madpogue 

Who knew it was National Give-away-your-old-Rockhopper-fade Week? Just picked up a free '93 (I THINK) Comp, rose-fade-olive, last week. All it really needs is tires, lube, and some serious cleaning.

I'm thinking someone swapped in thumbies, because as a '93, I think it should have had RapidFires. And I don't think it's older, like a late '80s, because it has a cassette, and I also think they leaned more toward Suntour before '90. In any event, it's wonderful, even pre-cleanup; a delight to ride, and it fits me nicely. Well, all except the stem that's a bit long for my short arms. I think it's even the original saddle.

mrv 

whoa man - that is a kewl (as the kids say) paint job. I'm jealous. Yep - just plain jealous. I bought yarn for my wife to knit a cap for me with those same colors. that's a super nice find - I think.
Enjoy!

Bad_Kharma

Gorgeous paint job! Great find!

madpogue 

Thanks, yeah, and that's "shed fresh", not even dusted off / cleaned up. I turned down a $50 'Hopper last winter, 'cuz it was a wee bit on the large side. Been suffering "non-buyer's remorse" until this one came along.

gorillimo

Here's the latest incarnation of my Rockhopper turned tourer. Removed the SPD pedal clips. Added a kickstand. After today's ride, swapped the saddle out for a WTB Pure V. Was heading for the beach. Saw it was heavily fogged in. Decided wing it, and went up a favorite trail. Despite the 1.5" road tires, did pretty well. Surprising climber. Had to go pretty carefully coming down. And, I did not try the cattle guard....

Nialler

Hello,
I have a small favor to ask. I have a 1996 rockhopper, gun barrel green. I bought it new but its been sitting in my parents garage for the last 13 years when I moved abroad. Recently I decided to take it to where I live now which required a fair amount of disassembly for taking it on a flight. I decided to replace the bearings in the wheel hubs and freewheel as well as brake pads and cables and other bits a bobs while I have it in pieces. I just reassembled the rear wheel and I am not sure if I have the spacers on the axle in the correct place/order. Could I ask if any one has on of these models could they post a picture of the hub assembly. You don't have to take it apart or anything just a picture from the back so the spacers can be seen.

thanks,
Niall.

Tombaatar

Mine.

curbtender

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...and-adjustment

madpogue 

Update. Finally got some quality stand time with her. Fresh (enough) tires, lubed the headset and hub bearings (BB is a cartridge), lubed the cables, took that kink out of the RD cable housing, swapped in another Specialized non-gel saddle from a same-vintage Hard Rock, a few other cats & dogs. Just yummy to ride. Those thumb shifters are just so quick & faultless. Turns out it has 175mm crank arms; can definitely feel the difference.

They sure went for the branding; bar, stem, seatpost, saddle, rims, even the pedals have the Specialized logo/brand on them. I couldn't find any markings on the headset or seatpost bolt.

No pics; too dreary today, and needs more cleaning. Tonight I'm putting on an MTN rack; also needs toe clips. I may just start commuting on this baby. If only I could squeeze in 100 km in time, this would be an awesome clunker entry, with only about $20 into it so far.

droppedandlost 

Got one of them cleaned up. The right shifter was broken so I went with the 3 speed theme, 46-36-26x20. It will probably get a rack and be a city bike. Seat post needs a little paint.

madpogue 

^^^^ So what kind of shifter(s) did/does it have?

droppedandlost 

Altus A10. I managed to get the left shifter working after a good soaking in WD40. First plan was single speed, but after the shifter started working I went with it.

madpogue 

So some kind of trigger / rapid-fire?

droppedandlost 

heavy, bottom-end Shimano trigger combo unit (brake lever and shifter), almost wasn't worth wasting WD40

DQRider 

I've a bit of a conundrum here. Last winter, I rode a beautiful Barracuda A2B, with studded tires and fenders, and it made a perfect winter bike.



Unfortunately, after a winter where the salt started eating into every untreated metal surface, I have found out that this is quite a rare specimen, and shouldn't be subjected to such rough treatment in this environment. So I think I am going to transfer the studded tires and fenders over to the Rockhopper Comp I picked up for $25 two years ago, and use that for my winter bike.


Here is the bike in question. A beautiful specimen; I will do my best, with Frame Saver and the like, to preserve it. But Minnesota winters are extremely harsh on bicycles. But I know that the old RockHopper, now Ice-Hopper, should be able to withstand these conditions. I'll take some photos as soon as I complete the conversion. Please don't hate me. I only do this because I know that the Rockhopper is nearly indestructable.

.

madpogue 

Yup, I saw one of those Barracudas on the Kenosha CL once, earlier this year. Once. I think that's the only one I've seen actually available to buy. They seem to be on par with their competitors of the day, nothing outstanding. But dayum, you just don't see them. So yeah, prudent move.

Korina

Hi! Just picked up this '92 Rockin' Sport, and I couldn't be happier. All original, barring the rear tire, including the grease and lube, so a thorough cleaning is in order. I want to build Pretty Purple Princess Penelope to a commuter/light tourer with big supple tires and rando drops. The serial number is GP211710, if that means anything.

2cam16

Nice score,Korina! Love the color. Welcome to the world of Rockhoppers!

2cam16

Here's my '94 Comp FS which I turned into my Winter beater for my road rides. Replaced the sus fork with a Surly one. I also have it running on 1x in the middle ring. Origin8 cantis paired with Shimano levers are enough for stopping power. This has taken me through some rainy rides this Winter and it rides like a champ. Best part is, I don't have to worry much about it like my other bikes .lol And if I were to name it, I came up with Rockdropper.

IMG_6853 by 2cam16, on Flickr

Lemond1985

Beautiful setup, MTB drop bar builds can be difficult to dial in, but that looks like something I could just jump on and take off with. Better keep it locked up.

But how did you get thumb shifters to fit on a road bars, I have wanted to do that since forever, but I can't find a clamp that will fit.

2cam16

Thanks but I could still do with a bit shorter stem.
Actually the thumb shifters weren't that hard to fit on. I was able to spread the clamp enough to slip them on then used a longer screw/bolt.

enine

Bikepedia tells me mine is a 1996

ryansu

Picked this up in June, not sure if its a keeper, trying to fix the faulty shifting and deciding if I should improve it or sell it on as is with a fix to the gear shifing

jaykoo

When can I find the serial number on Rockhoppers

2cam16

Usually underneath the bottom bracket.