Submitted by
Kevin Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Viginia Beach, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2003
Strengths: Beautiful welds, light weight and stiff. Risse shock on back won't brake like original Noleen. Handles like a hardtail on the technical stuff and climbs. Barrels down hills with confidence.
Weaknesses: Paint chips easily. Pivots squeak if poorly maintained. Rear V-Brake noodle rubs heel unless housing is zip-tied to shifter housing behind BB.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks!!! Despite its long chainstay (17"), it handles the tight technical rocky singletrack like a quality hardtail. It climbes like a mountain goat. It decends like a dream. Headtube/seattube angles when SEATED with proper sag are 71/73...SWEET!!! The Judy XC and Risse work perfectly together and don't leak or break like the Noleens. If you are looking for the prefect light weight XC rig (25.2 lbs as I set her up) then this is the bike for you!!! If you are looking for a downhill rig, this is NOT the bike for you. She's too light for serious down-hilling and only has 3" of travel. By the way, as per one negative review, how DOES one get chainsuck from an elevated chainstay that is nowhere near the front chainrings?...Just wondering. Keep riding!!! And respect the trails and other users!
Bike Setup: Full custom parts group chosen after years of riding and racing (since the mid 80s). Judy XC up front tuned with Wings kit for my 230lb clydesdale weight. Risse Racing shock in back with 250psi for the same reason.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James Clark
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2001
Strengths: Has a good stylish look that has/will keep up with more modern steeds. Relatively light frame that will support most upgrade requirments.
Weaknesses: Too much flex in the rear!
Bottom Line:
Good I love this bike. My first full bouncey rig, that I keep going back to again and again and agian! Best ride I've ever had....well, not quite the best if you know what I mean.
Similar Products Used: GT LTS1000, Giant MCM, Raven 2000
Bike Setup: Hanebrink XCR's, Noleen rear, Middleburn RS7's, Hope wheels and discs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kareem James
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001
Strengths: Zero-maintenance shocks, under 28lbs, SMOOTH ride, incredible climber, & Style. Ahead of its time.
Weaknesses: They don't make them anymore, though K2 rep assured me they will readily honor the warranty on the frame. The wheelset is a bit light considering the frame is equipped for some big hits.
Bottom Line:
This is the most incredible bike I've ever owned, blew away the competition when it came out, still keeps up.
Soaks up all the bumps except during 30+MPH descents, and I'm 210 lbs.
Climbs like a goat in or out of the saddle.
Keeps up with new & way pricier rides.
Naked Easton carbon swingarm and EVO styling turns heads.
If you can find one in great shape with the way better NR-4 shock, get it you'll be happy.
Strengths: (saracen Havoc DH 2000) a good looking bike with some excellent components. for instance the stem and riser bars are very good, made by kore. good brakes and very good rigida wheels.
Weaknesses: its weight, the gears could be better (the front deraileur is naf!!)
Bottom Line:
a very attractive looking bike with a good long travel fork and bouncy springy rear shock. excellent brakes. a bike which is very attractive to teenagers because it looks so good. i am very pleased with my bike and would deffinitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality, long travel downhill bike for a low price (as prices go). not the kind of bike for someone who is looking for a bike that they can use for nipping around town or to the shop quickly, as with its suspension slows you down a bit, a hardtail would be better for that. this bike is for offroaders who like to test their skills on the hills. i am would be very reluctant to sell mine.
Strengths: First real mountain bike so it was and still is awsome
Weaknesses: rear flex, o well
Bottom Line:
sweet bike but i am beating it to death downhilling but i will probably end up getting something like a new Santa Cruz Bullit and just transfer the 857 to XC. i broke the shock's main cylinder rod but under inspection we found out it was bad from the factory floor. got it replaced and overhighted to me for free. thanks Mr. Girvin
Similar Products Used: most other K2 and Pro-Flex models
Bike Setup: manitou XVert R and XT kit
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott V
a Downhiller
from Forres, Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999
Strengths: Cheapish, Very light weight (4lbs) inc Shock
Weaknesses: Carbon Fibre rear end - very flexy, constant shock problems (NR2)
Bottom Line:
Nice frame for XC whippets if your wanting to take big and small hits if you can stand the constant shock faults, not a frame to be taken down a hill at warp speeds.
Does anybody have any suggestions on where to find a good/economical replacement for the Noleen NR-2 that was formerly on my ProFlex? Also wondering what would be a good replaceme Read More »
Does anybody have any ideas/pics/specs for building a rear shock adaptor for a Proflex 857? I broke the old Noleen NR2 in half and want to replace it with a Manitou or Fox. Only Read More »
I have a Proflex 857, yes i know its old but still rides great.
I want to know what the largest chainring i can fit onto this bike.
And does any standard 4 bolt ring fit on it?
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hey everyone,
i've been riding for some time now, took some time off when we had a kiddo, and now have recently moved next to some [URL="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/ Read More »
