Buglady

Hi all, I figured this was the place to ask... my boyfriend has an old mountain bike (early 90s) in the basement that he would like to get rideable again. I think his train of thought is it was a really expensive bike once, so he doesn't want to waste money on a new one. I have my doubts because of the age of the bike and its current sad state!

It is a Proflex 750 with the weirdest rear suspension I've ever seen - it's an articulated fork that comes off the frame under the seat. It has some flex but I'm not sure if it's supposed to have more; the rubber bits around the flex point are looking dull and may be perished. The tires are likely a dead loss - they've been completely flat for years and I suspect the sidewalls are shot. Gearing is 21 speeds, Suntour derailleur. The brakes are the pinch kind (don't know what that's called) and the cables are exposed, which seems really odd to me. The chain is currently stuck on the rear wheel - I can't tell if the chain is jammed, but the wheel won't move in either direction so I am rather suspecting that the bearings are shot.

Neither The Boy nor I are bike mechanics, so we'd have to pay the LBS to fix this thing up. Is it worth it, or should we start looking for a newer bike for him and pass the Proflex along to someone who has the inclination and expertise to fix it for themselves?

Thanks!

swen0171 

Sounds to me like this is the time for both of you to learn a lot about fixing up bikes! A good bike book and an inexpensive set of tools (REI has a nice set, so do most larger LBS) will pay themselves back in no time. Other than the weird suspension stuff, which could need specific parts/overhaul, most everything that goes wrong with a bike from sitting can be fixed by taking everything apart, and re-lubing, new bearings, and putting it back together. The suspension on those bikes was pretty simple if I remember right and I definitely think a re-furbished pro-flex would be a fun and cool retro bike for both the trail and the coffee shop.
Just my two cents!

bsyptak

I'd get an honest assessment from either the shop or someone you know that knows about bikes. If it was in great shape besides the tires, might be worth it. But contemporary used bikes go for little and will be much better. Suspension technology these days is light years ahead of your bike.

You might try asking here, proflex only: https://idriders.com/proflex/

tellyho

Those old Proflexes are sweet. From what I've heard, the elastomer (rubber thingy) bits cannot be found these days. I think some have replaced the whole unit with a more modern shock, but I could be mistaken. Front fork should be a Girvin, which is also interesting, if heavy. If you get bitten by the bike bug, you'd have fun fixing it up. I suspect the LBS route will be more than you want to pay.

If you go the "buy a new bike" route, I'd definitely be interested in the Proflex.

alicestrong

This company makes parts especially for old Proflex bikes

https://www.rapiddescentscotland.co.uk/

but another solution is offered by a BF member...

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=proflex

ilikebikes

Send some pics!! Those are really cool bikes! Those "Rubber type" shocks can still be found if you look for them, but Id replace them with modern shocks as they really werent that good to begin with, they actually melt!? can you beelive that!? Ive seen those bikes, just rarely mind you, fixed up, one orig, and a few others updated with modern parts, either way they were all SWEET to look at and even more of a pleasure to ride! Heres are some pics I took of my ProFlex today