K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: AmandaHanna on August 27, 2008, 02:07:42 pm
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Hello :)
I have reading a few diffrent forms on the web site andI have learned a few things. I dont know a ton about my bike. I am in hope of learning about it though. Who knows maybe I was even riipped off on the price ($300.00)? lol. I bought it because when I test rode it I loved it. I use it as a commuter on the AF base I live on. The person whom I purchased it from didnt know anything about it at all. I dropped it off at my local bike shop yesterday, its getting some love. New cables, cable tube , and a tune up. Is GOO Be GONE safe to use to get the stupid non- K2 stickers off of the bike? Im not sure if it will harm the carbon? Also my stickers that were put on by K2 are starting to peel/flake off. can I get replacements? Any info would be great! Thanks! Tootles
(http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/28000000036f680d/1/203/uB7nCJywtz9BTQNSmnNbZfHwwUHYNf0b.jpg) (http://www.slide.com/s/UomRVUOv4z8ZUR1S6tUOrDcNTTt75KEl?referrer=hlnk)<a target="_blank" href="http://www.slide.com/s/z-SCCuNs6T8kkJoVb6T-5aEYYHA--EIP?referrer=hlnk"><img src="http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/1/W/28000000036f6ac2/1/183/UEHD1Z-Zxj-6UX6cwJSH6nhEmhalaR_K.jpg" border="0" alt="Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!" title="Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!" /></a>(http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/28000000036f6cab/1/59/aAaJD0wU6j_WsB5wO1goY3PID7kSRvGh.jpg) (http://www.slide.com/s/sFfot-Sn2z9TlmNHDuyNrJhndH2RDl8x?referrer=hlnk)(http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/28000000036f6e1a/1/77/9J1pVAvt2T9mhrkW4_vIuWZdS5rJYs45.jpg) (http://www.slide.com/s/6boEU8G95j-srDrpx1yIzDOh8gwpPeA7?referrer=hlnk)(http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/28000000036f728b/1/233/oiULI1Qq0j9QAjpEPPn0ZU0xVQP4V5y5.jpg) (http://www.slide.com/s/MCECHtbs6j-S90SnLekzexHkAU7bEvoj?referrer=hlnk)
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Welcome AmandaHanna!
That bike is never going to fit you! :D
Yeah, I think you got ripped off, you better sell it to me.
I think you ran over a pipe( I don't know how you could with such short legs ???) because it is stuck in your rear wheel. :o
You may have to have the stickers custom made. Iron Horse took over the K2/Proflex parts, and they are far and few between.
But getting the makever will take the sting on the rippoff you just went thru. ;)
Terry
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if you go to www.retrobike.co.uk a member there gil_m can make up decal sets at a reasonable cost if you show him what you want.
$300. God why can't things be that cheap here in the UK...
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$300 ???
I've been looking for one of these carbon framed bikes for years and would pay 3x that!!!
also, from the photos, it looks like it is in very good condition - except the rear brake line from the lever has popped out of the cable guide.
callum
rds
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Hi Amanda!
I came across your blog and was the guy who posted congratulating you on your purchase. Glad to see that you found this great bunch of ProFlex/K2 enthusiasts! I have learned a lot from those in this forum just in a few weeks. I'm still loving my K2 4000 (essentially the same bike you have just with an aluminum frame) and after some component upgrades have it to a weight and level of performance that I'm very comfortable with. You got a great deal on that bike...I paid $400 for mine!
Welcome to the group!
- Doug :-)
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Thanks to all.
Yea I really love this bike. It should be great once it gets back from the shop. I hope its before I have to evacuate, if I do (Gustav).. I miss it right now. Out on the Army Ranger range they charge 5 bucks a year for use and I hear that there are tons of great trails so I want to try those out. My husband really wants to change the forks out... So im sure that will be happening soon. Its not really as light as I thought a carbon bike would be.
Thanks Orange for the tip about decals. they were starting to peel and my 2yo finished them off. :(
shovelon I love the humor :D
*** Is there anything that I should not use to clean it that could weaken it or damage the carbon.. I have some sticky residue on the bike from some stupid stickers..***
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Well Done and Welcome AmandaHanna!
$300 is a steal! ( £150 would be very cheap in the UK, as Orange says!)
As to weight, unfortunatley, K2 made the Carbon frame "10% lighter and 50% stronger" than the 857 Aly frame model, I'd have gone the other way around!
A stripped carbon frame and swing arm weighs 2550g / 5.6lb
My stock original OzM (later name for a 5500) weighs 11.5Kg / 25.3lb
As to the fork, Crosslinks are pretty light, ( 1328g for Aly / 1255g for Carbon ) so choose a replacement fork with care or else it'll get even heavier!
