very different and apears in Portugal the MTB profile.
I bought a rigid Bianchi Boulder, nto expensive but ok to begin..
One day on 1998 one frend of mine tell me if i want to buy one Proflex 856 ...with full suspention... i was dreeming...
ok i bought and now it's my wife's bike...but sometimes i ride it...
Last year i bought one in very good look too Proflex 857 with styckers of 959....
I am very proud and very happy with these two bikes.
nowadays i see the prices of the new bikes and when i'am riding i don't see diference with the others bikes...
The important is our passion for the things and make all the things that we love.....
Fernando
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I saw my first Pro flex in 1988 or 89? They were called Offroads. It had the Girvin flex stem and an elastomer stack on the back. The salesman tried to sell me one, but I just laughed at his vector presentation. Amazingly about 2 years ago I crossed paths with an older biker riding one similar to this model!
My first ProFlex.
I purchased a used 953 in 1994. First impression: smooth ride and the rear tire stuck so much better on rough and rocky climbs compared to my hard tail. You can see a picture of it in my gallery (The Old Gray Mare).
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Some time in 1992/1993 - I don't remember. I bought rigid forked steel Taleigh second hand from a local shop and it had a Girvin Flex stem on it.
My riding buddies were all saliors and olympic windsurfers and the neil Pryde importer was also the Proflex importer so they all got 855 and 856's. I son followed suit with a second hand 855 and have never looked back since. I still own the 855 (set up as a singlespeed but needing forks), had and sold to a friend an 857, I have 2004 razorback Team and my pride and joy the Oz (much modified by me and Simon from this site.
Sprucey
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I stumbled into a Proflex dealer in 1996 after crashing and finally breaking a 1989 Spec. Rockhopper Comp. rigid. The sales guy showed me the lastest upgrades on the Proflex 856 with speed springs, full XT & Grip-shift. I couldnt believe I could have a full suspension race ready MTB on year end clearence sale. I was able to max out the credit card and after one ride was convinced that it was the best thing in the world. I still ride it and have had little to no problems with it. My 856 has single handedly aditicted 20 of my friends to start ridding Mountian Bikes.
I have and will always have a special place in my heart for the trusty 856.
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Been riding Proflex/K2 for just under a year, between my first 855 and current 5000, and I love 'em. Crosslinks rock!
I only heard of Proflex when a guy advertised it in the local Friday-ad (classifieds) for a bargain £50. It was in a right state mind, (Elastomers were concrete, wheel bearings and rims absolutely shot, (shame - Richey rims on old Hope hubs), vector bushings worn, no brakes or gears), but I had seen Girvin crosslinks once before on ebay a few years earlier, and the frame was soooooo light I couldn't resist.
I was riding a Univega Y-frame hardtail at the time so was able to swap most of the components over.
Found this site while searching for more info on how to fix the Vectors, and 'ain't ever looked back!' [smiley=beer.gif]
First long ride was the 3 day 105mile South Downs way challenge with the 855 back in May last year. Vector forks with a bespoke 750 in/lbs coil spring! Ouch - rock solid, but cause I was 17 stone it had at least 5mm of travel!! (Can tell you are all impressed). [smiley=laughing.gif] Was running front and rear Magura 2002 Claras with the most ridiculous looking front disc brake adapter ever. Think the only reason I survived it was the Stratos Air/oil shock on the back, oh, and the granny saddle (more padding than a man in a fat suit)!
Doing the challenge again this year on my 5000, (long travel Xlinks with a 225 in/lbs spring(lost two stone in weight - [smiley=nod.gif]) [smiley=beer.gif] Running 2004 Magura Julies now, (180mm front rotor).
I luv my bike [smiley=worry.gif] - (scares most well adjusted people that!) [smiley=turtle.gif]
Dan
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Had Girvin flexstem on my Dawes MTB in 1989/90,gave up MTBing went back into motocross,Gave up MotoCross again in july 1994, I again took up mountain biking and decided to purchase a full suspension bike,purchased a secondhand Proflex 853 which was running 75mm VLS forks coil sprung open bath damping,later I sold the frame set and purchased in the beginning of 96 a new 856 frameset with vector2 forks,kept that bike but purchased in 99 a new Carbon 4500 with custom spec,bought a spare unused Oz frameset in 2003 which I've now built up for my son,and just this week arrived an 856 frameset for modification,
Proflex rider for 11 years.
Simon.
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Cheers to all ya! [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=nod.gif]
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Wow. It's been such a long time since I saw a sparkling new set of Girvin forks on what had to be a Proflex. The Girvin fork was all I saw. They looked far superior to any fork of those years. Being that they were half my size I wouldn't have been able to ride with them. My father described this with a quick sentence “when you get older”.
I was stuck riding my juvenile florescent Pink Raleigh.
It was early 1998 and it was time for a new bike. I was looking everywhere for it and even enjoyed test riding a few other brands. But as soon as I walked into the showroom with a brand new K2 Proflex 4500 Carbon with the Girvin design fork I had dreamt since childhood I knew I had to have it. I have ridden it loyally ever since that day. It’s lasted such a long time and I would never retire it now. When it needed a rebuild in early 2000. I contemplated retiring it. But at that moment I received a glimpse of a memory stashed in the depths of my mind. It was "Lassie the dog wonder" being fled off by the boy who loved him so much. In a moment of tough love the boy curses and throws stones until Lassie drearily leaves.
Why should my K2 proflex share that same fate.
It is with me forever now. I just couldn’t put it down after this long. Besides, People identify me with it. “The guy with the old Carbon Fibber Frame.”
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Alex, I would love to ride with you this summer, I'll hook up for sure! Same passion for Proflex...wouldn't it be awesome if we all can ride together someday?
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Sure. that would be great. I'll give you a PM when I trek out to London (Ontario). See ya this summer.
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got my 856 second hand for back in the spring of 99 and it's been the best , I had a marins and a orange(hardtails) before i got my 856 now it's like a old pair of slippers and i can't see me changing it ,i have been rideing eston hills(uk) for over 20 years now,and seen lots of bikes (mtb and bmx)come and go but my old proflex is here to stay
p.s Any one know were i might find somewere that sell's 856 stickers???
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got my 856 second hand for back in the spring of 99 and it's been the best , I had a marins and a orange(hardtails) before i got my 856 now it's like a old pair of slippers and i can't see me changing it ,i have been rideing eston hills(uk) for over 20 years now,and seen lots of bikes (mtb and bmx)come and go but my old proflex is here to stay
p.s Any one know were i might find somewere that sell's 856 stickers???
Alex "Ionit" might be able to help....try PM him.
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i got my '98 k2/proflex in march of '98. my old hardtail got stolen out of my truck and my insurance gave me a great replacement amount. so i started looking for a f/s bike. my buddy had a cannondale v-600 and i was jealous. i looked around and tried a lot of bikes. but all the f/s bikes seemed to pogo a lot. then i stumbled upon a '97 proflex 857 and 957. these bikes were tight. i loved the linkage fork and the small of pogo they had. anyway, i found out that the '98 bikes were going to have something called a smart shock. i love tech stuff and waited. i found a blue 4000 and made the deal. my insurance company even put up $200 more over my original amount.
i then bought a k2 electra snowboard with the same smart tech and clicker boots. then a k2 grassroots razorback and then a k2 zed for the wife.
would have bought a lithium if i hadn't got the giant vt-2 for $500 less.
been on the forum since '98 and have loved learning and informing here.
i actually got a tour of the k2 hq on vashon island when i took my nr-4 for an exchange. saw the molds for the carbons. still wish i'd gotten one. [smiley=coolfrown.gif] [smiley=coolfrown.gif]
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As a kid in 1977 I modded my 24" wheel road bike with cow horns and the widest Knobbly tyres I could find - 1.75", I think. I spent hours and hours in the countryside just exploring and attempting little gullies and jumps. Near Luton, we had a great big hill with a dirt track down it and a tarmac road to ride back up on. That descent still scares me!
I Bought my first “All Terrain Bike” in 1985, a Raleigh Maverick that cost £200 brand new.
The best Raleigh Team Banana racer only cost £127.
Everyone said “what do you want 15 Gears for??”
(My brother’s still got this bike somewhere in his garage…the frame was guaranteed for 15 years! It broke in 2000, but we got it brazed)
Then in 1991 I bought a fully rigid Marin Pine Mountain brand new and this did me for a number of years and lots of long overland journeys (it’s been to Greece! And I’ve still got it!)
I first read about PRO~FLEX’s in MBi magazine in November 1995 when they reviewed the 855 and described it as “Two Wheeled Dr. Martens”
I thought it looked absolutely brilliant and exactly the sort of bike I wanted to replace my rigid Marin, then I saw the price tag £1499 !!
No way!! I waited and even tried to get a friend to buy one in the states as they were only $1400 over there.
Then I saw the 856 and again held off because of the price..…..
Then in 1997 I saw an ”XP-X” (which is basically an 856) advertised as "Why ride when you can fly?"
I believe they were only sold in the UK by the importers “Ultra Sport UK"
They had a competition to win one......,
.........I entered.......
................ I didn’t win ...............
Then lo and behold a freebie copy of “Exchange & Mart” was put through my door, I opened it up and a golden light surrounded me and Angels began to sing as I saw the advert that read..................
“UNWANTED PRIZE FOR SALE”
“PRO~FLEX full suspension mountain bike, unused”
and it was only 80 miles away!
I rang them up, jumped in the car and saw the bike; it was the prize from Ultra Sport! All the labels were on it and not a mark on it. I tried not to act too keen, and managed to get it for £750 !! Bargain, I thought!!
The XP-X was an 856 frame which allegedly has additional welding to strengthen it against some reported failures and doesn’t have the hole through the seat post for the canti’s, instead it has Magura Hydraulic brakes which were pretty rare back then. It came with ODS shocks and MCU’s which I quickly replaced with Speedsprings.
This is a picture of the actual bike from their web-site and is the one I now own.
(http://idriders.com/proflex/files/ProFlex-XPX.jpg)
Well that bike has lasted me since then and it’s ridden nearly every week and is still in great condition (I really ought to sell it, but I won’t……) The only draw back was I rode to work on it weekdays (1.3” slicks) and then had to change tyres for off-road weekends, what a pain and so I resolved to buy a spare pair of wheels, but realised that for the cost of the wheels and cogs I could maybe buy another bike!
Then I bought an 857 frame dirt cheap on eBay and planned to move everything off of the XP-X to this frame, but I just didn’t have the heart to do it, instead I bought a 856 type BEAST as a donor bike but again didn’t do anything with it (I've sold them both now!)
Then in 2004 I noticed that 4500’s and 5500’s were popping up on the market at reasonable prices. Like everyone else, I had coveted these carbon bikes with their “Smart Shocks” when they came out, but £4000 for a bike? Get out of here!
I missed out on a few and then Jeroen “Stoerevent” contacted me to say he was selling his 5500 in the Netherlands and was I interested? I was, but wanted to see it in the flesh and no business trips to the Netherlands were forthcoming so I told him to go ahead and sell it.
As a consolation a 4000 came up on eBay and I managed to get it at the seller’s reserve price which I was very happy with. Apparently this bike was sold in the Netherlands to the Dutch/Belgium equivalent of F1 commentator Murray Walker and was top spec’d ! Allegedly Michael Schumacher has had his leg over it!
Then Lo and Behold a business trip came up for the Netherlands and Jeroen still had the 5500, I came, I saw, I bought! (There are still pictures of it in his gallery)http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?slideshow=5;oldslideshow=5;fullscreen=1;photo=stoerevent/5500C_side.JPG (http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?slideshow=5;oldslideshow=5;fullscreen=1;photo=stoerevent/5500C_side.JPG)
Then in 2006, I bought an unridden OzM that had sat in a garage for 5 years, it's still got the manufacturer grease on it!
Also, an OzX that has seen a bit more life, eventually both of these bikes will emerge as re-worked and modernised versions for me and the missus.
So I decided to sell the 5500, which I did, but incidentally bought another carbon Frame..............
So now I have too many PRO~FLEX’s to ride, and my wife calls it my “Pro~Flex museum”
Thank God PRO~FLEX stopped making decent bikes!
Although I do have my eye on a Whyte 46………………………
Col
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In 1992 I bought a Cannondale from returned tax money. fully rigid ofcourse. I loved it, not only the bike but also the mountainbiking (well, mountain, here in Holland you better cal call it off road biking). a few years later I saw a secondhand Proflex 959 at my LBS. I HAD to have is, eventough I could'n afford it. I managed to sell my C'dale and with that money and some money I managed to get from my girlfriend, who is in charge of our financial business, I bought the Proflex. Most beautiful bike ever: completly silver coloured. I upgraded to springs a little later. Few years later, while racing through the sand, the front forks fell apart... Way to expensive to replace them at that time and way difficult to get some secondhand forks, so I put the frame in a corner and went to my LBS again. And there: the most beautiful bike I ever saw: a 5500C, secondhand, never ridden off road and, most important of all: affordable (well, with a little help from my girlfriend...again...). I had seen that bike some time before in the same shop, but then it was brand new and way too expensive. Road the bike some years and really loved it verry verry much.
But the it happened: I saw the most beautiful bike ever! A Rocky Mountain Instinct... second hand and again (allmost) affordable. I sold my 5500C to the nicest Guy from England I know (indeed: Colin) and the rest is history.
I still visit this site every day, eventough I'm no Proflex owner anymore. But because I still do own a 959 frame, I think I'm entitled to do so.
Jeroen.
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Thanks Jeroen!! ( I must be the only guy from England he knows!!)
And that's after we had a panic over paying for the bike, (I had the bike, he had no money, whoops!)
What do you mean by a 959 ??? I don't think this was a real model, 957 was the last in that series, but some people refer to 5500's as 959's because that is the logical progression.
I bet you've actually got a lovely natural alloy/silver 957 frame hidden away somewhere?
Your wife is too nice to you ( I just don't tell mine when I buy something!!! Ha ha ha!)
changes to the 5500:
Carbon Crosslinks with NR-5 Smartshock
Carbon SPIN Wheels (maybe only for road use...)
Carbon Seatpost
Carbon Bar
Titanium Bar ends
Rear NR5 Smartshock with Titanium bolts.
Titanium Front & Rear springs
Body Geometry Saddle
Carbon Mudguards
Carbon Bottle rack
Just got to finish bolting all of these on!
Col.
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Wow Colin,
You've totally carbonized the bike! Nice!.
I don't have any pictures of the silver frame at this moment (someone I once went on biking holiday with has got pictures, I'm trying to get in contact with him again) and to tell the complete story: my brother in law has completely stripped the frame, he has had it painted again and he is building it up again. So wouldn't know how to determine the exact type of the bike without some old pictures. At the time I rode that bike, I didn't care about numbers, just tried to ride as fast as I dared.
Come to think of it: I'm afraid I gave the frame away to him, so actually I'm no Proflex owner anymore. :-[ or actually: :(..
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A buddy's Fisher broke and the shop sent it out to be repaired and gave him an early Proflex as a loaner. We thrashed it like a rental car and discovered that there was something to this full suspension thing. When the 855's came out I test rode one and pulled the steer tube apart at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Bitched about the bonding job in there and single short roll pin on one side of the tube. It got warranteed and I bought one. Got a tad too much fun on it and pulled the bottom off the steer tube on it too. ProFlex apparently had a number of those pulling apart and increased the bonding material and put a longer roll pin all the way through the diameter.
