The Rock Hopper Build Breakdown [Finally]

[@edwardw2652]

Glad I got in on the ground level and didn't have to pay for my subscription. Should have got here earlier, suckers

[@timfreeman2603]

7 months later it’s cost me $2k ;-)

[@kurthooker2391]

As you say always love seeing the Rockhopper. shame too many people always think new is best, a good bike will always remain a good bike even 28 years later!

[@abaneyone]

I have the same 28 year old bike, bought it brand new and I still use it today. :D

[@kevinmccloy185]

Excited to get down to business on a '98 Stumpjumper I picked up last winter... Seriously considering that Ritchey stuff now that I see it all together

[@derekmosher4561]

Those are the best builds , you really don`t put a finish date on it . Then one day you go for a ride and everything feels just right , then you know the build is done .

[@peterski2286]

Just subscribed, 3 years later 🤪,gonna build spec hardrock pro 2005 😊thanks for motivation and ideas

[@Lucetkatie]

hey Eric,i started watching your channel about 2 months ago, but you often talked about passed bikes or rides you did and i didn't know what exactly you where talking about...so i said screw it!!!...i'm starting to watch this channel from the start...so i did and this video you uploaded today was the first one i actualy had to wait for to watch...so yeah after a marathon of video of the last 4 years of your life i am now up to date with your channel...keep up the good work love what you do

[@atthesummitMTBskills]

I have a 91 stumpjumper team that is to serve as my gravel bike. Lovely to ride and such a keeper. Some new wheels and a couple of upgrades coming so will do a quick vid when it’s back together.

[@smckinley524]

This is awesome Eric! Just picked up a 93 Hardrock frame (purchase was completely inspired by this channel) and you've answered a tonne of my questions in one video. Thanks!!

[@pixiedixie3187]

OH boy! such a sweet machine!

[@al-du6lb]

Definitely one of the best bike build channels on yt.

[@zepolekul]

I’m one of those people that love when you do videos on the rock hopper. Hi myself ride a 1989 Bridgestone MB 2 with salsa cow chipper drop bars and a Velo orange stem adapter with velo orange threadless stem. I currently run A 11-34 nine speed Cassette but I need more gearing so I’m switching to a Microshift advent nine speed cassette 11 - 42 and a Microshift Advent nine speed derailer. And it’s 2x in the front 50/34

[@bosanderspublictheology]

very cool to see it all come together.

[@genetrew2599]

Dude! Yes..thank you! Answered every single question I had.. awesome bike! I got myself one coming From eBay next week can't wait to start on it!

[@kylehoover114]

I prefer a Mtb pre 1993 for any conversation (gravel, commute, townie) no suspension and no sloping geometry

[@juanmanuelvazquezrosales3840]

Speaking of which I do too as a matter of fact I built a replica of the Rock Combo from Specialized...kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJvQhmaijK2Hh7s

[@timmckinstry]

Did I miss it? Pedals? Bottle Cage? Seat Post quick release clamp? Saddle?

[@coletrick8748]

That’s what I was thinking too... he is not very thorough

[@mgwiredman919]

Love the build. I have that bike, purple 20”, I bought new so long ago. Years ago I changed the gooseneck and bar to get a little more height. I’m 6’2” and the bike is a little small for me.

[@germaincousineau8608]

New to the channel. Long time lurker. Another fellow Canadian 😉

[@johnnydoe66]

I have the perfect name for the Rockhopper, because you say it's slow and because it's purple w/ green tires....First an explanation. In my High School German language class (in the 80's), some friends and I came up with our own comic series that we did partially in German. It was a Pig (slow) who fought crime and his arch nemesis was the "Butcher". He wore purple shorts w/ a green belt, purple cape w/ green on the edges (he couldn't fly), and a purple mask just covering his eyes....Silly I know, but we got a good grade on that project. His name: UBER SCHWEIN.....loosely translated Super Pig.

[@nic5958]

So sick

[@loud479]

I have a love for quality 90s mtbs more specifically specialized and trek ive been commuting on a trek multitack 720 for the last decade and have been hunting for 2 years now I've finally found a specialized hardrock in a 52cm seat tube - I'm gonna build the fuck outa this over the next couple years

[@Pshpshpshpshpshpshpsh]

So funny story, on my 1992 Hardrock I put mini v-brakes on them and the GK SKs and they clear/fit!

