My New $8 Rockhopper

[maxo]

Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!

Today I got a Rockhopper Comp for 31 dollars, but found $23 in a secret
compartment in the tail bag. *grin*

It's a late eighties I think with full Deore, including hubs. Not a single
chip in the paint believe it or not. The drivetrain shows zero wear. The
rims are groovy dark anodized Saturae's (Specialized house brand with a
neat round shape)--again with zero brake pad wear.
Spokes seem to be Wheelsmith.

Tires are brand new 26x1.5" Panaracer slicks, the Blackburn rack appears
to be unused, with no wear marks.

Freaky! I've been looking for an old hard-tail to make into a city beater,
but thought I'd spend a fifty on it and then have to spend another hundred
on fresh cables, tires, rack, and whatnot.

It's a size too small, so I'll have to buy a new seatpost--it's an inch
above the limit in the pic. Feels right though.

Eight dollar brand new Rockhopper. [does a little dance] :D

picture:
http://photos5.flickr.com/6883710_4c3601909f_b.jpg

[Zoot Katz]

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 04:02:57 GMT,
>, maxo
> concluded:
\snip
>It's a size too small, so I'll have to buy a new seatpost--it's an inch
>above the limit in the pic. Feels right though.
>
>Eight dollar brand new Rockhopper. [does a little dance] :D
>
>picture:
>http://photos5.flickr.com/6883710_4c3601909f_b.jpg

There's egg on the rings but at least it's the right colour!
--
zk

[Tom Keats]

In article >,
maxo > writes:

> Freaky! I've been looking for an old hard-tail to make into a city beater,
> but thought I'd spend a fifty on it and then have to spend another hundred
> on fresh cables, tires, rack, and whatnot.

This is obviously Destiny at work.

Congrats on a great score. (Or, 2 great scores.)


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
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[maxo]

On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 20:58:00 -0800, Zoot Katz wrote:

>
> There's egg on the rings but at least it's the right colour!
>
> --

for an eighties bike I got lucky, some can be pretty hideous! (like my
black and hot pink Trek racer from '89)

I did forget how bizarre biopace rings feel--I'm a high cadence
singlespeeder for the most part, I'll have to halve my rpms on this sucker
to feel comfy. LOL

I did ride biopace during my two years of mountainbiking in the late
eighties so it's not a shock at least.

I do LOVE the old SIS shifters with friction up front and a choice of
friction/SIS rear.

[Tom Keats]

In article >,
maxo > writes:

> I do LOVE the old SIS shifters with friction up front and a choice of
> friction/SIS rear.

They're a lot nicer to replace cables in too, than the
(Shimano) GripShifts with the tiny, losable screws, on
my Norco Mountaineer. I've been thinking about moving
the SIS top-mounts off the old Bigfoot and onto the
Mountaineer, and dispensing with the GripShifts.


cheers,
Tom

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[Zoot Katz]

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 06:01:34 GMT,
>, maxo
> wrote:

>I did ride biopace during my two years of mountainbiking in the late
>eighties so it's not a shock at least.

They're back!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/2005/probikes/?id=julich_csc_cervelo

(but 90 degrees off this time (again))
--
zk

[Ryan Cousineau]

In article >,
maxo > wrote:

> Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!
>
> Today I got a Rockhopper Comp for 31 dollars, but found $23 in a secret
> compartment in the tail bag. *grin*
>
> It's a late eighties I think with full Deore, including hubs. Not a single
> chip in the paint believe it or not. The drivetrain shows zero wear.

> Eight dollar brand new Rockhopper. [does a little dance] :D
>
> picture:
> http://photos5.flickr.com/6883710_4c3601909f_b.jpg

Congratulations! A first-rate find.

--
Ryan Cousineau, http://www.wiredcola.com
Verus de parvis; verus de magnis.

[Peter Cole]

maxo wrote:
> Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!
>
> Today I got a Rockhopper Comp for 31 dollars, but found $23 in a
secret
> compartment in the tail bag. *grin*
>

Where did you say this thrift store was again?

[maxo]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 11:39:04 -0800, Peter Cole wrote:

>
> maxo wrote:
>> Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!
>>
>> Today I got a Rockhopper Comp for 31 dollars, but found $23 in a
> secret
>> compartment in the tail bag. *grin*
>>
>>
> Where did you say this thrift store was again?

Nashville, Tennessee, so you can imagine--99.9% of bikes at thrift shops
are X-mart bikes.