As for cleaning, it's basically a plastic frame, so I wouldn't use anything that wasn't safe on plastic.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Oz!
Col.
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Thanks Colin For all the info! I have been holding off on getting the sticky junk off till I knew what I had was safe. Thanks again :)
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Amanda Hanna in Louisiana?
You nearly stole that bike. When it was new, it was probably over $3,000. With the shock upgrade and a few other bits, it's still a valuable bike.
Beware, it's a racehorse and is pretty finicky to fix and maintain.
The fork is really pretty sweet and designed just for that bike. While you only get roughly 3" of travel, it's really stiff and precise. To get an equally light fork, you'll have to spend at least $500 and you might get another inch of travel. Don't rush into a change out!
All that being said, this bike is kind of "the holy grail" among us old Proflexers.
Good luck with Gustav...
Will
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In between Panama City and P Cola, On a AF base... But since its going more west now I think were OK. I wont have to leave. They are quick to get us out.lol. Anyways about the fork.
I went and got a battery for the smart shock and it powers on but I cant adjust anything... Its stuck on auto. So im not sure if it really is even working. My husband is a electrical engineer and he said he would take a peek at it. But that wont be for a few weeks since he is TDY in Vegas. Might just have a bad connection inside... If not is there anyway of getting a new Smart Shock?
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In between Panama City and P Cola, On a AF base... But since its going more west now I think were OK. I wont have to leave. They are quick to get us out.lol. Anyways about the fork.
I went and got a battery for the smart shock and it powers on but I cant adjust anything... Its stuck on auto. So im not sure if it really is even working. My husband is a electrical engineer and he said he would take a peek at it. But that wont be for a few weeks since he is TDY in Vegas. Might just have a bad connection inside... If not is there anyway of getting a new Smart Shock?
Noleen shock service said they can do a rebuild on the Smartshock(NR5) but only seals and oil. To tell you the truth, my smartshock was not so smart, and I did not start to like it until the oil blew out the seal. Most people find that is works just a well with the battery out anyway.
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Anyways about the fork.
I went and got a battery for the smart shock and it powers on but I cant adjust anything... Its stuck on auto. So im not sure if it really is even working. ... If not is there anyway of getting a new Smart Shock?
Bottom button switches it on and off, top button steps it through Soft/Smart/Firm for Compression damping.
Knurled ring on the bottom of the shaft mainly adjusts the rebound damping.
Sometimes I convince myself that the Smart makes no difference at all and then other-times I really think I notice it doing something, particularly on fast stutter bumps with intermediate bigger dips. (Tractor tyre tracks with cross drainage gullies).
Then again, the battery only lasts about 8 to 12Hrs of ride time, so is an added expense to running the bike, it works fine with no battery in it, reverting to standard mode similar to an NR-2 shock, although supposedly a trifle stiffer.
To get the best out of the fork, the main thing to get right is the correct spring weight for your body weight, (which I would never be so indelicate as to ask a Lady! <GRIN>)
Rider Weight (lbs) Spring Rate
up to 140 175
130-170 200
160-200 200
190-230 225
over 230 250
The spring should have one of the above numbers on it (if it hasn't worn off!)
and the same for the rear.......
Rider Weight (lbs) Spring Rate
90-130 450in/lb
120-160 500in/lb
150-190 550in/lb
180-220 600in/lb
210-250 650in/lb
No chance of new NR-5 Smartshocks unless some turn up in a bike shops store room, also, I don't think anyone services them anymore. You can always replace it with an NR-1 or NR-2 if any of these turn up. Best not to worry about it until/if it fails (I've run them for years with no problems.
I disagree with Willem (with respect), I don't consider these bikes to be difficult to fix or maintain, in fact if you are a keen "tinkerer" you can soon learn to strip the whole fork and rear suspension down, clean re-grease and reassemble in just a few hours and it's a very Zen like experience and only needs doing once in a blue moon, depending upon your riding use. I'd guess you might never have to worry about it, just listen out for any harsh squeaking noises from the pivots.
Col.
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Thanks again. :) So anyone use a bike rack on the trunk with the proflex 4500? any problems with them fitting? The frame is a bit chubby...
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Thanks again. :) So anyone use a bike rack on the trunk with the proflex 4500? any problems with them fitting? The frame is a bit chubby...
I have used a bike rack with an arm going under the fork, and one going thr the frame. A bike shop may be able to help you measure one.
One word of advice in maintaning your bike, never let anyone remove the swingarm for a lube, and be carefull of the seat mast glue joint. The swingarm is a bear to put back on, and the alum insert in the seat mast has been known to delaminate. All of which there are repair proceedures in earlier posts by the way.