[@aspringer9876]

just beautiful great work. I want to do something similar.

[@willford5046]

Bro this things is so cool I’m planning to do a similar build with my 97 Klein pulse comp

[@AndresGarcia-kj7bs]

I have a 1988 GT Tequesta Trip-Triangle I'm gonna do this to!!

[@kristiandawe85]

I just have to add a set of Paul component breaks would be so sick on that bike, it just sucks they have to cost so much. I really like the Rockhopper, just because a bike isn't fast doesn't mean it's not fun.

[@MrRedPony01]

I spotted a different between yours and mine. Mine has brake cable housing around the seat tube.

[@TheProjectsimpson]

Great video that is for sharing that. My convertion is a '93 Kona Explosif. Drop Bar Dingle Speed. (2 chainrings to a single cog) 50mm stem to compensate the long TT. 1 1/8 headtube......but a 27.0 mm seatpost. Kenda small block tires. The only thing left to do is re-paint it. The best way to build bikes like this is to build them slowly over time.

[@clarkedevin]

Eric I never noticed before in other videos that the cranks are Altus. You should Google the model number since those were recalled years ago. Good time to upgrade

[@gergograbler7961]

So... I've been wanting to build something like this for a year. I have started it now. It is an Extreme Thunderstorm frameset from 1994, and it came with a complete Shimano STX Special Edition groupset, I will keep a couple bits of that, like the rear derailleur, and the wheelset. I will have to modify the freehub body, because I want to mount a 9 speed 11-42T cassette on it. I chose some 26x2.1 Vee Tire Mission Skinwall tires, and I got my hands on a Ragley Luxy flared drop bar.

[@Blackshoveldeathgrip]

Bring back the SE Racing bike! Excellent retro machine . Well done Sir

[@josh28874]

I have a 1997 Kona Kula which is being build up atm. Its gonna be rad i tell ya.

[@ronwhite8503]

Gotta love the Konas. I am lucky enough to have hoarded steel Lava Dome, Cinder Cone and have just acquired an 853 Explosif frame. They're keepers.

[@josh28874]

@@ronwhite8503 i do want a 1999 kona explosif but they are impossible to find

[@marcusathome]

Beautiful build! I can only encourage everyone to do such a project yourself. Good parts at a reasonable price still easily found on the Internet. Though, you may face total costs of EUR 500 to 700 for a high quality build, and no bling-bling parts yet. For that money you may get a better performing new bike but hey! the Rockhoppers and alike are much cooler and nicer. Seat post diameters on old steel frames is an issue: e.g. Stumpjumper Comp '92 comes with 27mm, Stumpjumper Comp '90 has 26.8mm, and so on.

[@Quaid_Nasty]

I has a 93 stump jumper, been upgrading but haven't been able to commit to the 1×10 on it. Just got done making a 91 Trek 400 into a track style single speed. Picked up a 96 hard rock, might make that my 1×10.

[@jackieau5374]

looking to do a build just like this with a 90s rockhopper i picked up. I have a random ultegra shifter lying around, and was wondering if you think that would be ok to throw on there? And with what rear derailleur? Great stuff!

[@ifyourethere]

Nice build, pretty wild lever position though.

[@abaneyone]

I have that same bike, bought it brand new in 1993. :D

[@kristiandawe85]

I get exactly what your saying about the apex shifter paired to rival 1 derailleur, the cable pull ratio is the same. for Shimano r5800/r6800/r7000/r8000 11 speed and Tiagra r4700 10 speed they all use the same pull ratio, you can mix and match derailleurs and shifter, if someone uses a Tiagra r4700 10 speed shifter with a any of Shimano 11 speed road derailleurs from 105 r5800 or higher it will work, it just means your 11 speed derailleur functions as 10 speed. And also not recommended but I have use a Tiagra r4700 10 speed derailleur paired to a 105 r5800 derailleur and works just fine as 11 speed.

