Hi all,
First (well second, actually) post and it's just an intro really to say hi and see what nuggets of wisdom are out there...
I appreciate this post is nothing without pics, but my bike is 99% identical to this one: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... rockhopper
I bought it brand new in 1997 from (sadly now defunct) Buxton Bikes in Derbyshire as an insurance payout replacement for my much loved but absolutely massive (22 or 23" as I recall) green Gary Fisher Advance, which had been nicked from University by a drug addict, but that's a story for another time.
My low-spec 20.5" Rockhopper is one of the last steel ones, and is dark blue. From new I had the shop fit bar ends and Shimano rapid fire shifters (can't recall what level - possibly STX or Alivio - will check) instead of the grip shifts, as I hated the feel of those things. Around 2001 the original cranks (Son of Strongarm?) came loose on the drive side and bruised the square drive. They would never stay tight after that, so they were ditched for some (no name? - another thing to check!) ones which are still on it. The Strongarms sadly went in the skip during a garage clearout some years later, so I'm now after some new ones! (First post has gone sniffing after a set)...
Time moved on and after falling off it at the 2004? Wight Diamond essentially due to lack of talent and wrist fatigue from the rigid forks, I bought myself a tidy 2004 Epic Comp which is still my main ride. I sold the Rockhopper to my then house-mate. He's since replaced it with a Commencal something or other, and has been neglecting the Rockhopper for some time.
This weekend a gathering of the clans took place around at his place and I took the Epic up for a Sunday hangover ride out. To skip to the end, I negotiated to buy back the Rockhopper for 65 notes and see about restoring the old girl. I've still got the owner's manual somewhere and my original Specialized computer (although it's broken and is missing the fitting kit).
It's pretty scratched up and showing some surface rust - just like Superstu's. All the original components are still there, save the cranks/rings and tyres, and as such I'm not sure whether to just clean it up and keep it nice and original, or do something more interesting with it. It's pretty unlikely I'll ride it off-road ever again, but who knows. I can't commute on it, as it's 31 miles each way and I'm too lazy!
I've a good idea of the original spec, having found some handy links online. My main concern is what to do with the beaten up finish... The paint is very thin (almost anodized looking) from the factory and if I got it powder coated, it would look too 'thick'. Can anyone suggest the best ways to get a factory quality repaint? And are ALL the decals/transfers still available?
Cheers all, and hello from Oxfordshire!
George
First (well second, actually) post and it's just an intro really to say hi and see what nuggets of wisdom are out there...
I appreciate this post is nothing without pics, but my bike is 99% identical to this one: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... rockhopper
I bought it brand new in 1997 from (sadly now defunct) Buxton Bikes in Derbyshire as an insurance payout replacement for my much loved but absolutely massive (22 or 23" as I recall) green Gary Fisher Advance, which had been nicked from University by a drug addict, but that's a story for another time.
My low-spec 20.5" Rockhopper is one of the last steel ones, and is dark blue. From new I had the shop fit bar ends and Shimano rapid fire shifters (can't recall what level - possibly STX or Alivio - will check) instead of the grip shifts, as I hated the feel of those things. Around 2001 the original cranks (Son of Strongarm?) came loose on the drive side and bruised the square drive. They would never stay tight after that, so they were ditched for some (no name? - another thing to check!) ones which are still on it. The Strongarms sadly went in the skip during a garage clearout some years later, so I'm now after some new ones! (First post has gone sniffing after a set)...
Time moved on and after falling off it at the 2004? Wight Diamond essentially due to lack of talent and wrist fatigue from the rigid forks, I bought myself a tidy 2004 Epic Comp which is still my main ride. I sold the Rockhopper to my then house-mate. He's since replaced it with a Commencal something or other, and has been neglecting the Rockhopper for some time.
This weekend a gathering of the clans took place around at his place and I took the Epic up for a Sunday hangover ride out. To skip to the end, I negotiated to buy back the Rockhopper for 65 notes and see about restoring the old girl. I've still got the owner's manual somewhere and my original Specialized computer (although it's broken and is missing the fitting kit).
It's pretty scratched up and showing some surface rust - just like Superstu's. All the original components are still there, save the cranks/rings and tyres, and as such I'm not sure whether to just clean it up and keep it nice and original, or do something more interesting with it. It's pretty unlikely I'll ride it off-road ever again, but who knows. I can't commute on it, as it's 31 miles each way and I'm too lazy!
I've a good idea of the original spec, having found some handy links online. My main concern is what to do with the beaten up finish... The paint is very thin (almost anodized looking) from the factory and if I got it powder coated, it would look too 'thick'. Can anyone suggest the best ways to get a factory quality repaint? And are ALL the decals/transfers still available?
Cheers all, and hello from Oxfordshire!
George
