Retro mtb dropbar/Gravel build restoration! -1989 Specialized Rockhopper

[@toastyrides]

Sunday evening here in New Zealand, hope you enjoy the video! I had heaps of fun building and making the vid, now I get to enjoy riding it 😎 Maaaassive thanks to Darcy for finding this bike and helping out with getting it to me! And thanks to Aaron of Aaron’s Ride Conveyor for transporting it up to me 🤙 Check Aaron out on Facebook if you’re in NZ and need a bike shipped to ya for a great rate 👌

[@SHWELL11]

Your enthusiasm is inspiring! Thanks for sharing such an awesome bike!

[@jp93309]

Nice dropbar build. On light surface rust I soak a paper towel in Evapo-Rust and wrap parts of the frame in it. To prevent the wet paper towel from drying, I overwrap the area in Saran (cling) wrap. Overnight removes the rust ready for paint touch up with no need to sand.

[@toastyrides]

Oo yeah I love Evaporust 😁🤙 I’ve had success with that on exposed rust on chainstays, but it hasn’t worked for me on the less exposed bits 🙃 haha. Good method though! Worth a try as it’s the least harmful way 👌

[@clarkedevin]

Great job on the bike, the frame cleaned up nicer than I thought as well. The pink housing was nice touch.

[@AzureCloudCowboy]

I love to passion you have for these old bikes.

[@retrobicyclejunkie]

Gotta love them vintage Specialized bikes. Good job with the restoration!

[@toastyrides]

Definitely 👌 I have a soft spot for em! The ride quality and colours are just awesome haha. Thank you for the kind words 🤙😎 have a great one

[@Wobbz9413]

My kind of bike! Practical, beautiful and not a trend follower. Sweet build. Love that you kept the 3x

[@tmayberry7559]

Now that you've converted it to drop bar you now have a specialized rock combo. cheers God save the King

[@TheRealJavahead]

V.nice, Have just done the same to a 93 Diamondback. It also makes me grin. 👍👍

[@toastyrides]

Thanks! Oh nice! 👏 Haha I bet, enjoy the rides! 😁

[@crisbivolaru819]

Great bike build ! You are motivating me to build my own vintage gravel bike

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! Oh cool! Hope you do, soon! 👍 They’re heaps of fun and a lot cheaper to build than a new Gravel bike 👌haha

[@Quaid_Nasty]

I have 5 old specialized now, 4 are built into different projects. Like this one

[@Quaid_Nasty]

Think there's pics on my IG

[@toastyrides]

@@Quaid_Nasty Oo sweet!!! That’s a nice collection 👌 I’ll take a look

[@MrJonas2255]

It's like the rock-combo Specialized made back then! Super rad

[@toastyrides]

Yeah! Except cheaper and available 😁 it would cost biig $$ to get one shipped to me, so this was the next best option 👌 haha

[@methinjgti1]

I love the build. Ur videos are super chill. I have the Serfa Vermins on my drop bar mtn bike and recommend them.

[@toastyrides]

Thanks heaps! 🤙 sweet, I’ll keep that in mind! 🤙 I think I have a single of the CST copy of those haha

[@johnbaca8692]

Hmm, I just happen to have a 1988 Rockhopper Comp frameset hanging in the rafters that is in very good cosmetic condition. It looks just like yours (white/purple/blue), but has U-brakes mounted on the chain stays instead of the cantis. I've been thinking I want to build a nice 26" wheel grocery getter/off-road-short-cut taker! This would be just the ticket!!! Thanks for the vid and inspiration!

[@toastyrides]

Oo that’s awesome! Yeah that’s definitely an ‘88 haha, even the StumpJumpers had chainstay u-brakes that year. Would be an awesome bike to build up into an off-road shortcutting grocery getter 👌

[@Gummicuki]

Beauty bike. Steel is real😊

[@jet9660]

Awesome build mate! Right up my alley :)

[@toastyrides]

Thank you!! 😄🤙

[@bob-o9865]

Hi bro I enjoyed your video, your so chill too. I’m working on an 80s Giant Boulder, I have some trek drop bars on it (narrow ones) I’m gonna put some friction shifters on it. Thanks for some inspiration!

[@dropthesubjectkiddodropthe5450]

awesome man, watching with wifey while eating.

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! 😄🤙 awesome! Cheers for checking out the video 🍻

[@burrito_bobby]

Magic erasers work really well cleaning the frames as well

[@brianreddish4874]

Beautiful! I've done a parts bin hardrock drop conversion but have rockhopper that will get done properly at some point. Recently picked up a old carbon Trek 9800 that I think needs a dropbars and a rigid fork cause I doubt I'll ever go mountain biking on a carbon frame from 1996.

