Mid 90's Specialized Rock Hopper REFURBISHED with a NEW FORK and a FULL BICYCLE TUNEUP service!

[@alans1816]

I think there may be quite a few of us who use dawn power wash on bicycles. But we learned from you.

[@sammyboy2038]

I always use Dawn and say "if it's good enough for duckys 🐤 it's good enough for me" but extra good to get poison oak off !

[@stevenagy7152]

Why wouldn’t I use Dawn? Or Tide, or whatever is the closest soap that I can reach from the backdoor to the utility room.

[@sammyboy2038]

@@stevenagy7152 simple green removes plating on Shimano chains....

[@danger8430]

80s-90s mtbs are almost indestructible. A bit of fairly simple maintenance and you've got a bike that you can ride until the sun blows up.

[@not-a-raccoon]

Almost certain they'd survive even the sun going supernova. 🤔

[@marcusathome]

These old Rockhoppers are solid bikes and you can turn them into anything: Gravel bike, relaxed hybrid, shopper, single speed... Always looks good and classy because the frame is a class of its own.

[@FuchsHorst]

It's so amazin to see how "old" things still work fine after beeing tuned up and your smartphone goes to the bin after like 4-5 years at most. Old skool bikes are forever bikes. Incredible value for the price. No recurrent payments except some service+wear.

[@donhuber9131]

Agreed! I still use my 30+ year old Univega MTB as a very reliable commuter.

[@PoserBallin]

And if you can figure out how to do the work yourself, they are an even better value!

[@ClintDowd]

Sunday morning coffee and a 90's MTB. Perfect. Thanks 👍

[@eruiz3116]

Same here friend. What a great start to my morning.

[@Averageastriks]

I saved up my paper route money when I was 13-14 and bought a Rockhopper in teal for $749.00 CAD. and got a full season of pure joy before it was stolen. My next bike was a Rocky Mountain Equipe. Andy has the correct view on the bike industry😊

[@billkosses3808]

I had a silver Rockhopper Comp FS back then and it was lovely. Light, fast, responsive as hell, nice front forks that I could switch off, and proper shifters not the twist shift malarkey. Only downside was inclusion of Ritchey components such as the free hub body

[@not-a-raccoon]

I always wanted a Rockhopper. My first serious bike was a GT Aggressor

[@TimmHuffman]

Just want to thank you for the subtle inspiration you mix into your content. I really enjoyed listening to you talk about how you make your business work by being part of your community. Keep up the good work!

[@herrheld3882]

GREAT Video man. Even here in Germany... Helps my students to learn Englisch. ESL with the Bikefarmer rocks! Keep up the good content.

[@Kelekona_808]

Neighbor and his kid rode over to let the kids have a play date. I just fixed the neighbor's non-functional shift leavers and brakes, on a 30+ year old mountain bike from college, while this was playing. Only needed some tri-flow in the leaver mechanisms to get the shifting to work again. And I just had to re-tension a spring on one of the break arms by bending it away from the tire to get everything working as intended again. The Bob Ross of Bikes is seeping deep into my retro grouch brain!

[@Mmmyess]

I still have a mid-90's Specialized Rockhopper, and for one reason: Most comfortable bike ever made (and not just for "comfort" riding). The difference is in the geometry. It couldn't fit me better if it were custom made. Cheers!

[@paullydca]

dream of having one of those old steel rockhoppers in my fleet!

[@ssmtb]

Love your business model/mindset towards bicycles

[@paulwaring5290]

I respect your forward thinking as to how this bike will be marketed.

[@Keelariffs]

This was an absolute pleasure to watch. Nailed it with the softer music in the background too. Such a relief to watch a bike vid that isn't shouting stuff in your face all the time. Cheers man!

[@ajg52100]

Regarding your comment about 7 speed wheels, but sort of wanting to go 8,9, or 10: You can get a 10 speed cassette and remove one of the loose cogs (the 11 or 13 probably) and run 9 of the cogs on a 7 speed hub. Use an old thumbie friction shifter, 10 sp chain., and you’re golden! Not always worth buying these parts new to do this, but a full parts bin can open your possibilities up when dealing with 7 speed hubs. You can also run 8 cogs of a 9 speed cassette. Thanks for the great vids!

