BigSung

Picked up a 18" RockHopper Sport off CL to use as a commuter. The Exage 500LX components seem to point to 1990 year model. Only thing is that in that year the Sport model did not come in White with red lettering color. Maybe it's a '91 or even a later model. I can't seem to find 91 catalog to confirm.

Unfortunately, the bike was purchased out of town, and it is currently in another city. I will be heading down to pick it up in two weeks. Can't wait bring it home to start cleaning up and working on it. Here are the pics of the bike from the CL ad.

Sir_Name 

My father bought this ~'90 RockHopper new - gave it to me once he stopped riding it. Great, fun bike.

Raven301

Hi gang nice to join some fellow Rock hounds. I saved this ol' girl from being sent to the the Sal'y 5 years ago. I have been told it is a '96. It is a Rockhopper FS. Ritchy Logic decal on the frame and came equipped with an LX/STX mix with a Specialized Stronglight crank, Rockshox Indy Comp fork and some pretty bling Bontrager wheels. It became first a commuter and now is my Swiss army knife bike. Full time commuter, grocery getter, pub crawler and since it's most recent rebuild long haul endurance & gravel grinder. I was hoping someone could help me match the color - it is a kind of a candy-gold...any idea where I might find some info on it? Someone told me it might have been a limited edition Olympic Gold edition.

BigSung

@Raven301,

It is probably a '98. I think Rockshox Indy Comp fork came on 97 and 98, and the color seem to match 98. But I am not 100% sure. You can get information on Bikepedia: 1998 Specialized Rockhopper FS - BikePedia

Raven301

Well you nailed it. The color is a weird green gold...she is such a sweet ride I can't believe it was only $600! Funny..the lady I got it from used it for her first couple sprint Tri's. I intend on riding Rocky until the very bitter end. Thanks BigSung!

richard4993

Just picked up a pair of either 87 or 88 Rockhopper Comp's in Denucci Green as well as a blue Street Stomper. Will probobly keep one of the Rockhoppers and flip the other. Still debating what to do with the Street Stomper. Both of the RH's have the U-Brake under the chainstay as well. Will try and post pics soon.

I've really become a fan of these old MTB's. Would love to get my hands on a Stumpjumper and Bridgestone.

richard4993

Here is the one of the Rockhoppers Comps I picked up as well as the Streetstomper. Anybody know what year both of these bikes are. I know they are between 87 and 89.

Velocivixen

Go to mombat.org and look up Specialized. They'll list some models in each of the year, mostly in the '80's. Look at Rockhopper in th years you think yours is and match components.

Vintage-Trek.com has component date codes by brands. Look at date code on your components to narrow down.

bamacrazy 

What components were on your bike when you found it? The color scheme suggests 1992, but I have a frame that color and it has Suntour componets.

fureshi

Your Rockhopper looks just like mine with Exage 500LX components on it. Mine has a sticker from the original store in Utah, where the original owner (who I bought the bike from) purchased the bike at. On the sticker, it has four years printed and the year for 1990 was punched out which I take is the year of the bike. Hope this helps.

tricky 

When did the geo change on these? I would like to pick one up, but would like the more modern geometry that isn't based off of a Schwinn balloon tire bike.

BigSung

Thanks for the info.

RubiRockHopper

Nice bike you had there. I got mine in April of 1992 as a college graduation gift. I just recently got my RH out of storage after about 15 years. I mainly stopped riding it when the original right thumb shifter stopped working due to an internal spring breaking and not allowing it to ratchet. So now I had a tune up, new shift/brake levers, chain and a new front tire all done and it is like riding a brand new bike. I will never get rid of this one, although had been tempted to get a newer bike with the shocks and disk brakes. Time to get my kiddos on the trail now.

jackroach66

Purchased for 30 bucks from storage on CL. Needed full overhaul.

BigSung

Finally started to work on drop bar conversion of the Specialized RockHopper Sport. The exact year is unknown; however, it's pointing to either a 90 or 91. I am still waiting on few parts, but initial mock up in progress.

I temporarily put on Salsa Cowchipper 2 handlebar that I bought for my Salsa Vaya. I will be using the Salsa Cowbell from my Vaya once I swap them out.

As for brakes, I am debating if I should go with Cantis or mini-Vs (tektro RX5).

BigSung

Conversion finally done on the '90 Specialized RockHopper Sport. I ended up doing double the amount work as I decided to reroute the bar end shifter cables under the bars at the last minute after watching a write up on it. It was more work (more money too as I had to use new shifter cables and housings), but I think it turned out well...much cleaner look. Weight came in at 25.9 lbs. It's a bit heavier than I had hoped, but it rides well.

Darth_Firebolt

Which quill to threadless stem adapter is that?

bikemig 

Good looking job.

BigSung

It's the VO Threadless Stem Adaptor ST-0001. I also use the Profile Design Threadless Size Converter (1 - 1/8-Inch) on my other bikes; however, the VO is slightly taller, albeit 100g heavier.

BigSung

Thanks. I am happy about how it turned out.

Darth_Firebolt

Thanks for the info. The frame it's going on is already 2 sizes too big if I going to use it as an MTB, but it fits great as a flat bar commuter. I'll probably get the Profile one.

SJX426 

I going to give you an update even though it is not quite 20. I have put over 4,000 miles on it and recently updated the rear block to 8 speed because I could and the original block wore out. I don't ride it as much as I use to but when I need to haul a load, I pull the truck out.

[IMG]1997 Specialized RockHopper, on Flickr[/IMG]

BigSung

In that case consider a trekking bar (butterfly bar) for a bar option. I have it on my commuter and it works great especially in a frame that has longer effective top tube.

Not a Rockhopper, but posting pics as a sample.

IrishBrewer

Just to add to the knowledge base of this thread, I recently restored (basically just cleaned up and fully serviced) an '85 Rockhopper. As noted elsewhere in this thread, 85 was the first year for this model and it was also stated that the Rockhopper's got bumped up to the Stumpjumper Sport Deore XT components starting in 86. My bike, however, was built in December of 85 according to the serial code but it too was outfitted in the Deore XT components so it has the Staghead front and rear derailleurs (M700). Another interesting thing about this particular bike is that it also has the Suntour XC-II pedals that some of the Stumpjumpers built around that timeframe were outfitted with. So, while it has some rather unique characteristics, it appears to be all original parts on this bike except for the tires and a couple of brake cable housings that I replaced as part of the resto.

The information in this thread and the vintage Specialized Specs over on mombat.org were very helpful in researching this bike.

This bike was in amazing condition for its age. All of the components were in almost new condition and all of the brightwork including the spokes, cups, etc are rust free and the chrome sparkles. I would have expected it to be somewhat oxidized after this many years so it must have been kept indoors for most of its life. The paint has some dings in it most of which have been touched up but for the most part is in great condition too. Here's a pic.

20161221_112943.jpg

Unfortunately, I have to sell this bike so if you want to see more detailed pics or are interested in buying, you can find them over in the marketplace HERE.

DQRider 

That's a beauty! You can't beat that early-80s minimalist aesthetic. When this bike came out I was riding a Lotus Pegasus, the one with lugged fork and the extra curved tube for shouldering the bike over stumps and boulders and things. So, not a Stumpjumper, but still a cool bike. I just traded my Rockhopper cargo-bike conversion for a nice, rare Ross Aristocrat - as I seldom ride in the dirt anymore.

Did the Rockhopper ever get that biplane fork like we find on early Stumpjumpers?