[@toastyrides]

Sweet 👌 gotta grab those old Specialized’s when ya can 😎 Haha very true, might be a bit risky taking that old carbon on some trails! Would make a good rig for lighter duty stuff though 🤙

[@smarkasmc]

This one is nice too 😉👍🌻

[@petermorrison680]

good one really like this one !!!!

[@toastyrides]

Thanks! Good to hear 🤙

[@corynardin]

Great build. I keep contemplating doing a similar build.

[@juanmanuelvazquezrosales3840]

Great build I want to share my own transformation of similar Rockhopper converted into a Rock Combo replica... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJvQhmaijK2Hh7s

[@glennpettersson9002]

T he chain stay wrap is a classy touch I tend to use old inner tube. Does it last well?

[@toastyrides]

Inner tube is good, too! 👌 from what I’ve seen it does, but it’s replaceable like the inner tube so not a huge cost when it starts to get worn.

[@jonathandougherty3677]

I’d recommend Continental Race Kings! Awesome build, I love these 90’s mountain bikes! I’m building drop bar Giant Iguana too. Love the channel!

[@jackieau5374]

Love the video. Such a joy to see so much passion! I was wondering if anyone had any tips for converting a similar bike, but getting rid of the front derailleur and changing the wheels to accommodate larger than an 8 speed?

[@gregrobertson9957]

I just got an all-original '88 from a very nice family that bought it new. Thinking about putting disc brakes on but front fork is so nice and I'm not sure the juice is worth the squeeze?

[@Captseed]

Just acquired same bike 1989 gonna learn to do what you did 😎🏴‍☠️

[@aronfisker9537]

🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 makes me wanna find barn bike 😅🥳

[@6ryba6]

I personally use a piece of 28mm aluminum pipe to cover this ugly stem adapter, it goes well with aluminum seat post. I used to use an inner tube as a chain stay protector but this string looks so much better, I'm going to treat my 95 mongoose with it

[@toastyrides]

Ooh good idea! I tried a couple spacers I had but they weren’t the right outside diameter to look good. I’ll pick up some more pipe to cover up the adapters 👌 Yeah it definitely looks cooler/cleaner and more colourful than old inner tubes. But the recycled inner tube is a good use of old tubes! Nice 😎🤙

[@bigmikeshooter]

Great job. Greetings from Greece...

[@toastyrides]

Thanks!! Greetings from New Zealand!! 😄🤙

[@JAYZWORKSHOP]

Awesome bike my friend what model Dropbar is this . Have fun 👍

[@toastyrides]

Thanks! Ritchey Venturemax XL. Happy riding 🤙

[@WalkerBikes]

I followed you on insta recently, glad to find the KZbin channel!

[@toastyrides]

Oh rad! Thanks for checking out the channel 😁🤙

[@pablola1001]

Hi, nice video. I need your help. I want to gravelize a Sepcialized Stumpjumper 90, with nine sprockets and three chainrings, and I want to put a road handlebar and I have the doubt of what brake levers to put, because of the issue of vbrake or cantilevers and integrated changes in the levers if possible and if not what gear shifter do you recommend me. Thank you very much.

[@Mantis858585]

😎 I didn't know ESI made bar tape! I'm building something similar with a vintage trek 830 antelope. Still need to order lots of parts. I'm leaning towards a friction bar end shifter, just for something different. 👍

[@peterglatt4770]

I didn’t catch you mention anything about how CRC rust converter fairs with paint. Do you have to brush this on carefully to avoid paint damage? Does it damage the paint at all? It’s also some pretty expensive stuff. I haven’t had much luck with evaporust on frames, so I tend to use a small rotary wire brush to buff the paint and rust away down to bare metal and then seal it with some clear nail polish before polishing and waxing the frame.

[@toastyrides]

Hi! Yeah it doesn’t do anything to paint, it sets off-clear when on non rusted surfaces such as paint or clean steel etc. I’m putting some on a frame at the moment and the video will be out in a couple days, you can see what it does to that if you’d like 🤙 I’ve bought the litre which was about 35nzd, and it gets used very sparingly so lasts a long long time. If you’re just tidying up one frame then get the smallest bottle of liquid you can 🤙 (they do a 250ml bottle which is about 15nzd, less than the cost of spraypaint). Yeah some people have recommended Citric acid baths, but I haven’t ventured into that as it seems best for unpainted frames(people have said it doesn’t affect paint, but also that it only works best on exposed rust). So yeah the sanding it off is one of the better methods for frames, unless you’re doing a full respray haha

[@danielvecchiato1303]

which specific groupset or levers did you use? I have a 3x6 suntour, can I convert to a 2x8?

