Author Topic: Newbie - Have frame, should I build it? (Read 7039 times)

ProFlexJR · « **on:** February 09, 2008, 12:30:06 pm »

I got a Pro-flex 757 Frame and Girvin fork and would like to know is this worth building up?

I should be able to get some used components off a bike racer friend. The frame is blue with yellow decals and one says "expert series" the rear stays are yellow and say Pro Active. The fork is a mustard color and says Girvin and Expert Cross-Link.

I looks like the shocks were replaced only because the decals looks somewhat newer than the rest of the bike. They say NOLEEN. Looks like all bushings are there, there is a questionable bottom bracket, other than that, it needs everything - bars, gear, wheels, brakes - etc.

I have a pre-suspension Univega and this would be great to have - that is suspension and aluminum. (especially after riding Slick rock on rental bike last year - I got the fever)

I don't need to build this up as a top-notch bike and buying a new suspension bike is not an option. I just don't know, fully, what I have. Some postings in other forums have stated that it is not worth repairing these.

Any help appreciated
John

Ade · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2008, 12:52:36 pm »

The unsurprising answer from everyone here will be - yes of course, don't listen to the guys on other forums. Proflex ride as well, or better than a lot of modern bikes. Go for it - welcome to the tribe.

Ade

jeffhop · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2008, 01:46:20 pm »

i second the answer from ade, a proflex built up with top notch parts is as good as the best the big companies can throw together, ive yet to find a full suss bike that climbs as good as my old xpx did.

kiwi · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2008, 02:06:26 pm »

if you build it up you wil have a relatively light f/s bike.The suspension travel wont be great they were built as XC racers....look carefully for cracks but you should be ok as they had those frames pretty well sorted(1997).If you use a more modern 4 in ch travel front fork you can incorporate discs if you are so inclined,and callum may be able to sort you with a rear disc adapter...

shovelon · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2008, 03:13:16 pm »

You bet it is worth building up. And you could save a lot of money. I would lookl for a junker bike for drivetrain and brakes, and there you go. The last junker bike is stipped for parts, I found in a ditch, sans tires and seat.

Need pictures!

Terry

kiwi · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2008, 05:34:19 pm »

we can help you with specs for parts too.....by the way,thanks for filling in your details,if you havent already done so hide your email adress aves any spammers getting your address.I try to keep spammers out,as only proper members can acces member details

Colin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2008, 11:35:25 am »

Quote from: ProFlexJR on February 09, 2008, 12:30:06 pm

I got a Pro-flex 757 Frame and Girvin fork and would like to know is this worth building up?

I should be able to get some used components off a bike racer friend. The frame is blue with yellow decals and one says "expert series" the rear stays are yellow and say Pro Active. The fork is a mustard color and says Girvin and Expert Cross-Link.

I looks like the shocks were replaced only because the decals looks somewhat newer than the rest of the bike. They say NOLEEN. Looks like all bushings are there, there is a questionable bottom bracket, other than that, it needs everything - bars, gear, wheels, brakes - etc.

I have a pre-suspension Univega and this would be great to have - that is suspension and aluminum. (especially after riding Slick rock on rental bike last year - I got the fever)

I don't need to build this up as a top-notch bike and buying a new suspension bike is not an option. I just don't know, fully, what I have. Some postings in other forums have stated that it is not worth repairing these.

Any help appreciated
John

Like this one???

Piccie of a fairly original 757, maybe just the seat has been changed?

Noleen shocks were original I think, NR-1's Front and Back? i.e. no Knurled adjuster at the bottom end?

Con- end shocks can be interesting to replace, but see many other threads here for interesting solutions!

You say......Build up? or "Repair"..............if the frame is sound then go for it!

Of course it's worth building up! and No, of course we're not Biased!! <GRIN>

(P.S. I have just two Crosslinks Seal Kits {RK004} left if anyone in Europe needs them, just £8 plus postage)
(Plus some x56 and 4000/Oz Pivot kits)

Col.

