Updating an '86 Specialized Hardrock...
09-13-18, 07:06 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Updating an '86 Specialized Hardrock...
Wow! Glad I found this forum! My first post, so please don't judge me...
So, you read the title of this post and you're asking why??
I've had this bike since the day I bought it from the showroom floor and even today, I cant part with this ugly bike.
Sure, it was a bottom line bike at the time and even worse now but hey, I love this bike like a fat kid loves cake.
So here goes...
I need to know what size am I looking for to replace my stem. Anybody know?
I want to put a retro Tioga T-Bone 130mm that gave me the geometry I had back when I owned a Giant Iguana that gave me the extreme nimbleness I adored at slow speeds
Also, the headset is shot.
What am I looking for here to replace it?
Should I upgrade to a quill-to-headless adapter?
I have a set of Kenda Kwest 26x1.95 tires that are going on this bike this Saturday. I may add a retro Blackburn rear rack with a small trunk. Lights, pedal upgrade, maybe some more stuff.
Thanks in advance!
~jim
So, you read the title of this post and you're asking why??
I've had this bike since the day I bought it from the showroom floor and even today, I cant part with this ugly bike.
Sure, it was a bottom line bike at the time and even worse now but hey, I love this bike like a fat kid loves cake.
So here goes...
I need to know what size am I looking for to replace my stem. Anybody know?
I want to put a retro Tioga T-Bone 130mm that gave me the geometry I had back when I owned a Giant Iguana that gave me the extreme nimbleness I adored at slow speeds
Also, the headset is shot.
What am I looking for here to replace it?
Should I upgrade to a quill-to-headless adapter?
I have a set of Kenda Kwest 26x1.95 tires that are going on this bike this Saturday. I may add a retro Blackburn rear rack with a small trunk. Lights, pedal upgrade, maybe some more stuff.
Thanks in advance!
~jim
09-14-18, 06:41 AM
#3
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I have seen quite a few Hard Rocks listed on this and other forums liked and enjoyed by their owners.
I have a 1987 Hard Rock Comp that I changed up quite a bit and it served me well for several years.
It's still hanging in my garage possibly awaiting a future build.
Most of the time I strip my projects down to bare frame and fork.
The half pound or so difference in frame weight of the Hard Rock over a Rockhopper or Stumpjumper really didn't bother me for my mostly urban riding.
(About 7.4 pounds vs 8.0 pounds).
It rode really nicely with fat street tires.
At least that's the approximate difference in frame weight over my Hard Rock Comp and 1990 Rockhopper.
That said I temporarily had a dark grey mid 90's
Hard Rock that the bare frame and fork weighed 9.0 pounds.
If of interest you might check out what others have done with their Hard Rocks and other vintage Mt bikes.
Here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/828426-show-your-vintage-mtb-drop-bar-conversions.html
and here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1127647-vintage-mtb-upright-bar-urban-bike-conversions.html
There is a thread search option so you could search specifically for Hard Rock or Hardrock.
I warn you, one can get hooked and spend lots of time looking at the cool and imaginative
build ups of vintage mt bikes of all brands.
Enjoy your Hard Rock.
I have a 1987 Hard Rock Comp that I changed up quite a bit and it served me well for several years.
It's still hanging in my garage possibly awaiting a future build.
Most of the time I strip my projects down to bare frame and fork.
The half pound or so difference in frame weight of the Hard Rock over a Rockhopper or Stumpjumper really didn't bother me for my mostly urban riding.
(About 7.4 pounds vs 8.0 pounds).
It rode really nicely with fat street tires.
At least that's the approximate difference in frame weight over my Hard Rock Comp and 1990 Rockhopper.
That said I temporarily had a dark grey mid 90's
Hard Rock that the bare frame and fork weighed 9.0 pounds.
If of interest you might check out what others have done with their Hard Rocks and other vintage Mt bikes.
Here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/828426-show-your-vintage-mtb-drop-bar-conversions.html
and here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1127647-vintage-mtb-upright-bar-urban-bike-conversions.html
There is a thread search option so you could search specifically for Hard Rock or Hardrock.