If I lived in a college town like Madison Wisconsin and its much higher
percentage of good thrift shop bikes--I'd probably have a herd of a few
dozen bikes --it's hard to say no, especially when you see a bike you
wanted in, say '86--and there it is for twenty bucks! :P



btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new! I am removing the
hideous decals and the one on the bottom tube is being a pain. Any hints
other than a hair dryer & nailpolish remover?

[Claire Petersky]

"maxo" > wrote in message
. ..

> btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new!

What a fab bike! You are very lucky. What year is it? 1986?


--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[maxo]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 14:22:03 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:

> "maxo" > wrote in message
> . ..
>
>> btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new!
>
> What a fab bike! You are very lucky. What year is it? 1986?

'88 first year of indexing Deore I believe. It's in the middle of the
Specialized lineup from that year, I wanted one in high school, but had to
settle for a Shogun Prairie Breaker. LOL.

The indexing works like a charm after a clean and a lube.

6 speeds is plenty for a guy that is used to riding a single.

Again, I must repeat, not a single scratch on the paint rims or anything.


I can't decide on whether to ride the thing in the woods or make it into a
utility bike...it rolls so sweetly on pavement with the 1.5 slicks, I just
need to hack four inches off the bars...

[Tom Keats]

In article >,
maxo > writes:

> btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new! I am removing the
> hideous decals and the one on the bottom tube is being a pain. Any hints
> other than a hair dryer & nailpolish remover?

Some folks like Goo Gone[tm]. I've never used it,
so I don't know if it might attack the paint.


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
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[maxo]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 21:11:12 -0800, Tom Keats wrote:

> Some folks like Goo Gone[tm]. I've never used it, so I don't know if it
> might attack the paint.

good stuff if you need it, but probably the scariest solvent I've ever
used--it's collection of lengthy carbon chains will give you a buzz you'll
never forget--wicked wicked fumes.

Might have to buy another can, or try another one of my least favourite
solvents, throttle body cleaner. Respirator recommended.

At least the decals weren't clear coated--the eighties were a bad era for
graphic design and I need all the help I can get.

aside: I took it for a little beer run this eve and was again
impressed--such a supple little ride, considering the compact frame, and
to be honest, I've never been a huge fan of indexed shifting (except off
road where it's a godsend), but those first generation Deore thumbshifters
are as good as it gets--up there with indexed bar-ends. Simple, not
"integrated" with anything, and straightforward.

[Tom Keats]

In article >,
maxo > writes:

> aside: I took it for a little beer run this eve and was again
> impressed--such a supple little ride, considering the compact frame, and
> to be honest, I've never been a huge fan of indexed shifting (except off
> road where it's a godsend), but those first generation Deore thumbshifters
> are as good as it gets--up there with indexed bar-ends. Simple, not
> "integrated" with anything, and straightforward.

Slightly undersized frames and sloping downtubes can be
convenient for times when you've gotta mount by stepping
through.

My rear der's thumbshifter has more clicks than the 6-speed
FW has sprockets. I never did get it set up to
2 clicks = 1 shift all across the spread (but I didn't try
all that hard.) Ended up having to count clicks. Shifting
from one of the sprockets to the next took 3 clicks instead
of 2. But it helped me keep track of where I was in the
shift pattern. Maybe it's supposed to be like that? I dunno.


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

[RonSonic]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 04:02:57 GMT, maxo > wrote:

>Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!
>
>Today I got a Rockhopper Comp for 31 dollars, but found $23 in a secret
>compartment in the tail bag. *grin*
>
>It's a late eighties I think with full Deore, including hubs. Not a single
>chip in the paint believe it or not. The drivetrain shows zero wear. The
>rims are groovy dark anodized Saturae's (Specialized house brand with a
>neat round shape)--again with zero brake pad wear.
>Spokes seem to be Wheelsmith.
>
>Tires are brand new 26x1.5" Panaracer slicks, the Blackburn rack appears
>to be unused, with no wear marks.
>
>Freaky! I've been looking for an old hard-tail to make into a city beater,
>but thought I'd spend a fifty on it and then have to spend another hundred
>on fresh cables, tires, rack, and whatnot.
>
>It's a size too small, so I'll have to buy a new seatpost--it's an inch
>above the limit in the pic. Feels right though.
>
>Eight dollar brand new Rockhopper. [does a little dance] :D
>
>picture:
>http://photos5.flickr.com/6883710_4c3601909f_b.jpg

That's my kind of shopping.

Great score!

