Replace, Renew, Restore ...controversial !

[everest30]

Ok, so you just picked up a bargain Specialized Rockhopper on Ebay ( Hypothetically speaking)

Do you....

1. Strip down frame and respray (chances are it was a bargain and frame scratched to hell)

2. Try and source original replacement components eg. Shimano GS and keep original but in better condition than yours

3. Once you've resprayed frame, it looks too good for GS, so why not try and get some deore. You want it to be the best don't you?

4. Now you have a problem....you've got an average frame with some deore..Is that frame good enough?

How far do you go and what is acceptible.

We all like to re-live the dream of our old bikes. Mine was a Muddy Fox Pathfinder. I did over 1000 miles of track on it in the nineties.

I also had a budget in those days, the same as I have now with a mortgage and kids. Stupid priced bikes were well out of my league and still are.

I still reckon that the Muddy Fox was my best ride, there was no suspension then and the real skill of mountain biking was down to the rider.

So getting to the point, that old Rockhopper you just bought, are you going to ride it as is, or are you really going to moderise it so it looks new and you get a bit of respect by the other dad you pass on the trail who says " i used to have one just like that when I was a kid" ?

 

[merckx]

lol i think only you can answer these questions for yourself! haha. the rockhopper is not a high end frame, but it is also not a dud. if you want to ride it regularly and on the trails, then i would personally put as good a group on it as money allows. paint and stickers would not be a high priority, if money is an issue. in fact original paint and decals with scratches adds character, and in some way its a nice thing to have on an old bike, given its kind of the appeal in the first place..

 

[porkypaw]

Pimp It !!!
With new components and a fresh powder coat I think it will put a smile on your face when you chuck a leg over it.
You will be passing the other Dad so fast he won't see much of it any way.

 

[Lid]

That would be your first build.......

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... etrobiking

You can now read the above thread.

 

[porkypaw]

That would be your first build.......

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... etrobiking

You can now read the above thread.

Like it!!!!

 

[mikee]

i'd just sell the rockhard and buy a muddy fox


build it ride it change as you go would be my advice

 

[IDB1]

Do whatever puts a smile on ones mush...

Whatever paddles yer canoe... so to speak..

 

[drcarlos]

I have put XC Comp and XC Pro on my Pathfinder, I have also put XT and DX on my Sorcerer. They both ride well enough to deserve it and I ride them so I think I can justify it.

Carl.

 

[KevD]

Do whatever puts a smile on ones mush...

Whatever paddles yer canoe... so to speak..

Exactly

When I've been repairing/sorting the bike the main thing is to make them fit for purpose but there are still other criteria.

1) Fit for purpose, including reliability.
2) Cost and availability (eg does a mate have an unused xxxx in his shed for cheap)
3) Does it go with the other stuff on the bike.

So when I needed to build a more capable bike to do some more extreme ride on, and some long races..

1) A mate gave me a Sintesi Frame
2) the same mate sold me some modern disk wheels for £50
3) a different mate sold me some Judy 4's, an extra front wheel and a stem for £50
4) Another mate let me raid his shed for all sorts of goodies including some hope disc brakes, XT cranks/mech/orange bars and STX-RC shifters and front mech.

In the end I ended up with some spare parts, as I bought all new X9 gears, the bars were too narrow and in the wrong position but luckily a further ask around my mates and a set of wider riser bars were found

As it happens the hope brakes match the era of the frame, but theres also a fair chunk of modern on there. Still got some teething issues with the build but I do think it will do whats its been built for, and will bring me many smiles over the entire summer However its more modern than I set out to build but doesn't bother me at all.

Now that I have this bike nearly sorted however, I'll try and get & keep the Kona true to the era

 

[We_are_Stevo]

To my mind, whilst not being 'high end', the Rockhopper is a Classic and should be revered as such. The later steel frames were nice and light with very pleasing geometry and build up into nice bikes - if it floats your particular boat then that's all that matters.

If the budget is tight and as a whole it is acceptable then clean it up and ride it as it is - there's always time to acquire parts 'as and when' then strip'n'build as a winter project?