Are these old fullys still up to the task?

[whisperdancer]

I know bicycle industry has moved on quite a bit, and nowadays we see very advanced hydroformed or carbon pressed frames, advanced suspension designs and bikes that do maintenance just like a motorcycle (and sometimes maintenance is as expensive as the motorized cousins).

I hear much of the time how one needs a good bicycle to keep up with "the group" at the mountain, disk brakes are a must, a good front fork with compression and rebound adjustment and 30 speed drivetrains.

But at the same time I remember when I had my 18speed, cantilever brake, hard tail and front end GT steel knockoff framed bicycle 17 or 18 years ago, and how much I had fun with it (ok, I was much younger and especially much ligher...).


My rides are very few right now, but I feel the need to get back on track for good.
As I wrote in a previous post, I have a K2 1000 frame, a pair of cf swingarms and a new carbon crosslink fork I was planning to slowly build on the cheap side (still haven't decided if to paint the frame or if to strip and polish it like a 957...).
But at the same time I think if it would be better to spend time (and money) on a different, more "rear shock availability" bike...

I've gained weight over time and I am now over 90kg (or 200lbs), and proflexes do have a simple frame design with few reinforcements. Sometimes I also think about the CF-aluminum fork and swingarm glued joints: will they hold up a rough ride?

Overall, do you think old Proflex bikes are still up to the task?

[Colin]

Hi,
I weigh in at 100Kg with ride kit on and have maybe peaked up as much as 110Kg in the past and have ridden both my XP-X (Vector II) and 4000se (Crosslink CS) aggressively over XC rides and on more demanding "downhill" custom built tracks with jumps and rocky impacts and have (touch wood) broken nothing fundamental; on either of the bikes!  (Shock dampings have failed and springs have broken but that's about it)
Yes, I'm sure there is a limit beyond which these bikes will collapse and there are much more substantially built bikes available, but for the weight trade off, I think they cope very well. (there's a video somewhere on the internet of a x57 being dirtjumped about 12ft in the air with a bad landing and the CF swingarm breaking in half)
Yes, you do have to consider the trade off of rebuilding the bike or buying a newer/different one, but only you can decide that.
The main difficulty on the x56 x57 is the shock compatibility and I have decided to stand my ones of these bikes down to road bike/trail bike status and use the "two tube" and Carbon frame bikes as my off road mainstays. I intend to use telescopic forks on both of my CF builds, with air shocks in the rear and also disk brakes all round as I have found that rim brakes, no matter how well set up will fade with wet and wear and have contributed to the few crashes I have had.

If the problem is to "stay up with the group" Then the best components to upgrade are your legs and lungs!

In the group I ride with that's the main differentiator! not the £3k bike!

I think You've hit the nail on the head, build it up cheaply and if the bike is the limiting factor and not you, then consider an upgrade to another framed bike, be it PRO~FLEX or A.N. Other.

Good Luck

Col.

[w2zero]

Just my opinion here.  I have ridden the ancient 855 off some 4' and 6' banks down to a sloped landing with success over the years to good effect.  Flat landings have cost me crank arms and a seat post.  The original seat post was a POS so that was understandable.  I plan on upgrading the bike to disc as $$ allows and already upgraded to coilover shocks and carbon link fork.  My weight when I bought the bike was 160 and now I am at 200+.  Legs and lungs aren't up to the original efforts but I still ride light.  I see the new very tough bikes out there and they share one thing I don't like.  They are pushed up hills far more than ridden up them.  I pushed the limits of the bike early on but my limits match the bike better now. 

[whisperdancer]

Built it on the cheap: buy used but almost high end components.

The fact is I love the bike, hate the rear shock availability. I've been postponing making an adapter for an air shock as I didn't found one that fits without changing geometry or need some kind of frame grinding to clear the top of the shock.

I've also ridden a 757 many times in the mountain, and I was able to crack the headtube. I had the headtube replaced as Proflex didn't know if could guarantee the frame, sold it and bought an Animal frame.

Last time I went for serious MTB, it was hard to keep pace with an Orbea hardtail and a specialized FS... But I think it's just me, as I remember flying downhill in the 757 (especially since it was a way big frame and very stable in descents).

[fyrstormer]

Yes, these bikes are still "up to the task". They are built much stronger (and heavier) than newer cross-country frames. As long as you don't try to use them for downhill racing or cliff-jumping, you'll be fine. I hit a car with mine 13 years ago, hard enough to launch me and the bike completely over the car, and it's still going strong.

[Spokes]

I regulary ride a 857 and a 4000 on and off road.
The 4000 has the greater suspension travel but that doesnt mean its the better bike. I tend to think of the 4000 as a true full susser and the 857 as a hardtail with suspension.
They both have their merits. I tend to pick the 4000 for the mountain rides and the 857 for the fast fire trail training loop distance rides. But thats because thats the way I've set them up.

My main riding partner has an upgraded 2012 Orange 5 and when we're both fit theres not much between us. Whether im on the 857 or 4000 in some places im faster than him and in others he is faster than me. I tell myself the only advantage he has is on rocky downhill sections as he has 140mm forks over my my crosslinks. But he also has no fear what so ever, so its probably just me! He says his bike weighs too much compared to mine.

My other mate has a Marin hard tail with front sus and he is faster than everyone everywhere.
So I guess what I've come to realise is the main limiting factor is the rider.

You can build a Proflex to be modern or retro, moderate weight or very lightweight. To break one I think you have to be very unlicky. Built properly, with a good pair of legs peddling, I think they are a match for modern XC bikes.

But its normal to think "what if" and you'll only really know if the bike still suits you by riding it.

Interestingly my mate with the Marin works in the bike industry and used to work for a Proflex dealer. Which is how I got into Proflex. Over the years of all the bikes he's had, of all different makes, he says the one he wishes he had kept was his Proflex/K2 5000. He says it wasnt the best at everything but it was the best all rounder. Just his opinion.

Build your frame well, work on your fitness and you'll be amazed how good your bike will feel..
Most of all enjoy it. If its not fun, its not worth it.

Chris

[Colin]

.................... I hit a car with mine 13 years ago, hard enough to launch me and the bike completely over the car, and it's still going strong.

Ditto! on my XP-X about 10 years ago!
I was body boarded off the road to hospital A&E with a suspected spinal injury (turned out to be nothing serious thank God!)
and all I kept saying was "how's the bike?"  - other than a scratch, all fine!

Col.

[fyrstormer]

Build your frame well, work on your fitness and you'll be amazed how good your bike will feel.

The biggest single improvement in ride quality I got from an upgrade on my 756 was replacing the shocks. A Noleen NR-4 coilover in the back, with compression and rebound controls, and a Manitou fork with compression and rebound controls *and* a hydraulic lockout. I never had much trouble with pedal-bob in the rear suspension, but the 756's design puts a lot of my weight on the handlebars, and the Manitou fork is so slippery that a lockout was necessary to make hillclimbs more efficient. It works wonders.

.................... I hit a car with mine 13 years ago, hard enough to launch me and the bike completely over the car, and it's still going strong.

Ditto! on my XP-X about 10 years ago!

Stop copying me.