So today when I visited my LBS for some unrelated things, I stumbled across a pretty rough looking Rockhopper. It was in my size, and my LBS was asking $20 for it, so I took it. I've always loved Rockhoppers since I had my one and only, so the chance to get one AND from the time period I prefer to work from is awesome. The serial number is 0W078959. Cromoly tubing, "direct drive", biopace-SG crankset, exage 400lx front and rear derailleurs. Not sure on the year, other than early 90s.





I guess a new project is in the works!

Sweet setup. Ditch those stamped steel chainrings and save a few pounds.

Oh yeah, as soon as I can locate my crank puller, they will be getting scrapped. I'm not a stickler for all stock or even time appropriate components, but I do like to keep it pretty close. I'm having a hard time figuring out the year, though.

Hi. Here's a link to mombat.org that might help you figure it out by component, that is if the components are original to the bike.

Specialized Specs

You can look for date codes on the back of the Shimano derailleurs and perhaps narrow the year if they're original. Here's info on that. Click on Shimano & it will tell you how to interpret the date codes.

Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating

I've got a 1992 Specialized Hardrock that came stock with 200GS everything - black & super heavy. Changed everything out to Deore XT (735 era stuff).

I've got an all original 1988 Rockhopper with Shimano SIS 6 speed also. Both fun rides.

Thanks for the info. Some of the components are original, I think? The Exage stuff is time appropriate, but I was looking through the Specialized catalogs here and couldn't find a match.

1991 Rockhopper: they list it in black as well as white (pictured) https://www.mtb-kataloge.de/Bikekatal...kes91_Mini.pdf

Should be a great project. I like my Schwinn KOM-10, which is just a couple of years older than your Rockhopper.

I'm a fan of Specialized's MTBs from that era too, I've got a very similar Rockhopper in dark blue/green. It's wearing mostly Deore LX components that came from a Stumpjumper that didn't fit me. It's been a great utility utility bike, tough as nails.

Thanks for the help! I got as far as completely stripping it down and cleaning the frame tonight. I realized I need to pick up at least a pair of friction shifters, canti brakes for the front and a chain (duh) tomorrow. Problem being I'll have to go to a LBS I'm not fond of since my LBS of choice is back in Northampton, about 1.5 hrs away.

Looks like the crank's been replaced, along with the left-side front shifter setup. Apparently someone had a need to swap those out, or scrounged that particular bike for parts they needed for another build.

Not sure if you've tested the shifters yet, but they're likely to be jammed up. More damning is that the left (replacement) side has Shimano's original Rapidfire design. I'd dump them both in favor of something a lot more simple/efficient - Suntour XC Pro, Shimano Deore II or Deore XT thumbshifters are the ticket. You can then split out the brake levers in favor of some Dia-Compe SS5 or SS7 types. They work really well with Shimano's low-profile cantilever brakes.

eBay is about the only consistent source for a lot of vintage era replacement stuff, so I'd start there.

Vuelta makes pretty good pinned and ramped chainrings, assuming you can't scrounge for (round) replacement Shimano SG types.

If you also need a crankset, you may as well go all in and find a complete donor bike and save yourself time and money.

I don't think it's quite that dire. I have some things lying around. I'm a fan of using a component until it dies, so that crankset won't be getting replaced for quite a while. I will probably just take the one off my 1992 Marin Bear Valley if it gets to that point since it's in project mode anyway.

I've been looking for an early 90's specialized(or trek, nishiki, any "good" name) rigid MTB in my area off and on for years. The other day I found the first one that was either not a complete pile of crap, or not priced at $250+, with a cool 90s paint scheme (which I love). But it was a 5 day old posting and it was already gone

Not everyone hates the ovoid rings; he may as well try them before ditching them. They came in several different degrees of un-roundness, too. I like the more subtle ones on my 1987 2x Schwinn Tempo, but the small ring on on my 'new' 1990 3x Cannondale feels super lumpy and will be scrapped as soon as I get around to tearing that thing down for its first overhaul.

*She*
And I've had the unround rings on a bike or two while waiting for a better crankset, and while I don't prefer them, they are rideable. I'm thinking about trying a 1xsomething set up, but I'm not sure how that would feel...

I like the bike too but wish I had a Stumpy. I use mine for commuting:
[IMG]Commuter RockHopper by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
Or trail
[IMG]Picture 128 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

Cool bike, great price. I have one from '91ish that I love.
[MENTION=124730]SJX426[/MENTION] - how did/do you like yours set up as a hardtail? (I'm guessing it stays as a rigid now for commuting.) I've been considering grabbing a suspension fork. That urge may get stronger as I now have better access to decent trails. 1" steerer?

These showed up at my LBS and I was given quite a deal, just to solve almost all my parts issues. I'm going to post an update with the bits on the frame. Hopefully I'll just need a chain and that will be that. LBS was out of 7sp.

Avid Shorty 4's


Some kind of funny Suntour shifters...

It works very well. The fork was found on CL for $100 after a complete overhaul. It is only a pound more than the fixed fork. The wheel and disk brake were also CL finds. Amazing how the prices add up. That front end is nearly $200 in parts!

I have also used it as a commuter.
[IMG]P1020526 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

I was curious if the average speed would decrease as a result of the energy going into the suspension and the added weight. There wasn't any significant change. The only reason to go back to the rigid fork was for the fenders. The ride on the MUP is better with suspension due to tree roots in the MUP asphalt.

That Stumpjumper sure is pretty. I'm looking at a Stumpjumper M2 this week for $100. Depending on frame size/component condition I might just do it too.

aaaaaa.... [MENTION=397770]Crawford53[/MENTION] What Stumpjumper?

Right, but the ovoid rings seem more of an on-road thing. Sheldon used to talk about using them for fixed gear bikes, for example.

Never warmed up to them for either mountain or road bikes myself, though. They always seemed too lumpy, like they wouldn't spin properly.

I've no idea why Shimano ever put them on mountain bikes. They're kind of a waste in the tight single-track conditions present here in southeastern PA.

They're Accushift Command shifters, and typically used for drop bars. Not sure how you'd mount them on a flat bar, though.

Were you thinking of converting the Hopper to drops?

The Rockhpper frame was a great frame! Underrated at the time due to the history and popularity of the Stumpy. Giant built the Rockhopper, and quite possibly the Stumpy as well.

Nice project bike OP. I just completed an ATB commuter project myself (The Ross ATB Goodness thread) and am really enjoying tooling around on it. You'll definitely have fun putting this project together!