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

[p856shawn]

1st post on this site. I came across my bike Proflex 856 in and odd sort of way. To be honest I can't remember the exact year as I've had this thing so long... ( I think it was "97 or 98")
I stopped by my LBS one day and saw this Proflex being sold on consignment. The bike was wrecked, from a  bike vs car accident. The frame was buckled at the neck. Turns out the previous owner was riding around the country on the thing (I think it was a 654, if that sounds right) and got cut off while riding. He filed a claim for insurance and bought a new bike from my LBS with the money and his wreck as a trade. Well anyway , my dealer talked me into rebuilding it. The bike was about 150.00, and my dealer contacted Proflex -(just chaged hands to K2) and ordered up a replacement frame for about 75.00 - 90.00. A week later my frame showed up. I didn't know anything about Proflexes other than they squeeked alot, had origins in RI, and they had Girven suspenders...
For a little over 300.00 I could have a rolling trail bike. Considering I had over 6 grand into my 2 previous bikes this was a deal.
The frame is a new 856 leftover, titanium in color. The suspension components and some of the useable drivetrain components were transplanted onto the 856 and any thing missing was cobbled together from the "spare parts bin", otherwise known as the trash can. For example, the cranks are black LX on one side and raw silver finish deore on the other. No matter to me as long as it functioned.
The drivetrain is old deore, LX, XT and I stilll had a XTR Ti cassette from my previous bike mounted to a TNT hub and Velocity Aero Heat rim.
After replacing the front wheel, and installing new cables I was set, ... or so I thought.
My first trail ride was pretty good and I was suprised at how light the bike felt compared to my "no-longer-obtainum" FS Works.
Well over a short time the rear elastomers collapsed and trail riding wasn't possible. I attached a child seat rig to the thing and rode around with my daughter on the back on the streets. I ended up getting a clevis mount machined for the rear swingarm stay to mount a Noleen NR rear shock I had in the tool box for a few years. I took to the trails once again and after having solved the rear end issues discovered the front end was no longer up to snuff either. Eventualy I got a Marazocchi Z.2 superfly leftover for Performance Bike and once again the bike was trail ready. and fun to ride.
Well the years have past and the bikes been hung from the rafters collecting dust. I take it out once in a while to ride around with my kids on their bikes. The fork and rear shock are leaking fluids now. I just got a seal kit from Marazocchi to refrresh the shock, but the rear shock is not serviceable ( by me at least). I recently came across a Joshua X0 that was in fair condition and am in the process of updating the components on it and my Proflex while revisiting the sport once again, hopefully for a while to come...
As for my 856, I'd like to go back to the Girven front end ( I still have it and the old rear shock body) if possible. I'll be looking for replacement parts so I can get it close to OE condition.
Well, thanks for reading my post. I look foward to getting some tech info on my old ride, contributing back to this site, and any tips on restoring it to OE condition.

[Humboldt]

I check back to see if this forum still exists every few years. The fact that it is still here is a powerful testament to the Pro-Flex/K2 product line.

Anyway, I bought my first Pro-Flex in 1995 - the 855 World Cup that Mt. Bike Action raved about. I eventually took off the elastomer shocks and replaced them with Reese air-oil shocks front and back. The ultimate light-weight machine. I still have that bike.

I later bought a new Pro-Flex/K2 4500 carbon bike for a ridiculously low price about six years ago. That's my pride and joy now. Virtually everything has been upgraded except the frame - Zocci fork, XTR disc brakes (Hammerhead adapter in rear), Sram/Truvativ 9.0 drivetrain and shifters, Easton carbon  bars, carbon bar ends, Thompson seat post and stem, Mavic disc rims, DT Swiss hubs, Reese Astro rear shock, Shimano M959 pedals, and a Hopey steering damper.

I have no plans or desire to switch to something else.  The carbon frame is a real eye-catcher. I have removed all decals - so all you see is black carbon - kind of like a Darth Vader bike. Nobody knows what kind of bike I ride.  I like that!