[@paulmaurice4491]

I hope park tool is watching you, that suggestion about the cable cutters was legit.

[@paulmaurice4491]

Did you forget the dork disk?

[@TomTom2149936]

I just bought a 1991 Hard Rock and thats what he built 😂, looks good though, hope someone get some joy from it, mine was turned into a comfort bike and its great

[@madtownangler]

I had a Rockhopper back in the mid 1990's. I got run over by a truck and ruined my bike was smashed up and I couldn't afford anything decent at the time and had months of downtime so I had a Rockhopper with a decent fork Manitou SXR? And clipless pedals from my old bike. Broke my pelvis in five places and I was out of work for a month. I answered phones for free out of boredom and eventually got helped out getting on a forklift and drove it around all day. Now that I'm old forget that

[@DavidSnow-s2r]

Hey Andy I noticed something while you were working on the stem and handlebars. To give myself a little more slack I loosened the brake and shifting levers. That seems to help me. I really enjoy watching your channel and would love to see your shop someday. Keep up the great work and stay safe out there.

[@peterdeb580]

You and your Dawn power wash. Reminds me of that movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and how Windex cures all ills ;-) Anyhow, man, love your cynical snide comments, a curmudgeon after my own heart. BTW, I had a Rock Hopper for 20 (?) years. Bought on CL for $40. Sold it during the pandemic for $125 🙂

[@slideman.]

you're faster with the three-way allen wrench than the power driver. 🤣 Thanks for the video!

[@AlFrEDo-EllIs]

I love these tune up videos, and as a Floridian, I love your captioned "ope" every time you drop something. I think you done it so consistently well, that it's become your saying.

[@jackcarter233]

Got a brand new rigid Specialized Hard Rock in 1992 to commute with. Loved it.

[@michaelmagee6428]

Another fun vid. Thanks for doing these. I'm a violin/viola/cello/bass luthier who loves to see other guys working on cool stuff. I also wrench on my own bikes and I've learned a lot of short cuts from you. Just rebuilt a 90's Fuji Mt Fuji Ltd 26" mtb frame to a drop bar adventure bike. Really fun to ride. 9 speed STI levers with an 11-42 out back. 2x up front. Everything works great. Really fun ride, even though it's on the heavy side. Love your channel! Keep makin' 'em, we'll keep watching. Oh, and your narratives make the entire vid. Thanks for all the great vids!

[@joelkton1]

Good stuff. Enjoyed the jazz piano.

[@lucafwn]

I love those 26" steel frame 90s MTBs. I bought one late in 2023, gave it the Bikefarmer treatment, and I am up to 275 km on it since January 1. A great toy to fart around on gravel roads in and around town. Spending an hour riding in the public parks makes me feel like I'm 10 again.

[@jasonkelley3143]

Wish I was anywhere close to you I would totally come by and scoop it. I'm 5'6" looking for a small RH, the search continues 😂 Love the content! Keep em coming!

[@funshinebear4822]

I haven't a clue about bike mechanics, but these videos are so relaxing. I've even picked up a couple skills along the way.

[@daniellarson3068]

Very similar to my 1991 Schwinn CrossCut which I did put upright bars on and replaced all the cables. Mr. Bikefarmer has fixed another bike for 30 or so years of good service. Good Video.

[@sveablu]

Cool. I love those older Specialized bikes. They generally have good quality parts on them, and they can be fitted with parts easily to turn them into grocery getters or daily commuters and such.

[@roberth4395]

A “fun” thing about these 90’s - early 00’s specialized bikes is that if you want one now, you should buy the cheap ones not the expensive models. Here is why: Specialized had 3 mtb models back then. -Hardrock (entry level) -Rockhopper -Stumpjumper Hardrock had the “worst” quality components and Stumpjumpers had the best, so you would think oh I will buy the best a stumpjumper then. This would have been the way to go back then, but because the technology advanced so much and the mtb paths got more advanced, today these old mtbs are nothing more than safety bikes. So why should you get a Hardrock over a Stumpjumper if Rockhoppers and Stumpjumpers are higher quality than Hardrocks? The reason is simple. Stumpjumpers have race geometry and Hardrocks have a more comfortable geometry. So if you want a grocery bike or a daily commuter, then the Hardrock frame will be the most pleasurable to ride and they are also the least expensive, so its a win-win to the owner.