Ron

[Claire Petersky]

"maxo" > wrote in message
.. .
> On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 14:22:03 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:
>
> > "maxo" > wrote in message
> > . ..
> >
> >> btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new!
> >
> > What a fab bike! You are very lucky. What year is it? 1986?
>
> '88 first year of indexing Deore I believe. It's in the middle of the
> Specialized lineup from that year,

Mine's an '88, too, and it has indexing. But I don't remember having that
cool paint job available.


--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[maxo]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 06:45:37 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:

> "maxo" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 14:22:03 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:
>>
>> > "maxo" > wrote in message
>> > . ..
>> >
>> >> btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new!
>> >
>> > What a fab bike! You are very lucky. What year is it? 1986?
>>
>> '88 first year of indexing Deore I believe. It's in the middle of the
>> Specialized lineup from that year,
>
> Mine's an '88, too, and it has indexing. But I don't remember having that
> cool paint job available.

Cool paint job, oh dear! It really only looks good when I ride it with my
'flashdance' sweatshirt on.

LOL

[Bob M]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 17:01:19 GMT, maxo > wrote:

> On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 06:45:37 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:
>
>> "maxo" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>> On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 14:22:03 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:
>>>
>>> > "maxo" > wrote in message
>>> > . ..
>>> >
>>> >> btw, it's cleaned up looking literally like brand new!
>>> >
>>> > What a fab bike! You are very lucky. What year is it? 1986?
>>>
>>> '88 first year of indexing Deore I believe. It's in the middle of the
>>> Specialized lineup from that year,
>>
>> Mine's an '88, too, and it has indexing. But I don't remember having
>> that
>> cool paint job available.
>
> Cool paint job, oh dear! It really only looks good when I ride it with my
> 'flashdance' sweatshirt on.
>
> LOL
>

I had a Rockhopper in 86 and it had indexing (by this, I think you mean
"click shifting"). I still miss thumb shifters -- easy to use, light, and
cheap.

--
Bob in CT

[maxo]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 12:56:53 -0500, Bob M wrote:

> I had a Rockhopper in 86 and it had indexing (by this, I think you mean
> "click shifting"). I still miss thumb shifters -- easy to use, light, and
> cheap.

Maybe I'm thinking wrong--perhaps 88 was when they started coming with
full Deore group, which made the bike a really great value in its day.

My first MTB in 85 had bull moose handlebars and friction shift shimano. I
upgraded to some gorgeous and indestructable Suntour solid aluminum
thumbthifters with a micro-ratcheting mechanism. I wish I could recall the
model. :/

Yeah, the non integrated shifter really opens up all kinds of
possibilities when resurrecting an older mtb.

[Bob M]

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 19:43:32 GMT, maxo > wrote:

> On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 12:56:53 -0500, Bob M wrote:
>
>> I had a Rockhopper in 86 and it had indexing (by this, I think you mean
>> "click shifting"). I still miss thumb shifters -- easy to use, light,
>> and
>> cheap.
>
> Maybe I'm thinking wrong--perhaps 88 was when they started coming with
> full Deore group, which made the bike a really great value in its day.
>
> My first MTB in 85 had bull moose handlebars and friction shift shimano.
> I
> upgraded to some gorgeous and indestructable Suntour solid aluminum
> thumbthifters with a micro-ratcheting mechanism. I wish I could recall
> the
> model. :/
>
> Yeah, the non integrated shifter really opens up all kinds of
> possibilities when resurrecting an older mtb.

I still long for $500 or $800 bikes that are the value those were (of
course, now we have full or at least front suspension, which I'd much
rather have).

--
Bob in CT

[bikeguy11968]

You know... Doug will have a sweet trek seatpost that would look
awesome on that sucker for 20$ come sunday..

[bikeguy11968]

You know... Doug will have a sweet trek seatpost that would look
awesome on that sucker for 20$ come sunday..

[bikeguy11968]

You know... Doug will have a sweet trek seatpost that would look
awesome on that sucker for 20$ come sunday..

[maxo]

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 17:50:46 -0800, bikeguy11968 wrote:

> You know... Doug will have a sweet trek seatpost that would look awesome
> on that sucker for 20$ come sunday..

Ordered a Nashbar one this morning for $11. Long, black, and anodized.
Sounds ominous. :P

[maxo]

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 04:02:57 +0000, maxo wrote:

> Today I got a Rockhopper Comp

Update:


Well, here it is all cleaned up.

http://photos7.flickr.com/7160882_092d773b12_o.jpg

A new black post (I need another cm) and silver Zefal fenders are coming
in the mail in a couple days. I've already used it for shopping a few
times--it's quite the fearless urban mtb--the handling is unbelievable and
the damping of the steel frame is better than I remembered. Shifts nicely
after a degreasing and application of teflon lube. I could even throw on a
8sp cassette and shift in friction mode--but 6 gears on the back's plenty
for me. What's nice is the thickness of the sprockets, they should last a
couple years. Recycled the old brake pads (zero wear, but hard!) with my
trusty box plane and they're just fine.

