Decided I fancied building up a retro MTB, I tried a retro road bike, which I love looking at, but just didn't gel with it riding it - much prefer MTB's.
So, picked up a nice 1993 Rockhopper today from a guy at work, all original, nice condition. Dark metallic green with bright pink/purple graphics.
I want it to be quite a simple build, but still keeping it period, or at least 90's.
Want to go 1x8, and had intended to upgrade a few bits on my trailstar, so will move some bits over from that for now (105 rear mech, cassette, 8sp XT shifter, 38T DH chainring), not sure on front ring just yet, so this will give me an idea of gearing, but will probably go with either the On One stainless steel ring, or a VeloSolo one.
Other than that, I was a mere boy in the 90's, so I'm after some inspiration. I know I want some nice polished cranks (period XT?), gumwall tyres if possible, cream or light grey all over would be nice as well. New saddle, stem & bars - any recommendations there?
Then there's the colour scheme, with the dark metallic green, I was thinking either try to tie in with the pink/purple graphics, so a few purple anno add ons, or maybe gold.
I'm guessing canti's will be pretty rubbish (again, I can just about remember my Raleigh Max back in the day!), so will be looking to upgrade to some V-brakes, only real want here will be decent brakes, and some levers that don't look like they're made out of plastic! Black bodies with polished levers. I've used Avid Single Digit before, which were nice levers, but the ones I had were grey all over. I've seen some diacompe ones that look nice, but are they any good?
It's looks pretty much like this at the mo:
But I know it can be made better
So, picked up a nice 1993 Rockhopper today from a guy at work, all original, nice condition. Dark metallic green with bright pink/purple graphics.
I want it to be quite a simple build, but still keeping it period, or at least 90's.
Want to go 1x8, and had intended to upgrade a few bits on my trailstar, so will move some bits over from that for now (105 rear mech, cassette, 8sp XT shifter, 38T DH chainring), not sure on front ring just yet, so this will give me an idea of gearing, but will probably go with either the On One stainless steel ring, or a VeloSolo one.
Other than that, I was a mere boy in the 90's, so I'm after some inspiration. I know I want some nice polished cranks (period XT?), gumwall tyres if possible, cream or light grey all over would be nice as well. New saddle, stem & bars - any recommendations there?
Then there's the colour scheme, with the dark metallic green, I was thinking either try to tie in with the pink/purple graphics, so a few purple anno add ons, or maybe gold.
I'm guessing canti's will be pretty rubbish (again, I can just about remember my Raleigh Max back in the day!), so will be looking to upgrade to some V-brakes, only real want here will be decent brakes, and some levers that don't look like they're made out of plastic! Black bodies with polished levers. I've used Avid Single Digit before, which were nice levers, but the ones I had were grey all over. I've seen some diacompe ones that look nice, but are they any good?
It's looks pretty much like this at the mo:
But I know it can be made better
haha. 
.
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