Retro Full Suss - The good, the bad and the ugly?

[dyna-ti]

I had use of a B-17 many years ago,i found it very comfortable.But then i was riding totally rigid @ the time.
And i think the LTS or RTS would be nice to try

 

[legrandefromage]

First of the Marin mt. Visions was my all time favourite early suspension. Just watch for cracked swing arms.

 

[shovelon]

Second the Proflex. They seem to have a super long half life.

 

[dainesefreak]

Thanks chaps. I am going to use this thread for reference.

 

[bwhsh8r]

third on the proflex, got a 1997 p.flex 857 and i think i might like it more than my klein attitude.

 

[lewis1641]

Which retro suspension frames are best avoided for cross country riding? I have no experience of anything other than the rts. To me proflex really have the look of a frame that will bob all the time, am i right? I know about the trek 9000 but were there any other dogs? Were the kona sex frames good? Also iron horse/verlichi, were they down hill only?

 

[MJN]

There aren't many decent modern FS bikes,so there must be even fewer retro ones! :shock:

 

[dorsetbikeloving]

I know what you mean about the Proflex looking like it would bob but actually you are wrong, they do the complete opposite, they are very stiff and many world cup races were won on them, I think I might be right saying they were the most successful full suss bike used for xc ever. They really are very good bikes and with Girvins look the business.

 

[alex1981]

First of the Marin mt. Visions was my all time favourite early suspension. Just watch for cracked swing arms.

I have to agree. I think Marin had it just right with the Mount Visions - they are not too heavy, look quite funky IMHO and they certainly don't suffer from the bobbing as many FRS bikes do - the gemoetry is good. It's always funny to see someone on an expensive FRS bike and wathcing them go boing boing boing as they try to get up an incline!

I had a Mount Vision Pro in 1997, had it resprayed in a different green, top spec etc, loved it to bits. Would take a good bashing too - although I have to admit I did crack 2 rear swingarms. The third swingarm lasted though - I was told by the bike shop that the later released ones were slightly better made than the first ones - who knows weather that was true or not but to their word, it didn't break. I have seen swingarms come up on ebay though so not the biggest issue in the world.

 

[MJN]

I know what you mean about the Proflex looking like it would bob but actually you are wrong, they do the complete opposite, they are very stiff and many world cup races were won on them, I think I might be right saying they were the most successful full suss bike used for xc ever. They really are very good bikes and with Girvins look the business.

Did you ever try one of the teams bikes? They didn't bob,granted,but they didn't actually move either!
Saying that they aren't bad bikes by any means