Upgrading a vintage mountain bike from 3x7 to 1x10 using the same wheels. Starring a 90's Rockhopper

[@johngreene6783]

The Frisbee Golf scene was hilarious

[@lukeoverthehill]

Clever editing satisfying to watch. Love the disc golf throw 😂

[@stylgen]

I didn't know the hub swap was possible. Awesome! Also great edits, I love that the imagination is never lost.

[@seb.oneill]

Finally somebody with a clear and original way to dispose of a dork disk 😂 !!! Great vid btw !!

[@thestyleprofessor]

Bikes of that era have the best lines. Just beautiful.

[@sgtcortesusmc]

I just got a 1997 Trek Singletrack 930 with rigid fork, I couldn't afford it back then, but now I get to do it how I want it. Great video and THANK YOU for the parts list

[@FatDiabeticGuyonABike]

Ive got one too and a 3700, wondering if you'll upgrade the hub to a free hub or get a whole new wheel for shimano cassette?

[@aaronrobinson4519]

I've watched this video several times now. I love this bike.

[@aaronrobinson4519]

MAN! I'd LOVE to have this RockHopper AS IS! I've got 2 but they're both MUCH smaller. 17 inch frames. I've also got 2 HUGE GT's, about this size, that I absolutely adore. I'd give up BOTH of my RockHoppers for this one. Absolutely stunning bike in my opinion. I appreciate your work and content. Please, by all means, continue.❤️🙏🏾

[@MS-bs3pg]

awesome. I wanna do that now too. I will keep this video in mind if I ever get my chance. Thanks for a great video

[@brunocerous]

That was so fun to watch! I have an old Stumpjumper with a 1x10, and it’s the first bike I reach for on our local trails. I’m looking to do the same with a vintage Cannondale F700.

[@CharlieMetcalf]

Those old Specialized bikes are very good bikes. Love the editing. I am really digging your channel. Keep it up!

[@benvg]

I had mixed feelings about the new setup, but when I saw you ride it I knew what it was all about. Legend!

[@FGIRAFFE]

Nice. Very funny too. Half the comments prefer the 3x7 and the other half the 1x9 or 10. I just bought an old 3x7 Gary Fisher bike. I like the idea to ride it as is. If I don't find it "fun" to ride I'll try as you did. Thanks for the funny and interesting video!

[@DePuesshop]

Yes! That's true! No matter what I build, 1x or 3x, there's a bunch of people who prefer the other way.

[@n.kittleson]

Incredible Build! I did a similar build last year with my dad's '96 Rockhopper. I did end up buying a new rear wheel because I didn't know about changing the freehub. I also went with an AdventX derailleur (1x10) and a RockShox recon silver tk fork in the front to modernize the bike (still kept the v-brakes for now). Loving these videos, keep it up!

[@markymarknj]

I was anti 1x until recently. I saw it as a regression; after all, you're paying the same or more for fewer speeds. Then, something funny happened: I got a bike with a 1x drivetrains. I got a Marin Kentifeld 2 hybrid with a 1x10 Microshift AdventX groupset. It has a 38 tooth wide-narrow chainring up front, and it has a 11-48 Microshift AdventX cassette on the rear wheel. It has 22-96 gear-inch range, which is almost as good as my 3x7 and 3x8 ATBs. Marin chose good gear rations. They work well for my local terrain and my riding style. You know what? I LIKE IT! I never thought I'd say that, but I like the 1x drivetrain on my Marin. Moral of the story is: don't knock 1x drivetrains until you've TRIED ONE!

[@DePuesshop]

I totally agree! Most of us don't need the range of a 3x and prefer the simpler 1x.

[@aaronrobinson4519]

I'm a rigid fork guy though. I've never been a fan of any suspension anywhere on my bikes. Hard-Tail Rigid lover for life!😁

[@davidreeves2596]

Sweet build! Thanks for the parts list. I have a 90s RockHopper (purple to blue fade) that i wanted to update the stem and bars..

[@kevinborovsky3558]

I’m enjoying your videos very much. I’m in the process of doing the same to a late 90’s MTB. Amazing how a few modern components can make these bike so enjoyable to ride. Cheers

[@stormingsharks]

I have a 1996 Santa Cruz Tazmon with a broken chain ring and completely gutted drive train. This video will serve as the blueprint for when I decide to get it all patched up. Thx for sharing!

