Author Topic: Glad I found this forum; start off with question (Read 5573 times)

Akagi · « **on:** March 11, 2006, 03:10:17 pm »

Wow, I really thought the proflex bikes were for the most part lost; untill I found this board.

I am looking to buy a x57 series bike; I need a small frame, but it seems to be hard to find complete bikes out there so I was wondering if the ALL of the parts are interchangeable between the x57 series, regardless of size?

Also, (kind of redundant question) are all the forks geometrically the same as well (between the x57 series)?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

kiwi · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2006, 06:09:00 pm »

apart from the rear shock ,and if you get a fork of a way big all prts are the same....Not 100 percent sure,the strut may be different too....i have a vague feeling there was a small bike/frame for sale around here not so long ago.

orange · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2006, 06:55:16 pm »

they come up on ebay regularly.

jeffhop · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:47:36 pm »

welcome to the forum. where in the world are you from? i often post ebay lnks to proflex/k2 bits on here from the uk, otheres do the same from there neck of the woods, in fact i think it should be a regular thing!

orange · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:52:47 pm »

perhaps we should have an ebay sticky?

Akagi · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2006, 02:23:08 pm »

Thanks for the quick replys guys. I am from Canada, in southern ontario; it feels like spring here for the past week, and im itching to finally get a proflex bike.

1) When you say rear shock is different between the models, do u mean as in a geomtry or spring rate difference?

2)could a fork from a "way big" be converted to a standard fork with obtaining new fork legs? (and spring)

3)What is the difference between the the "Elite" fork and the "Expert"? do the forks have minor differences that make one lighter than the other? (other than the "carbon" models fork leg)

anyways, thanks for all the help. trying to get up to speed fast.

Colin · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2006, 09:12:31 pm »

Hi,
I've got limited knowledge of the x57 series, I've got a medium 857 frame, but never ridden it.

From my memory, and correct me if I'm wrong everyone else, the small x57 frames have a bit of an issue with them.
The shock pivot top mount hole is in the top tube of the frame rather than in the normal position in the shock mounting plates welded between the top tube and seat tube.
I think Callum (RDI) has stated that this results in the shock travel path not being correct on the small x57 frames and results in early shock failures.......?
............and I think the shock is a special one for the small frames............? resulting in maintenance issues for these bikes? You should be able to change the spring to one rated to suit your weight, but bottom line is, I think the Smalls were aimed at kids, (i.e. small children, not adults).

My opinion is go for a Medium.

The frames are very small anyway and with the down cranked top tube, the standover height is pretty low anyway.

"Large" Forks were produced to fit "Way Big" frames and as an After Market fork to fit other makes of bikes with big headtube lengths. ( AM Forks were also produced as "Standards" but with the taller ULM to allow bigger headtube lengths).
Quote from the manual - "The Noleen Cross-Link comes in a Standard size (for bicycles with 90mm to 125mm head tubes) and a Long size (for bicycles with 126mm to 160mm head tubes)".

The "Longness" of them is a result of a different legs and shock.
As an example for the right leg only:
Std Alu leg is part number 15198-1, Long is 15198-2.
For the '97 Girvin Carbon Fork:- Std Leg is 15366-1 & Long is -2.
For the '98 & '99 Noleen Carbon Fork, Std leg is 15607-1,
I can't find a long leg listed anywhere........but would assume it'll be -2

You can fit a "Long" fork to any bike, you just need to use steerer tube spacers above the headtube bearing, this will result in a higher front end.
See the "Chubby & Cross-Link Installation Helper jpg" in the files section.
http://idriders.com/proflex/files/crosslinkinstall.2.jpeg

Elite and Expert forks, the only difference is the shock; NR-1 on Expert and NR-2 on Elite: NR-2 is the superior shock............and the labels and paint job on the forks of course!.....
Carbon forks aren't much lighter, it's just the Carbon "Bling" factor, using the heavier NR-5 smartshock on these forks offsets any carbon weight loss!

will · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2006, 01:33:32 am »

Southern Ontario?