[@sveablu]

@@roberth4395 I couldn't agree more. But you left out the ever elusive StreetStomper!! It only appeared in one catalog, possibly the year before the HardRock showed up. I overhauled one with 24" wheels, and I call it the "Midi Velo", because I put a long seat post and handlebar stem on it so I can ride it. Kind of a cross between a bmx and an early mountain bike.

[@peggz223]

As a novice bike mechanic out of California working at a local LBS, this kind of ‘vintage’ frame work is very very helpful to watch and study. At 22, this is huge for me!! Appreciate the effort you put into each and every video from an aspiring professional technician , thank you!!

[@jbikemoore]

No test ride.. being in hot Texas I love to see those rides out in the fresh Wisconsin winter weather

[@fleurdelispens]

Hot take: the easiest brake caliper of any type to adjust is the Avid BB7. Beautiful caliper, everything is thumb wheels with clicks

[@jbaillie]

Any other man your size grabbing a giant mallet, smiling and saying "the persuader" would be absolutely terrifying 🤣

[@6479rob]

Those are called a bfh in Ohio, always knew the rite one to hand my dad as a kid. He didnt cuss just said get me a bfh out of the tool box.

[@aarontracy5160]

Universal Thread Adapter at my house

[@6479rob]

Thanks Andy for teaching us so much went to look at a vintage bike shop to buy a bike. Well thanks to teacher Andy non snappy breaks dont cut it. No sale.

[@chuffa1130]

Those old specialized rockhoppers really have excellent for a cruiser or comfort bike, geometry seems really good old chromoly frames, and I really do like can't leave her brakes I figured them out and once they're set they're rock solid like a tank

[@darren44312]

I think if you clean and/or shine up the tires it would make a big difference. I love your work!

[@peggz223]

Thank your for recording all your refurbishings and repairs, very helpful to aspiring technicians!

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks hey!

[@jefffixesit60]

Another good bike recycled for a good kid or young adult to ride. Not only are you my Bob Ross, you remind me of John the Bikeman and the Bikeman shop here in my little west Texas town. 18 years of service to the cycling community for 3 very large counties in the desert mountains, sadly closed 5 years ago. I'm hoping for a younger version of John and I to open up a new shop here. It's a good thing you're doing, keep up the good work 😁

[@steamboatmcg2197]

I've wondered about the salt in the Dawn rusting stuff. Maybe the furniture polish cleans it off. I like to pick up lawn equipment out of people's garbage piles and fix it. I'm a big fan of LA's Totally Awesome degreaser from the Dollar Tree. It also contains salt. I rinse it off though.

[@PopInCycles]

Thank god you lowered that stem, thought I was gonna have a sleepless night there for a mo

[@solokalnesaltam3015]

Been watching for a couple of months (I think) Always surprises me when I get to the videos end without noticing 😂

[@JamesDavis-kp4ll]

32:33-32:37 Gold! 😂✊️😜

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

i actually really like using that power wash dawn stuff. I remember that from an older video of urs

[@HenryKissingersGhost]

Picked that exact bike up a few weeks ago for 20 bucks. Have been going back and forth on deleting the front suspension fork.

[@ehounshell]

Ordered Maggie's novel for my sis, who lives in Madison!

[@bkefrmr]

Hell yeah!

[@ehounshell]

@@bkefrmron that note, looking forward to more midwest cycling content as the season turns

[@kona0197]

BikeFarmer - A lever bleed on a modern hydraulic disc brake literally takes 5-10 minutes. For me it's a simple 5 step no-mess procedure. Even easier to change and align pads. Try working on some of the newer brakes from Shimano. You'll be pleasantly surprised on how easy they are to work on.

[@gpetaluma]

Very nice catch..

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Borrowed one 30 years ago for some basic dirt riding. Drove it through 4 foot river fkr a hew hundred yards

[@steveprice9737]

These are brilliant for kids . Just built one up for a 9yr old who can ride well enough to cane it, its so much better than the Decathlon thing he had before. We have another frame in the shed that'll be turned into his cyclo-cross bike. Some 90s bikes are fast and aggressive enough to race on now, especially for kids just starting up, for getting skills tuned they're perfect.

