Forgot to post this on this thread. Finished this 1990 with Futureshock last week.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d5b5c6e7_b.jpg
DSC_2020 by 2cam16, on Flickr

I bought my '88 Rockhopper back in '90 or '91. Recently installed new grips, tires, pedals and saddle. Everything else is original equipment. Still rides great and it's perfect for buzzing around town on the street, or riding on one of the many gravel trails in the area.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a64392d2e.jpg

when did they switch from the level top tube to the angled?

Pretty Purple Princess Penelope (lol) is still a work in progress, but she's a different bike from the one I picked up in March.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3255fd9344.jpg

And then this happened. Still dialing in the stem height before shortening the cables.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...41963e93c3.jpg

Actually, U brakes are awesome. They have far more stopping power than a cantilever brake and they look cool. The only drawback, which is ridiculous, is that they can get gummed up with mud in the most extreme conditions. Who rides these bikes in thick mud? You shouldn't ride any bike in those conditions because you will ruin the trail. They were only spec'd on bikes for a couple years, so they are somewhat rare. I love them on my 1988 Stumpy.

My '93 Rockhopper is still doing what is was made to do, kicking butt on the trails. Here it is in full bikepacking mode.

I did finally replace the cantilevers with v-brakes this summer, to give myself some easier stopping power under loaded conditions, and to make room around the upper fork for my bags. I also added the front rack and basket, which has worked out very well. All in all, this is a spectacular bike for bikepacking. Reasonably light, even by today's standards, with just enough flex to be comfortable on bumpy trails. It takes 2.3" tires with plenty of room to spare.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...accc90cf99.jpg

I keep reading about how mountain bikes have changed so much that older ones aren't useful, but comparing a new one with mine I don't see much difference. The head of the frame is a little higher to clear the taller tires and maybe more travel in the suspension but the stem on mine is higher so the bars are about the same height. Seems like I could just upgrade brakes and such and have the same thing.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b4b2636d67.png

^^^^^^ +1; and your vintage bike has the advantage of being much easier on the eyes. Another member recently described the profile of a modern MTB frame as resembling a dog taking a dump.

I'm thinking of getting one of these https://www.dimensionbikeproducts.co...teerer_adaptor
and then a shorter stem to pull the bars back a bit. Notice how mine are a bit further forward.

^^^^^^ Or just find a shorter-reach quill stem. Is there a bike co-op near you? They probably have buckets of them.

one more peop' loving that color! what size is your hopper? 18"? also, what is the headset size? is that stem stock or aftermarket? i'm very curious about it....needing something similar myself

Here's my RockHopper literally saved from the dump. Guy had it locket to an old metal shelving unit at the curb next to my BinL's place. I asked the guy if the bike was out for garbage. He said yes. I took the bike next door to my BinL's and used a Dremel rotary disc to cut off the U-lock. That took two minutes.

Here's the bike as I got it.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dd3b04eeeb.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9298f77318.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...41def1a7b5.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a74b251d6e.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...070f034434.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e521f1c0f.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7d68552cf.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3fde87a349.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fc780b035d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...94314cabd7.jpg

I believe it's a 20" frame. The dimensions of the inside triangle, measured from the center of the tubes is 23"x19"x25". I just happened to measure it a couple days ago, while researching full frame bags.

It's an aftermarket stem. I needed the handlebars up further than the minimum insertion line of the original quill stem, so I bought an Origin8 Pro Fit ATB Stem. Works great, and fits a more modern handlebar with a clamp diameter of 31.8mm. Gives me tons of handlebar options. I regularly switch between an inexpensive flat bar when I run a handlebar bag for bikepacking, and a Sunlite riser bar for everything else. The Sunlite is a fantastic bar for the price. A nice amount of rise, some extra sweep back for comfort, and it seems to be pretty strong for its weight. The Origin 8 stem/ Sunlite riser bar is a killer combo.

Are those just regular dry bags on the fork? How do you keep them from spinning?

thanks for all the detail! you have nice arrangement, for sure. i'll have to see if origin8 has something in 1 1/8, though :ride:

So do you swap the shifters and brake levers between bars, or do you keep a set on each and just swap cables?

I use longer than normal shifter and brake cables. This allows me to just slide the grips and integrated shifters/brake levers right off the handlebar, switch bars, and slide everything right back on again. The whole affair takes about 60 seconds. The longer cables also help the shifters and brakes to work better when a heavy bikepacking handlebar bag is pressing against them. Lots of wiggle room. Playing around with my Jones loop bar also requires very long cables, due to the extreme width of the bar.

The dry bags are attached to Blackburn Outpost Cargo cages, that have been electrical taped to the fork.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...80c0d54eff.jpg

I like your style.

Holey carp that's a stylin' bike! I love the bright yellow accents. You do her designers proud. Could you tell us about some of the places you two have been?

Is that basket mounted on a front rack? This is a cool bike for sure.

Yep. The Wald 137 basket is zip tied to a Sunlite Goldtec front rack via the canti bosses and mounting hole in the fork crown.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...695793b25e.jpg

this monstrosity

Ride it like you stole it!!!

1993 Expert.
all original except the set of wheels.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b1b8c5979.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c49a8924de.jpg