You've gotta touch base with Andrew (FrankD3000) in your 'hood. He's a wealth of info and a real craftsman to boot. Check out his gallery, you'll be amazed.

Hey, BTW, I've got a Crosslink ELT that I bought a year or so back from EDiscount Bikes off ebay. Great fork, and I put a disk brake boss on it. Now it's an extra fork as I went with a 5" slider. If you want it, I'll send it cheap.

Have fun,
Will

Akagi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2006, 06:41:59 am »

Quote

Hey, BTW, I've got a Crosslink ELT that I bought a year or so back from EDiscount Bikes off ebay. Great fork, and I put a disk brake boss on it. Now it's an extra fork as I went with a 5" slider. If you want it, I'll send it cheap.

Yes I am interested. Do you use MSN or any kind of instant messenger? Would like to talk to you about it!

will · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2006, 02:59:01 am »

Just use the message feature here and we can swap info...

kiwi · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2006, 06:13:32 pm »

Colin
for somone with "limited knowledge" you have it pretty well covered.
to summarise,the shock for a small frame is different to the other sizes.
The long crosslink has longer legs and different upper links but can be fit to small headtube bike,but you would have a big stack of headset spacers

Colin · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2006, 09:37:47 pm »

Thanks Kiwi, I learnt most of it here and from the K2 documentation!

I'm pretty certain that Long X-Links didn't have a different ULM, there's certainly no seperate part no. listed, even when the Long legs are listed.
I think the "Long" ULM was only used on AM X-Links to accomodate longer headtubes on other makes of bikes.

Col.

kondilemma · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2006, 05:29:22 am »

Quote

From my memory, and correct me if I'm wrong everyone else, the small x57 frames have a bit of an issue with them.

The shock pivot top mount hole is in the top tube of the frame rather than in the normal position in the shock mounting plates welded between the top tube and seat tube.

I think Callum (RDI) has stated that this results in the shock travel path not being correct on the small x57 frames and results in early shock failures.......?

............and I think the shock is a special one for the small frames............? resulting in maintenance issues for these bikes?

This thread was guite interesting for me--and confirmed a few suspicions I had after taking a closer look at my Small 857 frame I'm currently building on. As Colin has mentioned, the rear shock top pivot is WAY up there in the top tube, crammed between the two seat mast/shock mount plates. Not much room in there at all. my concern is whether or not an aftermarket replacement wil even fit in there. I suspect not, but I've yet to make any inquires to Risse Racing or Stratos. Hey, I haven't even got it off the repair stand yet...

Akagi · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2006, 08:30:53 am »

*update*

Well thanks for the info and help, I am in the process of scoping out some prospect bikes. Hopefully will be owning my first proflex soon.

Willem · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2006, 01:15:32 pm »

Akagi,

(Wasn't that the name of a Japanese carrier in Midway?)

Anyhow, if you want I can sell you one of my 856's with a pretty decent build kit on it - including disc brakes, Crosslink fork (or a Marzocchi slider), and a sealed bearing conversion on the pivot arm.

The old garage is getting pretty crowded and I'm in trouble for buying a new hunting rifle... [smiley=doh.gif]
(Yes, Matt, I finally did get that Ruger .44 carbine. Found a beauty last week and snapped 'er up!)

Thinking out loud... Got $250 in the frame (size "Big"), $120 in the Xlink, $130 in the wheels, $50 in the tires, $90 in the brakes, $50 in the post/seat, $80 in the powder paint, and a few liters of blood and sweat in the brake mounts, main pivot rear spring conversion. That's... yikes... $770 (Don't tell my wife!!).
Guess I could ship it to ya for $600... No big deal, my daughter won't ride it and I'm kinda stuck on my other 856. So, whatever. I should probably ebay it or something.

Best of luck getting started!
Will

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Author Topic: Glad I found this forum; start off with question (Read 5573 times)

will

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Willem