What happened to Girvin/Pro-Flex?
I've been out of the bike loop for about 7 years (basically, while i was doing my Bachelors and Masters degrees). Originally from Vancouver, now living in New York. Anyway, i'm finally getting back into biking. I remember back in the day, i lusted after a Pro-Flex ride, or maybe just a Girvin Vector fork to put onto my StumpJumper.
I did a google this morning, and Pro-Flex and Girvin seem to have vanished.. Did they go bankrupt? I really liked the design and thinking behind the linkage Girvin Vector fork.. Thanks if anyone knows!! :) -robin |
Pro-Flex and Girvin couldn't keep up with the industry and tanked.
|
How do you mean couldn't keep up? Pricing? Suspension tech?
Going into a bike shop for the first time in 7 years, it's amazing how mountain bikes have changed. Back in the mid 90's, a high end mountain bike was an elegant looking thing, hardtail usually, with an ultralight frame, svelte looking parts, and a 2.7" travel fork. Now, high end mountain bikes look like motocross bikes! They are built like tanks.. are those 4" tires on there? :p It's going to take some getting used to. My old Tange Prestige Stumpjumper with the Softride stem is scared ;) |
Buddy of mine had a Proflex in the Army when we were stationed in Germany. He was constantly working on it--ordering parts he had broken, trying to pinpoint the numerous squeakings. Plus, his was all elastomer suspension, IIRC. Wore out quick. Lots of play in the linkage. It would've served him better on the wall as a conversation piece than on the trails. OTOH, I'm sure you could pick one up for cheap-if you can find one. Then, and now, I would recommend pretty much any other bike.
|
Interesting. I guess it was a good thing i didn't blow all my savings on one back then like i was thinking of doing!
|
Originally Posted by robo
Interesting. I guess it was a good thing i didn't blow all my savings on one back then like i was thinking of doing!
Yeah, this guy was the type that always jumps in with both feet, whether there's a river at the bottom of the cliff or nice sharp rocks. Pro-flex was so hyped up and so new that he had to have it. We were all awe-struck at first(having HT's only at that point), but the subsequent failings of the bike sobered us up. |
The Girvin fork was a pretty cool thing when it came out. This was before one-piece lower leg castings, and the Girvin was arguably much stiffer laterally than anything else on the market.
K2 bought Pro-Flex way back in the day, but didn't do much with the brand. You can still get Pro-Flex parts (usually the bumpers that crack) from K2. |
Girvin/Pro-Flex/Noleen was purchased by K2 back around 1996. They're still doing well for themselves. If you're interested, check out the K2+Pro-Flex Riders Group website. K2's bike website can be found at:
http://www.k2bikes.com/ Although the original poster probably created this thread as a result, for those that haven't seen it before... regarding the Girvin forks go, check out my recent post on the CrossLink forks. |
Originally Posted by robo
How do you mean couldn't keep up? Pricing? Suspension tech?
Going into a bike shop for the first time in 7 years, it's amazing how mountain bikes have changed. Back in the mid 90's, a high end mountain bike was an elegant looking thing, hardtail usually, with an ultralight frame, svelte looking parts, and a 2.7" travel fork. Now, high end mountain bikes look like motocross bikes! They are built like tanks.. are those 4" tires on there? :p It's going to take some getting used to. My old Tange Prestige Stumpjumper with the Softride stem is scared ;) Check out the Specialized Epic and S-Works and the Trek Fuel series and the Kona Kula Deluxe. Racing hard tails that look like you mentioned above. The Epic especially! |
I know this is an old thread but Ive just gotta say..I havent riden for a while due to several factors but I just took my trusting mtn bike out for a spin and I must say the Girvin Vector 2 is still one of the best forks ever!!! So stiff, light and great control and feel. If anyone knows of a place to get replacement elastomers please let me know. Mine are still fine but Im dreading the day they kick the bucket. Old school Mountain Cycle MOHO with Girvin Vector 2. This old bike is proving to still be da bomb.
|
Originally Posted by DRJ1971
I know this is an old thread but Ive just gotta say..I havent riden for a while due to several factors but I just took my trusting mtn bike out for a spin and I must say the Girvin Vector 2 is still one of the best forks ever!!! So stiff, light and great control and feel. If anyone knows of a place to get replacement elastomers please let me know. Mine are still fine but Im dreading the day they kick the bucket. Old school Mountain Cycle MOHO with Girvin Vector 2. This old bike is proving to still be da bomb.
|
Awesome avatar, robo.
|
They're still out there
Originally Posted by robo
(Post 1114759)
I've been out of the bike loop for about 7 years (basically, while i was doing my Bachelors and Masters degrees). Originally from Vancouver, now living in New York. Anyway, i'm finally getting back into biking. I remember back in the day, i lusted after a Pro-Flex ride, or maybe just a Girvin Vector fork to put onto my StumpJumper.
