The Proflex purists might want to look away...........
First build I've posted on here, comments welcome
This was supposed to be a summer (2013) build for me to refresh some long since used bike maintenance skills before letting loose on some ‘exotica’ and then ride it through the winter, however several operations got in the way and it wasn’t completed until a couple of months ago due to ‘other’ priorities during that time.
I lusted after a Proflex as soon as I first saw them at my LBS (Hardisty’s) in the early 90’s, however cash flow as a student Nurse with a mortgage made sure that never happened! I now have several in the stash to sort out – looking for a 954/955 if anyone wants to part with one?
How does it ride, Hmmm...I do prefer hardtails, however; it’s not a bike for big miles - 45 miles last week XC/cycleways wrecked my neck, the stem can’t be raised with a Vector 2 fork, it was originally built for Downhill so I’ll give that ago later this week!
It seems to handle better than the 856 with coil/oil backend/Vector 2 I have! The rear brake linkage whilst a great talking point will not stop the bike at even moderate speeds with a weighted rear end, unweighted its adequate, better pads may improve this. Elastomers seem to do as advertised, didn’t notice any rebound.
For a part aluminium frame its heavy!
This frame colour was not an option on the 854, it was an option further down the range though.
Next up is either a Proflex 855 or a Drop Bar Overbury’s....hmm
And the spec for those that want it....It was supposed to be a '94 build spec as per the brochure, however to get it finished I've used parts that were available in the Proflex range in the '94/95 years and a few aftermarket bits...
Frame: 18” Double Butted, Heat Treated Alcoa 7005 Aluminium main triangle with butted Cromoly Swingarm
Fork: Girvin Vector 2 (All bushings replaced) Suspension w/2.1” travel ....Hmm
Headset: Oversized Aheadset
Stem: Vector 2
Handlebar: Offroad 560mm
Grips: Gripshift (NOS)
Barends: Onza
Brakes: Deore LX M-565 (NOS)
Brake Pads: Deore LX (NOS)
Brake Cables: Shimano
Brake Levers: Dia-Compe Power Control 11n (NOS)
Shifters: Gripshift SRT 600 (NOS)
Front Derailleur: Deore XT FD M-737
Rear Derailleur: Deore XT RD M-737
Derailleur Cables: Shimmano
Cassette: XT 11/28
Chain: -
Cranks: Sugino 175mm (NOS)
Crank Bolts: -
Chainrings: Sugino CS III 44/32/22 (NOS)
Chainring bolts:
Bottom Bracket: Shimano
Pedals: Whatever is on at time.
Hub Skewers: Ringle
Rims: ARAYA RM-20
Hubs: XTR M-900 (Front/Rear)
Nipples:
Spokes:
Tyres: Onza Agro 26 x 2.1
Tubes: Specialized....I think
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium
Seatpost: PUSH
Seatpost Binder: Proflex
Weight: Not weighed yet.
First build I've posted on here, comments welcome
This was supposed to be a summer (2013) build for me to refresh some long since used bike maintenance skills before letting loose on some ‘exotica’ and then ride it through the winter, however several operations got in the way and it wasn’t completed until a couple of months ago due to ‘other’ priorities during that time.
I lusted after a Proflex as soon as I first saw them at my LBS (Hardisty’s) in the early 90’s, however cash flow as a student Nurse with a mortgage made sure that never happened! I now have several in the stash to sort out – looking for a 954/955 if anyone wants to part with one?
How does it ride, Hmmm...I do prefer hardtails, however; it’s not a bike for big miles - 45 miles last week XC/cycleways wrecked my neck, the stem can’t be raised with a Vector 2 fork, it was originally built for Downhill so I’ll give that ago later this week!
It seems to handle better than the 856 with coil/oil backend/Vector 2 I have! The rear brake linkage whilst a great talking point will not stop the bike at even moderate speeds with a weighted rear end, unweighted its adequate, better pads may improve this. Elastomers seem to do as advertised, didn’t notice any rebound.
For a part aluminium frame its heavy!
This frame colour was not an option on the 854, it was an option further down the range though.
Next up is either a Proflex 855 or a Drop Bar Overbury’s....hmm
And the spec for those that want it....It was supposed to be a '94 build spec as per the brochure, however to get it finished I've used parts that were available in the Proflex range in the '94/95 years and a few aftermarket bits...
Frame: 18” Double Butted, Heat Treated Alcoa 7005 Aluminium main triangle with butted Cromoly Swingarm
Fork: Girvin Vector 2 (All bushings replaced) Suspension w/2.1” travel ....Hmm
Headset: Oversized Aheadset
Stem: Vector 2
Handlebar: Offroad 560mm
Grips: Gripshift (NOS)
Barends: Onza
Brakes: Deore LX M-565 (NOS)
Brake Pads: Deore LX (NOS)
Brake Cables: Shimano
Brake Levers: Dia-Compe Power Control 11n (NOS)
Shifters: Gripshift SRT 600 (NOS)
Front Derailleur: Deore XT FD M-737
Rear Derailleur: Deore XT RD M-737
Derailleur Cables: Shimmano
Cassette: XT 11/28
Chain: -
Cranks: Sugino 175mm (NOS)
Crank Bolts: -
Chainrings: Sugino CS III 44/32/22 (NOS)
Chainring bolts:
Bottom Bracket: Shimano
Pedals: Whatever is on at time.
Hub Skewers: Ringle
Rims: ARAYA RM-20
Hubs: XTR M-900 (Front/Rear)
Nipples:
Spokes:
Tyres: Onza Agro 26 x 2.1
Tubes: Specialized....I think
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium
Seatpost: PUSH
Seatpost Binder: Proflex
Weight: Not weighed yet.