[@aaronrobinson4519]

The finished product is awesome as well! I haven't yet but I just might experiment with the 1x9 or 10 conversion. Still a hard no as far as the forks are concerned. For me, it would go from awesome to absolutely mesmerizing with rigid forks instead. Still love it though. Keep up the good work. I greatly enjoy watching and learning.❤️🙏🏾

[@blondi195656]

Just got my roadbike, 1 x 12 speed. 44 tooth and 10-28 rear. Fantastic I love it. I used to have 2 x 11 before. Huge uprade for me.

[@another3997]

The downside being that you either end up with top and bottom gear ratios that are closer together than before, or that you have similar top and bottom ratios, but with much bigger jumps in between. Or perhaps a mixture of both. Whatever you choose, there are always compromises.

[@royaloreca]

5:30 to 5:44 that was one of the best bits, I've never removed one of this, they just auto destruct after a few runs.

[@garyanger3141]

Great job on the editing and the tire mounting was especially fun, lol. I like the tire choice, and that you didn't just update other stuff, just because. Well done.

[@franka3398]

Very nice job, this is the second of your videos I've watched, lots of fun! I have a real 1997 Klein Attitude Comp that I'm getting ready to do a 1x11 swap on. The bike is in mint condition, I bought it off a collector. I have a 2024 Specialized SirrusX 4.0 1x11 and after riding it, it's hard to get back on the old 3x8 set up. Now I'm really pumped after watching this video! Thanks for the inspiration. 😁👊

[@vitoonto]

Turned out super cool!! Keep the bikes coming!!

[@prabjitprabjit]

First video of yours I’ve seen. Enjoyed watching the build. Subscribed before you even got the bike broken down.

[@DePuesshop]

Thank you!!

[@jbstillman]

Really enjoyed this. I have my 3 old 26in bikes I recently replaced with more modern bikes. I wanted to give the old ones some new life before getting rid of them. I think at this point I can just toss on a few upgrades and sell for the cost of the new parts and get the enjoyment out of doing the projects.

[@DePuesshop]

That's a great idea! It's fun to do these kinda projects. That Deore group set was reasonably priced. There's a link in the description that comes as a set.

[@StanEby1]

IMHO, I might call changing a 3x7 to 1x10 an update, but not necessarily an upgrade. My old 1999 Giant Sedona is 3x7 and I love it. Wide range, plenty of options, and the available combinations to maintain a straight, efficient chain line. All the best to you.

[@OjStudios]

You get less possible gear options and people call this an upgrade. I don't get it either. Simplicity of 1x is nice but I too prefer my 3x7 as an ATB. Gears for any terrain and situation.

[@DePuesshop]

The 3x7 is a true workhorse that can do just about anything, I am just not patient enough to use 2 separate levers. Haha!

[@keeganwebber]

3x9 is what i currently use on an old giant yukon for commuting, has the gearing to haul groceries and a trailer up hills, but has plenty of top end when unloaded. friction shift front is the key in my opinion to avoid the annoyance of shifting an indexed triple. with that said, i totally get why people convert to 1x, it is much simpler.

[@ondrejmanych5688]

depends on the bike. For commuting or a touring or something like that, it can be awesome. But for a trail mtb, 1x is the way to go. Less rattle, less complicated shifting, quiet riding..

[@SurpriseMeJT]

Agree. I remember racing on 3x7, 3x8 and then 3x9. Though for racing the granny gear is essentially useless, normal daily riding tells me 3x anything is better than any 1x.

[@dereklucero5785]

I did the same thing to my wife’s hard rock…. It was immaculate but old….. threw on some semi slicks, went from a 3x8 to a 1x9…. New cables, housings, brake pads, chain etc. now it’s good for another 15 years.

[@deltafour1212]

Is it just as fast on the flats with a 1x9 as it is with a 3x8?

[@growingup4487]

​@@deltafour1212the 3x has the higher tooth in the front for more speed thsn the 1x

[@deltafour1212]

@@growingup4487 Thank you,. How fast we are talking though? Only couple MPH/KPH or more than that?

