beavis

There is a used 2002 Rockhopper FSR at my LBS for $500 . Deore front and back - Deore shifters and levers - v-brakes round out the componentry. Crappy RockShox judy on the front with a Fox float on the rear. So-so Specialized parts make up the rest.

The bike seems to be in excellent shape with no major scratches or mars anywhere to be found. Original tires with wear in the centers lead me to think it may have seen more pavement than dirt. Either way, its super clean.

My question - Assuming the frame(and rear pivot points) is in great shape , is this a good deal? And is this a frame worth upgrading - especially the fork?

Newbie here who has been lurking for about a month. Great board! You guys really know your stuff.

Bike_13

Beavis,

I am assuming you are in the US, and from the sticky posting at the top of the MTB forum, there are plenty of options at $500 over there.

My advice is (if you are on a limited budget) get a quality hardtail rather than a used duallie.

Cheaper duallies (that you will now find at $500 used) are not built to be ridden a lot or hard. As a result, you take the risk of buying one that is stuffed, or buying something that is quickly stuffed.

Trickle down technology means you can get bikes now for $500 that would easily outperform what I was racing on as a sponsored rider in the mid 90s!

A quality hardtail at $500 will always be better value than a duallie at $750! Go Norco, Specialised or Kona and you can't go too far wrong.

If you don't have brand envy - get a Giant - they are usually great value for money.

beavis

Bike_13
Thanks for the reply. Let me explain my way of thinking alittle more.

1 used 02' Rockhopper FSR in excellent shape - $500.00

04' Fox F80 RLT fork - $449.00 ....(Internet deal)

Sun Rhyno Lite wheelset with XT hubs - $149.00 .....(Internet deal)

Total - $1,100.00 ...... Is there a new bike out there with comparable frame, fork, and wheel set for that price? Or does the bike being used make all that mute. (I'm assuming those are the three main items that make up a bikes worth.)

Raiyn

ASSUMING 3 things

1. The frame fits you
2. The bike is in good condition (get a warranty from the LBS)
3. This is NOT your first MTB

That bike will serve you quite well if those conditions are met. I have a 2003 Rockhopper FSR that I built up to be quite the servicable trailbike https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...760#post545760
Bear in mind that it is an XC rig not a freeride machine it can handle some punishment but not big drops - it's not designed for it.

If this is your first MTB get a hardtail - you'll need skills that only a hardtail will teach you. The biggest trap I see today is people learning on FS rigs and then relying on the machine instead of their skills to bail them out of trouble.

Here's a couple links to Rhyno XT wheelsets UNDER $149
Disc
Non disc

beavis

Hey Raiyn, nice ride. That's the kind of build I envision for the used Rockhopper.
To answer your questions ........
1. Yes, the frame seems to fit me nicely.
2. Bike is in good condition but thanks for bringing up the warranty issue.
3. No, this is not my first MTB. Started riding about 5 months ago on a 15 yr. old Giant Sedona rigid frame (old biospace chainrings and all), and on some of the most rooty trails you'll find. I'm still learning bike skills, but I think my ability to pick a clean line is decent enough.

No freeride anytime soon for this 43yr. old clydesdale, just trail.

Thanks for the links and your knowledgable reply.

hooligan

Yeah, make sure you get to test ride it eh? Pedal hard to see if you think the pedal bob is tolerable. Get a feel for the bike, make sure you WANT to buy it.

PWRDbyTRD

Clydesdale eh? Might wanna look into the Kona Clydesdale line....

hooligan

Rockhopper is not really for those with a bit more weight. I'm guessing it'd be okay, but pedal bob would probably be an issue on something made for xc and lighter riders.

Raiyn

Oh really? Well then I guess I shouldn't be riding mine @ 255+ lbs then? It will be fine as long as he's smart about his parts. Especially due to the fact that I doubt he's going to pull any stupid stunts on it.

Be proud hooligan: you pulled me out of "stealth lurking" mode for this one.

skiahh

Given that a BRAND NEW 05 Rockhopper has an MSRP of $500, I'd say it's s a pretty sucky deal.

https://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...037cx0f.j27009

-Stretch-

hey raiyn, are those disc wheels disc specific? or can they be run with rim brakes too? cause im looking at new wheel sets to aid in my fornt disc brake back rim brake setup for next year....thx

enduro

He's talking about the FSR Rockhopper, a full suspension bike....roughly equivalent to the current FSR-XC (MSRP about $1000+)

Killer B

If you're gonna upgrade the fork & wheelset, and end up with $1000+ invested, why not just buy a 2004 F/S "New" bike and be done with it? Several brands out there for that kind of $$$ now that it's near year end....

This one's $1300 (SuperGo)


or this one is $999 (Bicycle Blowout)


or this one is $825 w/ free s&h (C'dale Jekyll 400) new
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7117320854

Good Luck!

Raiyn

If you knew diddly about Specialized you'd know what a Rockhopper FSR was. The new 'Hoppers are all hardtails and what WAS the Rockhopper FSR line is now know as simply FSR.
The disc ones I pointed out can be used for either.

skiahh

D'oh! How embarrassing!!

I know a bit about Specialized after owning 5 of them. We all make mistakes now and then.

You know absolutely zilch about what my knowledge of Specialized is. For all you know, I could be a Spec Rep, though that would be a pretty careless mistake for a rep to make. Or I could be a bike shop owner or whatever. A lighthearted jab in the ribs rather than a snotty, holier than thou reply usually works a lot better.

Killer B

Easy now, Bouys & Gulls ....

swifferman

Lawlz!

Raiyn

If you were a Rep or a LBS employee (much less an owner that dealt in Specialized I would HOPE you'd know better.

You didn't read the thread properly (you missed the letters F, S, & R) and based your response on a current Rockhopper hardtail as opposed the bike he was actually asking about. You came up with a snotty holier than thou comment your self bub
You must know a really good window contracter for all the stones you throw in a glass house.

swiffer I can't take anything you say seriously as you were BEGGING for advice when you first came here and suddenly you're an expert within the span of a month and a half?

beavis

Well, I finally got by the bikeshop today and had a chance to ride the FSR Rockhopper around the parking lot.The fit seemed to be just fine, and again, the frame and componets seemed in great shape. There was one thing that bothered me -pedal bob!

Everytime I stood up and hammered it felt like a trampoline. But I think the biggest contributing factor to this effect was not the rear suspension so much as the super mushy Judy fork. It felt as if i could bottom the thing out just by pedaling hard and leaning on the handlebars. Kinda hard to get a read on
how it would feel with a good fork up front.

Raiyn, seeing as how your bike is doing your 255# 's just fine is reassuring. My lack of experience with full suspension is also in play here.

And I know that a parking lot ride doesn't tell me as much as a trail ride would.

One great thing today - I got to trail ride for the first time in 2 weeks ... even got my first chainring tatoo (eleven teeth). Greensboro, N.C. area - 60+ degrees for next few days ....Unbelievable!

Raiyn

That bike would DEFINATELY benefit from a better fork. There is NO question in my mind.