As far as the smartshock, I would just use it in auto, and put a lizard skin on the spring. The other 2 settings other than auto are lite compression and heavy depression. Auto is what K2 thought would be perfect for all around riding. I confess that I did not turn mine on until I hit the top of a mountain, and was going to descend pretty fast, then I put it on lite compression damping.
Terry
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Hmmm, somebody has done something to your frame shock mount plates. Is that a medium or large frame?
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That's a steal , I paid £500 for mine early this year although it hadn't been used , stored in a centrally heated garage all it's life.
one good upgrade that I did was Magura hydrauliic rim brakes much better than the V's. My front smart does the same as yours , I think the circuitry isn't up to the pounding , and with that in mind I'm seriously contemplating Risse genisis air shocks front and rear
hassle free and lighter.
I also thought over changing the forks but for me they do just fine, , my days of stiunt riding are over LOL and I love the way they bob over the bumps LOL
You'll really enjoy your bike they are an amazing bit of kit, Nice one, enjoy
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IM not sure about the frame size.. Im 5"7 and With the seat almost all way down my leg is almost fully extended.. I did notice that there were bolts instead of rivits now that I have peeked at other bikes.
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As for size, there's only a Medium and a Large in the x500 / Oz bikes.
No difference in stand over height between them (30.39"), and just under an inch in top tube length.
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/geom-dia.gif)
"A" in the diagram; Med = 22.13"; Large = 23.11"
Maybe you need to cut that seat tube down a bit/get a shorter one, so that you can lower it and not foul the shock.
I'm building one of these up for my missus, she's 5' 5" and I'm pretty sure it will fit her, so say really nice things about your one and that'll convince her! <GRIN>
Bolts/Rivets? where?
ah ha! on the shock upper mount plates!
Dunno why that might have been done, any sign of damage?
Ride it like you stole it!!............oh yes, you did ...........nearly........... <GRIN>
Col.
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I looked it over well and I couldnt see any damage anyplace on the frame. The bolts instead of rivits.. is where the metal plate is for the rear shock mount... I did ask the shop to cut the seat post 1-1.5 inches for me. so it wont hit the rear shock. a previouse owner did but appears to be no damage. I dont have the bike back yet... :'( they said early next week, my shop that I take the bike to is backed up.. So I will measure my frame when I get it back. But I really do love this bike! I do have to say its my fav so far. Before this in the bike world I only knew TREK.... Thats what my parents always purchased for me. I always ended up with a bike I didnt want... (700 multi track) was the last one... YUCK.
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very nice bike there amanda, to get the stickers off i would just peel them and then clean off the gunk with gt85 or wd40, must admit i would leave the forks alone if it was mine just to keep the originality, ive got an oz and people keep asking me where the smart shock forks are, if anyone does know where to get a sticker set from let me know as id love to get mine looking like original again. ill also re-iterate what orange said `why IS everything so much cheaper in the us`!! :-\
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(http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/28000000036f6cab/1/59/aAaJD0wU6j_WsB5wO1goY3PID7kSRvGh.jpg)
I'd not seen that before - the upper plate mounts attached by bolts. Those side plates should be carbon and riveted but there may have been a failure (never heard of that either) and an owner replaced them with an aluminum plate and sent three cross bolts to hold them in place.
Just make sure your bike shop snugs them up and maybe uses a little locktite on the threads. They should pass thru the main body of frame and stay in place with no problems in the future - but, I'd be inclined to remove the plates and inspect just to be safe.
Here's a pic of one of mine so you can see what the side plates look like
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10008/normal_Img_0079.jpg)
As long as you keep the seat post off the Nr-4 reservoir you'll be ok - the action of the swingarm moves the shock up and in, away from the seatpost. The reservoir can get banged up when lowering the seat post and it drops down or if it's lowered to a point where it touches the shock. Always try to keep if off the shock so cutting the seatpost to give yourself some adjustment is a good idea.
Like your rear tire and welcome to the group
OP
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jeffhop m glad to know everything is cheaper in the USA. I will have to stock up on bikes, lol. Were awaitig our overseas orders this fall. England or Germany.. Thanks for the sticker tip.
OP Thanks for the advice on plates and bolts. I will have to check. I love my tires they came on it but it is what I would have picked for what im using the bike for. Thanks Everyone!
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OP I looked and they are still the carbon plates, but there are those bolts. I peaked under and It dose NOT appear to be any cracks...
I picked it up early from the shop and it rides like a dream. I cant wait to really test ride it this evening. ;D
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ill also re-iterate what orange said `why IS everything so much cheaper in the us`!! :-\
Free trade, less government, upward mobility, equal opportunity, and did I mention less government?
Although we appear to be developing a pretty good case of socialism. Stand by for our November update...
Please forgive the OT digression, but that was an awfully slow pitch to miss!
BTW, my whole family would still love to move to the UK for at least 5 years...