[@spoongee6541]

DAYUMM you flew putting that thing together!

[@anomaly3460]

I bet it rides nice! Steel frames on their own soak up the road chatter, so having it come w/ a decent fork + all the upgrades is a good formula for a fun time.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Wow! Great upgrade work. A friend of mine has a 90's Klein 3x7 that he wants to get rebuilt. Thanks!

[@bowtechlover1]

Great story!! I truly enjoyed this video! One of the best I’ve ever seen. 🙏🏽

[@whatsnext8696]

This is what I'm wanting, old school. Front shock. Mostly pavement some gravel dirt road.. and the 1x is perfect.

[@DePuesshop]

Yep! That's exactly what this bike is all about....it will go anywhere.

[@sailingaeolus]

Outstanding. I love the way my Gary Fisher 26" rides. I upgraded the cranks to Hollowtech II and the bike lost a pound or so. I would comment that SRAM sure does pedal better than Shimano in my humble opinion...but ain't cheap. Another option would have been 11-42 cassette and double cranks. Having a front derailleur has a cool retro look. Makes it nice for big transitions in terrain too.

[@iblamesummers]

nice work apron.

[@mattcameron9349]

My favourite of your videos so far! I have a 2003 Saracen Element 3 bike which I've upgraded to an air-shock suspension and hydraulic disc-brakes, but is still running a 3x7 drive-train. You've got me thinking...

[@JohnPilling25]

Very nice modernisation. Nice and simple. Switching to a modern stem and wider bars is a no brainier. 👍

[@Brett_Land]

The tire transitions 👏 👏

[@cycledelic44]

Sweet ride, enjoyed every minute.

[@Staunte]

reusing the old hub by changing the freewheel is great, bike looks cool

[@LappenBuckel]

Love the video and the nice ride scenes at the end a lot!

[@d2krules2008]

Awesome job, I have a Trek 7000 that I want to retromod, thanks for the motivation.

[@sciroccosven]

I’m watching this with the exact same bike in mind. Easton made?

[@johnvillanueva4962]

That’s Epic, thank you so much, gonna make me one, also thanks for the links, this old Man gonna be young again….

[@journeymantraveller3338]

Aren't those frames 125mm rear axle and need 130mm for a 10 gears? 3 X 7 are fine. Didn't show brake pad adjustments and wheel truing. Straight handlebars with boxer extenders and ergo grips are nice. Nothing wrong with toe clips and straps either. Just reconditioned old webbing straps with PVA and they come up a treat.

[@gusreyes5447]

That bike will last you a lifetime. 👍

[@Straitjacket808]

Cool build. Great Rockhopper 👍

[@mrmichael972]

Wow. Amazing. And with a few funny parts.

[@Edgar-fq8kx]

Wow very inspirational. I’m gonna have to do the same. I have one sitting in the backyard.

[@rcriderjennix1507]

Nice build upgtade for and old bike.. Watching here in philippines..

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

I will be watching your singer restoration videos later, got one that's not working 👍

[@FeelingBadBand]

Really nice build and video!

[@glen3509]

I would have gone with an M750 XT rear derailer, M760 XT V-brakes, Thomson stem, and riser bars😁🤙🤙

[@jaimegomezgarcia7599]

Great work !

[@lewf5685]

Great video! Can’t wait to do this myself!

[@bernardofernandes1826]

this is art

[@hilltopper600]

nice build! great tire installation technique

[@erikvonbold]

Very nice! Good looking bike!

[@despeasland4837]

So pleased I recently found your channel great builds thanks for sharing . Des P.

[@davidhubert37]

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I didn’t réalisez you could just swap the cone thingie on the wheel.

[@whichypoohs]

Love the bike and you’ve got your own woods …. Jealous or what wow

[@jaypee3035]

Really like this build ❤ great job 👍 I would love to know, if this is axle is frame clearance is 130 or 135 mm and how to manage the correct spacing of the bearing and washers on the hub side. I tried the same build with the shimano FH-C 201 and had big issues to find a correct spacing between the freehub bearing and the frame. Unfortunately it didnt wirk out. Do you have any hint?