[@petersmedley459]

Lovely build and very nicely thought through. What axle width did you go with to get the best chain line? I have an old set of 90s Cook Bros Racing cranks that I’m now considering building around. As a three ring they would be better used in a shield wall...as as a one ring narrow wide set up I think they can sing again!

[@adamyelle4901]

I was curious what internal width those rims have to support the tires you chose. My 26" wheels have 18mm internal and most recommendations I see say not to go much larger than 2.0" or so wide. I was convinced I could go wider and I'm glad to see your setup is working without issue - from what I found your rim internal width must be 17mm. Thanks for not being afraid to push the boundaries a bit on some of these things that seem obvious that they wouldn't be an issue.

[@nikispaniki]

I’m very old school and we used to run the biggest tire in the day, specialized ground control in 2.25, on those same rims with no problem. I’ve got some original Mavic M2 that Bontrager re rolled into 559 that I found at a garage sale. Put a 2.3” Chen Shen crap tire on them with no problem and they are internal 18mm. I was glad to see your input because there is just so much over techie nonsense about compatibility.

[@MrRedPony01]

I love the reverse Zac statistics

[@nikispaniki]

One problem on some of the older Specialized that were originally designed for cantilever is the rear bosses are a little bit low and closer together for good v brakes pad adjustment.One more piece of advice is don’t get too crazy about changing drive trains. You’ll get into some problems that will be expensive to change with no advantage.

[@davidburgess741]

I converted a similar rigid mtb to a touring bike. Hand me down 10 speed components and friction shifters. I left all of the patina and added a little more to make it undesirable to thieves.

[@onebackzach]

You should definitely buy something like a 2016 Rockhopper and put a carbon fork and drop bars on it for a comparison. I have a heavily upgraded one, and it's an excellent mountain bike, but I'm curious of what it would be like in gravel bike form. I imagine you could get one in the $250-$300 range, which isn't bad considering how much the value of 26" hardtails has shot up.

[@Korina42]

That's a very different bike, no comparison.

[@scotthughes29]

$300/day seems reasonable for this content....

[@glennpettersson9002]

I think the steering tube/stem/bars are probably wise choices, I went with a classic 80's road setup and it is a tad slammed.😳

[@anielyantra1]

The only choice difference I would have gone with an IXF 40t crankset because I like the external bearings and the hollow axle. Why the 40t chainring is it is always nice to have one gear below 1:1. Screw the high end. 40/11 is fast enough.

[@Armin_27]

1993 is a very good year to be "built" just sayin'..👀🤭

[@asherbeal8357]

Get off my lawn 😂😂😂

[@Armin_27]

@@asherbeal8357 Haha :P

[@Choltec]

Thank You! I've been waiting for this for sooo long. I'm in the midst of trying to build a new hardtail, but you regularly want to make me blow half my budget on some dope retro beauty like this (and i'm not mad about it). Side note ~ When might I be able to buy something with that sweet Norton / Spindatt Misfits logo you teased on Insta yesterday? Please make a shirt :)

[@kennybeam2008]

My mongoose is the same to your specialized rock hopper, but my mongoose has rock shox threadless head set.

[@chamberxm]

Love watching these 26" dropper build/videos on your channel. 99% finished with mine (basic Carrera frame UK though :( ) Was wondering how the frame/stem/bar fits for your height? I'm 5'11" and top tube measures 21.5", a 70mm stem, and 70mm reach on the bars.

[@alanhickerson2345]

That front crank came on it as a 1 x 10 and you added the chainring?

[@kellymckenzie4865]

Purple 38mm sk's on the tricross! Red on the poseidon

[@michielnooren2076]

I have the 1992 model that I converted. My framesize is also a 20" inch but during the build I ran into 2 problems... - Frame is a JIS standard headset (27.0mm crownrace - 30.0mm cups/headtube). Most new headsets are ISO (26.4mm headset and 30.2mm cups/headtube). Very difficult to find a good JIS headset...had to settle with something cheap. - My new BB (BB-UN300 118mm axle length) fitted a 42T chainring and cleared the chainstays perfect but my chainline was way off (10 speed cassette). So ordered a 113mm axle BB and therefore had to order a 38teeth ring because the 42 ring didn't fit the chainstays with the shorter axle. Also drilling my forks to fit the cableguide made me nervous like f***. Learned alot with this build! Still need to do something about the reach. 20mm offset seattube and 65mm stem is too much for this frame! Rockhopper love!

