Specialized Rockhopper 1997 for Touring duties.

[RetroDavy]

Lovely! I rode the Transpennine Trail earlier this month. It was wet also. Very wet both mornings. Waterproof jacket, trousers and overshoes were my friends! Dry socks and gloves as spares. Spare dry shoes.

Lots of spare plastic bags to put dry and wet things in and keep them apart. Ziplock type freezer bag for phone and other stuff to keep properly dry! I wrecked an MP3 player on a previous trip that was inside my bar bag but the bag got saturated.

Having spare inner tubes to avoid messing with puncture repair even more important when everything is wet and muddy.

Zip ties and a few spare Allen bolts weigh little but very useful in case something gets loose and falls off.

Sorry if any of this is stating the blindingly obvious. Hope you have a great time.

 

[widowmaker]

Thanks RetroDavy, and its all new to me so not obvious

The Transpennine Trail, isn't that over 200 miles, how many days did it take you ? I am planning something along those lines early next year when the worst of the Winter has passed.

 

[RetroDavy]

Thanks RetroDavy, and its all new to me so not obvious

The Transpennine Trail, isn't that over 200 miles, how many days did it take you ? I am planning something along those lines early next year when the worst of the Winter has passed.

Cool. Well, I'll add to the obvious list Allen keys, tyre levers and lights. Wet wipes are useful for cleaning hands and/or bike too. Also lightweight straps and/or bungees for holding panniers in place and attaching wet things so they can dry out.

I only did the Liverpool to Hull part of the TPT. You can extend it by 20 miles each side by starting in Southport and finishing in Hornsea. Took two and a half days. Liverpool to Glossop day 1. To Goole day 2. To Hull day 3.

Day 1 probably about 60 miles. Day 2, 70 ish. Day 3 about 30-35. I stayed with family and a Premier Inn so not roughing it!

Did it on a touring bike with semi slick tyres. Would have benefited from bigger tyres and/or suspension and more mud clearance. Your Rockhopper would be a good choice.

Going west to east usually better with normal wind direction. I'd be tempted to swap some of the rougher bits from Stockport to Glossop for some shorter, easier road riding if I did it again.

 

[RetroDavy]

Oh, and I like my Blackburn mini pump with folding handle that fits inside a pannier.

 

[widowmaker]

Thanks RetroDavy

 

[widowmaker]

And no tour would be complete without a good luck mascot - meet Stretch

 

[Captain Stupido]

They have an 8 speed cassette rather than the original 7 speed that the bike had so will be fitting thumbies.

Strangely the original 7 speed shifter works all 8 gears on the new cassette.

Hi Ed, looking good! The shifter is an 8 speed one - it's always been an 8 speed setup - not sure where the confusion comes from?

 

[widowmaker]

Ha ha, that explains it. I read on the Specialized catalogue that it was a 3x7. I put the 8 speed cassette/wheel on and tested it and managed all 8 gears , I assumed it was a 7 speed shifter.

All's well that ends well !!!

 

[widowmaker]

Slapped on a Charge Spoon saddle to replace the old one.

Loaded it up with around 10kgs of gear, went for a couple of miles around the block, apart from the obvious weight issue when climbing and the front being light when lifting it feels remarkably stable.

All set for tomorrow

 

[Captain Stupido]

Ha ha, that explains it. I read on the Specialized catalogue that it was a 3x7. I put the 8 speed cassette/wheel on and tested it and managed all 8 gears , I assumed it was a 7 speed shifter.

All's well that ends well !!!

Hmm well I'm doubting myself now re the shifter but the wheel that came with it had an 8 speed cassette for sure. Being fussy, I didn't quite manage to get it to shift perfectly in my ownership which is now making me wonder whether it is a 7 speed shifter with an "extra click". Thinking about it I think STX is supposed to be 7 speed, it's STX-RC that's 8 speed...

I dunno.

As you say though if it's working well now then all good!

Have fun on your travels, hope the Rockhopper serves you well.