I have been booted out of ski resorts, pulled a canti stud out, bent the seat post, broke a crank off on a hard landing and generally beat the snot out of it from day one. I still have it and will be riding it this spring as soon as it is back together with ODS and springs with a homey conversion on the rear strut.
I'm 57 and rear suspension really suits my tired old butt.
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Started with an Offroad 550 flex stem and rear suspension new in 1990 ish?? then upgraded fron sus to a pair of manitous. Then bought a 752 until I broke the back end. Ultrasport Proflex importer at that stage sorted a 852 replacement frame. In 1997 upgraded to a 757 which I still have and use regularly. Excellent bike and still impresses people with weight and function, Still standard apart from Magura hydrolics and everything replaced and upgraded over the years. Why would I want another bike it dos the job perfectly.
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Hey guys, stumbled on this forum while trying to find elastomers for my Proflex 656.
I bought my bike back in 96/97 for about 2500.. I walked into the shop.. it was hanging on the wall.. I HAD TO HAVE IT..
Ive kept it in good condition over the years and have emailed a few companies looking for replacement elastomers. I tried the microwave trick which made them super soft and unusable.. then they went rock hard again. I have some pics of it then and now.. Ill post em at some stage.
Love the Proflex!
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I think this should be made into a "sticky" on top.
IMHO
[smiley=beer.gif]
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Lust - Envy - Desire - Sleek Curvey Lines - - it started with all that and a little more.
My girlfriend at the time and I were camping atop Mr. Palomar in California. We headed off for a hike and ended up on a point overlooking the valleys and ocean out to the west. Getting right out on the point I noticed an athletic sort sitting on a bright red, elastomer'd 856.
All I could do was stare and take mental notes of the bike, not the view, and could think of nothing else.
He mentioned a bike shop near where I was working at the time in OC and I visited it upon return -
After saving up a few drachmas, "Krusty" became mine.
Since then, a wifes 857, an assortment of 4500's, a chubby with an OTiS system in it that works very well, quite a few crosslinks and dabbleing with some crude attempts at garage engineering - - - -
Now the older stepson has discovered how to work himself into complete exhaustion with his friends, come back with cuts, scratches, bruises, getting weed whacked with nettles that will never come out, broken fingers, deraillers, chains, flat tires, sunburn'd arms, neck, nose, cracked helmets, sunglasses and, and, and still have a big smile on his face when he walks back in the door -
Life is good
Life with mountain biking is better
Life with mountain biking on a Proflex is best -
Life with passing that on to the next generation is right there with what it's all about -
OP
sorry about getting off topic -
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I saw my first proflex in 1996. It was in a bike store. A pretty 856. Wow! a wonderful bike.
But I hadn't enough money, so I had to ride my 95 GT tequesta.
1997 I bought a Girvin Elite Fork for my GT at htat store. My first spring fork. I still have it on my other hardtail.
1999 this store was bankrupt and I got a 98 Proflex 5000 frame from that store on an auction of the rest parts. It was really cheap. Just 1000 DM (now 500 Euros, or 700 $)
I built up that frame with my old girvin fork.
In 2000 I bought a proflex 252 cross bike frame (brand new but 8 years old), which I just try to build up.
And last year I bought a used proflex 853 frame, which I stripped, painted it new and I try now to build it up.
I'll post a family photo of my proflexers when they are ready built up.
CU
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Wow... what a post... so much history here, all of us are like a family.
I am glad to be in this rare group of Pro-Flex fans.
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a friend of mine had a 957 in 1999 and i was to say the least, extremely jealous of him, at the time however financial constraints meant i was unable to get one so my first full suss was a marin shoreline trail which was incidently an extremely competent bike. 18 months ago i found an xpx frame on ebay and won it with a bid of £90 ive since built it up with various bits and peices all sought from ebay and am more than happy with it. i also own a cannondale m900 hardtail and 2 roadbikes an once team replica giant and a cinelli unica that i use for time trialling in the summer.
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Since '86 or so when they were called Off Road. I had the Mountain Master and it weighed around 31 pounds with a RS1 Rock Shox and toolkit attached. I enjoyed it just as much as my sub 20# dually Extralite F1.
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Why not... i've owned my 3000 since '98. It's my first FS bike. It's the first bike that fits me properly and gives me great confidence whenever/wherever I ride. When I bought it I tried riding many high-dollar "big shot" bikes (Specialzed, Santa Cruz and Cannondale, to name a few) and this was the ONLY bike that I felt comfortable on/with, it was the ONLY one that was reasonably priced and it was the ONLY one that I got any "special feeling" about within moments of mounting (that doesn't sound right, sorry). I immediately knew that this was "the bike" for me. It also didn't cost as much.
Unfortunately, I have only ridden it about 100 kilometers. No, really. Most of this time it's been sitting.... waiting for me to wake up, stop playing with cars and ride. Now i'm back on it again and the "feelings" haven't changed. I'm getting back into the game and working on improving my health (trying to quit smoking, too).
I love this bike. It's perfect.
I also just bought a 5000 frame, to play around with. Don't know if it'll ever be ridden, as I need a Way Big frame, but i'll give it a try.
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I started riding back in 1990, Johnny Tomac was winning everything and not many had suspension. That is apart from my mate on his Kona who had a Girbvin Flexstem! I bought my first bike in 1991, a Diamondback Axis(whcih i still have), then I bought a Kona Explosive which I upgraded with Manitou Forks. By this stage people where riding front suspension, i believe around 1993, but the main priority was to get your bike as LIGHT as possible, we even resorted to drilling holes in chains and cranks! As soon as I went to uni I took my beloved Kona only to have it stolen within a week [smiley=depressed.gif], but this allowed me to get the best - a brand new 1996 Proflex Beast.WOW!! I still ride it to this day, wouldn't swap it for any other bike on the market.
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Let's see.... First mountain bike was a trek 820 total rigid. Everytime I would ride it my wrists would take a beating. Started doing some research into forks and decided the Girvin Vector was the fork to have. Went to the LBS to get a look at it and they had one on an 855.
When I got the 820 I had test ridden an Off-Road by Pro Flex. I think it was a 752. That one was like a pogo stick with wheels, so I didn't think I would like full suspension at all, but to test the fork, I tested out the 855 and fell in love with the ride. Couldn't afford that though, so opted for a 554 and upgraded it to the Vector fork. I finally got my wife to give in and try out my 554 in 1996. She fell in love with it. We started looking for her a new Pro Flex, but she didn't like any of them. You know, the colors just weren't right. ::)
At the time we were looking for her a ride, I was then working at the LBS and was able to try out quite a few of the newer Full Sus designs. Since I really liked the look and setup of the 957, my wife, bless her heart, STOLE my 554 and told me to buy the 957 for me! ;D [smiley=laughing.gif]
The 554 yellow elastomers finally gave out and we had no way at the time to replace them, so I got her a newer Pro Flex frame off of Ebay and she hated that ride. After another year, we found a 957 frame and built that up for her and she loves it. :-*
Around that time I also found a '99 K2 900 front triangle and hearing that the EVO frames had more travel and were actually stiffer laterally than even the 957, I decided to try it out. I also had found a Carbon rear swingarm for the EVO frames and got that for the 900 frame. Spent a total of $75 for both.
I now have the 900 frame stripped of paint, polished out and built up with the Girvin Pro Carbon from the 957, Chris King rasta headset, Kooka black to purple fade with blue splash for a stem, Easton CT2 Carbon bar, Syncros Ti seatpost and bottom bracket, Spinergy Spox wheelset, and Machine Tech Zero Flex QR brakeset for upgrades over the original spec of the 957. These upgrades made the 957 weigh in at about 24.5 lbs. With the new frame the weight is the same since the front triangle is a bit beefier than the 957 triangle. The ride is like none other. I have tried the Cannondale's, Specialized, along with some others and none can even come close to the ride and durability of a good ol' Pro Flex. 8)
The only thing I wish I had was the full Carbon frame, but they didn't make it in a small that would fit me properly. [smiley=upset.gif]
I can't complain though, I always get compliments any time I am out on the bike. The naked, polished frame with decal work that looks like anodized lettering on the frame with the carbon front and rear even gets teenagers to look! [smiley=nod.gif]
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AWESOME! We are a rare family....PROFLEX!!
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I’m 24 (one of the youngest here?), originally from South Africa, been in the UK for about 4yrs now, started mtb’ing at the age of 13 or 14, have had an assortment of bikes – Mongoose, Giant, Diamondback, Cannondale, Marin, Nishiki, etc – all hardtails, never liked full-susser’s. In 2001 after uni I packed up for the UK but due to lack of funds my bike at the time had to stay behind – gutted.
Up until 2001 I’d never heard of proflex or k2, if you'd asked me about it you'd have gotten nothing but a confused look and a polite “bless you”, anyway, the cousin I was staying with at the time had a 757 - scratched, dented, chipped, beat up, covered in dust, noisy, creaking, the elastomers looked lifeless, the rear strut was slightly bent, this bike was in really awful condition.
When I looked at this bike about a dozen different thoughts went through my head - "its a full susser” (I was a firm believer in hard tails) “its too small”, “its not fit to see the light of day”, “I’d rather brush my teeth and drink orange juice then ride this”, “this is not going to be fun to ride" but as there was nothing else to ride and I was desperate I took it for a spin in the woods near by anyway.
And that’s how my love affair started, 5 minutes into the ride and I was grinning like an idiot, I was in love with this bike and thinking “here’s a manufacturer that doesn’t have monkeys designing there stuff”. It climbed like a hardtail, went downhill with confidence and purpose, not at all skittish like other full-sussers I had tried. Even in the condition it was in it was by far the best bike I’d ever ridden.
As my cousin wouldn’t sell the 757 I got a 4500 to satisfy my desire for one. Even better! It’s a damn good looking bike, turns heads wherever I take it, and even though it’s a good 7-8yrs old out on the trails it leaves even the newest bikes trailing and thinking “what the hell just passed me?”.
Sure, some other manufacturer’s bikes make me drool and have a comparable ride, but I just don’t want to ride anything else.
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okey dokey,
me - since 98 from memory. i too remember seeing an 856 in an mba and just thinking 'that's it - that's THE bike i want to own'.
admittidely that was 2 years previous, but i just didn't have the cash.
anyway - decided to bite the bullet in 98 and am so pleased i did.
i've since purchased a carbon and i LOVE it. still have my 957, and i think i might do something with it one of these days...
it's been a while since i've been around on these forums, life has been hectic in other areas, but it's good to be back :)
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okey dokey,
me - since 98 from memory. i too remember seeing an 856 in an mba and just thinking 'that's it - that's THE bike i want to own'.
admittidely that was 2 years previous, but i just didn't have the cash.
anyway - decided to bite the bullet in 98 and am so pleased i did.
i've since purchased a carbon and i LOVE it. still have my 957, and i think i might do something with it one of these days...
it's been a while since i've been around on these forums, life has been hectic in other areas, but it's good to be back :)
Great to have you back!!! Any photos of your 957?
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I had the first Copper and black PROFLEX 2000 sold in Maine in January '98. After that was stollen I found a 5500c Framset in Cali and built it. So that's 2. But the "local" bike shop was one of the first proflex dealers here in Maine. And the guys there raced them. So that would be 1993ish that I first heard about them. They are a New England bred bike (the ones that didn't say K2 and were actually desinged in New England) and work perfect up here. They're not some fire road/down hill bomber like everyone else were making until they finally paid attention to what Proflex had been designing for years, and K2 ruined! They are a hard core CC New England, mud, granite, and root swallowing badass and K2 ruined them. Opps, i'm opinonated. ;)
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Congradulations on achieving over 1000 views. Good subject Jinder. I think all in the forum have contributed.
Well... I'm off see you in two weeks.
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Cool post! I got my first MTB, a rockhopper comp, in 92, and soon decided I wanted to try suspension. I nearly got a flexstem then, but after a bit of research decided I didn't like the loose feeling. First I got a roackshox quadra for the SPZ, which was terrible. Then I got a Manitou 3 on sale, which was a lot better. After I while I decided I'd like to try a full suss. The 954 had just got the best review for a full suss XC bike ever, by a really well respected journo Steve Worland (I met him later and thanked him for turning me on to proflex!). By the time I'd saved and decided on getting just the 954 frame and swapping the rest off the SPZ, the UK importers had sold out on the back of the great review. But that meant I got one of the first 955 frames in the country, which got an even better review and still rides superbly, so I was happy!
2 years later I was debating between upgrading the shock to a coil or air model, and getting a 957 frame and selling the 955. I thought the cost would be similar, so went for the 957 as it had the carbon swingarm too. Unfortunately with the coil models release, the elastomer models values plummeted, and I never sold the frame. However, that's meant that I still have it, and ride it regularly! The 957 started as a lightweight XC machine, and slowly changed to something to get me down World cup DH courses in the French Alps. Then the 955 was turned back into a race machine. Both have swapped style many times since then - currently the 955 is a fun singlespeed with my first Z1 bombers in bright orange, disc brakes fat tyres and big risers; the 957 a tricked out enduro bike with fox forks, disc brakes, bar ends and lots of ti/carbon. I've also got a 97 animal that is going to the paint shop next week and being reincarnated as a play bike with triple clamps and the RDS 6" back end.
Finally, I've just seen the pics of the 252 cross bike on here - never knew it existed, but I desperately want to get one - anyone know of one in L (19"ish MTB size, 58cmish road size) in good condition? Not bothered about paint so long as it is in working order...
Ian
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Congradulations on achieving over 1000 views. Good subject Jinder. I think all in the forum have contributed.
Well... I'm off see you in two weeks.
Thanks brother! It is a great post, I am glad to read all the stories... this is a wonderful group we got here!
I will see you in 2 weeks Alex!!!!!!!
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Great thread! I had to register just to tell my story, but I've been reading this forum for years.
Living in New England since the late 80's, and being a mountain biker, I was aware of Girvin / Offroad / Pro-Flex because they were local. I even test rode one back in the day (early 90's?) when they were still Offroad with Girvin flex stems and elastomers. No way I was buying anything back then due to lack of money, but I liked it!
A couple years later, my best friend who was living in Rhode Island at the time, got married and I was in his wedding party. I was paired up with a girl who's husband worked at Pro-Flex, and we talked bikes the whole time. Again, I couldn't afford a new bike even though he offered to let me know when a blemished bike might be available from the factory.
Fast forward to '98 when K2 bought them and they moved from Rhode Island to Washington. My friend calls me and says he has a bike in his apartment that he is trying to sell for his buddy (the same guy I met at the wedding). He says his sister wants to buy it, but she's not a mountain biker and he doesn't want it to go to waste! 2 days before Christmas I drive 1 1/2 hours each way to his apartment and buy the bike. I didn't even test ride it, I just knew I wanted it. Merry Christmas to me!
It was an 857 that had been customized at the factory, and the guy who owned it was selling it to help finance his move to Washington with the company. He knew he would be getting a new K2 out there. It was definately not a stock bike, but had upgraded components, carbon fiber forks, swingarm, handlebars, and custom paint. It was light and rode like a dream.
I still have that bike, and funny thing is I ride it more than my newer Giant VP full suspension. I made it a single speed with a Paul's Components tensioner, and it's light and fast. I can't believe how much fun it is. I still get a ton of comments about the forks and the bike when I ride.
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Cool, right on!