The decals were the bitch, on one side they were baked on by the sun so I
had to wrap acetone soaked paper towels around it. and scrape scrape
scrape. Damaged the blue paint in a couple places as it's sprayed over the
powdercoat, but easy enough to touch up--otherwise it looks showroom
fresh.

Next is replacing the tires. They're really spendy nice Panaracers,
roll very fast, and weigh nothing (350g each according to google), but
they seem UV damaged--a bit "dry" and papery. So some slicks are in order.
the rims say "1.5" but seem very narrow, and the 1.5" Panaracers are much
wider than the rims--I'm wondering if a set of Performance 1.25" slicks
will mount w/o too much hassle...

[Peter Cole]

Bob M wrote:

> I still long for $500 or $800 bikes that are the value those were (of

> course, now we have full or at least front suspension, which I'd much

> rather have).

I think more recent bikes are a much better value. Components have
improved dramatically while prices have dropped.

[Peter Cole]

maxo wrote:
> the damping of the steel frame is better than I remembered.

Now you're tripping...

[Claire Petersky]

"Peter Cole" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> maxo wrote:
> > the damping of the steel frame is better than I remembered.
>
> Now you're tripping...

I can't find where maxo wrote that, but I can tell you that my similar
vintage Rockhopper indeed has the comfiest ride of any bike I've been on --
certainly much more comfy than my aluminum frame road bike. Probably the
sprung seat I have on it (see some other thread about those) helps, too.
This may all be a function of geometry and fit, not materials, but I don't
think maxo's tripping if he doesn't feel the same shocks to his body with
this bike over others.

I've done a couple of centuries on that Rockhopper, and while it's not a
fast bike (OK, it's a tank), you can sure put the miles on it in comfort.


--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
Home of the meditative cyclist:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cpetersky/Welcome.htm
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[maxo]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 05:29:22 -0800, Peter Cole wrote:

> maxo wrote:
>> the damping of the steel frame is better than I remembered.
>
> Now you're tripping...

I know you like to be a dick about the steel thing, but I've ridden a
compact 18" steel Rockhopper and an aluminum Marin of the same size within
an hour for comparison.

There's a huge difference.

Now bugger off, you bore me.

[maxo]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 07:21:29 -0800, Claire Petersky wrote:

> I've done a couple of centuries on that Rockhopper, and while it's not a
> fast bike (OK, it's a tank), you can sure put the miles on it in comfort.

Yeah, I can't figure it out. It soaks up road shock better than my '78
Viscount, which has a much thinner wall steel frame. Both bikes run 90 psi
rubber.

As I mentioned in my nasty reply to Peter, I had a Marin in this exact
size, Aluminum with cromo fork--and though it was an awesome city bike--it
was bloody boneshaking. I ran 60 psi tires and a Brooks to mitigate.


Could it be the very long seatpost is soaking up the vibration? That, of
course, couldn't account for why it's comfy at the front end too.

fwiw, the alignment of the frame is dead on too, something I always check
on used rides with the very accurate string method (;)). The thing begs to
be ridden w/o hands--though I'm not in the habit of doing that. Nothing
special about the frame really, it's just bog standard "Specialized
double-butted tubing" "Made in Taiwan". Probably good design from the get
go I guess.

[Garrison Hilliard]

maxo > wrote in message >...
> Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!

And I picked up a nearly-unused 1990 Schwinn High Sierra 21 speed for
$10 on the
same day!


> Today I got a Rockhopper Comp for 31 dollars, but found $23 in a secret
> compartment in the tail bag. *grin*

I hate it when things like that happen... basically because it didn't
happen to me! <G>

[Jeff Starr]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 05:36:45 GMT, maxo > wrote:

>On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 04:02:57 +0000, maxo wrote:
>
>> Today I got a Rockhopper Comp
>
>Update:
>
>
>Well, here it is all cleaned up.
>
>http://photos7.flickr.com/7160882_092d773b12_o.jpg
>
Nice job, it looks good.

Years ago, the first thing I did when I got my Champion Du Monde road
bike was remove all the useless decals. It really made a difference on
your Rockhopper.


Life is Good!
Jeff

[maxo]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:28:03 -0800, Garrison Hilliard wrote:

> maxo > wrote in message
> >...
>> Well, I think I've obliterated my thrift store record!
>
> And I picked up a nearly-unused 1990 Schwinn High Sierra 21 speed for $10
> on the
> same day!

