Re: Oldest original Pro~Flex ???

[orange]

might be some people who know over on Retrobike.co.uk

[whisperdancer]

I believe some Pro-Flex'es...
But is that is the original shock, then it won't be older than a Proflex 856 or 855...
That was a fabulous design, used in (and I believe I can say for sure) most of the full suspended bikes today.

[proflex252]

No, this ain't a proflex.

First: This is too young. The first Proflex was in 1990 as far as I know and it had bumpers as a rearshock. It was a Offroad Proflex.
Second: Many bikes these days hat Noleen shocks such as GT had on its RTS

[SLIM]

 the "piggyback" noleen came much later

my RTS 1 has the normal noleen and is a 92

edit = the rts became upgraded with the piggyback in 1994

[kiwi]

i think this is a late 90s model(well 97 ish) at the time I bought my 756 there were very very few F/S designs,Giant had the "tomac" and Gt had just released a newer version of the gts,but it was too dear for me.

[Colin]

Oh dear.....I think I got muddled up with the name that Girvin used on some of his earliest "team" frames.....I don't think it was Pro~Flex, Offroad or Girvin, what am I thinking off?

Just as well I didn't win it then! but it looked like an interesting F/S frame.

Col.

[Ade]

Here is a pic of the Offroad proflex 550 I bought in 1990. Still in original spec in the main (replaced rear elastomer with some from Slim), and still on the Tioga Pscho rear tyre I put on sometime in the 90's. Only recently changed saddle and pedals for wife to use. Took away some of the pressure to sell it when I got the 657 last year.



I got it with the insurance payout for writing off a car with my Raleigh Mirage and it cost just over £500. I had a choice of a 450 hardtail and there was a 750 and a 950 that both had aluminium frames rather than cro-mo with higher spec running gear, but were more than I could afford. There wasn't anything else like it at the time and the 'suspension' did just take the edge off. Fairly sure this is as early as it gets - memories of youth starting to get hazy.

It's still a good bike to ride, if a bit on the heavy side.

Ade

[Morelli]

I have a ProFlex 253 ("3" meaning 1993)...it's all original, right down to the elastomer bushing on the rear suspension that just collapsed today.

Any ideas on where to find specs, etc. or replacement parts?  This bike (hybrid) is/was going to be my trainer, assuming I can find a new elastomer for the rear suspension.

[Colin]

I've deleted my original post of an (incorrect) oldest Pro~Flex, so maybe we turn this into:

"Who owns the oldest Pro~Flex?"

Bike shop receipts may be needed as proof......<GRIN>

Anyone got anything older than Ade's 1990 550? (and he is the original owner!)

Col.

[retrobikeguy]

I have a 750 alu (one up from 550) , not the original owner though.

[Ade]

That's what I wanted but couldn't afford!

What rear elastomer replacement option did you go with?

cheers
Ade

[retrobikeguy]

Can't remember the name of the company but they are out of business now I think and it was a lot more expensive than the ones slim later sourced, this bike is currently in bits awaiting new team paint scheme and new suntour grouppo.
will post pics when finished.

my first proflex was a 550 that I added magura's , white porcs and brahama bars to :-)

[alzimm]

I am also looking for a Rear Elastomer for the Proflex Offroad 550.  Please message me if you have the part or an equivalent.  

Here is a pic of the Offroad proflex 550 I bought in 1990. Still in original spec in the main (replaced rear elastomer with some from Slim), and still on the Tioga Pscho rear tyre I put on sometime in the 90's. Only recently changed saddle and pedals for wife to use. Took away some of the pressure to sell it when I got the 657 last year.



I got it with the insurance payout for writing off a car with my Raleigh Mirage and it cost just over £500. I had a choice of a 450 hardtail and there was a 750 and a 950 that both had aluminium frames rather than cro-mo with higher spec running gear, but were more than I could afford. There wasn't anything else like it at the time and the 'suspension' did just take the edge off. Fairly sure this is as early as it gets - memories of youth starting to get hazy.

It's still a good bike to ride, if a bit on the heavy side.

Ade