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first discovered Pro-Flex back in 1994 at the Chicago Bike Show. I decided right there and then that I wanted one of these bikes as I was so sick and tired of chain suck on my '92 Trek 7000. I raced the trek for a few years and noticed that one of the race series sponsor shops was also a Pro-flex dealer. Gave them a call and discovered that the local Pro-flex rep had a demo '95 Animal that he wanted to unload - so I snagged it up for $1600 - the yellow & blue version with the yellow Magura's, full XTR & 217 sup's. Raced & rode this bike hard and it always performed to its best. I sold it off to a buddy of mine for $500 in 2000 when I picked up an OzM frameset with smarts from EDiscountbike.com for $400 w/shipping. I built up the OzM immediately with full XTR, 517's, kore bar, stem and post & Avid bridge V's.
5 don't ride the OZM anymore as it hangs from my ceiling in prestine condition - - I have found a new passion - - the road. January of 2004 I purchased a MOD 5.0 2003 framset and built it up with all Dura-Ace, FSA carbon bars, Koobi PRS saddle, 3TTT stem (OEM), Sette carbon post, Ksyrium Elite wheels, Conti GP3000 rubber, Time Impact pedals - this bad boy weighed very little. I rode this bike very hard in 2004 and had 2 bad crashes one of which was getting hit by a Jeep Cherokee. In January of this year I was down in Florida riding when I went out for dinner, when I returned home I forgot the bike was on the roof of my truck and drove right under the car port overhang. The right leg of Columbus carbon for snapped off as well and the Yakima control towers from the roof, the seat post snapped, the Koobi PRS was blown up, my rear wheel was taco'd, 3TTT OEM stem bolts ripped out & a large dinger/dent in the top tube. Yeah the Explorer suffered lots of scratches as well - but my pride and joy was basically totaled. I threw the pile of junk in the back of the truck and drove back to Chicago in the morning all pissed off.
I stripped the frame and inspected everything very carefully to discover that there was plenty that would be recoverable and re-useable. Immediately found a 2004 Columbus Carbon fork on EBAY which I grabbed to replace the snapped off one. I listed the dented 2003 frame with the new(er) 2004 fork on EBAY in hopes of just getting rid of it - I wound up getting $150 for it which was just fine with me - I clearly listed the dent and showed pics and it was snagged up with a "buy it now". So I now have a pile of components sitting in a box - I went thru Koobi's crash repair service for a new seat, got a new FSA stem, new rear Ksyrium wheel - but no frame for put it all on. I had a lead on a Cannondale SIX13 framset for very cheap as a buddy of mine is an Exec at C'dal in Cali - but my heart was with K2. Oh forgot to add - I contacted K2 immediately about their crash replacemet program and it sucked - I was told that all they had in my frame size (small) was a Mach 3.0 and that was it - and they wanted $700 for it. I had such a bad taste in my mouth for K2 at that moment - I was very seriously considering getting the Six13 frameset as it was only $1200.
A week later I found a 2004 MOD 5.0 Framset on EBAY in my size and there was no bids on it - I was able to win the auction for only $210. Its all built up now and it is one sweet looking ride.
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Greg, I want to see pictures of your Mod!
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Yesterday my Elastomer went flat :o so now I'm looking for a new one and thats how I found you guys.
OK, noting strange about that, the bike is a 353 I got in 1993 and I remember that I got a shock when I heard the price, $1500 something, but it was so ahead of everything else with it's rear shock and aluminium frame so I could not resist it.
I have had it stored away for the last 4 years but now I needed something to ride to work with so I cleaned it up and put some fenders on and now I got the coolest ride on the block 8)
(http://www.outsailing.se/images/proflex353.jpg)
/Jonas
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I bought my blue 855 brand-spanking new back in 1995. Jeez, I can't believe it's been a DECADE already! I bought it when I was 15 (i am now. derr... 25). Just pulled it out of the closet after being sadly neglected for almost 2 years. It still looks great and modern, although I guess I am kinda riding an ancient beast now. haha! [smiley=nod.gif]
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I first took up biking in '94 in the park systems in Connecticut. I was riding a crappy Nishiki I had bought for like $200 from a big sporting goods chain. My first foray into suspension was adding a flexstem. That seemed to help a bit, but I boy was that bike bad!
Then, while reading Mountain Bike Action, I spotted a Pro-Flex. Wow! A thing of beauty! One trip to the local bike store and I had myself a brand new 756 for $1,200.
I absolutely love it and ride it every weekend. It feels just right - I've tried a few new fancy bikes, but none have the same personality. Just perfect for my style of riding. As someone else wrote on this board, I feel like any new fancy bike I try out is just "another pretty face" and I run back to the comfort of my 756.
My best upgrade to the 756 is a Risse Genesis on the back - that made the ride so much better! The bike is on it's 2nd Vector fork, and I'm about to put on a new crosslink I got from ediscountbike.
Wanting more, I bought an 856 frame off ebay a few years ago and have built it up with an NR1 on the back and Rocks Shox Duke on the front. This setup is pretty good (especially the Duke!), but it's only a matter of time until I get a new Risse Genesis for the back of this bike.
Meanwhile, the 756 is waiting for me to have a free weekend to take it apart and replace anything that squeaks (let's just say that in the past few years I have not been able to sneak up on anyone on the trail).
My wife grumbles about me having too many bikes while I continue to greedily search ebay for more proflex (maybe k2?) bikes. Might have to let the GT LTS go to make room.
Surprisingly, here in New England, I've only ever seen a handfull of other people riding a Pro-flex. Good thing, I guess. Less competition for my next ebay purchase!
This forum is awesome.
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Where in CT are you?
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New London. You?
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Almost Westchester (but technically the Bronx).
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I grew up in Manchester!
Used to ride the WH Reservoir, Case Mountain, etc, etc.
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In the early 90's I broke my leg and ankle in a goped accident. It was one of those stupid things that I never lived down. During rehab I decided that I would start riding my bike as part of my recovery. Putting my foot down at 30mph did extensive damage to the tendons and ligaments in my ankle and the doctor told me I would never fully recover. I started riding on a a Specialized Rockhopper and road that bike for a couple of months while I watched my friends bob along on their FS Gary Fishers and Treks. Always wanting to be different I didn't want to have the same ride as all of my friends. Also, I didnt like the idea of FS for CC riding but my back was taking a beating on the hardtail, not being as young as I wished. That is when I saw the Proflex 856 on Bikepro.com's website. I fell in love with it at first site and bought a champagne model from them on closeout for $1250. It had the noleen NR1 upgrades and nice XT group. I remember pulling it out of the shipping box and marveled at the glimmering forks, swingarm, and perfectly stacked welds. Riding that bike made me realize that I had the best of both worlds and had made the perfect decision. I still own this bike today and ride it whenever I am feeling nostalgic. A few years ago I was reading on this forum about the carbon frame and how it was the best frame ever built and the last frame to ever buy. I decided to pick up one from Supergo on closeout but I was too late and opted for the K2 5000. When I recieved the frame and carbon forks I was very disappointed in the quality of construction compared to the 856 wich I hoped to upgrade, so while it sat in my garage I continued to search for my carbon frame and discovered ediscountbike had them on sale for $369. I ordered my OZm and built a new bike with the carbon crosslinks off the 5000. I now have my OZm and 856 ahd each of them have a different riding experience. I prefer the OZm for my regular rides but I frequently ride the 856 as it still an excellent XC bike. I still have the K2 5000 frame as I never got around to listing it on eBay, and have kept it around just in case. I just ordered a set of Look Fournales for one of my lucky bikes, probably the OZm. I will probably be purchasing risse front and rear for the 856 in the near future. I also recently put Magura HS33's on the OZm rather than mess with disc and am very happy with the switch. I have posted some new photo's of my bikes in the gallery http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?album=onealpha. I have only recently joined this forum for posting, but have been reading posts from time to time since I discovered it years ago. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of my addiction over the years.
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I bought my first ProFlex in may/June 1995, a shiny blue 855.
In 1997 I got a red 857.
In 1999 I bought a K2 Razorback RS
In 2001 I bought a K2 Razorback Team frame
I raced the 855 for two years, then my father bought it - he still uses it! In 1997 I brought this bike to Armenia and rode it to the top of mount Aragatz at 4050 m. That same year I rode the 857 in the grueling Grand Raid Cristalp in Switzerland.
In 1999 I went to Vashon Island and visited the K2 factory and got a chance to buy my first Razorback. In 2000 I used this bike on an expedition to Tibet. The bike was fantastic, but was unfortunately bent during transport. For the insurance money I built a new Razorback in 2001 using many of the components from the older Razorback.
All of my ProFlex and K2 bikes have been a joy and they are more than just products - they seem to have some kind of soul.
My only grief now is that my rear shock is busted and it seems difficult to get a good replacement.
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Started on a Yukota in 1993 when I moved to Atlanta and rode all over Sope Creek and the N. Georgia Mountains. Then I bought a Trek a year later and then a Proflex two years after that for a whopping $1700, and it was a 656....I look back and laugh, what a huge expense. I still have it, but I've been through many derailleurs. Still love it, trying to get my buddy to seel me his 857, he has springs, I have elastomers still.
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1992 - and I'm still on the same bike well frame at least, a 552. See Upfinder gallery. Great bike and now a lot lighterthan new at 25lb!
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Hi Guys,
I've been away for years... and just dropped by.
My story...
I saw a Cannondale v-something with carbon swingarm in a friends magazine and decided that suddenly Bikes were cool again.. this was circa 1993... I had no money, so no bike.
Then a friend found a bike in the middle of the highway one night, it had fallen off a car, and was damaged, he took it to the police, nobody claimed it and a few months later he gave it to me, as it was size xxl and he was size xxsmall... rode that Cyclepro for a couple of years, then bought a Coyote (ugly) ultralite.. it was a toss up between the ultralite and a pro~flex 455... about the same price, but the 455 weighed about a ton and a half more, and to be honest, what I really wanted was a 855, but these were too expensive for me... and the temptation of a really light bike was too great. I upgraded that Coyote Ultralite as more and more parts broke.. eventually I had a rugged bike, but the name Ultralite was a bit of a misnomer.
Anyway.. about a year later, and after a LOT of broken parts (I am heavy) I sold the Ultralite and bought a Pro~Flex XP-X frameset. There was a picture and description further up this thread. I didn't want the forks or middle of the road components, so went frame only and moved the rugged bits over from my Utralite..
I even broke with the trend and used pre-compact chainrings... 24-36-46 I think... as I found these made the suspension more active than 22-32-44 whilst in the middle ring..... could have been purely sub-concious, but I felt it rode better... and my sort of trails weren't much big ringing trails anyway....
XP-X inspite of all it extra (27?) reinforcement gussets and welds... cracked Everywhere..... it got warrantied, after a LOT of hassle and grief and ultimately a lot of help from the Pro~Flex peeps in the USA who browsed these forums... Problem being that I bought it in the UK, I lived in Sweden and Sweden had no Pro~Flex dealer, the closest being in Norway.... eventually I went up to Norway and they had never seen an XP-X, so they gave me what they had laying around in my size.... a lovely 957.
The 957 cracked a couple of years later.... and I was ready for the warranty fight, remembering how it was last time..... I went out with all guns blazing and had to fight just as hard to get it resolved all over again.... not made any easier by the fact that I was now living back in the UK and was trying to warranty a frame I had gotten on warranty, changed by a foriegn dealer, but from the place I originally purchased the forst broken one....
Anyway.... long long story, I ended up paying a small fortune and warranty upgrading to a carbon Oz.
Hated the name K2 5500c and Oz-M.. so I started referring to mine as a 959 and we had some decals made up.... incase any newbies wondered where the 959 name came from.
Meanwhile I had bought my wife (now ex wife) a 857, and then a Oz in the famous e-discount blowouts of the early 2000's....
The 857 got sold to a buddy, who now wants me to buy it back.... which I might...
The Other Oz... got stolen... It was for sale, a guy turned up, test rode it and didnt come back... that was 18months ago... so if you see a "Carbon Pro~Flex 959 for sale with marzocchi forks and HammerHead disc brake adapter on the rear... shimano wheelset.... it could have been my extra one.
So.. the only Pro~Flex I have now is my trusty 959, I loaned it to a friend last spring and he is taking good care of it.... I ride mostly singlespeed hardtails now as that what my buddy rides, I have only ridden 50kms in the past 2 years on my 959..... so maybe it's time to get it back home and start enjoying it again.
It will be like having a new bike.
Sorry for being so long winded.... thanks for listening..
Take it easy,
Hammer.
ps... I think that the XP-X (856) was the best climbing Pro~Flex I ever rode... and would like to buy one, if anyone sees any around.... without cracks, but even a cracked frame can be welded and heat treated.
Also looking for a cannondale v-500 700 or 900 frame, with the carbon swingarm.... those frames cracked like crazy too, but I would still like one...
Then
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I started mountain biking back in 1991 when I had a Diamondback Topanga with Campag Bulletshifters on it (early gripshift-type gear shifters!). My mate had a Proflex 752 around then (may have been a year or two later, not sure) and we used to ride all over the Lakeland mountains in Cumbria, UK every weekend.
Anyway, I did get a Flex-stem for mt Diamondback which was my introduction to Girvin/Proflex.
After riding an Orange X1 for nigh on 10 years (a superb full sus bike that I've never ever seen anybody else on! Very rare!), I personally got my first Proflex last October (2005), an XP-8 (see my gallery), off Ebay. Fell in love and have since bought an 857 (purple) and Beast (I think '96) again off Ebay (ain't it great?!). I'll get some pictures up soon.
I'm now 34 and am getting back into shape, after 2 kids in the past 5 years have given me sleep deprivation taking away any energy I had for biking (my wife 'had' the kids! I just lost sleep...). I get out about 5 hours a week now, a lot on-road commuting, but try and get a couple of hours at the weekend in the nearby Peak District. Any of you from around here would like to hook up for a ride? I live in Derby.
Anyway, that's my story...
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I bought my 756 new but with a great discount ;) in '97. It only took one ride and I knew it was my first dual suspension bike! For the next few years I put a lot of miles on it as my wife and I patrolled some National and Ca. State Parks with the Mountain Bike Unit. Biking vacations and many general fun rides have all added quite a few miles to it. Just a few minor upgrades to make it perform better and it has served me well. I did swap out the front fork for a Manitou. I think the look is much better, and it is yellow and blue like the bike! My next upgrade after fixing or replacing my leaking rear GDT shock is disc brakes. I still think that I made a good decision back in '97 ;D
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I am looking for new elastomers and parts for a 853 proflex.
Does any body have any ideas? I really like the bike. Brad
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Hi, the list so far-
In 1993 purchased a X race Team 1990 full XT £250 (the one with the steel Flexi Stem and small rear elastomer) This still lives on my Garage wall.
In 1998 purchased a second hand Beast for £850.
In 1998 purchased a second hand 957 frame with a new nr4 rear and Vectra 2s with Smart Shock £500(purchased after going to cost up a nr2 for the Beast)
I then purchased a week old K2 Animal with Hope discs for £900 from a friend in a pub who had just lost his Job, This was going to replace the 957 but after using for a couple of weeks i decided to sell the Animal for a £50 quid profit.
I still have the 957 hung up on the garage wall but it has now been replaced with a hardtail (sorry).
Cheers Martin.
ps they are still my babys and i will never sell.
