K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Spokes on August 26, 2008, 01:16:23 pm
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Picking up on something Callum said in the titanium spring thread about Nora Roesche's 1998 team bike. What bike was it? I still have the magazine which she was featured in. Her bike looks like its a 4000 but wiyh a 857 swing arm? Or maybe its an Evo style frame as i cant tell if the frame has the square section tube the 4000 has.
Any ideas anyone?
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2806696521_d644102c7f.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2807543334_67e13fd433.jpg?v=1220089315)
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Scan it and Post it! <GRIN>
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I have a picture somewhere. It was an interesting bike - she was riding it labelled as a Proflex 857 because "Girvin Mountain Sports" Proflex hadn't announced their intention to rename as k2 Bike. In fact, the GMS business had been owned by Anthony industries for a while, Anthony industries owned the K2 brand with its headquarters in vashon island. When GMS joined the fold, they moved the headquarters to the west coast from Rhode island and became K2 bike, along side K2 Ski, K2 Skate etc.
In fact, the K2 Skis at the time had a piezo based damping system (to iron out ski-clatter) that used the same technology as the K2 Smart Shock. I saw a very early mockup of the carbon bike at London 97 bike show (based on the x57) and then saw what was to become the 5500c in Utah in 98. I think the massive warranty problems with the x55 bikes and the noleen (also owned by K2) shocks brought the bike division down. The CEO of K2 bike went on to run the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
(I digress)
Nora's bike had what was to become the K2 Proflex 5000 front triangle with the familiar 857 coil shock and strut arrangement from the 857. It was very very light. I think Nora got a 9th place at the Grundig Worlds that year, a truly amazing feat.
I you are really interested in the history of proflex, I will dig out an email I got from Bob Girvin that explained it all and how they became a big bike company based on innovation.
callum
rds
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We should deffo have a "museum" section on this website to gather together all sorts of interesting memorabilia etc that we come across.
Maybe just Admins to post to it? ( to stop it getting cluttered up?)
I just hope the server is backed up.................
Then again, my missus refers to the garage as my "PRO~FLEX Museum" !!
Col.
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The article was in Sept 1997 Mountain Biker magazine. I have the pictures on my computer but cant workout how to post them. Can someone help.
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I you are really interested in the history of proflex, I will dig out an email I got from Bob Girvin that explained it all and how they became a big bike company based on innovation.
yes please!
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The article was in Sept 1997 Mountain Biker magazine. I have the pictures on my computer but cant workout how to post them. Can someone help.
Save them to your gallery on here and then link to their properties.
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(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/normal_Nora_Roesche.JPG)
Nora and her bike !
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Thanks Colin. Finally ::)
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All I can say is:
S T I L L G E S T A N D E N ;-)
- Doug :-)
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Hmmmm, yes looks like a chunkier down tube than an 857, maybe square...........and the rear upper shock mount point looks like "two tube" bike (4000/Evo etc.)
But definately an x57 swing-arm.
I wonder what eventually happened to that bike? Who's shed is it in?
Now we just need to zoom in on her rear end to see what shock she's running!
("her" the bike, that is!.......... not Nora!........ahem...........<GRIN>)
Col.
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Wish my square-tube 4000 had that huge "ProFlex" moniker...the K2 branding on these older bikes looks a bit cheesy, IMO. It is interesting to see her bike with the rear strut...I would imagine the later Noleen configuration minus the strut would make for a more responsive rear suspension (???)
- Doug
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Hehehe, I think I just found her profile on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=Nora+Roesch&init=q
- Doug
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Wish my square-tube 4000 had that huge "ProFlex" moniker...the K2 branding on these older bikes looks a bit cheesy, IMO. It is interesting to see her bike with the rear strut...I would imagine the later Noleen configuration minus the strut would make for a more responsive rear suspension (???)
- Doug
Totally agree about the stickers. That bikes looks so much better. The shorts are nice too.... ;)
I dont know if the later bikes swingarms are more responsive but they are meant to flex less. I guess when they developed the frame Nora's bike could have been a trial/test to decide which rear end to go for. Because wasnt the carbon 4500 in the same range as the 857, so they already produced the later style swing arm?
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I you are really interested in the history of proflex, I will dig out an email I got from Bob Girvin that explained it all and how they became a big bike company based on innovation.
yes please!
Second that!
This looks similar
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/normal_090906_10351.jpg)
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Identical I'd say!
even down to the stickers on the swing-arm!
Looking at the light reflection on that down-tube, maybe it's round? But bigger diameter than an 857?
But then again, maybe it's square..........
But maybe it's a Way-Big? big headtube and what looks like a "long" Noleen shock on the front.
Nora's looks like a Med/Large??
Col.
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dont know if its me but the top tube seems t dip down moe than the x56 bikes.The dimension seems to be smaller from BB to seat mast to top tube intersection,ie short "seat tube...maybe adds to stiffness,may be offset bu relatively long flexy swingarm loading up the poor old noleen......?
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Could be an optical illusion, but look at her roadie style stem. Makes the whole front end look low.
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/normal_Nora_Roesche.JPG)
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I definitely think it's a 4000/5000 frame with the square downtube from the way the light hits it. The one she's riding looks to be a large or medium, but the one in the other pic (no rider) looks to be a Way Big because of the space between the top and downtubes where they meet the headtube.
I'd love to find a set of carbon legs for my Way Big 4000...I found a decent looking Way Big 5000 posted on Craigslist for$200 a few days ago and eventhough I responded quickly the bike was already gone. :-/ I doubt I'll ever find Way Big carbon legs for this thing (of the Noleen ELT variety).
- Doug
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(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/normal_090906_10351.jpg)
I found this pic on an earlier thread about 'whats the best proflex/K2'. I think it might belong to Carbon Angus? It looks to me to be an evo frame (round tube) with a 857 swing arm fitted on.
Noras frame looks to me exactly like my 4000. If I put my 857 next to my 4000 and squint a bit, its nearly there ;D
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I'll find that email - sorry forgot about it until I just logged on. it's at home, will look later.
callum
rds