K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Akagi on March 11, 2006, 03:10:17 pm
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Wow, I really thought the proflex bikes were for the most part lost; untill I found this board.
I am looking to buy a x57 series bike; I need a small frame, but it seems to be hard to find complete bikes out there so I was wondering if the ALL of the parts are interchangeable between the x57 series, regardless of size?
Also, (kind of redundant question) are all the forks geometrically the same as well (between the x57 series)?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
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apart from the rear shock ,and if you get a fork of a way big all prts are the same....Not 100 percent sure,the strut may be different too....i have a vague feeling there was a small bike/frame for sale around here not so long ago.
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they come up on ebay regularly.
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welcome to the forum. where in the world are you from? i often post ebay lnks to proflex/k2 bits on here from the uk, otheres do the same from there neck of the woods, in fact i think it should be a regular thing!
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perhaps we should have an ebay sticky?
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Thanks for the quick replys guys. I am from Canada, in southern ontario; it feels like spring here for the past week, and im itching to finally get a proflex bike.
1) When you say rear shock is different between the models, do u mean as in a geomtry or spring rate difference?
2)could a fork from a "way big" be converted to a standard fork with obtaining new fork legs? (and spring)
3)What is the difference between the the "Elite" fork and the "Expert"? do the forks have minor differences that make one lighter than the other? (other than the "carbon" models fork leg)
anyways, thanks for all the help. trying to get up to speed fast.
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Hi,
I've got limited knowledge of the x57 series, I've got a medium 857 frame, but never ridden it.
From my memory, and correct me if I'm wrong everyone else, the small x57 frames have a bit of an issue with them.
The shock pivot top mount hole is in the top tube of the frame rather than in the normal position in the shock mounting plates welded between the top tube and seat tube.
I think Callum (RDI) has stated that this results in the shock travel path not being correct on the small x57 frames and results in early shock failures.......?
............and I think the shock is a special one for the small frames............? resulting in maintenance issues for these bikes? You should be able to change the spring to one rated to suit your weight, but bottom line is, I think the Smalls were aimed at kids, (i.e. small children, not adults).
My opinion is go for a Medium.
The frames are very small anyway and with the down cranked top tube, the standover height is pretty low anyway.
"Large" Forks were produced to fit "Way Big" frames and as an After Market fork to fit other makes of bikes with big headtube lengths. ( AM Forks were also produced as "Standards" but with the taller ULM to allow bigger headtube lengths).
Quote from the manual - "The Noleen Cross-Link comes in a Standard size (for bicycles with 90mm to 125mm head tubes) and a Long size (for bicycles with 126mm to 160mm head tubes)".
The "Longness" of them is a result of a different legs and shock.
As an example for the right leg only:
Std Alu leg is part number 15198-1, Long is 15198-2.
For the '97 Girvin Carbon Fork:- Std Leg is 15366-1 & Long is -2.
For the '98 & '99 Noleen Carbon Fork, Std leg is 15607-1,
I can't find a long leg listed anywhere........but would assume it'll be -2 ???
You can fit a "Long" fork to any bike, you just need to use steerer tube spacers above the headtube bearing, this will result in a higher front end.
See the "Chubby & Cross-Link Installation Helper jpg" in the files section.
http://idriders.com/proflex/files/crosslinkinstall.2.jpeg
Elite and Expert forks, the only difference is the shock; NR-1 on Expert and NR-2 on Elite: NR-2 is the superior shock............and the labels and paint job on the forks of course!.....
Carbon forks aren't much lighter, it's just the Carbon "Bling" factor, using the heavier NR-5 smartshock on these forks offsets any carbon weight loss!
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Southern Ontario?
You've gotta touch base with Andrew (FrankD3000) in your 'hood. He's a wealth of info and a real craftsman to boot. Check out his gallery, you'll be amazed.
Hey, BTW, I've got a Crosslink ELT that I bought a year or so back from EDiscount Bikes off ebay. Great fork, and I put a disk brake boss on it. Now it's an extra fork as I went with a 5" slider. If you want it, I'll send it cheap.
Have fun,
Will
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Hey, BTW, I've got a Crosslink ELT that I bought a year or so back from EDiscount Bikes off ebay. Great fork, and I put a disk brake boss on it. Now it's an extra fork as I went with a 5" slider. If you want it, I'll send it cheap.
Yes I am interested. Do you use MSN or any kind of instant messenger? Would like to talk to you about it!
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Just use the message feature here and we can swap info...
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Colin
for somone with "limited knowledge" you have it pretty well covered.
to summarise,the shock for a small frame is different to the other sizes.
The long crosslink has longer legs and different upper links but can be fit to small headtube bike,but you would have a big stack of headset spacers
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Thanks Kiwi, I learnt most of it here and from the K2 documentation!
I'm pretty certain that Long X-Links didn't have a different ULM, there's certainly no seperate part no. listed, even when the Long legs are listed.