[@TimmHuffman]

Agree! My kids have gone through several (mostly because they ended up getting stolen) and my son has the frame of an old teal one hanging in the gaming room.

[@edjefferson9175]

I love your show. My first job was bike mechanic at a small local shop in 1973! When I need to adjust brake pad positions I get them lined up on the rim and then squeeze/hold the brake handle while tightening them. Also - I don't believe you using the crimp tool the way it is intended. Turn the pliers 90 degrees and crimp with the tooth.

[@jasonlong7840]

Taco $! 😊 Love your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks hey!

[@marta150]

ditching a suspension fork is a good plan, the travel was probably only 63mm so you don't really need suspension correction for a rigid fork, it knocks off a lot of weight and those old suspension forks are stupid heavy and pretty worthless. I have taken them apart and greased them but not worth the time it takes. Old threaded rigid forks are readily available at my bike coop, but old threadless ones are not.

[@samblenkharn8099]

Sweet bike. Nice one for giving a classic old Specialized a new life.

[@cliffanderson7544]

I had red one. Mine was older like 1987 ish... Cool videos.

[@JD15722]

The newest Park Tool cable cutter has the crimper down below the pivot. It’s the CN-10.

[@zach3699]

For nice small power tools. Check into milwaukee m12 line. The screw driver gun is perfect for bicycles. 👍 love the video

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

so cool. I have one of these from when I was kid.

[@phoboz666]

this is a good looking classic rockhopper in the end, theres something about Specialized bikes thats different from other brands imo...

[@bkefrmr]

They really aren’t different at all. If there’s one thing the comments have taught me, it’s that people are really attached to their beliefs about a certain brand. To me, they’re all about the same.

[@billyjo1148]

looks a solid bargain

[@wsmittytoo]

Thanks!

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks hey!

[@calvindouglas-gh8qz]

It is a pain to chance the cable in the shifter cause i just did it. It was a learning experience for me. Kid's brake the bike's fast. I'm known as the bike guy in the neighborhood.

[@PopInCycles]

Classy re-play..😂😂😂

[@HappyCricketHelmet-pz5dg]

A little forking around to get this one set up

[@AdventuresWithDaniel]

for your "first" bike refurb it looks pretty dang good 😂😂😂🎉

[@evannelson9183]

Andy, absolutely love your channel. Great perspective and approach to keeping things simple for us ordinary bike owners that don't fall into a category. We just ride what we have. And even better that you are a Wisconsin fella. I'm about 2 hours or so northwest around the rural Vernon County area. Great content to help us do it yourselfers. It sure has helped me maintain our family bicycles. I have one question, what brand/model is your repair stand? Kind of over working on our bikes upside down on a folding table. Thanks Andy, keep up all your great work! This is what we need! Since you are the Bike Farmer, let's see a John Deere green bike, but then you will have to do an International red bike too...don't need that kind of controversy😂

[@liamstraub3394]

perfect vid for my lazy sunday, flipped my second bike now after watching your videos! Didnt make much but the process was fun none the less. After seeing your interview with russ I was wondering what some of your favorite music is? Genre or artist! Have a great day Bike Farmer!

[@tomskid27]

Better than a Walmart bike is absolutely correct.

[@scottraines4254]

Ooo. Just noticed the collectivo coffee sticker. Nice one. Mine is on my Stanley thermos which i can no longer use because its too cool.

[@skaman1013]

Sweet Bike!

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks hey!!

[@bombero3368]

Nice catch!

[@MNpicker]

Fun project!! Nice bike!!

[@Stevehatesgravel]

Thanks

[@bkefrmr]

Thank you!!

[@seraphan6]

Good enough for who it's for!

[@whazzat8015]

Midwestern BikemanforU who is now out fishing. You go I do this as a hobby. Give the bikes to kids when they get stolen, it's like giving a bike to 5 kids

[@raceface_m2579]

Truly enjoy your videos.