[@Jason-ry3et]

I have the 88 Rockhopper with 3 chainrings. Is it possible to change it to the single with what you have?

[@johnwaynes4417]

What would make this build not a pig on the road? I have one just like this that I am building, but I want it to be better on road than off. Is it the gearing? Tires? Weight? I love the build and it inspired me to dust mine off and transform it into something good.

[@xrated_]

why is it even a pig and how about ride comfort?

[@tag24greg65]

Yay🚲

[@blitzen74]

Please put a compatible crankset and bottom bracket on your amazon build page.

[@Rocky-hw9dv]

ok so you say you have a 10 speed cassette but on the amazon it shows a 11 speed. which one shall i get thank you really appreciate all your videos

[@AaronGruber]

I really really dislike cantilever brakes so I got some travel agents off aliexpress for my gf's bike (also a 90's drop bar mtb). now it's got regular v-brakes which are just so much better in my experience.

[@Korina42]

Does your girlfriend dislike cantilever brakes?

[@ronwhite8503]

Mini v brakes work great too with drop bars.

[@AaronGruber]

@@Korina42 she cares about stopping power and given that I can't properly adjust cantis, yes she dislikes them.

[@AaronGruber]

@@ronwhite8503 I'm sure they do but they don't clear 47mm tires and fenders

[@AaronGruber]

@RollinRat yes I'm sure they can work better than they did. I just really didn't want to try and learn to adjust them (I think I have a somewhat irrational dislike of cantis). I found travel agents to work really really well and v-brakes just feel so good and they're so easy to adjust. I'm sure one day I'll learn setting up cantis though :D

[@cm96yyc]

Newbie here. Is it slow because of gearing, or because of the large tires?

[@RILFYx]

would this make a good touring bike?

[@ek8507]

Bottom bracket? Headset? (^: Are you planning to upgrade the brakes? I'm gonna need to look into that front brake hanger - definitely could be useful

[@erctut1]

Right? What size square taper BB?

[@rogerhart612]

Love the rock hopper build. Was it a 7 speed freewheel and what do you do to change it to a 10. Was there a video? If so couldn't I find it. Keep the videos coming.

[@fedearbelaez4912]

You swap hubs in order to be able to fit a modern cassette.

[@Offishu]

Great vid. How much does it weigh?

[@roxymaxie]

Hi! Awesome build. I'm currently restoring my Rockhopper. Where did you buy your 26"tires in Canada? Thanks!

[@jackvucreative]

How did you fit the 11 gear cassette on the rear wheel? My cassette hits the frame when I try to install the wheel..?

[@bshean72]

They look like the old Michelin tires from the 90's

[@philipwade9560]

black cranks would look sick- i think it's the missing piece: do ritchey still make cranksets? Also, I know it isn't cool but would this bike not be better with a 2x 46/36 cyclocross setup and a smaller ratio cassette- might be more comfortable gearing and the smaller wheels probably negate the benefits of the big cassette- or maybe- go right down to a 32t chainring and a road cassette- be slow as hell but the most comfortable pedalling bike in existence the bike looks great btw

[@Aperturexplorer]

Well cool. Your shop has all the wrong parts…you have 11speed cassette and shifters which is not what you have on your build…glad I figured that out now after ordering from watching your other video

[@huskerfan3352]

I’ve got a 1993 Rockhopper expert

[@NothingmanPT]

Hi friend. I need a help, where did you buy that hanger fork for the cantilever brake? Many thanks.

[@Spindatt]

Amazon

[@zebda]

What's the rear drop-outs width in the bike? I'd like to do a simillar sort of conversion with my very old MTB. After the crash, I left with SRAM Apex shifters, GX rear derailleur, 10 speeds cassette. However, my old Diamond Back Cro-mo frame is 130mm and the new 10s hubs are 135. Do you know can I just buy 26 inches wheel with a 135 mm hub, install the cassette and then install it in the frame without any problems?

