Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Early 90s Specialized Hardrock

I know the newer ones are the cat's meow, but I have a chance to pick two complete bikes for $200. One is a singlespeed conversion that is very nicely done and comes with the original crank and derailuer and cassette. Second one is a complete one also, 18 speed. Both are hardtails and no front shocks. One is a nice darkish grey and the other is a darkish red. No signs of rust or bent frames. Both have a few scratches, but nothing that you wouldn't except from a 15ish year old bike. Tires look new, one had new tires put on it last year.

Both are garage kept and were ridden by guys in their late 30s, like me. Both owners have kept them due to they were their first bike and know have newer bikes. Both rode great and are realy for singletrack or runs to the five and dime.

So, how are they for my Clyde size? Since I'm going to be off the bike for the next month and a half (three days bike free and its killing me!) I was thinking these would be a great clean up project for me to keep me busy, even though both bikes are in great shape and no rust or other signs of damage. I might even turn one into an Xtracycle instead of buying the Mundo or UTE. One is going to be my front line bike, the red one, for sure. I might just leace the grey one set up as a single speed and hook the Young Prince's tag a long bike on it.

A co worker is going to buy my GT Nomad and its setup. I should ave enough from that sale to cover the bikes, LBS labor of a tune up and cable replacement, and even new city slicker tires.

Jerry

Specialized bikes from that era are pretty tough. A buddy of mine purchased a new Stumpjumper back then, and he's done 1k+ miles on it every year since. Granted he's about 50 pounds short of Clyde status, but that bike made a believer out of me.

For $200, if the bikes are in as good of condition as you say they are, I don't see how you can pass that deal up. If they fit, buy 'em.

-DR

I started riding my Hardrock (similar to the ones you looked at only 21 speed)at 390 lbs.
It's still going strong now at 360.
Get some higher pressure slicks and ride baby ride!

If they fit, sounds like a screaming 2 fer 1 deal.

Agreed, and you'll need to keep the one converted.....ss is fun! :D You'll love the simplicity. I hope it's also a fixed. :D

Jerry, My riding buddy in Carterville has a Hardrock from the early 90's and he still rides it daily from Carterville to Carbondale and back (22 mile commute).

He and I went to TSALI and he took that bike. The only problem I saw with it was when I would switch helmets with him so that he could film me, the lack of suspension was noticeable.

Good Luck

Jay

Sorry Tom, but its a SS, I like to coast know and then. I'm keeping SS, I plan on using it for around town and on some of the local dirt tracks the kids have built. Should be great for a winter bike in the snow/sleet. Not new to ss/fg, but I "promise" to have a flip flop wheel built when this one goes. But the FG would help with my recover and as a good workout/physical theraphy bike. Hmm.......

They are the 19" frame and fit me great. I found out the 18" fits my height, but I'm longer in the torso and need the extra lenght to not feel so cramped even riding upright. I found them on the St Louis Craigslist when I was looking for a replacement/project bike to get me through this downtime with the broken foot and all. Seemed that both owners (who are located five minutes from my dr office in St Louis) didn't even have any calls before me. One bike, the pretty red one, has been on the list for a month. They had $135 on both of them, but I had them talked down to $100 by the time I got off the phone.

Jerry

Excellent, snarfle them up fast!

Jay

They don't have any shocks, but then I can pick up a nice suspension seat post for $45 from Doug at C'dale Cycle, so I might do that for my main commuter/rider.

I really like the cleaner lines of thses older Hardrocks. I just haven't been able to find anyone who still rides the older ones!

Besides the little dirt tracks I can ride to, I really doubt I go off the rode with these bikes. They mostly going to replace my Nomad Hybrid and any commutes around to the nearby towns/parks. And there is that "need" for me to have an Xtracycle or cargo bike. The Nomad was going to cost more to convert. So I might actually save some money with the Hardrock and Free Radical kit over the UTE or MUNDO. I would rather have a one frame cargo bike, but I might take some money and start a saving fund for a Big Dummy.

Jerry

I have an early chromoly Hardrock that was my first SS conversion. I love it escept there isn't room for fat tires. 2.0 is about it in the back maybe 2.25 up front. I was getting a lot of pinch flats compared to my schwinn with 2.4's and now my Monocog with a 2.55 and 2.3.

I doubt I go over 2" with the tires. Its 99% for the road and some dirt single track.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

Jerry

I had a Specialized StreetStomper...which was a class down from the Hardrock (or maybe RockHopper as I don;t know when the Hardrock first came out), I think. Almost a hybrid type bike for that era (Late 80ies) and I rode the heck out of that thing. I put fatboy slicks on it and even did a century on it. Granted, I was 'only' low 200's at my highest at that time but it was a sturdy bike.

I imagine the HardRock from a few years later is even better.

BTW: I'd jump on that deal for sure. I may end up getting that era bike again and slapping a pair of fatboys on it again instead of buying a flat bar road bike.