(Edit: picture wasn't showing so I uploaded another version. Orange)

purple gerbil · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2008, 10:57:01 am »

any pro-flex is worth building back up to its former glory. ive rebuilt a 862 (1992) not much travel but its a xc bike!
if your into xc then you aint gonna find a bike that climbs like a pro-flex.if you pedal hard with good knobbly tyres on
you will hear it dig in and grip like s**t to a blanket. try that on your downhill bikes and you get all sorts of pogo and
side flex. i have a gt lts with twice the travel (4") which is great on the downhill but gets left behind on climbs.
you will also find you have more energy for the sprints providing you push & pull on your pedals not just stomp on em.

ProFlexJR · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2008, 02:41:21 pm »

Thanks for all the positive support. I bumped into one guy with one at Slickrock and he still likes it after 10 years. I'm going to my bike racer's friends party this weekend and bringing the frane. He has a stockpile of parts and I'm hoping his prices are fair.

My frame looks like the one in the picture posted, but full of scrapes. I don't plan to paint it, I want a ruff'n ready mountain bike.

Now should I tell you all that I got the frame for free? Well my firend did pay $3.00 or was it $6.00 at a local re-cycle and re-use community center.
He checked out the frame good and there are no obvious problems. Keeping my fingers crossed.

this groups sounds as gung-ho (biased) as the VW Vanagon list I am on!

Happy trails,
John

shovelon · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2008, 03:29:26 pm »

John,

The only difference between your 757 and an 857 is the swingarm. The 857's carbon swingarm is a bit lighter, and if you wish to have one, there a plenty of them that pop up from time to time. On the other hand, your alum swingarm can have a disk mount welded to it easily.

If you follow the pivot greasing proceedure that OP put in the How-tos, that is the bulk of the maintainance.

Of course we are biased, because we found the semi-active geometry works really good for us, and is stupid simple too. That is why they hold up.

Terry

kiwi · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2008, 12:11:39 am »

Quote from: ProFlexJR on February 13, 2008, 02:41:21 pm

this groups sounds as gung-ho (biased) as the VW Vanagon list I am on!
Happy trails,
John

more.....

ProFlexJR · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2008, 09:49:57 am »

Well I just scored a set of wheels (radial spoke for front – on a MTB bike no less?!?) , stem, handle bars – simple flat bar, bar ends, crank arms, a derailleur, front brake, pedals and I already have a seat.

So I’m left needing shifters, front derailleur, rear brake, seat post and then I’ll but new a rear cluster, chain, front chain rings, cables tubes and tires.

I’m going to see if I can get a few of the remaining parts from a friend who sold his bike shop.

John
(Massachusetts)

purple gerbil · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2008, 11:02:24 am »

if your buying a new rear cluster you might wanna try going down my route and fit a road block.
try same as me cos you dont really need all those granny gears do you.
shimano ultegra 11t-23t and only 196 grams compare that to mtb blocks?
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/view_product.php?id=1223

shop around cos i didnt pay this price. try this same place on ebay..

ProFlexJR · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2012, 07:05:21 pm »

Thread from the dead - back alive.

I still have the (757) frame and Girvin fork. I'm back riding off road for the first time in a few years. After struggling to keep up with the 29'er and all aluminum Trek my buddies are riding - with me on my no-suspension at all 90 vintage Univega, I need something with at least front suspension. Re-reading the replies to my original post has me convinced that (re-)building the Pro-Flex is a viable option for me. Limited travel suspension I think will actually be perfect for New England riding - rocks and roots.

Anyways - I'd like to post pictures of this frame and get some feedback. I can't figure out how to post pictures here or put them in the gallery - help please.

I think #1 is determining if this frame is a correct size for me, #2 - is it complete enough to justify a build. I have other questions (seat post, brakes, Front Fork etc - but I'd rather just figure out these two items first.

[/url]
IMG_0056 by transporterjr, on Flickrπ[/img]

racesrc · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2012, 08:14:49 pm »

use a host like Photobucket and copy then paste the url's. enjoy, this is a great bunch of guys who helped me a short while back learning about the k2 I had come across.

David

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Author Topic: Newbie - Have frame, should I build it? (Read 7039 times)