Old Rockhoppers
#1
Wrench Savant
Thread Starter
Old Rockhoppers
When I worked in a bike shop in the mid to late ‘80s, my boss at the time had a Specialized Rockhopper which was several years old at the time. I remember it because it is the only one I have ever seen with Suntour derailuers, bull moose handlebars, and it was an odd dark blue.
In looking at what I believe to be the most complete historical resource on the subject:
https://www.firstflightbikes.com/specialized_specs.htm
I see that 1986 was the first model year for the Rockhopper and it does not match my description above. I have an ’86 red Rockhopper to boot.
Well, yesterday I rescued a Rockhopper from the trash heap that is identical to my old bosses; blue, bull moose bars, Suntour drivetrain, reasonably complete (except the pedals and seat). The specs match the 1985 Stumpjumper except the frame is not lugged (like the ’86 Rockhoppers). The steel sticker, though marred, is clearly not the same as the ’86 either.
Is it possible they rolled out some Rockhoppers out in ’85 before the ’86 model year???
In looking at what I believe to be the most complete historical resource on the subject:
https://www.firstflightbikes.com/specialized_specs.htm
I see that 1986 was the first model year for the Rockhopper and it does not match my description above. I have an ’86 red Rockhopper to boot.
Well, yesterday I rescued a Rockhopper from the trash heap that is identical to my old bosses; blue, bull moose bars, Suntour drivetrain, reasonably complete (except the pedals and seat). The specs match the 1985 Stumpjumper except the frame is not lugged (like the ’86 Rockhoppers). The steel sticker, though marred, is clearly not the same as the ’86 either.
Is it possible they rolled out some Rockhoppers out in ’85 before the ’86 model year???
#2
Senior Member
Rockhoppers were indeed available in 1985 and ithey were equipped with with SunTour Mountech derailleurs and bull moose bars, and the frames were lugless and blue. Serial number?
#3
I have an 85 Rockhopper. my first real mountain bike. All the prior bikes were homemade 5speed BMX bikes. I won the Rockhopper Race on it in 1986 I was the only one in my age group, but I won a 12 pack of beer for being the first finisher on a Rockhopper, unfortunately I was 11.
Anyway it's a sweet bike, nice find.
Anyway it's a sweet bike, nice find.
#5
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Bikes: 1 comfort bike, a 1988-ish Rockhopper Comp that I like a lot, and 1 1973 sears 10 speed that needs restored or a new home.And now a Trek 1000.
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Somebody say old RockHoppers!?
Here is mine. According you your chart, and mine being a RockHopper "Comp," it should be a 1988 model and DiNucci Green or White/Blue. Mine is a slate grey though. Hmm.
Last edited by knzn; 11-01-08 at 01:51 PM.
#6
Wrench Savant
Thread Starter
Ser# 5071585
G0385
Not sure what this means.
I can probably restore it with what I have except there is a fair amount of rust on the handle bars. I doubt that these are going to be easy to replace.
G0385
Not sure what this means.
I can probably restore it with what I have except there is a fair amount of rust on the handle bars. I doubt that these are going to be easy to replace.
#7
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I know I am going to get yelled at for this, but I have to say it:
Take that kickstand off that Rockhopper! Don't make the old girl wear that around town.
jim
Take that kickstand off that Rockhopper! Don't make the old girl wear that around town.
jim
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#8
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#9
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Here's an '86 Rockhopper I picked up last year. It was all original save for the saddle and wheelset.
#10
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#12
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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Bikes: 1 comfort bike, a 1988-ish Rockhopper Comp that I like a lot, and 1 1973 sears 10 speed that needs restored or a new home.And now a Trek 1000.
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#13
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Resurrecting the topic
Old steel S bikes are my absolute favorites to look at and ride. Here is mine, it looks to be a similar year to the last gray frame, Direct Drive Offroad tubing. Based on the parts and a "license registration" sticker on the seat tube that I've removed, it is a 1988-89. Only remaining parts are the stem and seatpost. This one was abandoned on the street with a rusted chain and some broken parts.
If anyone has more pics of steel Specialized mountain bikes, please post them up here! There needs to be more cataloging of these bikes on the web. Firstflightbikes is a good start for sure!
If anyone has more pics of steel Specialized mountain bikes, please post them up here! There needs to be more cataloging of these bikes on the web. Firstflightbikes is a good start for sure!
#14
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Here's mine, doing commute duty. I think it's an '89 or '90.
#15
Dolce far niente
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#16
Senior Member
Can anybody tell me what year this one is? I got it with the original components, hardly ridden, and made some minor mods to make it a commuter. I really like the ride - very well balanced and responsive.
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#18
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Old steel S bikes are my absolute favorites to look at and ride. Here is mine, it looks to be a similar year to the last gray frame, Direct Drive Offroad tubing. Based on the parts and a "license registration" sticker on the seat tube that I've removed, it is a 1988-89. Only remaining parts are the stem and seatpost. This one was abandoned on the street with a rusted chain and some broken parts.
If anyone has more pics of steel Specialized mountain bikes, please post them up here! There needs to be more cataloging of these bikes on the web. Firstflightbikes is a good start for sure!
If anyone has more pics of steel Specialized mountain bikes, please post them up here! There needs to be more cataloging of these bikes on the web. Firstflightbikes is a good start for sure!
My catalog from 1992 shows a Rockhopper Comp that looks exactly like your red one.
#19
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It looks like there might be some tiny writing after 'Rockhopper'. If it's a Rockhopper Expert, it's from 1993. More likely not, as the crankset looks more like that from the Rockhopper Sport, whuch was available in Purple Metallic, but I don't have a pic of it.
Last edited by rufus; 01-12-09 at 04:15 PM.
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#21
Senior Member
Rather than replace check out getting them rechromed.....it might be cheaper than you imagine (and certainly faster than waiting for them to show up on evil-bay). I've had many "hard-to-find" small pieces done for motorcycle restorations and a good plater can do an amazing job with rusty bits.....
#22
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92? Thank you! My red Rockhopper is a Sport model.
Did the Sport or Ultra or whatever sub-level model these bikes were signify a change in the actual frame? The Sport was probably the bottom of the barrel in terms of components, but the frame is very light and strong. With an ENO hub and a few added parts this has turned the bike into a very neutral, instinctive handling trail bike.
Did the Sport or Ultra or whatever sub-level model these bikes were signify a change in the actual frame? The Sport was probably the bottom of the barrel in terms of components, but the frame is very light and strong. With an ENO hub and a few added parts this has turned the bike into a very neutral, instinctive handling trail bike.
Last edited by thebankman; 01-13-09 at 12:56 PM.
#23
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92? Thank you! My red Rockhopper is a Sport model.
Did the Sport or Ultra or whatever sub-level model these bikes were signify a change in the actual frame? The Sport was probably the bottom of the barrel in terms of components, but the frame is very light and strong. With an ENO hub and a few added parts this has turned the bike into a very neutral, instinctive handling trail bike.
Did the Sport or Ultra or whatever sub-level model these bikes were signify a change in the actual frame? The Sport was probably the bottom of the barrel in terms of components, but the frame is very light and strong. With an ENO hub and a few added parts this has turned the bike into a very neutral, instinctive handling trail bike.
The frame should be the same throughout the line, the different levels would just signify better component spec. In 1992, there was the base Rockhopper, the Rockhopper Sport above that, and then the Comp at the top of the Rockhopper line.