[@johnsheetz6639]

I'm having the exact same problem! I've got an FS that has garbage Forks I'm going to try some from a vintage giant iguana that was a bad marketplace by with a bent chain stay. Go with me luck

[@mattgies]

Probably woulda been easier to get the stem in the fork if you'd unhooked the cables from the frame. Or worst-case scenario, you could slide the headset parts onto the stem, put the stem in the headtube, then feed the fork onto the stem/headset parts.

[@b4oh]

I love this stuff … 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@TN_HondaDad]

Dawn Powerwash is the real deal - I use it to clean my dirt bikes!

[@chrislang7146]

I’ve started using Dawn Power Wash because of you. :)

[@ericanthony1457]

Meth heads would steal old bikes from garages. Now cyclists are stealing old bikes from meth heads

[@TomTom2149936]

Seems fair to me 😂

[@whazzat8015]

@@TomTom2149936 Nothing quite like noting the homeless guy with aerobars

[@drpulpit]

@@TomTom2149936 can you hear them whine: "Hey, you can't steal that, I stole it fair and square, it's mine!"

[@aarontracy5160]

Very underrated comment

[@christopherguzzi1316]

What, no dork disk?!?!? 😉. Btw, that was a sweet bike back in my college days. But I had a Bridgestone MB5, which was even sweeter.

[@xxbeenjamminxx5565]

My very first mountain bike was a rigid frame. It really was a general all purpose bike. It may as well have been called giant BMX.

[@sank2841]

32.15 The Persuader 😂😂😂

[@sprocketandwheel]

The best cable cutter is the Felco C7. Once you use one, you will never want that blue brand..

[@bkefrmr]

I love my Hozan cutters

[@thomasullmann7447]

I really enjoy your videos, and dilemma's as to how far to push upgrades. I've been surprised by some of the quality of parts from companies like sensah. Their 11 speed sti shifters work with sram 10 speed and 11 speed mtb stuff and 11 speed road. My city bike has sensah shifters with an old sram mtb 10 speed derailleur and a 90's mtb frame.

[@jkmattson]

Curious your thoughts on better to go rigid fork vs. old rockshox on my 30 year old Trek single track (I have both of the forks and they’re both right sized for it) between comfort, maintenance, etc.? I just ride the rail trails and occasional dirt roads with it FWIW.

[@jrzoska]

Hard to beat those chrome,moly alloy frames. I have a late 80’s Rock Hopper that the kids bent the forks and I am trying to find forks for it. Any advice ?

[@lordandladyvintage]

I absoluterly dig your perspective on budget bikes. Go on saving the world from supermarket bikes...

[@optimattprime]

Just finished turning a 90s Specialized Hardrock into a gravel bike for my 9yo

[@bkefrmr]

Every bike is a gravel bike for a 9yo

[@matztertaler2777]

@@bkefrmr 😀true!

[@jeshely]

Definitely way better than a comparable price wise Walmart bike put together by an inexperienced entry level employee.

[@viperexpress305]

What no dork disk ! 😂👍🍺

[@princepage632]

Nice video. I have been dubbing you for being a crook. But hey, you gotta make a living to. I like the fact that you are saving old bikes. It's good for the environment to. Thanks for sharing

[@bkefrmr]

Lol. Someone sobered up! 😂🤣

[@GeneralOsik]

If those are Specialized Ground Control tires, they are probably worth more to collectors than the whole bike worth.

[@andre9307]

your bike repair skills are far better than your german is :)

[@jdcjr50]

If only cds and dvds could be turned into spoke protectors. Way better than as coasters.

[@No_ReGretzky99]

What tool works the best for tightening a tapered headset tubes and locks instead of using channel locks?? I'm old school and I'm stuck on channel locks I know there's got to be a easier tool🎉🎉❤❤😂😂

[@tblakemusic]

Hey Andy, just got a bike that uses center pull brakes. Do you have any videos working on those? Super tricky to set up for the first time!

[@christianb.1028]

Park Tool has a really good video on how to set up cantis.

[@MetalTiger88]

that comfort bar on mtb would look soooo wrong. it´s like on dutch bikes from gazelle/sparta. i always tell my customers that these bikes ride like you are riding a wheelbarrow :D