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hi i have only just started getting into the world of pro-flex after my son rescued a sorry looking 856 from our local dump he thought it looked a bit special even in the state it was in at the time so he asked if he could have it and saved it from being crushed, he arrived home with it saying he had never seen a bike like it and was well excited i am now in the process of bringing it back to life, the frame is in the bike shop at the moment having a bit of welding done and various other components are on order should be ready for him in a few weeks :) if all goes well take care all seeyah........
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Great stories indeed!!!!!
Well, the year was 1993 and until then I had strictly been a raod biker....but my bro had just purchased a 453 (all he could afford) and immediately began upgrading components....I saw how much fun he was having, I just had to grab a 753 for myself. 4 years later my bro could finally afford that gleaming 957 with carbon swingarm---what a day that was!!!! Anyway, we are still riding these bikes today!!!! Other than the occassional elastomer freezing on the '53's, they are still a blast to ride.
My 753 underwent a major overhaul upgrade in 2004.
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Had a Raleigh some sort of heavy as a tank mountain bike that a car ran into, so put insurance and savings into Offroad 550. That must be 1990 (it cost more than my car!), bumpers rear and flexistem front. Used on mostly mud and treeroots for 10 years, lived in the Fens in Uk, it's flat as a pancake there. Only changes were barends, saddle, pedals and rear tyre. Everything else original, even though I kept expecting stuff to wear out. Even still got original softshell helmet.
Got it out of the shed and blew the cobwebs off the other week, other than elastomers being rocks and front tyre perishing all works perfectly. Back in the saddle - don't know why I got out.
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I bought my wife a Raleigh outland for her birthday in 1994, it weighed about the same as the titanic but slightly less durable. But before it managed to fall apart I went and bought another one so I could join her on rides. In 1996 I wanted a new fishing pole which was very expencive, so we made a deal I got the pole, and Ali (my wife) got a new bike.
We went to loads of bike shops looking at Specialized , Trek, Cannondale,and Giant, What she really wanted was a Marin B17. While we were in one shop she tried out another uninspiring full sus and was moaning, all it felt like was another nodding dog, when the guy at the shop said he had a bike nobody was interested in and wheeled out the XPX Proflex.
I`d never seen such an aggresive looking bike in my life, when I looked at Ali I knew we had found it.
We got rid of our other bikes and just shared the Proflex, until she got a road bike for some strange reason (Coppi campionisimo) and I finally got the Proflex.
Now shes swindling me into getting another mountain bike but only a Proflex will do obviously.
Tel.
P.S. now I`ve been fully swindled and shes got an 857 in grape. thanks to everyone here, I did`nt think there was much interest in an odd looking bike that they did`nt make anymore, this site is a godsend. Thanks everyone! Tel
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I bought my first real mtn bike in 1997, a blue 756. I upgraded some components and pretty much rode it as is until now. I actually used it to get to class in college from off campus for 3 years! Everyday, sun, rain or snow, I just jumped on the proflex, even when the chain was too rusted to shift. Now that I'm out of school I've decided to bring it back to life and slap on a bunch of new components, including a Fox rear air shock (shhh, pics soon).
-Antony
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1st post on this site. I came across my bike Proflex 856 in and odd sort of way. To be honest I can't remember the exact year as I've had this thing so long... ( I think it was "97 or 98")
I stopped by my LBS one day and saw this Proflex being sold on consignment. The bike was wrecked, from a bike vs car accident. The frame was buckled at the neck. Turns out the previous owner was riding around the country on the thing (I think it was a 654, if that sounds right) and got cut off while riding. He filed a claim for insurance and bought a new bike from my LBS with the money and his wreck as a trade. Well anyway , my dealer talked me into rebuilding it. The bike was about 150.00, and my dealer contacted Proflex -(just chaged hands to K2) and ordered up a replacement frame for about 75.00 - 90.00. A week later my frame showed up. I didn't know anything about Proflexes other than they squeeked alot, had origins in RI, and they had Girven suspenders...
For a little over 300.00 I could have a rolling trail bike. Considering I had over 6 grand into my 2 previous bikes this was a deal.
The frame is a new 856 leftover, titanium in color. The suspension components and some of the useable drivetrain components were transplanted onto the 856 and any thing missing was cobbled together from the "spare parts bin", otherwise known as the trash can. For example, the cranks are black LX on one side and raw silver finish deore on the other. No matter to me as long as it functioned.
The drivetrain is old deore, LX, XT and I stilll had a XTR Ti cassette from my previous bike mounted to a TNT hub and Velocity Aero Heat rim.
After replacing the front wheel, and installing new cables I was set, ... or so I thought.
My first trail ride was pretty good and I was suprised at how light the bike felt compared to my "no-longer-obtainum" FS Works.
Well over a short time the rear elastomers collapsed and trail riding wasn't possible. I attached a child seat rig to the thing and rode around with my daughter on the back on the streets. I ended up getting a clevis mount machined for the rear swingarm stay to mount a Noleen NR rear shock I had in the tool box for a few years. I took to the trails once again and after having solved the rear end issues discovered the front end was no longer up to snuff either. Eventualy I got a Marazocchi Z.2 superfly leftover for Performance Bike and once again the bike was trail ready. and fun to ride.
Well the years have past and the bikes been hung from the rafters collecting dust. I take it out once in a while to ride around with my kids on their bikes. The fork and rear shock are leaking fluids now. I just got a seal kit from Marazocchi to refrresh the shock, but the rear shock is not serviceable ( by me at least). I recently came across a Joshua X0 that was in fair condition and am in the process of updating the components on it and my Proflex while revisiting the sport once again, hopefully for a while to come...
As for my 856, I'd like to go back to the Girven front end ( I still have it and the old rear shock body) if possible. I'll be looking for replacement parts so I can get it close to OE condition.
Well, thanks for reading my post. I look foward to getting some tech info on my old ride, contributing back to this site, and any tips on restoring it to OE condition.
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I check back to see if this forum still exists every few years. The fact that it is still here is a powerful testament to the Pro-Flex/K2 product line.
Anyway, I bought my first Pro-Flex in 1995 - the 855 World Cup that Mt. Bike Action raved about. I eventually took off the elastomer shocks and replaced them with Reese air-oil shocks front and back. The ultimate light-weight machine. I still have that bike.
I later bought a new Pro-Flex/K2 4500 carbon bike for a ridiculously low price about six years ago. That's my pride and joy now. Virtually everything has been upgraded except the frame - Zocci fork, XTR disc brakes (Hammerhead adapter in rear), Sram/Truvativ 9.0 drivetrain and shifters, Easton carbon bars, carbon bar ends, Thompson seat post and stem, Mavic disc rims, DT Swiss hubs, Reese Astro rear shock, Shimano M959 pedals, and a Hopey steering damper.
I have no plans or desire to switch to something else. The carbon frame is a real eye-catcher. I have removed all decals - so all you see is black carbon - kind of like a Darth Vader bike. Nobody knows what kind of bike I ride. I like that!
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Remember seeing a review of the Original Proflex in MBA I think 1989 and thought wow, one day I’ll get one.
1990, thankfully my first MTB was run over by a truck, I made the mistake of getting a small frame and very long stem. The insurance paid for a nice new Saracen Tufftrax ( for non Brits a classic, basic early 90’s MTB). The dealer also did Proflex, no bikes but they did have one Flexstem, I tried it and had to have it.
1995, first decent job, Flexstem is on its last legs, have had to have it welded up a couple of times. I tried a 855 and was blown away, knew I had to get one. Looking through the Proflex catalogue realised while the 956LE was ridiculously expensive the frameset was good value so ordered one up.
1996, frameset finally arrives after lots of chasing. Apparently there were production problems with the Carbon front forks so they were not producing framesets initially only full bikes and sending them out with Aluminium forks. What turned up at my local LBS was a full 956LE, we made it up, had a quick play and sadly then took it apart again. I managed to get a good deal on a few of the parts such as the Tamer Carbon seat post. In the end I was not too bothered as with a mixture of XT, XTR and few other bits it was only about 1lb heavier (23-24lbs) , quite a bit stronger and half the price. A couple of months later the carbon fork blades turned up which I remember were amazingly light compared to the standard units.
956LE, brilliant bike, very light, very fast and the quality of the welding was amazing. Its only flaw I thought was the slightly compromised pivot point which meant it was not the best on steep slippery climbs ( I did ask Girvin when I originally got it why the pivot had been moved from the original position in the 1996 catalogue and apparently it was because at the time they could not manufacture a reliable swing arm with enough bend to get around the front mech).
1998, started to get some corrosion spots on the frame. I returned it to Ultrasport ( UK importer) to have a look at who were great. I thought they would just clean it up, but offered me a replacement. Initially tried a 957 but they did not have my exact size, it was also just not quite the same as the 956LE, quality of the welds etc.. They then offered a 5000 but as I was not keen on yellow let me upgrade to a 5500c frame and forks for a reasonable amount.
All the bits from the 956LE were put on the 5500c and I am still running around on it now, I am only just looking at changing it but cannot find anything I really prefer.
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60 year old and needing to loose weight. Saw an add on Craigslist here in Jacksonville. Saw the 856 and purchased it.
This unit has had the poly shoks replaced sith springs.
I also found a cracked seat post.
Boy, it sure seems a problem to rais the bar. I don't bend like I used to and need about 4 - 6 inches to be comfortable. I surely need to raise the bar far enough to need the hydraulic lines replaced. One shop says they get $100 per brake and found out the fittings are no logner available. Another shop (the one that originally sold the bike) said they could do it for about $100.
I am quite good with mechanics once I know how to something. I used to race model ariplanes including building the plane, modifying the engine etc.
I'm considering totally rebuilding the bike myself.
Any suggestions???
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First was in 1992 (remember? the internet was only in black and white then!)- 550 with flexstem......a burglar made of with it......don't like to talk about it.......may he spend eternity in Hades with a Lego Enema administered EVERY DAY!!
Replaced that with a 555, about the same time as I started to live behind a keyboard and smoke fags, so it's in fairly reasonable nick despite its age. Aside from the elastomers, which now of course have about 0.032mm travel in them (if I really get my weight behind me for a good shove).......and my search for these Mystic and Rubbery Yellow Cylinders is how I arrived here!
Cheers,
Dav
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I've been riding GTs since 1995. Then in 1999 I got a job as a tour guide and got a half price deal for about 15 Diamond Backs for work. Along with it came a 4000 K2 Proflex, 98 model. I got it and got hooked. I rode it to the ground and one year later it did the same to me. Got carried away and had a terrible accident with it and broke my arm to pieces. I fell in love with it even more! I rode it for a while after one year of abstence for my arm to mend but it was obvious that my arm was still weak. That was five years ago. This year I got it out again, equipped it with full XTR two models back and it's like seeing an old good friend again.
Keep riding!
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I have not ridden one yet, But I have sat on the one that I just picked up several times. Its great to see a support network like this to keep the product going. I decided to go after a proflex after reading many great reviews,and remembering how cool they looked when I first saw them. I purchased a 96 Animal, and am looking forward to getting it back out onto the trails. I will be bugging you guys from time to time, but I promise to do some research before asking stupid questions.(or at least, I'll try)
Cheers, Keith
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ask away keith we dont mind!
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Boy, it sure seems a problem to rais the bar. I don't bend like I used to and need about 4 - 6 inches to be comfortable.
Any suggestions???
I presume you are having problems because it has the std vector fork.??refresh my memory.does the top shock mount bolt directly to the stem or handlbar or is there a seperate peice that the shock mounts too?The easiest way would be to get a different fork with a LOOOOng steerer.If you are determined to stick with a "proflex" fork you may need to find a LONG crosslink.The other way will require fittinging a longer steerer tube to your existing fork.The engineering types here will be able to advise you if this is possible.
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I presume you are having problems because it has the std vector fork.??refresh my memory.does the top shock mount bolt directly to the stem or handlbar or is there a seperate peice that the shock mounts too?The engineering types here will be able to advise you if this is possible.
I aint no engineering type, but I think magura HS33 rim brakes are what he has. I messed with them alot a few years ago. The plastic brake line is cheap. They use mineral oil, which you can buy at the drug store. Any bike shop should be able to sell a few feet of it, or even do the job for you entirely. A bleed kit is helpful.
I can't imagine the old vector on an 856. That is another problem all together. You could modify the existing stem by cutting and welding, or piggyback another stem onto it by welding.
STD, pictures will help.
Terry
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I hate to say it, but I think your suggestions may be falling on deaf ears. If you check out the Classifieds, I have a feeling his was the one on E-Bay- the red 856 parked behind the blue pickup truck. My suggestion to him, (and he seems like a truly nice guy, he answered all of my questions about his bike, as I was very interested, yet fell a little short with the cash) Is to lower the seat post a tad, and get a riser bar (2") Oh, and find a new bike shop that isnt trying to hose him.
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Hello all
I have been riding my 855 since new, around about 1995. Before that I had a white and black 550, the change was a transformation!
Still love the 855, new bikes are so heavy.. and I can't justify the expense of a newer bike.
I put Risse shocks on a few years ago and now need to do something with the brakes. Those old cantilevers are well past their sell-by date and are going to get me into trouble.
Sean
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I have been riding my 4000 since '99. Last summer I thought it was headed to the grave yard with a loose rear dropout. Then I discovered this web site and found out it was a simple rebonding job. So I went ahead and gave it major upgrades. A risse astro 5 2.25 stroke, 5" fox float fork, cane creek s8, wtb seat, easton seatpost, sun rino wheels and bb7 disk brakes, and a custom fab brake adapter. Its looking pretty sweet with red frame, carbon swing arm and everything else black. Thanks to this site I will be riding the heck out of it many more years.
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I was 14 when i got my 3rd mtb, A proflex, i cant remember what model but she was my 1st suspension bike, shiny and strangely enough in the window of my local cable/satellite shop, WEIRD. Turns out the boss had bought her but never really ridden her, only 6 months old!! A month later some W****** broke into my mums garage and had it away!! i think i cried, i was the envy of my school and riding buddies.
Didnt get my present plofex until my honeymoon (every cloud and all that....)
She was outside a bike shop in devon and was being sold off cheap, that was 8th August '01.
The only way i remember my anniversary!!
Used her (bike) for 6 months then some idiot knoked me off, running her over and smashing rear swing arm!
The git drove off.
Stumbled accross this site and whatd'yaknow, starting to rebuild her.
The legend lives on!!
Happy riding peoples!
Jake
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great story! where in Devon?
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I picked up this jewel yesterday. It's in great shape considering its age. This is my first Proflex and I am very impressed so far.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/squiggy/PICT0034.jpg)
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hello there,i am a new member 5mins ago.i dnt no alot about m bikes but i got myself a proflex xpx x works about a year ago,its the one with the cantalevered girvin front forks & suspension! i bought it coz it hasnt got a mark on it & it looks the dogs,however i soon realized how rare it must be & had certainly been wrapped in cotton wool for years. ive search everywhere for info & couldnt find any accept this forum,my questions are (if any one can help) how rare are they,are they any good,how much did they cost then & now and can i change the gdt oil?? it would be great if someone could shed some light on this bike for me!
