How do you replace a Proflex?

[willem]

I guess Simon's Whyte rode well, but had several defects that had to be fixed. I don't remember all the details, but there were a few factory level oopsa-daisies.
Seems to me that any machine - especially a bike - has to get a whole lot better to justify even a little more complexity. It only takes a few walks home from a ride to figure that out.

[Colin]

Now then Colin... that was a pretty swanky sales pitch for Whyte.
You made some sweeping statements about the response speeds of short links vs. long links. You skipped right over Physics 101 by assuming those short links have a. Less inertia (not always), b. less stiction (not always), and c. better alignment (rarely).
And for the record, "Lifetime" bearings are just what we need for our perpetual motion machine... (No such thing.)

I don't hate your bikes, but they are too complicated and overpriced.

Simon, of this forum, is the most gifted bicycle guy I've ever met. And a pretty discerning rider. He bought a Whyte about two years ago. He doesn't own it now. If you search for that thread and read it, you might have cause to pause and think.

WIllem,
( I think you've mistaken my English Sarcastic style! then again, mein Deutsch ist schrecklich! MFG, Colin Jürgen Simmonds)
NOT my sales pitch, it's a direct quote from WHYTE, that's why I called it "bumpf" (English for material of debatable value.............) and that's why I said "opinions/experience". Well you've certainly given your opinion!
"complicated" and "overpriced" ? ? ? ? ?
Whyte 46 £2600 ? ?
Let's just recall that the list price of my 4000se was $2349 in '98 and my OzM was $4099 in 2000, and basically substitute £ for $ to buy them in the UK!
and that many people at the time ( and still do) consider Pro~Flex's to be overcomplicated.

Orange, agree with you mate, I don't ever recall Simon being dissapointed with the Whyte............
P.s. Been cycling with an old buddy of yours; "Mad Cow Kev" the last two weeks, Damn! He can power that Klein along at a great rate of Knots!

NOT "MY" bikes, just interested in well considered opinions, I will not be suprised to be owning a Whyte at some point in the near future! (but the wife will be! <grin>)

Cheers
Col.

[orange]

P.s. Been cycling with an old buddy of yours; "Mad Cow Kev" the last two weeks, Damn! He can power that Klein along at a great rate of Knots!

yes he mentioned it! small world!

[willem]

Aaah... bumpf. Now I get it. Many of us Americans are still learning english. Forgive my lack of subtlety in sharing opinions, but our version of the Whyte is the Marin line of bikes. Not quite as cool as a Whyte, but perhaps equally complicated. They are a niche market company with really limited sales.

In the US, Trek/Fisher have simplified their suspensions, Specialized is working toward less complexity, and Santa Cruz is going gangbusters on their single pivot Heckler's and Bullits.

After blowing out my Proflex strut and shock yesterday morning I'm nearly ready for a Ti hardtail.

Those were some crazy prices for Proflex back in the 90's. But here they are, all those years later, still viable.

[orange]

I'm nearly ready for a Ti hardtail.

How tall are you - I'm about to sell my 22" GT Lightning (titanium) hardtail frame on Ebay. For a BIG person though! :-)

[willem]

"For a BIG person though!"

Sounds sweet, but too big for me. (Think fullback, not wide receiver.)