Proflex Beast

[NinjaFrog]

Hi,

I have a pro-flex beast (I think 1996, the world cup one, green with gold writing).

The only thing I have done to it is to replace the rubber springs with coils. However I think its time for an upgrade. What would you all recommend and where could I get the parts. Such as forks, chainsets, lubing, greasing joints etc, replacing bearings....

I am a heavy dude so would be looking for forks and shocks to accomodate me.

Any help you can provide would be great, I love this bike, but needs a little tlc.

Regards

NinjaFrog

[kneedowndean]

Hi. Take a look at my Gallery and you will see my 1996 Proflex Beast. I upgraded to Noleen shocks, they are a straight swap, and a really worthwhile investment. They really transformed my bike. I kept the fork cos I love them and just changed the shock. I also replaced the suspension bushes, with a kit from CVI(now gone I think). I'm not sure where to pick up these parts anymore, but keep an eye on ebay they do come up. As for the rest of the parts, is there anything wrong with the components? Steve

[NinjaFrog]

Having real problems with the chainset (cogs etc). Very difficult to shift between gears front and rear. I seem to get it pretty spot on when working on it, but soon as I ride it I have problems, probably to do with my weight on the bike.

Think they could do with  upgrading though.

[kneedowndean]

If its a problem of it jumping when you start applying pressure to the pedals then it sounds like the gears are worn then. If you replaced the Crankset, probably pick a new one up with rings for around £30, the rear cassette(cogs) approx £10-£15, and a new chain. While you're at it a new set of cables and the bike should be back to new. Are you stateside or in the uk? Steve

[NinjaFrog]

Based in the UK, North Yorkshire.

[Matno]

Having real problems with the chainset (cogs etc). Very difficult to shift between gears front and rear. I seem to get it pretty spot on when working on it, but soon as I ride it I have problems, probably to do with my weight on the bike.

Make sure your cable housing isn't too short (between the frame and rear swingarm). That can cause real problems with the rear mech, even if it's just 1/4" too short. You wouldn't notice it until you flex the suspension...

[rapiddescent]

I would advise strongly to get a very long bit of black outer and thread it all the way from the shifter to the rear mech.  loads of the 855heads did this in the old days and shifting improved dramatically.  Put a bit of oil inside the black outer before threading a new cable through.

callum
rds

[kneedowndean]

Not sure I 100% agree with that Callum. The friction in the system with having an outer all the way would be really high, meaning getting indexing right very difficult. I havn't tried it, but to be honest I've never had any problems with the standard routing. When I build bikes my aim is to keep the outer to the absolute minimum so setting up and maintaining is straight forward.

[jeffhop]

mmmm, i tend to agree with callum on this one, my xpx has a full length outer cable (was a swine to thread through the swing arm) and my rear shifting is flawless, but then again i do use sram and not shimano. where in north yorks u from Ninjafrog, i live in county durham just up from you!

[NinjaFrog]

Hi,

I am in Malton.

Good ideas, but I need to point out its more the front gears which are causing the problem. Sorry to be unclear on this.

Also what forks would be good up-front for someone 18st, would they alter the bike much?

Scott

[ianc]

Cool - I grew up in Pickering just up the road, Dalby Forest saw the first outing for both my 955 and 957! Forks - 4" Marzocchi coil Z1 or similar would be my reccomendation for good value and ages between servicing, you can get stiffer springs too if they feel too soft - possibly even spec them as new when you buy the fork. Shifters, best advice would be replace cable inner and outer but then take the bike to a decent shop (I used to like Bike coop in York just outside the city walls) and ask if it would be possible to watch as they do the repair... If you were doing something worng you'll learn what, and if it still happens they'll have to try damn hard to work out what it is! Suspension shouldn't affect front mech, so I'm thinking there is potentially incompatible bits (7sp mech with 9spd chainset; wrong length bottom bracket etc). Hope you get it sorted and gets some good riding in around Dalby and on the moors!

Ian