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Hi - XP-X was a limited UK import in the same range as the XP-6 and XP-8 (of which I have one) based on the World Cup design frames (like the 856, 855, some Beasts and some Animals). A couple of our forum members here have XP-X's (although one recently sold his). They are pretty rare at the end of the day. I have some catalogue scans of info regarding the XP-X if you PM me your email address I'll send it to you. They retailed at £1349 (XP-6 was £1099 and the XP-8 was £1599) according to my brochure. Regarding changing the oil in the GDT - - I wonder if it's the same as in the ODS? Perhaps others on this forum can answer that. If so there are some good instructions here under the title ODSoilchange.pdf: http://www.rapiddescentscotland.co.uk/index.php?module=documents&JAS_DocumentManager_op=viewDocument&JAS_Document_id=2
Any other questions post 'em in the main forum and we'll do our best to answer. Where are you based anyway?
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i am based just outside hereford,yeh i would love to receive any info u have on the xpx,my email ad is clivemoss1@hotmail.co.uk many thanks
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have emailed you let me know if you don't receive as the files were quite bulky!
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Hey all, new member here. I've ridden Pro-Flex since 1994 when I walked into my local bike shop for new tires for my scuzzy old motobecane roadie and saw a shiny yellow 554 prominently displayed on a rack (under an 854 which I had no chance of affording). I think it was about $1400 or so, and I have ridden the heck out of it until this spring, when the original rear MCU's decided to transmogrify themselves into some nasty yellow goo. Still, best damn mountain bike I've ever had, including Cannondale (killer V 900).
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Hi all, I'm from Indonesia....
For the last few months, I've been looking information for my Proflex Offroad 552 and still I can't find it. Do you have any information about the bike... I really need to know......
I bought the bike when I was in junior school, 94 or 95, I forgot. In my country, only very few person know about proflex, that's because I advertise my bike on the forum. Quite lot's of people that tell me not to sell it, keep it n it's a treasure from the 90's bicycle.
I really apreciate it, if someone can help me about any information of my bike....
Regards,
Ricky
PS: Sorry if my English is bad, hope u can understand what I mean...
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Ricky, I personally have never laid eyes on a 552. Would love to see pictures. Guess would be a 1992 bike?
But from what I have heard, it sounds like an elastomer rear, pivot between the seat tube and downtube. Has a Girvin flexstem up front. Would that be right?
Is it a steel or alum frame?
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Ricky, I personally have never laid eyes on a 552. Would love to see pictures. Guess would be a 1992 bike?
But from what I have heard, it sounds like an elastomer rear, pivot between the seat tube and downtube. Has a Girvin flexstem up front. Would that be right?
Is it a steel or alum frame?
I don't know the year exactly, but I think it's before 95. How do you post a picture in this forum? Sorry, I'm kinda newbie here
Yes, I think you're right. The standard bike had something like a rubber or a balloon integrated with the stem and when I first bought the bike, the rear had an elastomer. Also, there's a silver swing arm with Proflex writing.
Now, the bike have a front disc brake. a new fork, headset and a new stem. Upgrading the bike into a front disc brake is not an easy job. To install the disc you have to change the fork to a fork that have a disc brake mounting and to mount the new fork, you have to customize the headset part because there are no more headset that size in any bike shop in Indonesia.
Should I change the bike back to standard, because from what I read in this forum, proflex bikes are like collector's item that should be kept standard.
I don't know it's an alumunium or a steel frame, but the full bike weight around 13-14 kg.
Regards,
Ricky
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I think your headset would be a 1 1/4" (like on my 753) hence the difficulty finding the right size steerer. I don't know about getting it back to original. I like myself to have an old frame and attach new parts to it to bring it up to date - but we all have different opinions on this.
To insert a photo here, upload your photo to your hosting site of choice (e.g. imageshack.us or photobucket.com etc), then copy the link to that photo and insert it as follows:
{img}insert link here{/img} except use [ instead of {
does the bike look like this one, if you can ignore that probably different paint colour? This is my partly completed 753.
(http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7615/easter2007011mh0.jpg)
good luck!
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Yeah...yeah.... That's exactly like my bike but why the serie is different, I'm 552 and you're 753.
I think you're idea is great, old frame with upgraded parts...hmmm....
(http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4342/p7061331copy2ya9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
By derick2806 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/derick2806), shot with u1000/S1000 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=u1000%2FS1000&make=OLYMPUS+IMAGING+CORP) at 2007-07-08
Do you know this bike???????????????????? Anyone.........
Regards,
Ricky
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wow - looks really nice. It reminds me of my friend's 752 which would make sense as they were both the same year, probably with different components (1992).
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wow - looks really nice. It reminds me of my friend's 752 which would make sense as they were both the same year, probably with different components (1992).
You think so....thanks...
So it's from 1992....you sure about that? It came with full shimano LX parts, from gears,shifter and the wheelset.
Regards,
Ricky
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the '2' on the end signifies the year - so we have a 753 from 1993, 855 from 1995, 856 - 1996 and 857 - 1997 etc.
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Yeah...yeah.... That's exactly like my bike but why the serie is different, I'm 552 and you're 753.
I think you're idea is great, old frame with upgraded parts...hmmm....
([url]http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4342/p7061331copy2ya9.jpg[/url]) ([url]http://imageshack.us[/url])
By derick2806 ([url]http://profile.imageshack.us/user/derick2806[/url]), shot with u1000/S1000 ([url]http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=u1000%2FS1000&make=OLYMPUS+IMAGING+CORP[/url]) at 2007-07-08
Do you know this bike???????????????????? Anyone.........
Regards,
Ricky
That spring on the rear is totally foriegn to me. Does it work good for you? I too like what has been done with the bike. The frame looks to be aluminum too.
Very Nice, Terry
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yes I was wondering about the spring too
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Actually it came with an elastomer for the rear. Maybe, few years ago it got broken. Here, elastomers are very rare, so the shop gave me a spring.
The spring works really good and quite comfortable.
So it's from 1992 then.......
Does Proflex have a website???
As a fellow proflex owner, I really need an advise here, you think I should upgrade it with the latest parts or should I just get it back to standard.....please help me ?????????
Regards,
Ricky
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So it's from 1992 then.......
Does Proflex have a website???
As a fellow proflex owner, I really need an advise here, you think I should upgrade it with the latest parts or should I just get it back to standard.....please help me ???
Regards,
Ricky
If it were my bike, I would secure another bike, and restore to original, but that is just me. The wow factor is precious on some rides. Your model is becomeing more desirable of late, Especially one in such good shape as yours.
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[
So it's from 1992 then.......
As a fellow proflex owner, I really need an advise here, you think I should upgrade it with the latest parts or should I just get it back to standard.....please help me ?????????
Regards,
RickyIf it were my bike, I would secure another bike, and restore to original, but that is just me. The wow factor is precious on some rides. Your model is becomeing more desirable of late, Especially one in such good shape as yours.
Thanks........for you're advise. I'll think about it. In my country, here, they don't know what is proflex bike.....so they not give much appreciation, not like in this forum.
Regards,
Ricky
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I started off on a Diamond back Topanga back in 92-93, I lived in south wales at the time so did loads of margam park and the valleys, I first saw a proflex in 97, owned by a friend a 455, I had to have it, it was half the weight of my steel steed so goodbye diamond back, hello 455, I have looked after it really well and have just parted company to one of my friends with the promise that he will look after it, it still has the black girvin etchings on the bar ends! I bought a 656 off ebay last year for £120 after someone bought it the week before for £175, I was gutted as I had bidded it up to £150, he decided a week later that did not want it, and relisted it, got it at the second attempt for £50 less! I have just got it sorted and use it 3 times a week, I am testing elastomers for callum at RDS I now want a 856 for a project, but don't tell the wife!
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Hi,i bought my proflex 853 generation 4 in 1992 or 1993 bran new ,and i still have it and it,s in good shape exepte the elastomere .But what a good bike for that year,no probleme whith the rear suspension and my front Girvin pro fork whith 4'' of travel.I'm still in love whith my bike and i still riding it.And i wouldlt like to show you my bike but i dont how to put a picture in .thanks
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Hello all,
Newbie to this forum but it's an awesome find.
Well here goes my story, I got my Proflex 857 from Ebay in early 99. I got it from a guy in Hawaii who threw in an NR-4 shock for about $850. It came with the full XT component gruppo and the standard equip. The only thing it didn't have were pedals which are fine since I replaced em with pedal/spd m-4xx series from Shimano. I rode consistently once a week for about 2 straight years then once a month for another 2. Then sparingly for the next 2 years. I must say after trying my friends other dualies that I still love my 857 over all of them (FSR XC, Heckler, Superlite, Blur, Fuel). The others are lighter, newer, more suspension travel but there's always that little something that just doesn't seem quite right. The Superlite & Blur seem the closest to best but again I don't ride enough to justify the cost.
A little background on why I decided on Proflex & mountain bike history. I had test ridden the 855/856/857/955/956/957 Proflex bikes when they first came out in 95-97 but could not afford them at the time. I loved the suspension and the ride feel plus the components that Proflex offered. Eventually, I ended up settling on a GT RTS-3; which is one of the first great DH bikes but not great at XC. It definitely taught me how to respect climbing in a different way. My first bike was an unsuspended Trek 830 which is the most no frills bottom of the line mountain bike for trails you can get in the late 80s early 90s. After a month I broke the rear derailleur; but thank god, it was covered by the bike shop. Anyways, I must say unsuspended is the best way to learn how to really ride you bike properly especially with body control. Eventually upgraded to front suspension; the early Rock Shox but that only lasted 1 year till I donated mry bike.
Anyways, to make a long story short, I'm 2 1/2 years removed from riding after getting married and becoming a dad. However, I am getting back into riding because my wife and son are getting back into it. I look forward to the fun times to start again. :)
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hi folks im new to forums so please be gentle. anyhow here it goes just rekindled my love of pro-flex after 12 long years and got my self an old 862 (1992) built it up myself with almost all deore with avid brakeset and magura quake air shocks. however im abit peeved off as i cant find any rear elastomers apart from those at rapid descent of which are to hard even the soft kit. anyway ive had afew offroad cycles as i lived 100 yards from ultrasport uk and knew some employees so got myself probably the 1st vector forks 2 go on sale in the uk after test riding the demo bikes. so my first offroad was a pro-am (rigid). 2nd pro-flex 552 with vector fork. 3rd was 12" master (rigid) which belonged to jez avery after he attempted world record for most bunnyhops in a set amount of time. 4th is my present ride 862 which im trying 2 sort out the rear end as new elastomers dont do it any justice. please does anyone have the yellow ones help me please......
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Since 1988. I bought an "OffRoad" mountainbike. Saw the literature in '89 regarding the "flexstem" and bought it. Owned that, a 756, an 857 and still own a '99 EVO that I have up for sale....but don't mind if I don't sell. Dan Irby
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I spose I should introduce myself, I'm not new to K2/Proflex but I am new to this forum. My name is Jeff and I thought it would be cool to tell you all the story behind how I became a Proflex owner/rider. (the short version)
I knew about these, a couple local shops carried them, the first one I ever saw was a rigid or traditional looking frame with a small bumper on the back, I dont think it had a front shock, it had a suspention stem instead. Fast forward a few years. A local small high performance bike shop carried them...they had the 856 style frame like the one I own now. At first I thought they were sorta ugly, overbuilt, and quite honestly I hated bikes with any suspention...I was one of those hard core HT guys like Tinker Juarez. But, as fate would have it slowly the bike began to growe on me and I seem to like it more and more when I visited my bike shop and kept seeing it there. Well...I walked in the shop one day and just rolled out brand new on the showroom was a gorgious red Proflex Animal, I fell in love instantly, with its HED wheels, Magura brakes, spring shoks, this thing just looked mean, it looked like some sort of wild crazy animal just like the name implys. Fast forward a few more years 2001 I believe. I found an 856 in a pawn shop for 400 and snatched it up. Fast forward a couple more years. Well, I ran into hard times and had to let her go, but it was my first and favorite fully I ever owned and I vowed if I ever got a chance to get another one I would and thats just what I did. Last thursday arived at my door an 856 in near new condition that I got on ebay. I look forward to riding it and having alot of fun. I'm really glad there is a forum specifically for this bike, I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you, thanks.
-Jeff
(I have way to much time on my hands...lol)
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nice story! There's loads of knowledge and expertise here, and a mix of people from both sides of the pond. Welcome! At one point I had 4 Proflexes, but I'm down to two currently - an 855 (virtually identical to your 856) and a 753.
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Thank you sir...yeah, I will be watching ebay for spare bike/parts/frames...I just saw a titanium spring on there thats supposed to fit proflex, its gone, I guess it sold...I have no use anyway, I'm not a weight weenie. I just posted a proflex in the sale thread from ebay....wish I could afford to get it...if I could I prolly would have kept my mouth shut :P
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I don't think that spring would have worekd with your bike anyways. its 475 pounds.
Hmm. what size do you guys think this is?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Proflex-754-Moutain-Bike-NR_W0QQitemZ170240270390QQihZ007QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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looks about 18/19"
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I was just looking for a full suspension xc mountain bike to replace my Schwinn moab, and the k2 razorback was the bike I found. It was reasonably priced, light, and had good components. What not to love? I have only had my k2 for about 6 months, and love it! It was just the kind of bike that I was looking for, so far I have only had trouble with the shock seals, but with a little cleaning it turned out fine. The k2 razorback is the perfect bike for me!
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I got a Proflex 656 back in 97. Had ridden BMX for a while but I wanted to move up to a mountain bike, and I found this for a great deal... was hard to resist this dual-shock frame, it was almost as light as the hardtails in that price range.
I didn't ride it too much, unfortunately, and recently the bike was thrown away. Elastomers had melted and I wasn't sure if I could get more so I didn't really care. Now I look online and find replacements, so I'm bummed out... trying to get another Proflex on Ebay. If I can't find one, I'll have to go with a hardtail I guess. The ride was really nice, even on the mid-range 656, the fork especially, it was very stiff. And these bikes have a unique, awesome look.
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they come up on ebay quite regularly - so keep looking out!
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Well, I ended up getting one off of Ebay. Couple of quick questions, seller had it listed as an 856 but I thought the Proflex line that year was all elastomer shocks? This one has springs. It looks to be in excellent shape, hopefully won't have to spend too much more to get it ready to ride. Some pics from auction:
http://home.comcast.net/~jamie.smith24/Pics/pf1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jamie.smith24/Pics/pf2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jamie.smith24/Pics/pf3.jpg
I can anticipate having to get new springs, because I'm over 200 pounds now ;D Also, that stem is too short for me, going to need replaced.
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nice one!
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looks pretty tidy and original(see the original cantilever brakes!).Some of the last models of x56 were upgraded tp gdt and even noleen shocks to help clear old stock before(sometimes after) the x57's were released
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Well, I ended up getting one off of Ebay. Couple of quick questions, seller had it listed as an 856 but I thought the Proflex line that year was all elastomer shocks? This one has springs. It looks to be in excellent shape, hopefully won't have to spend too much more to get it ready to ride. Some pics from auction:
[url]http://home.comcast.net/~jamie.smith24/Pics/pf1.jpg[/url]
[url]http://home.comcast.net/~jamie.smith24/Pics/pf2.jpg[/url]
[url]http://home.comcast.net/~jamie.smith24/Pics/pf3.jpg[/url]
I can anticipate having to get new springs, because I'm over 200 pounds now ;D Also, that stem is too short for me, going to need replaced.
Wow, that is nice.
The GDT shock is a good shock. They were sold as an upgrade to the ODS. I bought one at discount for my Beast when the noleen died, and loved it.
