Accurately Dating A Rock Hopper

[WD Pro]

As per title, can it be done by the frame number ?

I have just acquired a old Rock Hopper of by brother. The bike was originally bought new by my dad and if we remember correctly it would be around 91 or 92.

It was the smallest frame they offered (I think 14.5” or 15.5” – will check) and due to its size it has a u brake on the back (under the chain stay) for heel clearance. I seem to remember that the next size up went back to cantilevers.

The frame is turquoise with purple graphics but I think it was also available in purple with yellow graphics ?

Thanks for any help / advice

WD

 

[The Ken]

1988 same as my RH comp - what colour and pics please!

I still use the thumbies and brake levers on my current bike.

 

[WD Pro]

Unless dad bought old stock I am pretty sure it’s later than 88 – We both bought Marin’s in 90 and dad’s didn’t last long before it got stolen, it was replaced with the rock hopper and then with an orange (now owned by mum). I posted some pictures of the orange and people on here seemed to be confident that it’s a 92 putting the hopper somewhere in that three year window

I was hoping it could be dated by the frame number if someone knows how Specialized generated them or that someone would recognize / remember the color options

I will post a picture when I get chance but at the moment I only have the box of components at my house - the frame is in dads garage and the wheels are in his shed !

WD

 

[Jamiedyer]

Dating

Unfortunately with old specialized there seems no rhyme or reason to the frame number system. Even Specialized technical will date it by it components and colour. I am sure between us we can find it in the brochures/dealer cats and ID it, but a picture would help.
Certainly the colour and U brake put it around 88 - 89 but I am sure that the comps colour wouldnt be replicated the same year on a lower model, so it could well be a 90 or so. I know the Stumpies had U brake in 88 but had cantis in 89.
Will see what I can find.
Jamie

 

[Augustus]

Turq with purple decals is 1992 I am pretty sure.

Last official U Brake was 1988. Yellow. Or Comp - Di-Nucci Green (same as previous year's Stumpy - a relatively common Spesh theme.)

Interesting if what you are suggesting is that they made a small one with a U brake just for added clearance. Pretty sure there weren't any that small back in '88 anyway.

 

[WD Pro]

Thanks guys,

I have had a good look around in the archive section and the best guide I can find so far is the 1990 German version.

There is this note in it :

Shimano M200 Mit SLR (U-Bremse auf 14.5" Rahmen)

So I am thinking its 14.5" and defo close to that era - the later bikes apear to have the same text font for the model type but a larger, nore squarish font for the specialized logo

Will get some pics us as soon as I have been down to M & D's

WD

 

[WD Pro]

If it helps I should have added that it came with BX23's and a specialized branded (sugino) crank

 

[WD Pro]

OK, I finally pulled my finger out and got the frame up to my house, hopefully someone can help out with the year of manufacture. The frame color on this pic with the flash on is quite close to how it looks normally, the purple graphics have a glitter in them (The crank is not original) :

Not sure how specialized interpreted their frame sizes but this is from the center of the BB shell

Extra cable stop on down tube for U brake :

Other general pics that may help people identify it :

The only bits we are sure that dad didn’t swap are the wheels :

32 hole black Specialized BX23’s, stainless spokes with Shimano hubs. Other than the bearing covers only the rear hub has ID on it – FH-HG50 Exage Sealed Mechanism, It is 7 speed.

The crank (although this is now pictured on mums orange) :

It’s a Suiguno (can’t remember the correct spelling) and is actually quite nice (when compared to Shimano of the same era).

The stem (not much can be seen from this) :

It’s a black Specialized Cro-mo, the front brake cable runs through the extension. I didn’t measure it but I think it’s about 110, 120mm ish

And the headset is also original, it’s a black steel Tange 1” threaded.

We are not sure on the following but guess they are also original (they can be seen in the box of components) – Pedals, seat post & brake levers.

Cheers for any further help

WD

 

[Jamiedyer]

Dating a frame

Ha ha, I see where your coming from. I like my frames, maybe even a sort of love but I wouldnt date one
I think society would frown upon it.

Now for a time of birth
The decals are very much 1990 as in 91 they were different, as they didnt have the little American flag next to the specialized.
Not to sure with the brake either as I have had small Rocky's and Stumpy's and they have standard brakes as their bigger siblings. I currently have a 13.5 Rockhopper and its got canti's and noodle just like its bigger siblings.
I know this doesnt help but just a bit more info.

Cheers
Jamie

 

[nimbus]

PM sent. Definitely 1990.