I think the "Long" ULM was only used on AM X-Links to accomodate longer headtubes on other makes of bikes.
Col.
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From my memory, and correct me if I'm wrong everyone else, the small x57 frames have a bit of an issue with them.
The shock pivot top mount hole is in the top tube of the frame rather than in the normal position in the shock mounting plates welded between the top tube and seat tube.
I think Callum (RDI) has stated that this results in the shock travel path not being correct on the small x57 frames and results in early shock failures.......?
............and I think the shock is a special one for the small frames............? resulting in maintenance issues for these bikes?
This thread was guite interesting for me--and confirmed a few suspicions I had after taking a closer look at my Small 857 frame I'm currently building on. As Colin has mentioned, the rear shock top pivot is WAY up there in the top tube, crammed between the two seat mast/shock mount plates. Not much room in there at all. my concern is whether or not an aftermarket replacement wil even fit in there. I suspect not, but I've yet to make any inquires to Risse Racing or Stratos. Hey, I haven't even got it off the repair stand yet... ::)
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*update*
Well thanks for the info and help, I am in the process of scoping out some prospect bikes. Hopefully will be owning my first proflex soon.
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Akagi,
(Wasn't that the name of a Japanese carrier in Midway?)
Anyhow, if you want I can sell you one of my 856's with a pretty decent build kit on it - including disc brakes, Crosslink fork (or a Marzocchi slider), and a sealed bearing conversion on the pivot arm.
The old garage is getting pretty crowded and I'm in trouble for buying a new hunting rifle... [smiley=doh.gif]
(Yes, Matt, I finally did get that Ruger .44 carbine. Found a beauty last week and snapped 'er up!)
Thinking out loud... Got $250 in the frame (size "Big"), $120 in the Xlink, $130 in the wheels, $50 in the tires, $90 in the brakes, $50 in the post/seat, $80 in the powder paint, and a few liters of blood and sweat in the brake mounts, main pivot rear spring conversion. That's... yikes... $770 (Don't tell my wife!!).
Guess I could ship it to ya for $600... No big deal, my daughter won't ride it and I'm kinda stuck on my other 856. So, whatever. I should probably ebay it or something.
Best of luck getting started!
Will
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Yes Akagi was a japanese aircraft carrier in midway. It stands for Red Castle if you were wondering.
And thanks for the offer on your bike, but i just bought a 757 on ebay... It will go well with the Carbon Swingarm i bought a couple weeks back :P
Kind of wondering what kind of shape it is in. If I will need or want to change the cable housing, etc. It is a supposedly in working condition, so I might enjoy the bike first before I get to where I want it to be. But being a 9 year old bike, I am expecting some problems. I think the front shock is supposedly a bit spongy. Will see in a week or so I guess.
Exciting times.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7226936696&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
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Welcome Akagi and congrats on your new ride! Looks like a good bike at a good price.
1) everything has already been covered, so I won't add.
2) if you need a hand swapping the s/arm let me know and i'll help you out. It's pretty easy, but if you're not mechanically inclined then you might get into trouble. I'm in Toronto. Where you at?
3) about your recent purchase - it'll more then likely take 2-3 weeks for it to reach you. Border crap and stuff like that. PLEASE tell me you told the seller to ship it USPS (NOT UPS!!!!!!!!!). If it hasn't left his posession yet then MAKE SURE it comes up USPS, not anything else. The brokerage fees will KILL your wallet with USP or FedEx!
4) when you get your bike I would highly recommend stripping it down to every last nut and bolt and giving it a "going over". The fork pivots and s/arm pivot should get some attention, too. Cables? See what's on there, but if they're original then dear lord, get rid of them.
If you aren't mechanically inclined and don't have an LBS (that's Local Bike Shop) that'll help you out then again, let me know and we'll see if we can hook up sometime to make sure you're in tip-top shape.
Keep us posted.
Looks like Canada, even better Ontario, just got another member. Ontario - the NEW home of ProFlex! MOHAHAHHAHAAAAAA! That now makes 7 in one state/province. A new record! ;) I think. ::)
Oh, sorry, was I getting carried away again? :-[
[smiley=laughing.gif]
<----- goes back to sleep, hibernating, as is Frank.
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Congrats! You're going to love this bike. Every time I ride I'm amazed out haw far ahead of it's time the design was.
Enjoy, ride hard, and post often.
Will [smiley=beer.gif]
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Hey Frank, I am in London. So I might bug you if I end up breaking more than i fix :P
As for bike shops, luckily, they are aplenty here, for a small city. The biike was shipped out today, and I am going to pick it up just across the border; which is great because I get sent out to work fairly often anyways and solves the shippping/huge UPS duty fees.
Yeah, I think I WILL do that complete tear down. Get to know the bike a bit better and check out the condition of noleen shock and its pivots. The rebuild (small parts?) kit is what I need I figure? And I need to order it through ironhorse now or something. Hmm, need to look into it more. Should be interesting.