I did a google this morning, and Pro-Flex and Girvin seem to have vanished.. Did they go bankrupt? I really liked the design and thinking behind the linkage Girvin Vector fork.. Thanks if anyone knows!! :) -robin Andy |
Regarding Girvin Proflex
Originally Posted by robo
(Post 1114759)
I've been out of the bike loop for about 7 years (basically, while i was doing my Bachelors and Masters degrees). Originally from Vancouver, now living in New York. Anyway, i'm finally getting back into biking. I remember back in the day, i lusted after a Pro-Flex ride, or maybe just a Girvin Vector fork to put onto my StumpJumper.
I did a google this morning, and Pro-Flex and Girvin seem to have vanished.. Did they go bankrupt? I really liked the design and thinking behind the linkage Girvin Vector fork.. Thanks if anyone knows!! :) -robin |
Originally Posted by Tnishibori
(Post 21393940)
my uncle sold the company to k2 skis.
Maybe you uncle will get a kick out of seeing this “K2” ProFlex 4500 😉👍😎 |
I had a K2 Proflex 2000. I rode the thing for 10 years until the frame broke. That front end took a bigger hit pretty well but wasn't very supple. Ended up putting a Manitou fork on it and when the rear shock blew up (Noleen) I had a custom air shock made by Risse Racing. I had a lot of fun with it but it couldn't do what a modern bike can do on rough terrain.
|
Originally Posted by big john
(Post 21416861)
. I had a lot of fun with it but it couldn't do what a modern bike can do on rough terrain.
I had an 855, got it in '95, beat the crap out of that bike all over New Mexico, Colorado and back home in NY. It weighed 25.5 lbs, handled and rode great, even with a very rudimentary elastomer shock system with no real rebound control. Plus a wonky fork. I loved it. |
Originally Posted by Steve B.
(Post 21417290)
It was 20 years ago. That's forever in the mt. bike technology world.
I had an 855, got it in '95, beat the crap out of that bike all over New Mexico, Colorado and back home in NY. It weighed 25.5 lbs, handled and rode great, even with a very rudimentary elastomer shock system with no real rebound control. Plus a wonky fork. I loved it. |
I had the Noleen-equipped fork on a Mongoose FS and loved it. Lasted through many years of socal riding back in the mid-90's (or so).
|
I've just discovered this great fork because of a local pickup.
Mine is a 93 Kona Fire Mountain with the Girvin /Vector 2. I was told when I bought it, it was a prototype made by the inventor for Mountain Bike Magazine for a photo shoot. I'm currently rebuilding/restoring the whole bike and I have the elastomer on order. Almost done and it looks amazing. I can't wait to ride it. If anyone has the old issues and can find the original pics that would be awesome! Also mine has a serial number sticker on it. Is there a data base on these with the serial? https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a9867154b6.jpg |
Oh my...
:twitchy: |
Originally Posted by prj71
(Post 22169187)
Oh my...
:twitchy: Mind bottling isnt it |
Originally Posted by robo
(Post 1114759)
I've been out of the bike loop for about 7 years (basically, while i was doing my Bachelors and Masters degrees). Originally from Vancouver, now living in New York. Anyway, i'm finally getting back into biking. I remember back in the day, i lusted after a Pro-Flex ride, or maybe just a Girvin Vector fork to put onto my StumpJumper.
I did a google this morning, and Pro-Flex and Girvin seem to have vanished.. Did they go bankrupt? I really liked the design and thinking behind the linkage Girvin Vector fork.. Thanks if anyone knows!! :) -robin |
So I just got my new elastomers!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...63966d931.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f752f542a.jpeg |
I'm in the middle of rebuilding this 1995 855 Proflex. The elastomers were already gone so I ordered the replacement springs. This is a team bike from Team Rhino and a rider named Matt Quinn. Going to be a fun build.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7ec97bfc00.jpg |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:03 AM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.