Cruisaire

Here's a used Rockhopper I picked up from Craigslist a few years back. Smaller 16.5" frame that fits my 5"6" nicely. It's a solid little rider I'd like to refurb rather than throwing the cash into something else. I'm looking for suggestions on shifters, cabling, crank, pedals, saddle, etc. Any and all ideas (including comments dissuading me from going this route) welcome.

20150404_193407.jpg Photo by cruisaire | Photobucket
20150404_193527.jpg Photo by cruisaire | Photobucket
20150404_193451.jpg Photo by cruisaire | Photobucket

hueyhoolihan

assuming everything is in working order, ride it for six months then decide what needs to be replaced. that's my advice. of course, i've never done such a sensible thing myself.

Retro Grouch 

What does your bike not do that you'd like for it to do?

Most component upgrades don't make economic sense. Shimano, for example, offers several mountain bike component groups. They all do the same things and they all function. As you move up the cost food chain they operate a little more crisply, they are a little lighter in weight and they tend to look a little nicer. Prices, however, jump up exponentially.

If your goal is just to jack with your bike, however, I fully understand because I do that kind of thing myself. My recommendation is to ask everybody you meet to find potential donor bikes. When you find parts that you think you'd like, bolt them up and see if you can get them to work. Just don't expect your bike to suddenly get noticeable faster just because you installed an XTR derailleur.

Cruisaire

I'd say I'm after functioning more crisply as my goal. Disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling aged component parts only to have them crumble or slip out of adjustment has been an issue on similar bikes.

Retro Grouch 

I previously mentioned that Shimano has several mountain bike component groups. They slice the performance differences pretty thinly. My rule of thumb is that, if I move up or down one component group I can't tell any difference. If I move up or down two groups, however, I can sense a little difference. Good luck.

skidder

Similar to what Retro Grouch said - clean, lube, and I'd re-cable it. IF it needs new brake pads or tires then replace those too. Then ride it for a while to determine what else needs to be changed. Its a Rockhopper, not the highest-end MTB in Specialized's lineup, but it should work well as a street/ gravel grinder.

Canker

7 speed? Is that a freewheel or a cassette on the rear?

Retro Grouch 

If it was my bike (and it's not) my first upgrade would be brakes. If those brakes don't already have a bad case of the rubs, the plastic return spring housing will soon crack and they will. The "a" solution is to retrofit Shimano or Avid linear pull brakes. That will require new brake levers and either a problem solvers clamp on cable stop for the rear top tube or zip tie a cable housing all the way from the handlebar. Your shifters are probably attached to your brake levers so you'll have to cut them off or replace them too. I'd replace them because they're probably the old push-push style and about to give up the ghost anyway. 7-speed Shimano EZ-Fire will be the cost effective solution.

Cruisaire

Thanks Retro!

Steve B.

I'd be watching the local mt. bike club (if there is one) or road club website for a classified ad(s) for used parts for sale. Nobody throws upgrades at bikes like mountain bikers and you can always score good deals on older parts.

This would make a nice single track rider and I'd be looking for V brakes and levers, as well as a 9 spd shifter group - rear and front derailers, crank, combined brake/shifter set, etc... then new cassette and chain. Maybe wheels. 1" front fork might be harder, especially in good shape, but you never know as I found a RockShok Judy 1" steerer for $50 on what was a $600 fork. It's a great fork and one of the reasons I like riding what is otherwise a 25 year old frame.

Darth Lefty 

V brakes and levers. Deore drivetrain group from Ribble, $180ish. Vuelta Pro wheels from Nashbar, normally $160 and they have frequent sales. Some nice tires to suit your riding conditions

melloveloyellow

A bike of that vintage will surely need a new headset. (Indexing) I would suggest the Ritchey Logic 1" threaded headset, which is still available for ~$20 (Bikewagon, et.al.).

bikemig 

I've pulled apart all kinds of old bikes and the headsets were just fine.

To the OP: the saddle looks beat and I'd replace it with something good quality.

Other than that, I'd just rebuild (overhaul, replace cables, lube, etc.) the bike and replace parts as needed.

dynaryder

If you're not going to be riding off-road,I'd ditch the knobbies for street tires. Otherwise,replace anything worn out(chain,brake pads),get some lights,fenders,and a good lock,and ride the heck out of it.

Darth Lefty 

BTW, I would usually also be on the "fix only what's broke" bandwagon, but this is a DB frame and deserved better components even when it was new.

mrv 

howdy - here's my former RockHopper - now it's TourHopper!
There's a whole big giant thread on drop bar conversions. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...nversions.html
Look through that if you haven't already for more ideas.
My recommendations:
- raise the bars and make sure you're compfy (it's a quill stem, so take a look at NITTO Dirt Drop stems; check bar diameter and clamp diameter, make sure they match)
- tune it up as everyone already done recommended
- ride it until you figure out how you want to use it
- add a rack to make it useful
- i'd leave the cantilever brakes so you don't have to change out brake levers also; also, cantilever brakes give you more room for fenders ( i think.... someone correct me if not. what am i saying? this is B.F.s - someone is always correcting someone.)

Cheers!

Cruisaire

Many thanks MRV!

MichaelW

If the beat-up saddle is comfortable, keep it.
Fit some 1.5" slick tyres, new cables. Service the hubs. The bottom bracket would be a Shimano cartridge, so if it is fine, leave alone.
Brake upgrade is worthwhile, cantis are tricky to get right, but if you are happy with the setup, keep.
I upgraded my flat bar to an On-One Mary with more rear sweep.

no motor?

I bought something similar years ago and started replacing parts after they wore out or broke. Riding it a while allowed me to figure out what I wanted when it was time to replace things, and that's allowed me to end up with something I like that works well for me in ways I didn't know about when I bought it.