1999 Specialized Rockhopper FS Comp

Managed to get hold of a few original parts for the Rockhopper over the last few months - XT rear mech, Specialized hub/OCR comp rim rear wheel, Dirt Master and Dirt Control tyres all sourced via the forum or eBay meaning the bike is nearly back to OE spec. Dunno why this has become important but the frame is in such good nick it makes me want to restore to near as original as possible......

Anyways - I've not ridden it much since buying it so the opportunity to meet up with a mate and go for a ride around Thetford forest's Black Route at the weekend meant me packing the bike into the back of the Alfa and heading back to Naaa'fuk for the weekend - and I finally managed to get it dirty(ish)!

Great fun....if not a little chilly to start out with.

Love this bike

There's one like this hidden in the back of my lbs where someone never picked it up after a couple of years...great colour. Classic bike.

How mine used to be when I bought it:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53027

Then, after a while...


Then as a road rocket:


Sadly, this last month developed a crack in the head tube weld. Beyond economic repair, but a great looking frame in the best colour.

Cheers for the replies guys. I knew there was something cool about the bike when it turned up as a box of bits.

I must admit there was a point during the weekends ride where I realised that I love the bike - Shame I don't use it enough tho'

Must get out on the trails more.......New Years resolution maybe

@ J i m s t e r - she looks like a really fast ride in road trim - shame to hear about the crack tho' Are they renowned for failure like some frames are?

I rode mine regularly since I had it, not dropped it out of a B52 or anything, just commutes and stuff that wouldn't overwhelm a rigid config. Chances are the crack would have not gotten worse, but the pinging on every stroke was irritating and was stopping me wanting to ride it.

And they are supposed to be ridden, ultimately

1999 Rockhopper

Here is mine that I just finished building up.......

whats the difference between these Rockhopper frames and the Hardrock Comp frames?
This is mine (although now fully rigid), but looking to get back onto FS with an XC tyre setup....




rockhopper by sherlylock, on Flickr

i can see some extra/thicker gusseting [sic] at the front of the toptube/bottom of the steerer tube, is this the only difference?

are the Rockhopper earlier frames than the Hardrocks? i'm sure mine is a '99.....
are Rockhoppers regarded as sturdier frames compared to Hardrocks???