[@al-du6lb]

could you fit 650b wheels on that?

[@jacksharmonoquinn572]

Any thoughts on oval chain rings?

[@jc-mt8ot]

where you do you get the 26x2.1 green/brown sk tires? They dont look to be available anywhere. I have a very similar build id like to do in this same scheme. right now Fat Franks are the tire of choice but i might want to change it i up.

[@adamknapp9898]

Are those 650b wheels?

[@samwebb585]

"Final Product" yadder yadder yadder, we all know no bike is ever truly finished! Really good job though... So far!

[@matthewguenther6925]

I'm a little jealous that your frame will take 2.1's My '89 Fuji won't take them :( (waaaay too fat and jammed into the frame) 47c/1.85" is about the biggest I can go without rubbing on the V-brake cable (Suntour canti -> Tektro V-> dropbar + Onyx canti -> Tektro V + Travel Agent)

[@busoptr]

Please , what is the brand and model of the dropbar?

[@davetbassbos]

Is that a gravel bike?

[@cobytenpenny5269]

How's that super short stem? Does it handle well? I went back to flat bar on my Rockhopper because I was always so stretched out, I always assumed a short stem would ruin the handling.

[@AaronGruber]

short stems aren't that bad imo. you'll get used to it quickly.

[@christophersmith7703]

Do you really want to ride it fast??? Its ok to slow down to show off your ride. Gravel King SK's come in red too. Spindatt!!

[@csobering3108]

Have you ever thought of mounting a LD stem on that bike?

[@csobering3108]

@RollinRat I'm jonesing for an LD stem for a drop bar 26 er build, but I need to sort out how to get a threadless one on a threaded fork.

[@csobering3108]

@RollinRat I've thought about a threadless adapter and an LD stem, but I'm worried about the strength of it offroad. I bought one of those nitto removable faceplate quill stems for my Miyata triple cross gravel bike, but it's kinda ugly and it doesn't have the same aesthetics as a dirt drop stem and bar combo or an LD stem and dirt drop bar combo. I kinda want this bike to be an homage to the early drop bar mountain bikes of the 80's. Lots of good ideas. Thanks.

[@Rocky-hw9dv]

Did you keep the bottom bracket and crankset original?

[@Spindatt]

yes i did

[@Rocky-hw9dv]

Ty so much greetings from bicycle shop Velokal in Luxembourg

[@blitzen74]

What happened to 26" rim brake rims and wheels? Looking around to find out that they are now really hard to find. :(

[@Spindatt]

Yeah finding any good retro compatible 26” stuff is really tough without spending a tonne

[@blitzen74]

@@Spindatt I don't understand why Mavic chooses not to service this market. There are so many old quality 26" steel bikes that have a ton of life in them.

[@papaEyyy]

Give a way parts please

[@31.8mm]

ok man, clamp down, I'll subsub u

[@cobykluth1878]

Loved that little hopper before, but now she is all dressed up fancy I dunno 😕.

[@RoyMeBoy]

I had to pause Justice League for this

[@solarheat9016]

Cantilever brakes must go. They are the worst.

[@kimrice394]

You’d figure when you show up at a gravel grinder, 50% of the bikes would be like yours. But it’s rare. A LOT of good bikes are going to waste!

[@davidbrowne89]

Next mod? Hydraulic disc brakes with welded lugs hmmmm

[@ckck4483]

If ibt's not... argggh😂

[@csobering3108]

Is a bike really ever "done"

[@carlosrivera-sanchez7959]

Surly rat pack knock off?

[@ronwhite8503]

Just as good but a quarter of the price.

[@oftankoftan]

personally that mould green and the purple doesn't fit together at all. It's true that green is a complement color to purple, but that's more matt regular green, not this pastel one. But otherwise it's sick.

[@Lynxswild]

1:1? Flat lander...

[@YoungDoug13]

$300? Take my money

[@livefreeandshred9818]

Lucky. 99% of my audience isn’t subscribed

[@blablabla1000able]

I'm confused. How can 11 equal 10

[@kylehoover114]

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