Looks to be similar spec to the Rockhopper, except for a 7 spd
cassette and rapidfire.

http://www.firstflightbikes.com/schwinn_specs.htm

Excellent. :)

Old rigid mtbs sure do make the nicest city bikes. Mine's going to come to
around $70usd after I add the new bits like fenders and tires and should
be better quality than anything new costing under $500. Yeah,it doesn't
have as many gears--how much does that really matter in the city?

[Tom Keats]

In article >,
maxo > writes:

> Could it be the very long seatpost is soaking up the vibration? That, of
> course, couldn't account for why it's comfy at the front end too.

When I changed from Cheng Shin slicks to IRC Metros,
the cushiness of the ride was (and still is) amazing.
I kept the CS's pumped to 60 psi. The cheap-o Metros
are rated for 40 psi, but being a lightweight skinny
guy, I pump 'em up to 50, so far with no ill effects.


cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

[maxo]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:14:30 +0000, Jeff Starr wrote:

> Nice job, it looks good.
>
> Years ago, the first thing I did when I got my Champion Du Monde road bike
> was remove all the useless decals. It really made a difference on your
> Rockhopper.

Thanks! I'm pretty anti-decal too. I'm also not a fan of two tone paint
either, but removing the blue on the Rockhopper promises to be a PITA so
I'll leave it.

I tend to stick to shades of gray for my bikes--usually black, and I'll
allow the occasional cream coloured one.

Bike frames are just too elegant on their own to be ruined with fancy
paint and decals.

If I had the time, I'd just take apart all my bikes and have them all
powdercoated charcoal gray.

:)

[maxo]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 11:15:31 -0800, Tom Keats wrote:

> In article >,
> maxo > writes:
>
>> Could it be the very long seatpost is soaking up the vibration? That, of
>> course, couldn't account for why it's comfy at the front end too.
>
> When I changed from Cheng Shin slicks to IRC Metros, the cushiness of the
> ride was (and still is) amazing. I kept the CS's pumped to 60 psi. The
> cheap-o Metros are rated for 40 psi, but being a lightweight skinny guy, I
> pump 'em up to 50, so far with no ill effects.
>
>
> cheers,
> Tom

Good point, the RH does have some very nice Panaracer Hi-Road 26X1.5 tires
on it. The casing is the most supple I've ever seen on a 26" mtb city
tire. Too bad they're a bit UV damaged. Could be the reason for the nice
ride.

I wish they came with a black sidewall, I'd definitely get another set,
but I can't pay 50 bucks for a set of rubber with tan skinwalls--they get
so grubby looking. :P

[garrison@efn.org]

maxo wrote:
> http://www.firstflightbikes.com/schwinn_specs.htm
>
> Excellent. :)
>
> Old rigid mtbs sure do make the nicest city bikes. Mine's going to
come to
> around $70usd after I add the new bits like fenders and tires and
should
> be better quality than anything new costing under $500. Yeah,it
doesn't
> have as many gears--how much does that really matter in the city?

You don't live in Cincinnati, do you? ;-) Let me tell you about hills...

[garrison@efn.org]

Btw, I hate those rapid-fire shifters with a passion... and they are
HARD to shift!

[Jeff Starr]

On 23 Mar 2005 23:43:17 -0800, wrote:

>Btw, I hate those rapid-fire shifters with a passion... and they are
>HARD to shift!


Thanks for sharing;-)


Life is Good!
Jeff

[maxo]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 23:34:14 -0800, garrison wrote:

>
> maxo wrote:
>> http://www.firstflightbikes.com/schwinn_specs.htm
>>
>> Excellent. :)
>>
>> Old rigid mtbs sure do make the nicest city bikes. Mine's going to
> come to
>> around $70usd after I add the new bits like fenders and tires and
> should
>> be better quality than anything new costing under $500. Yeah,it
> doesn't
>> have as many gears--how much does that really matter in the city?
>
> You don't live in Cincinnati, do you? ;-) Let me tell you about
> hills...

Nashville, TN--it's fairly hilly here AND my primary ride's a single speed...

*grin*

What I mean is that the average city commuter really doesn't need 30
different gear ratios to make it up and down the city hills. As long as
you've got a "low" "medium" and "high" you can handle most situations--you
*can* get off and walk the sucker up a steep hill--that's what I always
did in Seattle.

When all is said and done, I'd still rather have my Shimano Nexus internal
bike back. Seven gears, no hassle.