[@dazzasp3]

Very nice 👍

[@jdillon8360]

Nice video mate. The only bit I didn't like was the left lever - front brake setup. AAAAHHHH NOOOOO! Just kidding, each to their own. 😉

[@efrainrodriguez-arzaga6379]

Awesome build!! Do you think you can provide us with a parts list?

[@BradWadeNL]

This is so rad! Maybe I'll do something similar with my Bigfoot;

[@mattyfrommacc1554]

I have that front chainset, got v cheap on eBay in the dirty, but good condition (- bolts) for 99p, you'd be surprised what a strip down and some nice colored replacement bolts do to the look and performance

[@jamalski70]

Hey Toasty great vids. In your next videos can you give a link to the parts that you used. I like those drop bars and would love to purchaes.

[@toastyrides]

Thank you! These are Ritchey Venturemax XL, 52cm version. I can do a builds part list but I won’t put up links for a number of reasons (varying stock creating dead links and I’m from New Zealand so my local links don’t always ship internationally).

[@r.williams8349]

love your videos. What kind of polish do you use? Do you find its usually sufficient to just polish after wet sanding off rust?

[@nic5958]

Can't believe I only now discovered this channel. I'm looking to pick up a 1984 (according to the ownder) stumpjumper today. I'm concerned about the sizing though, it looks like a 21'ish inch frame and I'm 6,2. How big is this frame and are you aware of any geometry sizing recommendations on these old bikes?

[@stefanogeepoca537]

Bravo bellissimo lavoro ciao 🚴👍👏😉

[@nanaluke]

Dear ESI; please sponsor this bloke haha

[@toastyrides]

Hahaha I would love that!! 😍 love the ESI range 👌

[@jhomarjosemondana435]

Nice bike 😍😍

[@toastyrides]

Thanks Jhomar! 😄🤙 🔥

[@g2avityhitz]

Hey man, I'm loving your videos. So calm and informative. If I can ask, where did you get your start in bike mechanics?

[@MrBrokespoke]

who makes the bar wrap can you attach a link please

[@conroe_au]

Love it Adam! What polish do you use?

[@toastyrides]

Cheers!! This was Turtle wax scratch n swirl remover, does a pretty good job at polishing the scuffs out without being as abrasive as rubbing compound 👍

[@conroe_au]

@@toastyrides Perfect! Yeah Cut N Polish is all I've ever used, but wanted something a bit more gentle and glossy!

[@toastyrides]

@@conroe_au yeah the gentle stuff is pretty good as it’s safer on stuff, doesn’t do much to decals it just cleans them up haha 👌 good for removing scuff marks etc too

[@EliTheEnlightened]

Why have I never heard ANY ONE mention you can make road levers work with rear mtb setups by just putting the cable the other way.

[@fasterdrive221]

what is a bike like this worth? would u sell it for?

[@odairjosebezerra5613]

Top🇧🇷👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@sitoudien9816]

I'm too late. Get the new Surly corner bar conversion. Reuse your MTB components and save yourself money and grief.

[@toastyrides]

Haha I’ll definitely be getting one when it’s out in a couple months 👌 it’ll definitely save money on hydro & disc setups, I’ll be using it on my Kona UnitX. But for rim brake bikes it doesn’t really save $$ as it’s quite an expensive bar (this Venturemax setup on this bike with road shifters etc is still cheaper than the corner bar alone). And it’s not even an option yet as it’s not out for a couple months haha. Plus I like builds, so there’s no “grief” aspect 😄

[@sitoudien9816]

@@toastyrides Thanks for the reply. I want the Surly for the extra hand positions. And my MTB is relatively new. Surly could have added a few cm to the hoods and it would be perfect. There still time to fix this.

[@toastyrides]

@@sitoudien9816 no worries 😁 it’s definitely a game changing option! Especially for newer mtb’s as a dropbar conversion for them can be huuge $$ I’ll be grabbing a Corner bar, but yeah I think it would be nicer with a bit of extra space on the hoods. Although I’ll probably use the “drops” the most, as with most of my wide dropbars. It’s a really cool idea that I hope they improve on as people try them out 🤞 I was thinking of making a little block (carved or printed, I don’t know yet) as a fake hood, placed under bartape it should be comfy. 🤷‍♂️