First post: should i buy a used proflex?

[C Hellmuth]

I have a proflex 656 being sold locally for 250$
--Question, if it breaks, will I be able to find parts for this 1996 bike, i have heard much of broken headsets on the newer 657 model.

Details-- it has a chrome finished Girvine front shock... and a GLS rear suspen sion, not sure what shock precisely.  It has gripshifters, which i hate and all shimano LX components, unless DeOre brakes are not 'LX'.   Mavic rims....Otherwise i have ridden the bike a short distane and like its performance accross the board (save the gripshifters).  Should I look up the serial to be sure its not stolen before I buy?  What is a reasonable price for a well used 656?  Finally, the right shifters have the usual 7 gears, but the left, which should have 3, has 7 'positions' as well giving a lot of clicks before the derailure moves form 3rd to 2nd, and first,  Is this a configuration preference, allowing for less chain noise?  Im a newb, thanks for your patience and consideration.
Colin hellmuth [smiley=laughing.gif]

[tmaybee]

I would say pass on that bike.   An 856 would be an excellent deal at that price, but there are no replacement shocks for the rear of the 656 avaliable.

The bike you are looking at looks like this right?



I am not sure what the bike is worth, $250 is probably fair, but you could go with a better bike for a little more and it would be well worth it.



For the gripshift, I actually prefer them and the left side should have a bunch of cliks (7 I think).  And you are right, the extra clicks are there so you can trim the deraileur and eliminate the chain rub

[C hellmuth]

Thanks for the input,what do you think can be done about the rear shock? I might offer less, just cause i need a bike, and dont wanna buy new.  THere is no replacement elastomer available?  What about modding a new rear shock...i suppose it would have been done if there were a possibility...
-Does anyone have links to (its k2 right) the manufacturers specs?  I heard k2 was still supplying rear elastomers.

Thanks again for your sleuthing!
Colin H

[numbnuts]

Colin, I don't know much about that bike but check the links to K2 on this site. The k2 customer service/tech support is usually excellent. Email them and they usually reply, but it may take a day or two.