Rocky mountain hammer race 1996

[marker]

I have just won one of these in an auction
Will either be rebuilding with period correct parts or modern XTR if have from another bike
I love combining old frames with new componentry but also fancy doing my first correct build
I read the original wheels off this bike were a pile of poo

What to do?

 

[marker]

Looks a bit like this

 

[ozone1]

Nice mate, had that on my watch list the first time it was up, I have a 95 Rocky Montain Equipe, original rims on mine are Sun I think, nice and light and seem pretty good to me man

 

[marker]

Yeh I had my eye on it too but missed the end last time
Figured it was worth a go at the price ($220nz)
Where are you based mate?

 

[Anthony]

I have just won one of these in an auction
Will either be rebuilding with period correct parts or modern XTR if have from another bike
I love combining old frames with new componentry but also fancy doing my first correct build
I read the original wheels off this bike were a pile of poo
What to do?

A 96 Hammer Race for ~£110 is good value, at least it would be over here. The wheels on my 97 Equipe are quite ok. All RM wheels were made in Canada, yours should have Ritchey Rock rims and with a decent build they should be ok. You couldn't expect XT hubs and double-butted spokes at the price a Hammer Race sold for.

Nothing is forever, so maybe if you haven't tried a period correct build before, now would be a good time to experiment. Period parts generally look far better than modern parts on period frames, and they work perfectly ok, so there's a decent argument for it. I don't take it as far as fitting cantis to a 96 frame though - I like brakes that work. Also a Bomber or an SID from a few years later would improve the bike no end, relative to any 96 fork. And modern tyres, short stems and wide bars ditto.

 

[ozone1]

based in invercargill mate