Got a new (to me) bike yesterday- bye-bye walmart bike...
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Got a new (to me) bike yesterday- bye-bye walmart bike...
I found a Specialized RockHopper large frame bike in the paper for $100. I checked it out and it has Shimano Deore derailers, and is a very nice bike. I'm 6'2" so a large frame was a must. Heck, this thing is almost TOO big... almost
I broughtit home and started cleaning it up a bit, and I think the rear wheel may need to be trued. Its got a VERY slight left/right wobble near the seam of the wheel. The bike is otherwise perfect! Its older, a 1992 and so is a rigid frame- exactly what I've been wanting.
Of course, I couldn't ride it to work today, its raining too hard and I'm not ready for a rainy commute... yet
Take care and thanks for everyones help this forum has given.
I broughtit home and started cleaning it up a bit, and I think the rear wheel may need to be trued. Its got a VERY slight left/right wobble near the seam of the wheel. The bike is otherwise perfect! Its older, a 1992 and so is a rigid frame- exactly what I've been wanting.
Of course, I couldn't ride it to work today, its raining too hard and I'm not ready for a rainy commute... yet
Take care and thanks for everyones help this forum has given.
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Congrats on the bike purchase!
Pics?
Pics?
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OK here's pix of my bike. I expect to change the handlebar and shifters this winter, and if I get really anal I'll strip the paint and powder coat it I still have to put my bike computer and slick tires on it, I'll likely work on that tonight though.
Last edited by rykoala; 06-09-04 at 04:07 PM.
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Originally Posted by jkittlesen
You must be in Tx,it has been raining here for days!
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Wow, that's a tall bike. Makes the wheels look small, like they're 24"-ers or something.
Crackin' good shape that bike's in, for 12 years old.
Crackin' good shape that bike's in, for 12 years old.
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Yowza! That's a big bike. Check out the stem and handlebars too. I would say the bike is older than 1992. Those under-seatstay U-brakes went out of fashion sometime in 1990. Specialized only used them between 1987 and 1989. That and it looks like the chainrings are Biopace rings which Specialized also abandoned by 1990. I'm going to guess the bike is more like 1988 or 1989 model. It looks in really good shape though.
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Right on, right on. Yeah its a biggy. Then again, so am I at 6'2" and 300lbs
Thanks for the dating info! I don't really care what year it is. Its in great shape and thats what I wanted. Did I pay a good price for it, or is it high for a 15 year old bike? Just curious. I'm happy with the purchase, which is what counts really
Thanks for the dating info! I don't really care what year it is. Its in great shape and thats what I wanted. Did I pay a good price for it, or is it high for a 15 year old bike? Just curious. I'm happy with the purchase, which is what counts really
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Originally Posted by rykoala
Thanks for the dating info! I don't really care what year it is. Its in great shape and thats what I wanted. Did I pay a good price for it, or is it high for a 15 year old bike? Just curious. I'm happy with the purchase, which is what counts really
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Originally Posted by rykoala
Did I pay a good price for it, or is it high for a 15 year old bike? Just curious. I'm happy with the purchase, which is what counts really
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Rock on! I bought my road bike used, and it is in excellent shape. I have put about 800 miles on it with no problem. Very dependable. Best -
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Thanks guys! I feel great about the bike. I rode it home 6mi from work to home and it was GREAT. Can't wait to get a rack on the back and some saddlebags, and street tires. Gotta work on it when I get some time!
Yeah its got biopace rings. What are those? I don't know the difference really. I had another bike with those and didn't know the difference.
Yeah its got biopace rings. What are those? I don't know the difference really. I had another bike with those and didn't know the difference.
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Originally Posted by khuon
It might have been a high price but if the frame and components are in as excellent a condition as they seem to be (that saddle looks much newer than 1989) then I think you got a good deal. It's really hard to find high-quality steel MTB frames these days. The Rockhoppers back then were made with either Tange Prestige or Tange DB cro-mo which are very good steel tubesets.
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Great to know about the saddle. Thanks!
I forgot to mention: I rode it home from work today and it was GREAT. I loved it. I rides nice and tall and I can actually pedal without squishing my legs up, since it is the right size for me.
I forgot to mention: I rode it home from work today and it was GREAT. I loved it. I rides nice and tall and I can actually pedal without squishing my legs up, since it is the right size for me.
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Originally Posted by rykoala
Yeah its got biopace rings. What are those? I don't know the difference really. I had another bike with those and didn't know the difference.
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Gotcha. Should I be into replacing the chainrings with 'standard' chain rings or is this something that goes all the way down to the BB?
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Originally Posted by rykoala
Gotcha. Should I be into replacing the chainrings with 'standard' chain rings or is this something that goes all the way down to the BB?
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Ditto on the biopace. My winter commuter has biopace rings (second set, actually). All of my other bikes (Cannondale Al road bike, Mongoose comfort folder, Rans semi-'bent, Schwinn hybrid tandem, Robin Hood 3-speed, etc.) have round chainrings. I sometimes spin fast, I sometimes spin slow. The biopace rings have never given my knees any trouble. YMMV, of course. Try 'em for a while. If they don't give you any grief, leave 'em on. It'll help retain the originality of the bike.
Strip the paint? Why? Yeah, they're low-res pics, but the finish looks pretty good.
Strip the paint? Why? Yeah, they're low-res pics, but the finish looks pretty good.
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I would second the suggestion to keep the original paintjob if it's in good condition. And speaking of condition, another thing struck me... It looks like the bike was hardly used or at least not used much offroad given that the "dork-disc" is still attached. Usually those things crack and fall off after only a few hours of serious riding. You might want to check the chain anyways and replace it even if there's a little doubt just to preserve the rest of the drivetrain. A SRAM 7sp. chain should be pretty cheap.
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Originally Posted by madpogue
Strip the paint? Why? Yeah, they're low-res pics, but the finish looks pretty good.
Last edited by rykoala; 06-11-04 at 01:23 PM.
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Originally Posted by khuon
I would second the suggestion to keep the original paintjob if it's in good condition. And speaking of condition, another thing struck me... It looks like the bike was hardly used or at least not used much offroad given that the "dork-disc" is still attached. Usually those things crack and fall off after only a few hours of serious riding. You might want to check the chain anyways and replace it even if there's a little doubt just to preserve the rest of the drivetrain. A SRAM 7sp. chain should be pretty cheap.
It looks like it has plenty of road miles, and has been crashed once or twice (or more) but mostly I think its just wear and tear that has worn down the finish. There's enough bare metal spots to concern me enough to spot paint for now, and do a complete refinish this winter.
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When you said you checked the chain, did you check it with a chain gauge or a ruler? You can't tell by looking... chains stretch over time and have to be replaced at a certain point...
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I checked it according to the Richards manual. Says to put it on the biggest chainring and pull the chain. If you can see a tooth in full, its wore out. Its not.
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I dont really trust that method 100%... either measure it or check it with a chain guage I would say. I'd be surprised if a bike that old had a good chain still!