Hi all,
Been lurking on the site for a while, stumbled upon it while searching for info on Ti frames (of which more below).
I got my first MTB in 1990 (aged 12). All set for a Carrera Krakatoa (mainly for the paintjob), at the last minute I got a deal on a 1989 Specialized Rockhopper (in light grey) with innovations such as Biopace rings and 21 gears. I rode it more or less continuously until I went away to uni (familiar story) then worked overseas for a while, during which time it languished in my parents' shed.
When, in 2004, I moved back to Scotland and got a proper job, I gave the bike a makeover (a la "Changing Rooms"), starting with a respray (bad, but necessary) and surgical removal of the seatpost and bottom bracket. Continuing to be an 'early adoptor' of new technologies, I fitted suspension forks (Pace RC35s with approximately 99% preload - lush); a Tange aheadset, V brakes and rapidfire shifters. I'm now running 9 speed shifters with an 8 speed cassette (smooth combo...) and some similarly plush Halson Inversion forks, having donated the Paces to my wife's bang-up-to-date Trek 830 (circa 1994?) As of April 2008 I've just made the move to clipless pedals.
That said, the bike I always wanted was a Stumpjumper, or something in titanium. As I've now got both (an early 90s Litespeed and a modern Epic FSR, which IMO is more like how a full-suspension Stumpjumper should be than the current monstrosity that bears the name), I'm wondering if I still *need* the Rockhopper? I'm planning to build up the Litespeed as a modern weight weenie, which when complete will replace the 'Hopper as the all-weather bike for my arduous 1 mile daily commute.
I've kept most of the old bits: complete Mountain LX groupset, rigid forks, flat bars, headset, stem, etc., so have the basis for a retro (re)build. With a half-restored house, an unwritten PhD and (potentially) kids in the pipeline, I need a new project about as much as I need three bikes. Unusually, my wife (who works in promoting walking and cycling in schools) thinks I should keep it, mainly so she can tell the kids that her husband is still riding the bike on which he passed his cycling proficiency test.
What should I do chaps? Convert the Rockhopper to singlespeed? Sell the frame and parts on here? Build both the Litespeed and Rockhopper with retro parts?
cheers