[alistair]

Remember seeing a review of the Original Proflex in MBA I think 1989 and thought wow, one day I’ll get one.

1990, thankfully my first  MTB was run over by a truck, I made the mistake of getting a small frame and very long stem. The insurance paid for a nice new Saracen Tufftrax ( for non Brits a classic, basic early 90’s MTB). The dealer also did Proflex, no bikes but they did have one Flexstem, I tried it and had to have it.

1995, first decent job, Flexstem is on its last legs, have had to have it welded up a couple of times. I tried a 855 and was blown away, knew I had to get one. Looking through the Proflex catalogue realised while the 956LE was ridiculously expensive the frameset was good value so ordered one up.

1996, frameset finally arrives after lots of chasing. Apparently there were production problems with the Carbon front forks so they were not producing framesets initially only full bikes and sending them out with Aluminium forks. What turned up at my local LBS was a full 956LE, we made it up, had a quick play and sadly then took it apart again. I managed to get a good deal on a few of the parts such as the Tamer Carbon seat post. In the end I was not too bothered as with a mixture of XT, XTR and few other bits it was only about 1lb heavier (23-24lbs) , quite a bit stronger and half the price. A couple of months later the carbon fork blades turned up which I remember were amazingly light compared to the standard units.

956LE, brilliant bike, very light, very fast and the quality of the welding was amazing. Its only flaw I thought was the slightly compromised pivot point which meant it was not the best on steep slippery climbs ( I did ask Girvin when I originally got it why the pivot had been moved from the original position in the 1996 catalogue and apparently it was because at the time they could not manufacture a reliable swing arm with enough bend to get around the front mech).

1998, started to get some corrosion spots on the frame. I returned it to Ultrasport ( UK importer) to have a look at who were great. I thought they would just clean it up, but offered me a replacement. Initially tried a 957 but they did not have my exact size, it was also just not quite the same as the 956LE, quality of the welds etc.. They then offered a 5000 but as I was not keen on yellow let me upgrade to a 5500c frame and forks for a reasonable amount.  

All the bits from the 956LE were put on the 5500c and I am still running around on it now, I am only just looking at changing it but cannot find anything I really prefer.

[SlowerThanDirt]

60 year old and needing to loose weight.  Saw an add on Craigslist here in Jacksonville.  Saw the 856 and purchased it.

This unit has had the poly shoks replaced sith springs.
I also found a cracked seat post.

Boy, it sure seems a problem to rais the bar.  I don't bend like I used to and need about 4 - 6 inches to be comfortable. I surely need to raise the bar far enough to need the hydraulic lines replaced.  One shop says they get $100 per brake and found out the fittings are no logner available.  Another shop (the one that originally sold the bike) said they could do it for about $100.

I am quite good with mechanics once I know how to something.  I used to race model ariplanes including building the plane, modifying the engine etc.

I'm considering totally rebuilding the bike myself.

Any suggestions???

[Lysander]

First was in 1992 (remember? the internet was only in black and white then!)- 550 with flexstem......a burglar made of with it......don't like to talk about it.......may he spend eternity in Hades with a Lego Enema administered EVERY DAY!!

Replaced that with a 555, about the same time as I started to live behind a keyboard and smoke fags, so it's in fairly reasonable nick despite its age. Aside from the elastomers, which now of course have about 0.032mm travel in them (if I really get my weight behind me for a good shove).......and my search for these Mystic and Rubbery Yellow Cylinders is how I arrived here!

Cheers,
Dav

[bikemonk]

I've been riding GTs since 1995. Then in 1999 I got a job as a tour guide and got a half price deal for about 15 Diamond Backs for work. Along with it came a 4000 K2 Proflex, 98 model. I got it and got hooked. I rode it to the ground and one year later it did the same to me. Got carried away and had a terrible accident with it and broke my arm to pieces. I fell in love with it even more! I rode it for a while after one year of abstence for my arm to mend but it was obvious that my arm was still weak. That was five years ago. This year I got it out again, equipped it with full XTR two models back and it's like seeing an old good friend again.

