How long (and who,how,when, and why)have you ridden Pro-Flex/K2?

[Spokes]

Good choice! There is loads of knowledge and ideas on here to keep your Animal riding for a long time yet. Join in the chat and post pictures.Welcome.

Chris

[ultrasport]

i grew up around the corner from Ultrasport, the UK importer for Proflex, i had a Raleigh Mustang at the time and it was a heavy piece of pig iron. i use to ride to fun sport with my friends in 1992 and dribble over the 1992 range of proflex's hanging up in the window. there was the White 550, Blue 552, Red 752, Silver 862 and Grey 962..  i even remember the 862 and 962 had rockshox mag 21 in the gold and there was the 852 and 952 with rigid forks and the titanium bar and flex stem combo. 
My Dad bought me an 862 in 1993 which changed my life instantly. my friends and i gave my Mustang a good stoning and burial to celebrate a new chapter in my life.. From then on the Offroad brand became part of me,  I remember ridding with Jez Avery who taught me some valuable ridding skills, where is that guy these days..
To date i have owned an Offroad Sport(for sale), 550(1992-for sale), 3x 552(one for sale), 862(snapped the frame), 853(warranty replacement that was stolen), 755(removed the head tube hitting a farmers gate), 856(sold), 4000(gave to Purple on this forum) and 5500(mint ish condition US Manufactured UK demo bike).
i still have somewhere in the loft all the catalogues dating back to 1992.. Proflex was a name that was my childhood and will still be with me till my grave..     

[Spokes]

Top story! You've certainly had a few Proflexs in your time and good to see you are keeping the 5500. Everyone should have 'at least one'Proflex in their collection.
If you ever get bored you could copy all those catalogues onto her. I'd love to look at them as would others I recon .

Chris

[AHanulec]

Hey everyone.

I've been riding these rigs for 22 years now.

First bought a new 252 when these were still under the Off road name.  It is still a great bike.  I stumbled across this site looking to find replacement elastomers for this bike this past August.  Thanks to this site I got this bike running well again and continue running this for my road rides.

I also have a 757 which I also bought new.  Another great bike that I have gotten great use out of.

Both of these bikes had been sitting around for a number of years when I got married and started a family.  Now that my own kids are riding bikes I've taken up the hobby again myself.  Getting back on these two bikes has really made me wonder why I stopped riding.  I really forgot how much I liked riding.

This site has been great in helping me through a few of the repairs over the past few months so thanks to everyone.

[Spokes]

If I may speak on everyone's behalf ... You're very welcome.

Chris

[Rederz]

Had k2 and proflex for years now, mainly 13 yrs and unfortunately I have the enviable task of deciding which bike to ride on which weekend. Got my first xp6 for my 16 birthday as my stepfather would Jed at leisure lakes at the time and suppose I haven't looked back. Went I. To then get an xpx with carbon 3 spoke spin wheels, upgraded to xtr everything. To then getting a k2 ozx and anouther set of spins with disc mounts.
Never looked back since and still looking at new additions on eBay when the good ones surface 😊😊

[Spokes]

You had a man on the inside, that's not fair!  Have you posted photos yet of your bikes as they sound great.

Chris

[Colin]

Spins with Discs,,, hmmmmmmmm ....very jealous................I just have the mere rim brake versions..... which will break and kill me ,yes I know!, stop pestering me on this! <GRIN>

Welcome Rederz! Any more stories from Lesiure Lakes?

Col.

[piko4566]

I started out in MTB back in 1987 on a cheap Raleigh Stratos from a mail order catalogue. It lasted three rides before the front wheel buckled. Thankfully it was stolen from outside a high street store. However the bug had bitten and I was ready for a proper bike. I purchased a Kona Hahanna which I loved. I rode it all over the country and even in France and even a few xc races. I then got to looking at full-sussers around the early 90's and was quite interested in the Proflex Attack but just wasn't very sure about the elastomer shocks and so plumped instead for a Marin Rift-Zone which served me well until the rear shock gave out during a race and spat oil over my calves. By then (1997), my local bike shop had started stocking Proflex bikes and had a nice white & red 757 available. One test ride and I was smitten. I have had it ever since and been everywhere on it. The South Downs, North Downs, Forest of Dean, Isle Of Wight etc. I love it. I have since bought a K2 2000 from Poland and an Animal frame and forks which I am currently building up. I still love the looks of acknowledgment and respect I get whenever I roll up at any trail centre.

[Spokes]

Cool story. Respect to you sir. I have a 757 frame set hidden away. I always loved the colour scheme of the red/white.

Chris

[Kez0013]

I'm new to this forum but old irl.

Been mountain biking since 1987, firstly a Raleigh Mustang which I traded for a GT Timberline however when that was nicked got my first Proflex a 453 which I think was in 1994. That was stolen 1997 and I got a Reptile with the insurance money and I still have the frame and bars albeit the forks went to a custom build 3 seater mountain bike and the rest got used on other projects.

Moved onto other brands but always riding off-road and often with the local Dorset club so New Forest, Purbecks, etc., plus when I visit my folks Ashton Court in Bristol and Whinlatter Cumbria.

Have spoken to folk about old bikes, found the frame for the Reptile (and a Santa Cruz) in the loft, felt nostalgic, found Retrobike and the shared fun of riding old school bikes which has lead to me buying several retros including a 757 and 2 856's from which I hope to make 1 really nice one and sell on the others either whole or as bits. I will probably use the Reptile bars (still with the original gripshift) and X-Lite bar ends, plus my favourite old X-Lite saddles and M545 pedals which I use on all my bikes. I'm not a fan of v-brakes so will probably stick a set of period Magura rim brakes on. Really looking forward to that first ride and getting that Proflex feeling back.

I'm sure I'll be looking for advice and parts to buy and sell especially on the suspension side.

[deadprez1411]

Hi

I live in Thurso very far North of Scotland, got two Proflex's 5000 and 5500 Carbon just took the 5000 to Aviemore as 5500 is having parts made for rear disc converter, but the 5000 did brilliant on the trails, still loving both bikes, they still ride amazing, looking to take them both to switzerland to use,

cheers

Paul 

[Spokes]

Welcome all. Nice to see new people with cool bikes goining on here.

Chris