Good show,
Terry
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Hi guys, I guess alot of you wont know of me but some like Kiwi and Simon will.
I have been offline for ages now.
I used to post back about 5 years ago.
Working mainly in the composite field and having made my own OZM from copying the K2 design.
I am now looking to buy a K2 team or sl with a fox rear shock.
Frame only or maybe complete.
I hope all of you are well and keeping the faith.
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Hi guys, I guess alot of you wont know of me but some like Kiwi and Simon will.
I have been offline for ages now.
I used to post back about 5 years ago.
Working mainly in the composite field and having made my own OZM from copying the K2 design.
I am now looking to buy a K2 team or sl with a fox rear shock.
Frame only or maybe complete.
I hope all of you are well and keeping the faith.
what was your "nickname" then??Dominic?
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I cant remember Kiwi, but hey you have my first name :)
I did alot of posting about vacum bagging and and making carbon parts back in 2002/2004.
(maybe K2ozm)
Had a bad stack on my animal at night on a downhill section I was riding on Dartmoor with a couple of mates.
The helmet was smashed and I lost my memory.
Bits come are coming back now.
And it was only that the little lady said whats that ugly looking thing in the stable, that I stopped and stared at it.
It is the carbon frame and swinger.
I would like to build it up again as it was a spanking bike.
Had a piccy on here but I remember the site was hacked and pics and stuff were stolen.
Do you have any old posts Kiwi ?
I looked in the files section.
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Im sure Ive seen a picture of your bike in the last couple of months. Its still on the site somewhere, I think in an old post. Its finished in a Kevlar brown colour with a prominent weave patern. Very very nice. Good to hear youre making a full recovery.
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Yes, Dominic. I remember your bike.
Terry
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Your name was Dominique. See page 29 it makes for some good reading!
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Thats it I changed my handle to a fem name because I like to be the rebel.
Glad to see some of you guys recognise me.
I have been working on the carbon frame today and even ordered some more carbon and materials for it.
8)
My handle back then was Dom !!!
Now that was'nt hard hehe
I have been reading backwards from page 151.
Its strange to read old posts about subjects I have posted and long forgotton.
Its seems I started back in June 03.
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Thats it I changed my handle to a fem name because I like to be the rebel.
Glad to see some of you guys recognise me.
I have been working on the carbon frame today and even ordered some more carbon and materials for it.
8)
My handle back then was Dom !!!
Now that was'nt hard hehe
I have been reading backwards from page 151.
Its strange to read old posts about subjects I have posted and long forgotton.
Its seems I started back in June 03.
i can reinstate your old account if you want.I can change the password.I remember having a discussion with you about changing aspects of your account...Let me know if you want to change to your old account....i can pm you with the password on this ( proflexman) account which you can then change to your own....
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Hi guys,
Thank you Kiwi that would be great.
I started riding on Scott then whilst speaking to a shop owner called John Benny who owns Alltrax cycles just outside Plymouth Devon Uk, he showed me all the K2's in the shop !, Well that was when I was hooked on a Ozm carbon frame.
Shortly later whilst watching ebay one came up for sale for about £600 frame only.
I duely drove to Yorkshire and bought it from him.
I rode it in the Newnham 90 on a couple of races and on the Exmoor explorer ride/race as well.
Then I found this site through a friend and got to know you guys.
Even managed to ride once with Simon, is he still riding ?
And because of my work with composites I became very interested in making my own Ozm without the seams in the frame.
Yesterday I received some goodies from East coast composite supplies.
Umm gong to get my hands dirty today. ;)
Did any of you receive my carbon disc brake brackets ?
Did they work for you.
I still use mine.
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I'm new to the whole ProFlex deal... I honestly didn't know anything about them until my cousin let me borrow his last winter. It's an older Proflex 5000, maybe '98-ish? It's yellowand has the carbon swing arm with older XTR gruppo and Hayes front disc brakes. It also has a Chris King rear Hub and Easton carbon seat post and Monkey Lite handlebar. I believe the original fork was replaced with the Rock Shox Judy XC suspension fork.
Everything's in really good shape for an older bike. Only some minor scrapes on the components and paint. The suspension spring is starting to rust so I'd like to replace that but have no clue where to get a new one. So if you know, please PM me. :) The plastic part covering the LED lights and buttons on the Smart Shoc unit is peeling off a bit so if there is a place that sells replacement ones also please PM me as I'd like to get it changed out. Simply for cosmetic purposes...
It's pretty much the way my cousin built it up back in the late 90's and except for some caked on dirt i have since cleaned off it's good to go! In fact, he's already offered to sell it to me. So I'll be the new owner of it really soon!
And although I'm a road biker I do still like to jump on the mountain bike because it really kicks my butt! However, it also improves my climbing and handling ability on the road bike! Plus, it's nice to change up once in a while. But after a couple short trail rides I have gained a much bigger respect for mountain bikers! No wonder converted mt bikers are dso good at climbing on road bikes!
So I hope to be able to post more in the near future as prior to this I've been most a lurker learning and reading! I hope to be able to learn a lot more form you folks since I like to do my own maintenance on the bikes.
TTYL,
Gary
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I'm new to the whole ProFlex deal... I honestly didn't know anything about them until my cousin let me borrow his last winter. It's an older Proflex 5000, maybe '98-ish?
Welcome Gary....enjoy yourself...
ps 98 aint old (for us)
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I have an 856 (way big) noleen shocks, XT 9 speed upgrade, bought new in 1997. Been ridden by me in Arizona, until April of this year, now proudly prowling the wasatch front.
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any pics - not often we see a Way Big 856...
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I do, but its a crappy camera phone shot.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f375/mrjustin007/proflex856-1.jpg)
ps - I also have a 91 DB axis SS
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I do, but its a crappy camera phone shot.
([url]http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f375/mrjustin007/proflex856-1.jpg[/url])
ps - I also have a 91 DB axis SS
Welcome Justin,
Have not seen many Waybig 856.
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Bought my first Proflex in 1996. I was five years out of college, was finally making some $$$ so I sprung for an 856. This was my first full suspension rig. Sweet bike, sweet experience, sweet riding.
Recently, I found a never used, brand new, Proflex 856, in the basement of my LBS. I talked the owner into selling to me. He only charged me $400!!!!!!!!!!! XT v-brakes, grip shift, gore cables, xt front, xtr rear. Incredible. It almost looks like a titanium frame. I love it. I will certainly ride it, but only once in a while.
I also have an old 656 that I converted into a Singlespeed. Sweet bilke.
Anthony
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Recently, I found a never used, brand new, Proflex 856, in the basement of my LBS. I talked the owner into selling to me. He only charged me $400!!!!!!!!!!! XT v-brakes, grip shift, gore cables, xt front, xtr rear. Incredible. It almost looks like a titanium frame. I love it. I will certainly ride it, but only once in a while.
Anthony
Sweet!
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Bought my first Proflex in 1996. I was five years out of college, was finally making some $$$ so I sprung for an 856. This was my first full suspension rig. Sweet bike, sweet experience, sweet riding.
Recently, I found a never used, brand new, Proflex 856, in the basement of my LBS. I talked the owner into selling to me. He only charged me $400!!!!!!!!!!! XT v-brakes, grip shift, gore cables, xt front, xtr rear. Incredible. It almost looks like a titanium frame. I love it. I will certainly ride it, but only once in a while.
I also have an old 656 that I converted into a Singlespeed. Sweet bilke.
Anthony
Those your bits on E-Bay Anthony ?
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Yes,
I had an NOS xtr shifter brake combo........get this it also has a flight deck set-up. hahahaha
Bought my first Proflex in 1996. I was five years out of college, was finally making some $$$ so I sprung for an 856. This was my first full suspension rig. Sweet bike, sweet experience, sweet riding.
Recently, I found a never used, brand new, Proflex 856, in the basement of my LBS. I talked the owner into selling to me. He only charged me $400!!!!!!!!!!! XT v-brakes, grip shift, gore cables, xt front, xtr rear. Incredible. It almost looks like a titanium frame. I love it. I will certainly ride it, but only once in a while.
I also have an old 656 that I converted into a Singlespeed. Sweet bilke.
Anthony
Those your bits on E-Bay Anthony ?
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rode a silver 96' 856 for the longest time without knowing its proper lineage - was a hand-me-down from my grandfather, an avid MTB racer in the early days.
loving the stripped bare simplistic feel of the 856, as well as the rigidity of the vector linkage fork - i yearned rarely for something of the newer varietal. and resigned my vintage preference to something of an oddity - at the time, unknowing to the existence of such fine enthusiasts as yourself.
i shelved that 856 when the front elastomers had finally bought the farm.... and proceeded to pick up road cycling for a few years...
though having grown incredibly hungry for the backwoods technicality and thrill of the trail i've just recently decided to refurbish my 856 for the upcoming season!
luckily i've got a decent shape NR2 coil setup on the rear and with the recent fitting of a "Rapid Descent Scotland COR spring" unit to the front ODS shock this 856 is just a few short strokes away from the trails.
i'm picking up a replacement rear swingarm from the user "mizunole" to replace mine in of which i discovered a small stress fracture, near the end of the arm where it joins to the frame.
all thats left is a general tune up and fitting of some new components... i seriously can't wait to get this thing going again!
is there a set of components that work exceptionally well with the 856? in anybody's experience?
whats the consensus on hydraulic drum brakes on these bikes like those manufactured by magura?
happy to find myself among fellow contemporaries. ;)
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welcome :)
Magura brakes are fantastic - fit and forget (though a bit fiddly to fit in the first place).
As for other kit - most anything will do ;)
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Hello K2 / Proflex Riders,
I'm newbie on this forum. After seriously crashing myself on a rental MTB I bought my Proflex 857 in 2002 as my first mountainbike. It was love on first sight and never stopped loving it since. Everytime I ride it, sometimes competing with the even latest XC bikes, my competitors (and I) are amazed how fast and agile the Proflex still is. In search for a ltrue and worthy (longer travel) successor for my Proflex I have tested many new bikes the last 2 years. OK, I must be biased but IMO only the new Epic S-Works really outperforms the 857. The ridiculous €6,600 price tag of the Epic shows what it takes to beat a 12 year old Proflex ;-). I will keep my 857 for ever!
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good to hear ;)
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went to see tel and mrs tel about three weeks ago for a ride in the mountains around chatham on my trusty emelle tel told me of an 857 he was selling, thought id have a look out of interest, so the following week went to see tel and out came the 857 and and wow what a look very impressive,so terry says would i like to have a go on it so i grabbed it and nearling threw it into orbit it was so light compaired to the emelle and that was it had to have it ,been out on it every day since had three punctures lost most of the skin on my shin to the peddle via a wet tree root never been so happy . took the old girl to the cycle shop for a new crank to be fitted the bloke in the shop dropped the customer he was serving like a bad habbit and came out to check out the proflex he went to get his son out the back to come and have a look and they both dribbled over it although i must admit i did feel something of a fraud as id only had the bike three days, but this is a testament to mr and mrs tel <the bike slayer> as they have kept the bike in such good condition it goes up it goes down i bloody love it sorry tel but you cant have it back(http://)
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here are two pics from a recent ride on Ft Ord, East side, looking West... lots of single track, some "goat" trails that we had the climb with the bikes on our back. a few twisty's. the "high-light" for me was the rutted drop that i walked because of my sphinter closing reflex, only to see an attractive "betty" taking it with ease a few moments later.
lots of poppies and lupine, mostly lupine in these pics. camera phone (doh)
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n196/carbon_angus/0401091016.jpg)
(http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n196/carbon_angus/0401091012.jpg)
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How Long: 15 years on my ProFlex 854. Who: Me. How:?. When: Whenever I Can. Why: Because at the time (1994) ProFlex was the best commercially available full suspension bike that I could find. Between 1994 and now I have ridden a lot some years and almost none in other years. This year I have been riding a lot. Of course the elastomers went bad many years ago (Rock Hard in my climate) and for several years I just used heavy die springs which were very inadequate. This year I have changed to multiple discs made from truck inner tubes on the front and high tech silicone rubber on the rear. I look forward to sharing my discoveries with the group. Currently I have been riding for several months with these materials with no signs of problems yet.
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welcome - show us some pics - I'm intrigued by your elastomer replacements!!
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welcome - show us some pics - I'm intrigued by your elastomer replacements!!
Me too! ;D
Welcome,
Terry
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Hello all, just came across this forum whilst browsing and nice to know there are many fellow Proflex riders out there. I've been riding a Proflex 856 that I built up as a special back in 1996 but being honest I've not ridden in anger for the last 10years. I thought I'd dust off the old steed and show my son a thing or two (and lose a few pounds gained from not so healthy living and no riding).
I first started on MTB's in 1993 when I bought a Kona for leisure and commuting but after about 8000 miles and many replacement parts decided to get a ride specifically for the weekends. A friend and I used to cover around 40 offroad miles every weekend that were a mixture of long gravel climbs, singletrack, xc and fast rocky descents that were a struggle for a hardtail.
We test rode two bikes for a weekend, one a Cannondale V with the standard headshock and the other an 856 with RockShox Judy DH's. I fell in love with the 856 as it did everything I wanted it to well enough for me so the choice was made.
I kept the idea of the stock 856 frame with Judy DH's (still working) and built XT parts on it with the exception of a Middleburn chainset, Hope Ti hubs, Mavic rims, Use seatpost, Flight Ti saddle, Roost Stem and bars and Gripshift X-Ray (A big mistake I know). Its still got elastomers at the rear but have been replaced a couple of times due to the usual.
I rode this for a couple of years but gradually less and less as most of the clan stopped riding. The plan is to get back out there and do the thing justice so I'm not too bothered about preserving it for posterity.
Anyway that's me, I'll now start catching up on 10years worth of missing information...
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welcome - well all life is here ;)
where are you based?
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welcome - well all life is here ;)
where are you based?
Cheers, I'm based in not so sunny NW England, UK.
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Hi ^^
k2 since 1997 (wich may be a fake or a gem, maybe :-\). And 100% rigid I cannot find its origin.
who ? i bought it by chance, i didn't know what is k2 or proflex.
How : commuting, riding it's possible to mount a luggage.
When ? Every day ^^.
Why ? I had another mtb, but it wasn't so funny and hard as the k2 for me. Sold.
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since 1997 (ProFlex 857)... then upgrade to current GREATLY improved & upgraded K2 ProFlex 5000:
• Hammerhead rear CF swingarm disc brake adaptor
• Avid mechanical discs 180mm F&R
• Fox Vanilla RC 500 x 2 80 rear shock (5" PLUSH travel)
• Rock Shox Recon 3" to 5" travel fork with remote lock out
• Easton CF seat post
• Easton CF XC handlebar
• Shimano XT gears, shifters & chain rings
• Chris King hubs
• Chris King headset
• Mavic X317 rims
• Slime "tubeless" tires on standard rims (AMAZING traction and MUCH plusher ride since they can be aired down without pinch flats)
Actually bought an Intense Uzzi 5 years ago and ended up selling it and coming back to my K2 ProFlex 5000 since it pedals MUCH more efficiently than the 4-bar linkage on the Intense and the Way Big K2 frame fits me better 8-)
Next bike: Ellsworth Evolve 8-)
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I was big into moutain biking in the 90s and was ridding a titanium Dynatech with trimnell forks / rockshox mag21sl I loved my bike and the way it rode I really couldnt see the point in getting a FS , untill one day a m8 that was working at my LBS invited me out on a Proflex test day at sherwood pines about 6 or 8 of us were taken out for the day with the entire proflex range and could just ride whatever bike we chose, I grabbed a 857 as my first choice and about 6 hours later they almost had to drag it from my hands I loved it I was torn and seriously conciderd selling my dynatech but in the end chose to keep it ,it was a VERY close thing though a year or so later I got my Dynatech nicked (it was locked in my kitchen at the time) I was devisated. I later bought a giant atx990 from a mate which is a nice bike but not the ride i rememberd,then about 2 1/2 years ago I came across a 97 animal frame cheap (£100 )so i stuck some z1 bams on it and a xt groupo and took it for a blast it was and still is awsome I love it I havnt ridden loads of FSs but a few and it rides as good as anything ive ridden. I am now thinking of putting on disk brakes and getting the frame recoated, has anybody still got any frame stickers?
