Mountain Biking - Older Proflex Frames, What to do?

Hi guys, I recently got 2 proflex frames, one is a 750 offroad, the other is a 97 animal.

What would be the best way to fix the rear shock. I don't want to get a noleen, and I'd rather change it to spring damper instead of elastomer.

Anyone done something similar?

If you're going to avoid the elastomers (junk and super old tech) then a replacement Noleen or Risse shock is your only choice as I see it, especially for older ProFlex/K2/Girvin forks/frames.

NoleenJ6 has replacement shocks for just under $200. The Risse shocks are a bit more. You might be lucky if you peruse ebay for a shock.

has anyone ever put some kind of coil spring on there with a way to dampen it?

You mean a coil shock?

Seriously, you are lucky that the two outfits c_s listed have anything, much less any alternatives. The shock mounts for those K2 frames were so proprietary that you would be in for a lot of garage-fab cobbling to adapt anything else to substitute.

The rear on your '97 Animal looks like this, right?

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb1649043/p4pb1649043.jpg

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb1649042/p4pb1649042.jpg

. . . and your 750 is like this? - -

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/1092/proflex2.jpg

I'd say your options are slim.

Ya i know, if anything i would combine the two bikes to make one. Since Only the animal had components.

If someone has specifications on the length of the elastomer rod and attachment things for the animal, the previous owner took the rod out when the elastomers melted.

I might just do the innertube wrapped around and then zip tied, but was wondering if there is a way to wrap the innertubes on the outside of a coil spring to dampen the spring at least a little.

You could ziptie a sponge to it. That would dampen it.

You could ziptie a sponge to it. That would dampen it.

don't know if serious or....

aw crap nevermind

If someone has specifications on the length of the elastomer rod and attachment things for the animal, the previous owner took the rod out when the elastomers melted.

I might just do the innertube wrapped around and then zip tied, but was wondering if there is a way to wrap the innertubes on the outside of a coil spring to dampen the spring at least a little.

Do a search for K2 forums, I seem to recall one that may have specs for the animal.

How is wrapping a shock spring going to perform a dampening function? That'll only serve as a cosmetic wrapping function. Sorry, gonna shoot down that idea. With a big fat 12 guage and blast of feathers in the aftermath.

An innertube wrapped around a coil spring is about as useful as a ziptied sponge (per cryptid01). Just aint gonna work. No way, no how...

As stated before, NoleenJ6...

I'm thinking of the aftermarket in replacement/rebuilt shocks when the 'baby boom' of suspension gets geriatric. We need to invent a sprung, dampened equivalent of Redi-Rod: y'know - - universal cut-to-length instant shock for your application, preferably made mostly with some miracle material that never needs servicing.

When it happens, remember that you read it here first way back in '11 ;).

I think they were touting microcellular elastomer in that way. LOL.

Get a bike that is less than 15 years old.

Get a bike that is less than 15 years old.

Wow, dude. I never questioned whether I should have gotten it. I have bikes that are all around my age, and have no problems with them. I am just trying to understand more about suspension technology and their changes over the years. Sorry it upset your way of thinking.

OP, you are certainly finding out about suspension technology and what has changed, especially what it has changed AWAY from!

Seriously, I hope you can find an inexpensive way to resurrect one of those bikes. But as others have indicated, it will be all uphill with little return. Good luck.

OP, you are certainly finding out about suspension technology and what has changed, especially what it has changed AWAY from!

Seriously, I hope you can find an inexpensive way to resurrect one of those bikes. But as others have indicated, it will be all uphill with little return. Good luck.

The rear on your '97 Animal looks like this, right?

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb1649043/p4pb1649043.jpg

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb1649042/p4pb1649042.jpg


Are those Hydraulic V/rim-Brakes on that Animal? Might just be the angle, but those things looks super odd.

EDIT: Just found a pair on wikipedia...... Never new they made hydraulic rim brakes, that is insanely awesome. I don't really see there being that much of an improvement over V-Brakes with them, but I've obviously never ridden them so I guess I can't judge. But that is awesome that someone did make them.

Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Magura_hydraulic_rim_brake.jpg) is the link to them on wikipidia.

Magura HS33 hydro rim brakes, they are still made. I have never ridden or seen them in a while. Used to see them on trials bikes, with a good coating of pine tar on the rims.

http://www.magura.com/typo3temp/pics/f6168e427f.jpg

Magura HS33 hydro rim brakes, they are still made. I have never ridden or seen them in a while. Used to see them on trials bikes, with a good coating of pine tar on the rims.

http://www.magura.com/typo3temp/pics/f6168e427f.jpg

I wonder how much of an improvement these really gave. I know with my old V-brakes, I could barely touch the lever without locking up the brakes, so it's not like they really need any more power in my opinion.

I wonder how much of an improvement these really gave.

A significant improvement.


I know with my old V-brakes, I could barely touch the lever without locking up the brakes, so it's not like they really need any more power in my opinion.

Maybe you just had shhitty tires.

Are those Hydraulic V/rim-Brakes on that Animal? Might just be the angle, but those things looks super odd.

EDIT: Just found a pair on wikipedia...... Never new they made hydraulic rim brakes, that is insanely awesome. I don't really see there being that much of an improvement over V-Brakes with them, but I've obviously never ridden them so I guess I can't judge. But that is awesome that someone did make them.

Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Magura_hydraulic_rim_brake.jpg) is the link to them on wikipidia.
they were prominent on the trials riding sceen even up to 2008 when i quit keeping track

Maybe you just had shhitty tires.

I don't run high end tires by any means, but they are fairly aggressive, and I've locked them up on blacktop, hard pack dirt, gravel, and loose pack dirt, been running the same model of tires for 8 years. Also, I run them at 40psi. I do want to get wider tires and know that will make a big difference. I've never been on a bike with V-Brakes that had a decent set of pads that I couldn't lock up the brakes at pretty much any speed, granted I will add that I am a heavy rock climber and have very strong hands, so that does make a difference.

Kenda K850's 26"X1.95"
http://www.avantiplus.com.au/images/products/KE030N810_zoom.jpg

I also have a Proflex Animal, my elastomers are still good BUT my rear swing arm broke...any ideas where i can find another one?

About those shox, here is a website that may help, http://www.risseracing.com/proflex.shtml

. . . and I've locked them up on blacktop, hard pack dirt, gravel, and loose pack dirt,Wow. Given that criteria, using just the hand brake on my old '59 Volkswagen should have made it a rally star :lol:.

NWuerff : I actually found another 656 which was complete and just needed new elastomers, I think I am go ing to go with the Risse Shocks as they are having a pretty good sale and If you buy both the front and rear at the same time they give you a good discount as well. That being said I would give/sell you the rear swingarm from my proflex. just some shipping and a little for my time.

Also the 656 has hydraulic rim brakes. i must say they feel nice.