[@DePuesshop]

I have a video with more details that o just released a few weeks ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp6rap95YrZ9bpIsi=LeXgQzTZKWP701-q

[@druiz127]

Nice resto/mod👍🏼

[@grumpy_ken]

Very cool build

[@Foinnse]

Throughly enjoyed that video, so interesting. The frisbee really topped it for me….

[@MochiBruan]

Hi, I recently just bought my first retro MTB and Im also a beginner in fiddling around with it. Can someone explain what is happening at 10:00 mark, It looks very important but Im not sure what it does. Thanks in advance!

[@DePuesshop]

That makes sure the hanger on the frame is parallel to the wheel, which in turn makes sure the cassette is also aligned to the derailleur. If this is not parallel, the shifting performance will be poor.

[@ShyShrink]

Perfect tired effect 🎉🎉🎉

[@eriwalks6858]

Nice bike, you should have left the drive train alone though. 3x7 gives you a broader gear range. I have the Trek 1996 930 with Deore xt group. Of coarse I live in Colorado and I'm 60 years old so every little bit of help I can get is needed.

[@labolilaboli5093]

Nice job 👏👏👏👏

[@timshelhamer7374]

Thanks for showing the freewheel swap! I was curious on the difference between 7 and 8 spd.

[@nicodanger13]

The body that support 7 gears is shorter than the one who support 8 to 11 gears.

[@radekcegla2351]

Great, great job!!

[@Nu3vO]

Nice video and good conversion.

[@guidojt]

I love this idea

[@steffanoswald7917]

Thanks this was informative. I’ve got an old Giant rigid fork. Hope it has a free hub.

[@theretrobikeshed3392]

Great looking bike that mate very clean 👍🚴‍♂️

[@nwprepped]

Awesome build! Wanting to do something similar with an old diamondback i just got. What crank and bb did you use?

[@DePuesshop]

They were some FSA cranks that were used as well as the BB.

[@elwynj5379]

Great vid! Lots of good tips and info….

[@glen3509]

Was that an M737 XT 8 spd. cassette? It looked like the aluminum "spider"

[@johnscambler47]

Will the rear drop outs designed for the 7 speed cassette body accomadate the 35 mm body?

[@DePuesshop]

Yes, the new freehub clears. I have more details on this in another video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp6rap95YrZ9bpIsi=mX9y3ljdVLn8K0bt

[@s.irvingbeer1207]

Excellent. Thank you

[@Pie-qs4yg]

Great video, I have a Canondale 900 how much would a bike shop charge to have this done?

[@DePuesshop]

I'm not sure. Most bike shops don't like to get that deep into a bike. Usually, it costs more than the bike is worth. It's best to find a local guy who likes to tinker like me to do the conversion.

[@is_it_true_2023]

thanks for the video I have a GT I might do the same with

[@glen3509]

My bad, I thought Shimano was putting the aluminum spider on their 8spd. XT cassettes.

[@spoongee6541]

he ALWAYS hops right on,and rips! love it!

[@BenitoAndito]

Dork disc golf 😂 nice Subscribed

[@drip416]

Amazing video!! Is it really as simple as just replacing the 7-speed freehub body with an 8-speed freehub body and then using the same original axle and hardware that was on it originally? My LBS is saying "It's not that simple, you may need a longer axle, new cone/cup hardware etc, the spacing will be off etc..." I want to do the exact same conversion, 3x7 on a 90's Bianchi MTB (with very nice Mavic/STX wheelset), but don't want to go into the whole trouble of rebuilding the wheel with a new modern hub etc... But you used the original axle and hardware from the 7-speed setup when installing the new 8-speed? THANKS!!!!!

[@DePuesshop]

I thought I would give it a try, and it worked great on this bike. There may be others with frame clearance issues

[@peterjv8748]

@@DePuesshop It's would bet it's almost definitely off dish and might not even be possible to get it to dish within a decent tolerance.

[@samteks125]

You could still go 1x11 and just leave the smallest cog away, which will make the cassette fit the old 7x freewheel, and you still end up with 10 gears. Only two real downsides to this: your longest gear will be a tad shorter (12T on most MTB cassettes), and you'll have to find a matching 12T cassette lockring, as the one that comes with the new 11x cassette usually won't fit the 12T cog's friction surface. Use a matching 11x shifter (the 11th gear will be without function, but that doesn't really matter). Might be an option...