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Got my K2/Proflex 4000 in 1999, I decided on Proflex because it was different, no one in Northeast Oklahoma had one, and I was stoked about the Crosslink Smartfork technology. I had a few years away from MTB, but am once again hitting the trails hard and I love the looks I get on the trails when the young lads see the "old guy on the funky bike with no disc brakes". I intend to keep using my 4000 and have recently picked up another off the bay, I'm glad I found this group dedicated to these great bikes!
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excellent - welcome :)
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After many years of road riding, I bought my first mountain bike, a Proflex 854 in December of 1993. In 1999 the frame developed a crack at the bottom of the seat tube, and I was offered an 857 frame in exchange by K2. At that time I upgraded to V brakes, 8 speed gearing, and new shocks. Then in 2004, the replacement frame also developed a crack. K2 was less willing to swap out the frame a second time, and I was about to try and have it welded, when I saw an 857 bike for sale on ebay, which I subsequently won. It turned out the ebay bike had been built from an almost new frame and very used components. So I had my components swapped onto the new frame. Everything was fine until 2008, when the frame cracked again, in the same location as on the previous bikes. This time I had the frame welded, and so far it appears to be holding together. Since purchasing another mountain bike in 2006, my Proflex has mostly been relegated to use on rail-trails. And with the exception of the frame cracking every 4-5 years, has been an excellent bike.
In May of 2009, I also purchased a brand new 10-year old K2/Proflex 4000 on ebay, for my significant other. We now ride together on almost matching bikes.
Bob
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welcome :)
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Hi, pointed towards this forum from retrobike.co.uk, been into mountainbikes since around 1990, started on a couple of Claud Butlers, then an Orange Prestige, GT I-Drive, Orange P7, and have just bought a Proflex 857 :)
Hoping to keep hold of the Proflex as the 1st full-suspension mtb I ever had a go on was a Proflex of some sort (circa 1992) and I've always wanted to have one.
Couple of questions, where can I find some adapters to allow me to run disc brakles on the Proflex frame/Girvin fork???
thanks.
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Couple of questions, where can I find some adapters to allow me to run disc brakles on the Proflex frame/Girvin fork???
None are commercially available for either fork or frame.
Not really recommended for the fork, but some have done it.
Hammerheads used to be available for the rear, but no longer available
Search on here for various home made solutions!
Col.
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Thanks, seen some interesting solutions on here... I guess the Magura's will be going onto the bike then :)
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Hello, my first post here. I recently inherited the K2 Pro-Flex 450 I bought new in high school in '99 (long story, just glad to have it back), and have slowly begun getting it back into top riding condition.
Just broke the chain this weekend doing some riding, so a new chain and cassette are on order. I plan on doing a front disc-conversion, but apparently the bracket is hard to find. Something to look into.
I absolutely love this bike, and as long as the frame holds out, I believe I will not be getting rid of it for a long time.
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Coyotehunter, welcome aboard. Where in the southeast do you live? I am in the Atlanta area.
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Coyotehunter, welcome aboard. Where in the southeast do you live? I am in the Atlanta area.
Just transferred to Charleston, SC from Maine this summer. I haven't had much time to ride since being here, mainly up around Columbia.
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Hi
I have a 2000 K2 Razorback with a Noleen pull shock that finally leaked. Not so bad after 10 years, but I'm not a hardtime rider (I'm pushing 55 all the way up). If I was, that would hapen much sooner, I guess. Does anyone know the wright volume of fluid to ad into chamber of the rear shock? Is there any body out there who haves a K2 ounners manual pdf? Can't find it at K2 home page anymore.
Ride nicelly
Hey guys...
How long have you guys ridden your Pro-Flex? When did you first hear about them and how much bikes have you owned (Pro-Flex bikes that is).
As for me...I been a massive fan since 1996 when I first saw the 756 and 856 at a Bike store in London Ontario. I had a 856 in 1997 for a few weeks...I was in LOVE with the bike. In Dec of 2004 I bought a 957 (as you all know) - my fav bikes of all time - I love it! I know there are new bikes out there that are better than my 957...but I really don't care...I love everything about my 9...its the old inner Jinder reaching out to my youth... [smiley=nod.gif]
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started riding a 754 in 95, raced for 2 years, junior then expert class. went back to motocross for a couple years then to the military. just got myself a 96 animal so ill make that my cross country bike and keep my brodie devo as my AM bike. something about the vector fork i just missed. and maguras. i think im stuck in the 90's
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Hi
I have a 2000 K2 Razorback with a Noleen pull shock that finally leaked. Not so bad after 10 years, but I'm not a hardtime rider (I'm pushing 55 all the way up). If I was, that would hapen much sooner, I guess. Does anyone know the wright volume of fluid to ad into chamber of the rear shock? Is there any body out there who haves a K2 ounners manual pdf? Can't find it at K2 home page anymore.
Ride nicelly
you might have some luck here: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.k2bikes.com
more specifically here: http://web.archive.org/web/20060311071932/www.k2bikes.com/tech_library/service_manuals.asp
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I became a fan in 1996 and have loved them since. My first FS bike was an Attack and even though it was a bottom of the line bike, I loved it and it was the coolest bike around. I remember seeing brand new 756s and 856s when I bought the attack. It was like going to the dealership to buy a new Chevrolet and drooling over a Ferrari sitting on the lot. They were just so unique looking and the prices were so far out of my reach it wasn't even funny. I always regretted selling that bike.
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Wow everyone here has heard or known about proflex for years. I remember my first time seeing one was about 3 years ago and loved the way the frame, swing arm, and those beautiful Girvin forks looked. Worse part was I didn't know what they were called until a year ago when I found one on craigslist and started my search for my first Proflex. In the end I ended up buying 2 frames (855 and the 962) in one day because I felt like I waited too long looking for one. It's still working in progress, but I love the semi retro looks of the 962 and the 855 is absolute gorgeous.
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Welcome iseijininc!
There is a wealth of information here too.
Terry
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I've commuted with road bikes for quite a while, bought my first MTB back in the mid '80s, west of Boston, Ma... a pearl white Giant ATX770, black n red lettering...nice rigid bike, full deore dx components...I started riding with a few guys from the local bike shop, one worked there...I got to try a couple of the pre '90 Offroad Proflex bikes, and some other brands, using girvin flex stems... I joined the LBS's sponsored racing team with the gents I was offroad riding with....during that time since the shop was a dealer for ProFlex, we all got to test ride every model that came into the shop...I fell in love with em, just couldn't afford one at the time.....so during our 'club' stay, the 4 of us became the team's only MTB racers... after a few local races, the owner offered us a chance to buy either a frame or full bike from Offroad/ProFlex... one opted for the 554 since he couldn't afford much, my bud that worked at the shop bought the 954 team bike, and 2 of us bought the 854 frame (I didn't get the vector fork while the other did. he also added all the components of his old bridgestone to his newly bought frame)... while I was picking up all the components I wanted to add to that frame, I got to try out the all ready built bike that the shop had on display...it rode sweet...but i wanted something a bit stiffer, actually going to a Marzocchi XC300.. one of their first forks being sold in the area...my fully assembled bike weighted in at an awesome 23.5lbs!!! it's amazing what a ton of aluminum and titanium can do to keep your FSUS bike nice and light :) I got to race the bike a few seasons, and its finish is still quite remarkably intact with only a few small chips taken out from flying rocks and chain slap... other than new grease and new poly bushings to replace the MCU's, it's still all the same since I first put her together (including the wheels, my first wheel lacing attempt)...hell, it's still on the original Panaracer smoke and dart 2.1 tires I installed on it.... Now I'm currently working on my 1998 4500 build, I aquired the frame from Stangman675 (thanks again, Mitch ;D) not too long ago... ;D my 1998 5000 frame will wait until my CF is done first... so untill the CF bike is finished, I'll have my 854 out and about at the local quarries and trails...getting all sweaty, muddy and having a ton of fun!
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and here's a few pictures taken during my rainy/muddy 3 hr ride yesterday (5/14/11) at one of my favorite singletrack areas...
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/EntrancetoSkytopQuarrytakenfromgaslinetraila.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/SkytopQuarryi.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/SkytopQuarryd.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/SkytopQuarryF.jpg)
and of course, riding the rim of the quarry, I had this turkey vulture (actually 3 of them lol) circling right above me :o, fat chance of me dropping dead...he actually got quite close, within 20 meters in front of me, but I couldnt center a real close shot of 'im, buggers have like a 6 or 7 ft wingspan... I actually found one of their wing feathers on the rim not far from where this picture was taken, it is huge, yep I took it home ;)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/turkeyvultureabovemei.jpg)
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and more pics from the same ride, Central NY... Syracuse/Jamesville area......
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0180.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0176.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0192.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0175.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0174.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0183.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0181.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0177.jpg)
...and at the end of my ride...
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0194.jpg)
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Beautiful photos Shaitaan.
Bet you were loving life when the sun came out.
You bear a strong resemblence to Chuck Conners. ;D ;D
(http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsC/3495.gif)
Terry
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Yes, yes! Finally got one!
Have been dreaming about having a Proflex for a long time and last week I finally bought an 855 in a sorry state. Offcourse the rubbers are completely shot, but other than that, there's nothing that can't be fixed. It even has a Nukeproof fronthub. Was that an original part on a 855? I doubt it.
At this moment I am experimenting with a material we call "Prex" as a substitute for the original elastomers. It's a material we use for making outersoles for orthopedic shoes. It's a bit like EVA as found on runningshoe's, only much tougher.
It all started with a friend buying this insanely expensive Proflex 9-somewhat, somewhere at the beginning of the 90's. It costed 13.000 guilders (our former Dutch coin) which is around 6000 euro's nowadays! That was a shitload of money, back then.
It had everything; White Industries titanium bracket-axle, Cook Bro's cranks, Crafton brakes, Ringlé hubs, you name it. I believe it was the most expensive version of the first rmodelrange equiped with a Vector I frontfork. And than tuned even further.
Later on, two riding buddies, raced the life out off two 854's before swapping them for Specialized FSR's, They where quite satisfied with the 854 but the FSR was a big step foreward. I never thought about buying Proflex myself. But now I have one to keep my On-One 456 Inbred company.
When it's finished, I'll drop a picture.
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Excellent- be interested in yer results with the the elastomer replacements.
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Thanks!
I'll keep you posted.
The results look promising so far. The "prex" material feels pretty stiff and a bit comparable with what I an remember of the original elastomers.
But that's also the problem. I don't have a good reference because the last time (and only time) I have ridden a Proflex, was almost 20 years ago.....
Fortunately, I have owned and wrenched on a lot of full-sussers, so maybe the knowledge I have gained on those suspension systems, comes in handy.
Let's hope they hold when I can ride it properly. In case it turns out it is still too soft or not tough enough, I already have found a replacement material. So that will keep me busy for a while.
Greets.
(p.s. Yeah, I know. My English is crap.)
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Eeeeerrrr. Yeah well.....That "prex" solution of mine doesn't work.
The compression is okay, but the "reboundtime" is about 10 minutes. That's a little on the slow side.
In the meantime I stripped the bike down and rebuild it almost completely. It was in a better shape than I expected. Except for the suspension offcourse.
So, up to the next brilliant solution.......
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Cool! So many original ProFlexes. Just finished building mine up this evening. Had to get a long shifter cable from the LBS today for routing through the swingarm. Can't wait to take it to the trails. Hope it rides as good as it looks! I'll get a pic posted too.
Oops, this was supposed to be posted in the pics thread, but now that I'm here...bought my 955 frame back and Girvin Vector II in '95. Sold off the fork a while back. All the 8-speed components and flat bar are gone too. Built up my bike this week and it's ready to roll!
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New to this forum but a good thread :)...
Became a rider fan since a teen but gained my first ever Proflex in 1996 it was 856, fantastic bike, rode on and off since then and only recently brought another, great sale on Ebay, just starting to rebuild it now...should be a eventful task!
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I bought a Diamond Back when I moved to Cody, Wyoming from Denver in 1990. I soon decided I’d either get a suspended bike or give up the sport. A local shop had a Giant, but the rear pivot point was located near the crank and it bounced like a pogo stick. Meanwhile, friends were getting front shocks, but the maintenance issues bothered me. Looking for another bike shop led me to Jackson, a 3-plus-hour drive, where Teton Cyclery had a couple Pro-Flex 853s for rent. I could see right off that the rear pivot was correctly located and loved the Vector fork. A great afternoon ride up some bumpy gravel road convinced me this was the bike—I guess the worry-free elastomer shocks cinched it (even though I could hardly believe the little yellow things did much good). Full retail was $1400 but I paid $1200—either I bought a demo or the bike was a closeout—and rationalized it as a belated 40th birthday present to myself. They had a Large and an XL—I’m not sure which I got, but my seat tube measures 19.75 inches.
It has provided years of utterly faithful service—though after the first 5 years I probably didn’t ride it all that much—tires seemed to dry rot faster than wear out. One night I drove into the (brick) garage with the bike on the Yakima roof rack, Vector bolted to the fork holder and the rack’s front crossbar. By the time I figured out the racket I had sheared the left front tower, ripped the passenger side chrome rain gutter trim free from the car and rotated the entire rack and bike clockwise around the left rear rack tower. Other than some grease squirted out from the head set I couldn’t find any damage, though it seemed to creak a fair bit more afterward.
In about 2004, shortly before moving to SLC, (and thereby losing the free services of Wally, our local college welding instructor) I finally fixed the long stem which had bugged me since day one. I scored a 45 degree line with my Stanley carpenter’s square and cut it with a hacksaw. We put the lower half in a vise, rotated the other half 180 degrees to a new (raised and shortened) position, and I held it by hand while Wally TIG welded it. So much better!
Since then, other than a couple trips to Moab and a bit of street riding, the bike hasn’t seen much use, and storage under a covered porch has been unkind. As my stepsons grew up, their admiration for the Pro-Flex turned to scorn. Nevertheless, last week I did a quick lube with TriFlow, put the Pro-Flex back on the rack, and we all headed down to Zion Park. The boys rented cushy $3000 Treks, my wife rode the like-new Santa Cruz Heckler her father willed her a couple years ago, and I…I discovered that I now owned a No-Flex with rock solid elastomers. Still a serviceable ride, though I stood up nearly the entire 5 miles back (downhill) to the car. The bike drew a mix of admiration and puzzled looks from other riders we met.
