I have a 1993 vintage Specialized Rock Hopper. I rarely ride mountain bike anymore, but was thinking of getting a suspension fork for the bike. Thinking of using a popular internet auction website to find a fork. Seems there are some that may work for a reasonable price.

What should I look for? Do I want one that can be rebuilt? I'm mechanical in nature, just don't know a darn thing about mountain bike front forks.

What pitfalls can I expect with the fork?

First check your tube size to match the fork. 1993 was still putting out some 1" fork tubes. Most of the more recent forks are 1 1/8. Oil damping is good, but a used fork can bring some leaking problems. You might check a local bike shop for a used fork. internet used stuff can bring surprises.

That 1993 frame is designed only with a rigid 1" diameter steerer fork. Want front shock? Find yourself a 1995-up bike with front suspension.

Thank you for the input. Sounds like a new bike would be a better bet.

Why get a suspension fork when you "rarely ride mountain bike anymore"?
Ride it like it is...enjoy it.

Also, you need to take into account that changing an older frame to a suspension bike can change the geometry and the handling, rarely for the better. I made this change to a 1988 Nishiki Ariel, it did not work out well. The bike lost stability and wanted to crash every time I hit an obsticle. I've also added a sus fork to newer rigid bikes with success. These bikes had 1 1/8 heads and worked well with a suspension fork. The problem is, you don't know how a bike will react to the change until you make the change.