There is one point that I don't quite understand. Did you have to widen the frame width to accomodate a 10-speed wheel from a 7-speed? If so, how did you manage?

[@DePuesshop]

Nope, the frame and axel width stayed the same. The chain width and cog spacing are narrower, so it still fits. You need to make sure there is some space between the frame and the smallest cog on the 7 speed to accommodate the slightly wider set up.

[@iancadwallender9779]

I have a 95 gt pantera,from new.I would love to change to a 1x10,but have no idea of what to buy.😢

[@DePuesshop]

All the parts I used are in the video description.

[@johndef5075]

Those Yeti grips are sweet. Still have a set. That fork.....not so much. Mine anyway was pretty much worthless. Slooooow rebound😅

[@DePuesshop]

This one works kinda ok. It just takes the edge of the bumps.

[@lifehealth489]

watch out running amongt those trees when the brake cable that feeds the cantilever breaks, theres no warning ,~ front more often than rear .

[@DePuesshop]

Thanks for the warning!

[@albertoshernandez5251]

Good job 👍

[@gregrobertson9957]

Not necessarily an "upgrade". Maybe if simplicity is the goal. Reliability may or may not be better...depends on chainline as it sideloads the chain.

[@Londinius]

Great video! But if I can not change the free hub from 7-speed to 8/9/10 hub I can still use a 10-speed cassette (removing 1 cog) on my 7-speed hub, resulting in a 9-speed cassette. Do still have to use a 10-speed derailleur and shifter or can I just use a 9-speed derailleur/shifter?

[@DePuesshop]

I've seen others try that, but I think the drive train becomes a little fussy.

[@bogdanchiorean2762]

It’s this what you had on Shimano Exage (RM50 / FH-HG50)? Thanks

[@Kumquat_fr]

Woahw I love it! Thanks for this video. Really instructive by the way. I am doing the same on my old Marin Nail Trail, 1994 Mtb. With the longer 8s freewheel body, does the same axis fit? Don't you need a longer one ?

[@DePuesshop]

I used the same axle. The only issue could be clearance to the frame.

[@blissbouwerij4033]

nice job! next time line your tire valves up with the tire logos. finishes the wheels off trick

[@DePuesshop]

Great tip! I just realized that most people like this detail. And I agree!

[@ralphbarker1849]

Great vid. I just purchased (literally yesterday) a 90's Miyata Civi Cross and I'd like to change the 3x6 over to 1x10 for rail trail riding. Would the setup above work for that particular bike? Is there a link or a site that gives definitive info on conversions. Thanks!

[@DePuesshop]

I am not sure, but you may have a freewheel instead of a cassette on the back. If it's a freewheel, this conversion won't work.

[@StasStas-r7e]

Tell me why, when replacing with other shimano connecting rods, they don’t fit completely square and it’s not possible to make the correct chainline

[@DePuesshop]

There are so many different offsets in cranks and different bottom bracketwidths, even within shimano that need to do some figuring and calculations to see what works best.

[@StasStas-r7e]

Thanks @@DePuesshop

[@adamrohde3513]

Great video and build! Question- how do you know an 8 speed freewheel body will accept 10 gears? It seems 8 speed is more of a nominal rating?

[@DePuesshop]

They call it an 8 speed hub, but it's the larger of the 2 sizes that shimano makes. That "8" speed hub will accommodate anywhere from an 8 up to an 11 speed cassette.

[@adamrohde3513]

@@DePuesshop Ok, good to know. Thanks for the info!

[@joeypersiani6759]

Hey Mr. DePue, great video! Do you know what would have happened if you tried to install a 27.5" wheel on a rockhopper or trek mountain track type bike that was made for 26"? I'm going to try to build my first bike with a 1x conversion on a mountain track and am wondering if i should try it this way with the old wheels or try to run 27.5

[@DePuesshop]

I think it is possible, but the tires need to be pretty small, and the frame needs some extra space. I've been looking for the right combination to try a build like that. A mullet set up with a 27.5 up front would be easier but may mess with the bikes geometry.

[@jonathanflores1451]

Nice job I like it