Keep riding!

[rightturnclyde]

I have not ridden one yet, But I have sat on the one that I just picked up several times. Its great to see a support network like this to keep the product going. I decided to go after a proflex after reading many great reviews,and remembering how cool they looked when I first saw them. I purchased a 96 Animal, and am looking forward to getting it back out onto the trails. I will be bugging you guys from time to time, but I promise to do some research before asking stupid questions.(or at least, I'll try)
Cheers, Keith

[kiwi]

ask away keith we dont mind!

[kiwi]

Boy, it sure seems a problem to rais the bar.  I don't bend like I used to and need about 4 - 6 inches to be comfortable.
Any suggestions???

I presume you are having problems because it has the std vector fork.??refresh my memory.does the top shock mount bolt directly to the stem or handlbar or is there a seperate peice that the shock mounts too?The easiest way would be to get a different fork with a LOOOOng steerer.If you are determined to stick with a "proflex" fork you may need to find a LONG crosslink.The other way will require fittinging a longer steerer tube to your existing fork.The engineering types here will be able to advise you if this is possible.

[shovelon]

I presume you are having problems because it has the std vector fork.??refresh my memory.does the top shock mount bolt directly to the stem or handlbar or is there a seperate peice that the shock mounts too?The engineering types here will be able to advise you if this is possible.

I aint no engineering type, but I think magura HS33 rim brakes are what he has. I messed with them alot a few years ago. The plastic brake line is cheap. They use mineral oil, which you can buy at the drug store. Any bike shop should be able to sell a few feet of it, or even do the job for you entirely. A bleed kit is helpful.

I can't imagine the old vector on an 856. That is another problem all together. You could modify the existing stem by cutting and welding, or piggyback another stem onto it by welding.

STD, pictures will help.

Terry

[rightturnclyde]

I hate to say it, but I think your suggestions may be falling on deaf ears. If you check out the Classifieds, I have a feeling his was the one on  E-Bay- the red 856 parked behind the blue pickup truck. My suggestion to him, (and he seems like a truly nice guy, he answered all of my questions about his bike, as I was very interested, yet fell a little short with the cash) Is to lower the seat post a tad, and get a riser bar (2") Oh, and find a new bike shop that isnt trying to hose him.

[red855]

Hello all

I have been riding my 855 since new, around about 1995.  Before that I had a white and black 550, the change was a transformation!

Still love the 855, new bikes are so heavy.. and I can't justify the expense of a newer bike.

I put Risse shocks on a few years ago and now need to do something with the brakes.  Those old cantilevers are well past their sell-by date and are going to get me into trouble.

Sean

[wylyman]

I have been riding my 4000 since '99.  Last summer I thought it was headed to the grave yard with a loose rear dropout.  Then I discovered this web site and found out it was a simple rebonding job.  So I went ahead and gave it major upgrades.  A risse astro 5 2.25 stroke,  5" fox float fork, cane creek s8, wtb seat, easton seatpost, sun rino wheels and bb7 disk brakes, and a custom fab brake adapter.  Its looking pretty sweet with red frame, carbon swing arm and everything else black.  Thanks to this site I will be riding the heck out of it many more years.

[jake1293]

I was 14 when i got my 3rd mtb,  A proflex, i cant remember what model but she was  my 1st suspension bike, shiny and strangely enough in the  window of my local cable/satellite shop, WEIRD. Turns out the boss had bought her but never really ridden her, only 6 months old!! A month later some W****** broke into my mums garage and had it away!! i think i cried, i was the envy of my school and riding buddies.

Didnt get my present plofex until my honeymoon (every cloud and all that....)
She was outside a bike shop in devon and was being sold off cheap, that was 8th August '01.
The only way i remember my anniversary!!

Used her (bike) for 6 months then some idiot knoked me off, running her over and smashing rear swing arm!
The git drove off.

Stumbled accross this site and whatd'yaknow, starting to rebuild her.

The legend lives on!!

Happy riding peoples!

Jake

[orange]

great story! where in Devon?