Back home, a quick search led me to this website. For a few years I’ve debated a newer bike (maybe even a Pro-Flex) off Craigslist or eBay, and it is nice to learn there are other Pro-Flex fans out there. But right now I’m debating whether to try the various rubber fixes (inner tubes, pipe plugs), or valve springs, or just shell out $100 for replacement elastomers from Suspension Fork Parts. The bike is still bone stock, 28 pounds. I’ll try to post a photo over on the “Pride and Joy” thread.
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I'm mountainbiking from 1987, i have several bikes, done some competition racing from 1990 til 1998
Ik have ride with a K2 comp 71 from 1991 till 1992
then a few other bike's
in 1995 I had a proflex 955 custom build , broke 4 frame's in 5 month , then I got my money back, they didn't want to give me a new proflex frame, I bought a Manitou frame Smiley
The 955 frame broke alway's at the same point, the bold where you connect the rear shock on to the stay's broke off and if you have some speed the whole frame is getting out of line--> new frame
sorry about my english (I'm from Belgium and normaly I speak/write Dutch)
Now I'm looking arroud for to buy a oldskool K2 from arround 1990
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Welcome Gert!
Terry
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Hi Gert. Keep a look out on www.retrobike.co.uk as you might find a K2 comp on there.
Chris
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My first full suspension bike was a 856.When the 957 came out I bought the frame and fork and spent the rest of the year building it up.I still have it still and love riding it now just as much as when i first bought it.These bikes were worth every penny,cause if you looked after it it will ride forever.Glad to find a site where I can see fellow riders still enjoying this great bike!!!!
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Welcome Ace.
I ride a 957 and love it.
Terry
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Hi Gert. Keep a look out on [url=http://www.retrobike.co.uk]www.retrobike.co.uk[/url] ([url]http://www.retrobike.co.uk[/url]) as you might find a K2 comp on there.
Chris
I find today a K2 Comp 88 from 1991 full deore DX
condition is good for such an old bike
one of these day's I will post some photo's
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Well, my history with ProFlex, and later K2 started in 1991. I took a position at a little known company, OSI (Ocean State International) in Woonsocket, RI. OSI was the original company run by Bob Girvin, just before the bike biz became big. Technically, before OSI, it was called KG Engineering which was named after Bob's daughter (Kelly Girvin). KG became OSI, which then became Girvin Inc, and was finally sold to K2. I was hired as the technical trainer and within 4 months of starting, I was promoted to National Sales Manager and worked there through 2003 (13 years). I was aboard for almost the entire venture, and it was the best company that I have ever worked for... by a long shot.
OSI was a waning motorcycle parts manufacturer, with full prototyping, testing, and production capabilities. The flexstem was two years in production at that point and was on fire selling. The flexstem was the first aftermarket suspension item. Sales worldwide were enormous. OSI's first bikes were a series of hardtails in 12" and 14" frame sizes. The brand name on the downtube was OffRoad. In 1989, the main MTB manufacturers were not making frames under 16-17", so Girvin had a first niche advantage in the market. After two years, that advantage was gone, but the development of full-suspension was underway. At that time, there was one FS frame design (RF-1) that was being made by Serrota. It was a Reynolds steel frame and had a tiny urethane elastomer. I came on at about the time the OffRoad RF1 went to market. Sales were light, but there were a lot of early adopters.
I traveled to Washington state with a plan to attend the 1991 Seattle Bike Expo, then see all of the OffRoad dealers from WA to San Diego and conduct a series of training clinics and test rides. The trip took 3 weeks, and it was an adventure from the start. I rented a van in WA full of OffRoad FS bikes and made my way to clinic the 25+/- dealers. In the meantime, I was seeing other accounts on the way. When I got on the plane in San Diego, I had logged 15 clinics, 150 offroad miles, and I had orders for 21 new accounts. I would say that the trip was very successful, and I had a great time.
Everything was moving fast. We knew that we were catching the front of the wave (the full suspension revolution) and we wanted to stay there. Development, marketing and personnel, were ramping up. The structure of the company was noticeably changing.
It is getting late here, so I am going to turn in. I can fill in more if there is interest.
I can tell you that ProFlex was a perfect confluence of marketing, product development, and sales. I owe a lot to Bob Girvin and Ralph Hines. In appreciation I asked to have Bob inducted in the International Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2008. http://mtnbikehalloffame.com/page.cfm?pageid=6&year=2008 (http://mtnbikehalloffame.com/page.cfm?pageid=6&year=2008) We still get together for reunions in the Summer. Oh, and I ride a 1997 ProFlex 957.
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Crossup, Oh hell yes, continue!
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Indeed- excellent history!!
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Cool story Crossup!
Would definately like to hear more.
Terry
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Missed this excellent story first time around but would love to read more about the story of Proflex. Hey Crossup any chance of the next instalment?
Chris
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I first heard the name Proflex two days ago & became a proud owner of a 756 yesterday. :)
I love it.
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I first heard the name Proflex two days ago & became a proud owner of a 756 yesterday. :)
I love it.
Great. Welcome aboard.
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From the introduction I think you will collect more in the future, welcome aboard!!
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Exactly....after trying out my first proflex @ the shop which sponsored my MTB racing team back in the mid '80s, and buying my first frame (854) in '94, which took me a few months to build (lacing the wheels and everything), I've got 2 more frames which I purchased in the last couple years...I'm still in mid build w/ my 4500c (hammerhead disc brake adapter on the way), and now motivated to get that finished...then on to my 5000 build ;) I'm 'still' casually hunting for an Oz bike/frame but not in any hurry to snag one IF it ever shows in the classies...
...I'd like to do the bearing conversion for both of my frame builds but none of the machine shops around my area want to do the custom axle piece for me lol...
my old pics yet again :P I need to take more pics or pick up a GoPro to use lol...
Skytop quarry @ Jamesville, NY, with my 854
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/100_0176.jpg)
the 4500c STILL looks like this, but have more parts to install, more due to arrive and a few left to buy lol...
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/my1998K2ProFlex4500CFbuildinprocessa.jpg)
and my lonely 5000 frame waiting for some attention and a LOT of parts needed :(
that shock is blown and probably will be picking up a better aftermarket to use for it anyways...the frame has a ton of scratches in the paint (swingarm is fine tho) and have been toying with the idea to have it re-powdercoated... only time will tell.
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa448/Serpentsden/Bike%20stuff/IMG_20110504_173651.jpg)
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Hi all.
I bought my Proflex 757 in 1997 and still love it. My dad got his K2 2000 in 1998 and he also still owns it. He is 73 now and not using it any more.
Except for a few years I have used it almost weekly. Nothing too extreme. 20-30 km's cross country trips.
Why? Why not? It is an exellent bike and why change if you have something this good.
Up till last week mine was all original, except for the tires and the brake (got Magura's HS33 on it last century ;) )
Now, after almost 16 years, I broke something. The rear shock started leaking badly because of a damaged damper shaft. That is how I ended up here. I was looking for ways to fix it.
I'm in the proces of fitting a Rockshox Monarch RT3. Lets see if that one will last as long as the Noleen nr-1.
Rob.
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Now, after almost 16 years, I broke something. The rear shock started leaking badly because of a damaged damper shaft. That is how I ended up here. I was looking for ways to fix it.
I'm in the proces of fitting a Rockshox Monarch RT3. Lets see if that one will last as long as the Noleen nr-1.
Rob.
Look on US Ebay for Risse. You will find shocks listed for $198 that will work.
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obviously the Noleen NR-1's are no good if they only last sixteen years......... ::)
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Look on US Ebay for Risse. You will find shocks listed for $198 that will work.
I had found the Risse shocks, but if possible I want to buy my parts here locally. That way I can see what I buy and makes things easier if I need to return something under warranty. I live in the Netherlands and shipping and tax make part from the US very expensive some times.
And I could do a nice deal for the Rockshox and don't mind doing a little modding to fit it.
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Hello folks,
I suppose this is the introduce yourself thread?
Middle aged man, living in the cold damp UK, with a latent penchant for old MTB's, which for a long time has been supressed for a variety of reasons :-X
I've wanted a Proflex since way back in the day when I was a lowly student nurse, no way was my salary going to stretch to one at that time.
Now I have managed to pick up a fairly good 854 ......with an awful lot of sand in the frame when I stripped it down :o
Plan is to restore it to a useable condition which some period XT parts, or SRT 600 gripshift which was an option a year later.
I will be asking questions here...........looking forward to contributing to the group.
Oh.....Current rides-
1995 Specialized Rockhopper comp, 1993 Orange Prestige and a soon to be mine (next week) 1993 D.O.G.S B.O.L.L.O.C.K.S, 1982 Dave Yates Road Bike.
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welcome Andy...I couldnt afford one as well when I was part of a LBS's racing team. there were over 30 members, but 4 of us were the only ones that raced MTB's...we were offered the chance to pick up a fully built 954, 854 or either frameset w/ or w/o girvin fork...1 opted for a complete 954, 2 of us got just the 854 frameset, the 4th decided to race his fully rigid Bridgestone... it took me a few months to gather all the parts for the frame (which cost me $600 US) and had it built in a couple of weeks (includes lacing and truing my wheelset). I've been riding it solely since the late '90s after my old Giant ATX 880 was totalled by a car as I was commuting to work one morning...the only upgrade I've made since the build was replacing the MCU with new polyurethane elastomers a few years ago ;)
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Top story Shaitaan!
And welcome Andy T. Good things come to those who wait!
Chris
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hello everyone.
bought my proflex beast in 2002 as a commuter and weekend toy until family life took up all my time.
2 months ago I started offroading again and love getting muddy and knackerd.
I was thinking of buying a new bike but now I found this forum im going to look into fitting disc brakes etc.
the beast is part of the family so selling it was never an option.
cheers jason
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Good choice! There is loads of knowledge and ideas on here to keep your Animal riding for a long time yet. Join in the chat and post pictures.Welcome.
Chris
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i grew up around the corner from Ultrasport, the UK importer for Proflex, i had a Raleigh Mustang at the time and it was a heavy piece of pig iron. i use to ride to fun sport with my friends in 1992 and dribble over the 1992 range of proflex's hanging up in the window. there was the White 550, Blue 552, Red 752, Silver 862 and Grey 962.. i even remember the 862 and 962 had rockshox mag 21 in the gold and there was the 852 and 952 with rigid forks and the titanium bar and flex stem combo.
My Dad bought me an 862 in 1993 which changed my life instantly. my friends and i gave my Mustang a good stoning and burial to celebrate a new chapter in my life.. From then on the Offroad brand became part of me, I remember ridding with Jez Avery who taught me some valuable ridding skills, where is that guy these days..
To date i have owned an Offroad Sport(for sale), 550(1992-for sale), 3x 552(one for sale), 862(snapped the frame), 853(warranty replacement that was stolen), 755(removed the head tube hitting a farmers gate), 856(sold), 4000(gave to Purple on this forum) and 5500(mint ish condition US Manufactured UK demo bike).
i still have somewhere in the loft all the catalogues dating back to 1992.. Proflex was a name that was my childhood and will still be with me till my grave..
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Top story! You've certainly had a few Proflexs in your time and good to see you are keeping the 5500. Everyone should have 'at least one'Proflex in their collection.
If you ever get bored you could copy all those catalogues onto her. :) I'd love to look at them as would others I recon .
Chris
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Hey everyone.
I've been riding these rigs for 22 years now.
First bought a new 252 when these were still under the Off road name. It is still a great bike. I stumbled across this site looking to find replacement elastomers for this bike this past August. Thanks to this site I got this bike running well again and continue running this for my road rides.
I also have a 757 which I also bought new. Another great bike that I have gotten great use out of.
Both of these bikes had been sitting around for a number of years when I got married and started a family. Now that my own kids are riding bikes I've taken up the hobby again myself. Getting back on these two bikes has really made me wonder why I stopped riding. I really forgot how much I liked riding.
This site has been great in helping me through a few of the repairs over the past few months so thanks to everyone.
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If I may speak on everyone's behalf ... You're very welcome.
Chris
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Had k2 and proflex for years now, mainly 13 yrs and unfortunately I have the enviable task of deciding which bike to ride on which weekend. Got my first xp6 for my 16 birthday as my stepfather would Jed at leisure lakes at the time and suppose I haven't looked back. Went I. To then get an xpx with carbon 3 spoke spin wheels, upgraded to xtr everything. To then getting a k2 ozx and anouther set of spins with disc mounts.
Never looked back since and still looking at new additions on eBay when the good ones surface 😊😊
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You had a man on the inside, that's not fair! ;) Have you posted photos yet of your bikes as they sound great.
Chris
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Spins with Discs,,, hmmmmmmmm ....very jealous................I just have the mere rim brake versions..... which will break and kill me ,yes I know!, stop pestering me on this! <GRIN>
Welcome Rederz! Any more stories from Lesiure Lakes?
Col.
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I started out in MTB back in 1987 on a cheap Raleigh Stratos from a mail order catalogue. It lasted three rides before the front wheel buckled. Thankfully it was stolen from outside a high street store. However the bug had bitten and I was ready for a proper bike. I purchased a Kona Hahanna which I loved. I rode it all over the country and even in France and even a few xc races. I then got to looking at full-sussers around the early 90's and was quite interested in the Proflex Attack but just wasn't very sure about the elastomer shocks and so plumped instead for a Marin Rift-Zone which served me well until the rear shock gave out during a race and spat oil over my calves. By then (1997), my local bike shop had started stocking Proflex bikes and had a nice white & red 757 available. One test ride and I was smitten. I have had it ever since and been everywhere on it. The South Downs, North Downs, Forest of Dean, Isle Of Wight etc. I love it. I have since bought a K2 2000 from Poland and an Animal frame and forks which I am currently building up. I still love the looks of acknowledgment and respect I get whenever I roll up at any trail centre.
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Cool story. Respect to you sir. I have a 757 frame set hidden away. I always loved the colour scheme of the red/white.
Chris
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I'm new to this forum but old irl.
Been mountain biking since 1987, firstly a Raleigh Mustang which I traded for a GT Timberline however when that was nicked got my first Proflex a 453 which I think was in 1994. That was stolen 1997 and I got a Reptile with the insurance money and I still have the frame and bars albeit the forks went to a custom build 3 seater mountain bike and the rest got used on other projects.
Moved onto other brands but always riding off-road and often with the local Dorset club so New Forest, Purbecks, etc., plus when I visit my folks Ashton Court in Bristol and Whinlatter Cumbria.
Have spoken to folk about old bikes, found the frame for the Reptile (and a Santa Cruz) in the loft, felt nostalgic, found Retrobike and the shared fun of riding old school bikes which has lead to me buying several retros including a 757 and 2 856's from which I hope to make 1 really nice one and sell on the others either whole or as bits. I will probably use the Reptile bars (still with the original gripshift) and X-Lite bar ends, plus my favourite old X-Lite saddles and M545 pedals which I use on all my bikes. I'm not a fan of v-brakes so will probably stick a set of period Magura rim brakes on. Really looking forward to that first ride and getting that Proflex feeling back.
I'm sure I'll be looking for advice and parts to buy and sell especially on the suspension side.
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Hi
I live in Thurso very far North of Scotland, got two Proflex's 5000 and 5500 Carbon just took the 5000 to Aviemore as 5500 is having parts made for rear disc converter, but the 5000 did brilliant on the trails, still loving both bikes, they still ride amazing, looking to take them both to switzerland to use,
cheers
Paul
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Welcome all. Nice to see new people with cool bikes goining on here.
Chris