Author Topic: Todd worked for Bob Girvin, now Easton (Read 5552 times)

shovelon · « **on:** May 07, 2006, 03:39:42 am »

Interesting talk with a guy named Todd. I was reviewing some drawings with a contractor(Mike?) yesterday. He asked if I am some kind of bike nut or something. I told him, and he said that his next door neighbor works for Easton as an engineer in the bike division, graduated in Rhode Island. Had been working near Seattle, Washington until recently.

Whaaaaaat?

Any chance his neighbor knew of Proflex in Rhode Island, I asked? He did not know, but he thought he worked for a ski company near Seattle.

Whaaaaaat?

So the contractor (Mike?) called Todd on the phone, and asked about it. Sure enough, upon graduating in 1994 from college, Todd went to work for Bob Girvin at Proflex. Worked with Easton at that time, and made the move with K2 to Vashon, when K2 purchased Proflex.

Todd then reestablished the contact with Easton and is now with them. He actually brought up the Iron Horse transaction, so I think that is why he is with Easton now.

Todd's first project with Easton was with the seatpost, reengineering the alum piece that bonds to the carbon. He is now supervising enginneer on the easton wheelset line.

He was curious why I would be so crazy about Proflex/K2. I replied that I owned the 957, Oz, 4000, and now the Newport. He told me that in fact he still owned an Oz and 957, but had a surprise for me under his desk at work. If I wanted it, he would give me a never assembled 956! But he would never part with his Oz and 957.

Todd had worked directly with Bob Girvin at Proflex. I asked if he knew what Bob Girvin was doing now. He said that he was not sure, but kept in contact with Bob's partner who is designing golf courses? So I don't how much he knows.

I had to finish up with the contractor after speaking with Todd for about 20 minutes. Todd said that he would call when we had more time. Can't wait!:)

I mentioned that I had gathered alot of valuable info from this website devoted to Proflex/K2 bikes. Whaaaat? He was amazed.

Terry

shovelon · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2006, 02:18:04 pm »

Well I met Todd this evening.

He brought over a disassemble 956 frameset with carbon vector forks. I now own a sponge bike! These shiny bikes had the welds smoothed a polishe aslo. Sponges front and rear.

It had the original non-easton carbon swingarm on it. He aslo brought over an easton swingarm. [smiley=laughing.gif] [smiley=laughing.gif] [smiley=laughing.gif]

I did give him a few bucks for them. HOLY MOLY, I got a 956!!!! Only 150 were made before production went to the 957.

Todd confirmed to me that all carbon forks are butted between the wheel dropout and the brake mount.

Also, K2 had actually bought out Bob Girvin in 1993, and the cash influx bought lots of design work. That is how Todd started with Proflex.

He aslo illustrated the problem with the Girvin MagTi spindle. The girvin design was actually a Ritchey spindlel. Upon some ti spindle breakage, they redigned it stronger. The early ones would break because the hole on the inboard side of the threads were too deep, allowing the spindle to break right off at the crank. Girvin made the hole less deep and that cured the issue. I am off to check mine tonight.

It was so nice to trade info with him. He took my bussiness card and threatened to look at the forum here.

Hope to see him again, maybe ride with him.

In LaLa land,

Terry

orange · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2006, 10:38:02 pm »

pix please (of frameset not Todd!)

Carbon_Angus · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2006, 02:03:05 pm »

wow wow wow!!!!

pick his brain apart!!!!!!!!!!!!

how many Oz frames were built??? how many runs, 2???

just to mention a couple

[smiley=beer.gif]

Oracle · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2006, 03:26:23 pm »

yep, as Orange has already said, pics please... You've gotta be happy with a new LE frameset! [smiley=laughing.gif]

shovelon · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2006, 12:08:00 pm »

I will post pics. I have the camera out, now just go thru the birthing process to land them on the site.

Just what does "LE" stand for".

I just scored an 856 with all the original drivetrain and shifter components as well as original brakes. Hope I can transfer over.

Terry

Oracle · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2006, 01:31:15 pm »

LE = Limited Edition...

Quote

I did give him a few bucks for them. HOLY MOLY, I got a 956!!!! Only 150 were made before production went to the 957.

I know the 956 wasn't intended to be a LE run but considering only 150 were made, but badging it as such kind of has a nice ring to it... don't you think? [smiley=laughing.gif]

Cheers, Lee

shovelon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2006, 04:25:05 pm »

Here you go!

Overall great shape, can't wait to clean and assemble.
Terry

orange · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2006, 06:50:18 pm »

Ooooh.

Oracle · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2006, 12:17:22 pm »

nice forks! [smiley=laughing.gif]

Carbon_Angus · « **Reply #10 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:25:34 pm »

Terry

LE

Ltd. Edition

[smiley=beer.gif]

kiwi · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2006, 10:25:06 pm »

whats the difference frame wise between this and a 957?...wow with a ligt build AND elastomers you would have a light FS ride....
Not even ODS units.....

ianc · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2006, 11:30:13 pm »

Any chance of some good close up pics of the welds, I always thought both my 957 and 955 could have been much prettier with either smaller or smoothed welds, seems I should have got the one in the middle!

Ian

rapiddescent · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2006, 09:02:53 pm »

that is a very rare bike indeed. I have never seen one before. I would change the rear shock to a dampened shock if I were you. But that is fantastic.

callum
rds

kiwi · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2006, 09:43:49 pm »

teh rear shock looks exactly like one you may get in the mail soon Callum!

News:

Menu

Picture Bit

Author Topic: Todd worked for Bob Girvin, now Easton (Read 5552 times)