1991 Proflex 950

[tom.]

I've just picked up a tiny (I'm guessing the smallest size they did - 15"?) 1991 Offroad/Proflex 950 as it was cheap on Facebook and I thought that I'd be able to get my money's worth from the bits on it.

I think that the spec is totally standard (rigid fork with a Flex stem, own branded seatpost, XT M732) although without seeing the catalogue I'm not sure if the rapidfire shifters are an upgrade. There are also some bar ends, although I've not taken the grips off to check what they are - they're the internal wedge type though, and probably a decent brand.

The condition of the bike is decent but not great - rear elastomers are not great (obviously), it's obviously spent some time at the bottom of a shed, and the front rim is obviously worn - but it's clearly not been thrashed. I understand that it was originally a rich gadget fan's, and the second owner only used it for occasional commuting, etc.

I'm now trying to work out what to do with it, to ensure that I don't have anything left lying around - I have a full enough parts bin already - without losing money on this. Should I split it or sell it complete? I was mainly interested in the M732, but if I'm honest my interest is really 1993 - 1996, so I'm equally happy to sell the whole thing (if the money's right) and just buy some M737 or M739 stuff as I am to sell the rolling chassis.

 

[was8v]

Theres not a big market for old pro flex.

There is a always a market for M732, although no one wants STI.

You will get more splitting it.

I may be interested in F&F for a kids bike build with 24" wheels.

 

[tom.]

Thanks, that's about what I thought the answer would be.

I'll need to strip it down then (which will probably be a job for next weekend), but I'll send you a PM about the F&F now.

 

[MR OX]

Re:

If they are St-m092 I might know a man for the sti's

 

[tom.]

Re:

I've just checked, they're ST-M091s.

The rest of the bike is a mix of M730 and M732. The rims seem pretty worn, which is weird as the Ritchey Megabyte 2.1s look almost new and the original XT brake pads are barely used.

The bars and bar ends are unbranded. The seatpost (a standard aluminium layback one) and saddle (Rolls style) are both Offroad branded. There is also an old Cateye computer.

I get that the is a market for the Shimano (if I choose to sell it) but what about the rest? I'm guessing the tyres might be of interest, but what about the rest - is there any market for that?

 

[Once A Hero]

Re:

Got any pics of the seat, seat post and handlebar?
I could be interested for my Proflex - would need to know seatpost diameter too.

 

[tom.]

Re: Re:

Got any pics of the seat, seat post and handlebar?
I could be interested for my Proflex - would need to know seatpost diameter too.

I've PM'd you.

 

[tom.]

For anyone's that interested, the frame is 16" CTC (about 18.5" CTT) with a 21" TT. The stem is 140mm.

I wouldn't want mega bucks for the F&F, stem, BB, seat collar so (subject to whether it's of interest to was8v) this might be a fun retro "pub bike" for a Proflex fan.

 

[tom.]

The wheels are Araya RM-17 (with a surprising amount of wear to the breaking surface, given that the pad look pretty much new) on XT hubs.

Assuming that I wouldn't use the hubs (because I'm a bit of a hope fanboy), should I just take the wheels apart to sell the hubs or are there fans of half worn RM-17s out there?

 

[tom.]

I've now taken everything off, had a go at cleaning off the grime (I think this bike saw a lot of 3-in-1) and had a look. The general theme is "marked from storage" - nothing major, but lots of little scuffs and some rust to the bolts. Not necessarily a "show bike" condition groupset, but decent given the age and (more importantly) it appears to be very low mileage.

The (mainly) Shimano bits that I need to make a keep or sell decision on are (see photo):

32H M732 14G hubs (not pictured). Front one has a very clean logo, but I appear to have removed most of the rear one while trying to clean the road grime off. Currenly on reasonably worn Araya RM-17 rims.

170mm M732 cranks with standard rings (I think I counted 46/34/24?).

BR-M732 calipers w/barely used XT pads.

XT pedals.

SH-M091 shifters/brakes (untested).

RD-M735 (28t capacity, 28t max) rear mech.

FD-M735 front mech.

1.37x24T bottom bracket. The bearing surfaces look great, although the seals feel a bit gritty - I think that this is probably from my degreasing attempts. I was thinking about pulling them out and cleaning then, but I wasn't sure how to do this without damaging the seals, so left it.

HG chain. Basically measured as new using my chain gauge - split it at the hollow pin. so ready to be rejoined or have a split link fitted.

12-28T HG cassette - looks barely used.

Proflex specific(?) rear mech guard.

Cateye CC-CL100 computer (untested as I don't have any CR2032 lying around, but there is no sign of battery leakage, etc).