proflex beast 1997 how big is too big?
- Thread starter clockworkgazz
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Keep both, but I voted for the beast to go, I prefer the 656 any day. And indeed, much of that is about the shiny Vectors, which would look(fit) out of place on the Beast imho.
My first full sus bike was a Pro-Flex Beast GDT, loved it to bits. It took minutes off my personal best over my local trail the second time out. Mine was an earlier model though, green to blue fade with yellow accents, with the shorter swingarm, the pivot behind/above the BB. The swingarm was polished aluminium matching the shiny Vectors up front, ace. Later I part ex'd the Beast for an early Santa Cruz Heckler custsom build which I ride still.
very nice 656,
Enjoy!!
My first full sus bike was a Pro-Flex Beast GDT, loved it to bits. It took minutes off my personal best over my local trail the second time out. Mine was an earlier model though, green to blue fade with yellow accents, with the shorter swingarm, the pivot behind/above the BB. The swingarm was polished aluminium matching the shiny Vectors up front, ace. Later I part ex'd the Beast for an early Santa Cruz Heckler custsom build which I ride still.
very nice 656,
Enjoy!!
That's the one, Thanks Orange71!
My bike had amber wall Onza Honch & Aggro tires. Stock were the full amber Tioga Psycho's but I built mine from a (used) frameset. Just realised I actually don't have a single picture of it.
I hope this is not a thread hijack.
Enjoy!!
My bike had amber wall Onza Honch & Aggro tires. Stock were the full amber Tioga Psycho's but I built mine from a (used) frameset. Just realised I actually don't have a single picture of it.
I hope this is not a thread hijack.
Enjoy!!
shovelon
Senior Retro Guru
I owned a 97 beast and it was amazing. Sold it for a good return.
A bit on the heavy side, the travel made up for it. The shortcoming for a while was the front fork. Once I learned to do a quick regrease every month, the bike was the most comfortable and reliable of any of my bikes. The key is release the brake pods, compress one leg at a time with preload to loosen the screws, remove legs, and unclip damping struts. Wipe grease onto dampers and bushes, and reassemble. Usually took me about 15 minutes, but buttery smooth.
A word to the wise, change out the plastic hydro crossover lines with braided, one kick with a shoe and breakage. Follow the easy swingarm bearing proceedure on the IDRIDERS Proflex site once a year, and you have it.
The beast was built to take a beating, and can handle 5 inch sliders with ease. There are a few more options for rear shocks as well, like the Risse Air shock, or adapting the latest SPV air shocks to the strut. You are very much limited with the 656.
I always liked the look of the beast and may pick up another for collecting.
Terry
A bit on the heavy side, the travel made up for it. The shortcoming for a while was the front fork. Once I learned to do a quick regrease every month, the bike was the most comfortable and reliable of any of my bikes. The key is release the brake pods, compress one leg at a time with preload to loosen the screws, remove legs, and unclip damping struts. Wipe grease onto dampers and bushes, and reassemble. Usually took me about 15 minutes, but buttery smooth.
A word to the wise, change out the plastic hydro crossover lines with braided, one kick with a shoe and breakage. Follow the easy swingarm bearing proceedure on the IDRIDERS Proflex site once a year, and you have it.
The beast was built to take a beating, and can handle 5 inch sliders with ease. There are a few more options for rear shocks as well, like the Risse Air shock, or adapting the latest SPV air shocks to the strut. You are very much limited with the 656.
I always liked the look of the beast and may pick up another for collecting.
Terry
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loved all the comments lads and will answer them in due course.
Have now got the beast at home and the bike is way better than I had hoped. Almost new condiition, would guess that it had only been riden a handfull of times and then placed in the garage for the last 8 years :shock:
The ride is very comfy with loads of travel front and back so will make great weather of those rocky downhill sections albeit climbing back up will be less fun I'm sure. :roll:
Only problem is it is a large size, think that equates to about 20-21 inch. I'm 5 foot 10 1/2 and have always rode 18 inch frames and thou it feels big, I feel I could ride this bike once I get used to it.
Am I just kidding myself so that I can keep it? The 656 looks better IMHO but would love to take the beast offroad more I think. Does anyone else manage a 21 inch frame at my height or should I let it go and look for a medium frame?
And one last question if I was to sell it would £250 be asking to much?
Cheers
G
Have now got the beast at home and the bike is way better than I had hoped. Almost new condiition, would guess that it had only been riden a handfull of times and then placed in the garage for the last 8 years :shock:
The ride is very comfy with loads of travel front and back so will make great weather of those rocky downhill sections albeit climbing back up will be less fun I'm sure. :roll:
Only problem is it is a large size, think that equates to about 20-21 inch. I'm 5 foot 10 1/2 and have always rode 18 inch frames and thou it feels big, I feel I could ride this bike once I get used to it.
Am I just kidding myself so that I can keep it? The 656 looks better IMHO but would love to take the beast offroad more I think. Does anyone else manage a 21 inch frame at my height or should I let it go and look for a medium frame?
And one last question if I was to sell it would £250 be asking to much?
Cheers
G
There was little if any difference between the seat tube heights on a medium and a large, it was top tube length that differed. Get a shortish seatpost and a shorter stem and you'll be fine perhaps?
£250, hmm, don't think you'd get that, though you never know. I've seen them go for as little as £100. I've never paid that much put it that way and I've had 3 or 4 now similar. Try it though. See what nibbles you get.
£250, hmm, don't think you'd get that, though you never know. I've seen them go for as little as £100. I've never paid that much put it that way and I've had 3 or 4 now similar. Try it though. See what nibbles you get.
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Thanks orange71, will try the seat post idea as I think the reach is fine. Contray to the poll, I would love to keep the beast but a trip to carron valley will make my mind up. The vectors on the 656 do look cool and the beast does look a bit modern I know but have become a bit of a suspension convert of late and would like to see if I can get that wee bit faster.
Still have the rigid clockwork for the less bumpy trails, may even take it to Glen tress in june
Yeah may have been a bit optamistic on the price front but given the condition of the bike I thought it could comand a higher than norm. price :?: Think splitting the frame might even be the better option.
Here is a picture pre-clean and service, only bad things to note are the forks rubber covers have split and there is one scratch which can be fixed no bother.
Still have the rigid clockwork for the less bumpy trails, may even take it to Glen tress in june
Yeah may have been a bit optamistic on the price front but given the condition of the bike I thought it could comand a higher than norm. price :?: Think splitting the frame might even be the better option.
Here is a picture pre-clean and service, only bad things to note are the forks rubber covers have split and there is one scratch which can be fixed no bother.
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