Hey everyone,
I've had this 1998 Specialized Rockhopper since new. I was 14 and am now 42. I raced cross country back then and didn't use it much from 20s onward but have always kept it with me.
I got a modern hardtail 2 years ago and slowly got back into mountain biking. I went for a local ride with my fiancee yesterday and realized, I want to restore and ride this bike again. Over the years I have thought of selling it as no one else in my family fits it but yesterday I realized this bike has a lifetime of memories and nostalgia and I'm never selling it.
A few years ago I installed the Rockshox Recon 100mm air fork and a new seat and pedals. I'm wanting to swap the drivetrain from 3×8 to 1×9. New brake pads, possibly new brakes and possibly new rims. Obviously new tubes and tires.
Anyway, am I crazy to want to restore and modernize this bike? I was asking about parts at a local bike shop yesterday and the kid at the parts counter said I should just get a new bike. I said I do have a new bike and I'm not selling this bike! Haha.
Any advice or tips? Setup recommendations? My new hardtail has Microshift Advent 1×9 drivetrain and I'm thinking of getting a 1×11 setup for it and putting the 1×9 on the Rockhopper.
I've been out of touch with mountain biking for decades but I'm glad to be back in my first passion and look forward to riding my Rockhopper and other bikes and finding trails and people to ride with.
by Alpha-Taurus
4 Comments
It’s always tricky due to the standards have changed so many times over the years, see if you can find an old pdf /manuel of all the sizing.
Question for you is, is the 3x annoying you, really unless your doing some Major jank 3x should be fine, maybe get a new chain y
I think a 1×9 will have a huge impact. Just be sure you get the correct cassette. Please plug those bar ends before you ride it.
People to it all the time on r/xbiking.
That’s awesome. I’ve thought of resurrecting an old bike and giving it some modern components. Just haven’t found the right project yet. Glad to see you’re going to give this ride more trail time. Make sure you give us an update on the finished build.