I warn you, one can get hooked and spend lots of time looking at the cool and imaginative
build ups of vintage mt bikes of all brands.
Enjoy your Hard Rock.
09-14-18, 07:26 AM
#4
Senior Member
Does the bike need other parts as well? At some point it might make sense to find another used mtb for cheap to use as a parts donor. Of course, then you’d have another frame, so down the rabbit hole you go!
09-14-18, 08:25 AM
#5
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I don't think anyone in this section of the forums would ask why. BITD, even Specialized's "low end" were some right nice bikes. Definitely worth the parts/work you're fixin' to put into it. As an '86, I reckon it has thumbies, eh? Something very Zen about that simplicity.
I don't see any need to go threadless, esp. if you have your eyes on that particular quill stem. Find a decent threaded headset, reassemble and ride on.
I don't see any need to go threadless, esp. if you have your eyes on that particular quill stem. Find a decent threaded headset, reassemble and ride on.
09-14-18, 12:06 PM
#6
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Updating a vintage MTB is totally on my bicycle bucket list. You're among like thinking weirdos here, my friend.
09-14-18, 02:33 PM
#7
Senior Member
I have seen quite a few Hard Rocks listed on this and other forums liked and enjoyed by their owners.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nversions.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nversions.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/19985435-post25.html
09-14-18, 03:20 PM
#8
High Plains Luddite
Indeed.
My kids both ride '90s Hard Rock bikes with their original rigid forks that I bought on craigslist. They're good-looking, trouble-free, all-purpose bikes that the kids use for riding with friends, mountain biking with me, and commuting to school when the weather's nice.
I don't own a Hard Rock myself, but I sure would if the right size and color came along.
My kids both ride '90s Hard Rock bikes with their original rigid forks that I bought on craigslist. They're good-looking, trouble-free, all-purpose bikes that the kids use for riding with friends, mountain biking with me, and commuting to school when the weather's nice.
I don't own a Hard Rock myself, but I sure would if the right size and color came along.
09-14-18, 04:36 PM
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I have used tange levin headsets for my hard rock with quill stem, be sure to measure the crown race as there are two sizes 26.4 and 27 I usually beat the crown race off and measure the seat directly, because if you order the wrong one then you have to order right size race separately. The stack height on mine is a little short so i shim with washers, I’m to lazy to cut the headtube. These headsets are usually less than 20.00 and I have good luck with them. Hope,this helps.
09-14-18, 05:11 PM
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I've owned 3 of the 80's-90's era and my daughter has an '89. I also have a modern 2011 one.
I just like the model. Cheap and easy to mod.
Let's see some pics of yours, OP! When you have enough posts, of course. lol
I just like the model. Cheap and easy to mod.
Let's see some pics of yours, OP! When you have enough posts, of course. lol
09-14-18, 05:21 PM
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Nice bike. No reason not to upgrade your Hard Rock if the bike fits and you like it.
Now, it is just the details. What to you envision your bike to be.
09-15-18, 07:39 AM
#13
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Thread Starter
Sweet! That's pretty close to what I want to do.
I'm now thinking think the Hard Rock is now going to be our grocery getter. We live about 1/2 mile from a Publix and a good 1-1/2 miles from an Aldi's.
The GF Marin will be my townie/rec-cardio bike.
I really want a new bike but the cost of depreciation is very similar to a doughnut. But maybe an upgrade to a gravel bike OR make my own from a modern bike will be where I wanna go. My wife looks at me sideways because of all my hobbies and I tend to have a one track mind when I decide to get immersed. Figure I get back in whole hog and she'll buy into it. LOL.
She's my CFO!
I'm now thinking think the Hard Rock is now going to be our grocery getter. We live about 1/2 mile from a Publix and a good 1-1/2 miles from an Aldi's.
The GF Marin will be my townie/rec-cardio bike.
I really want a new bike but the cost of depreciation is very similar to a doughnut. But maybe an upgrade to a gravel bike OR make my own from a modern bike will be where I wanna go. My wife looks at me sideways because of all my hobbies and I tend to have a one track mind when I decide to get immersed. Figure I get back in whole hog and she'll buy into it. LOL.
She's my CFO!
09-15-18, 07:40 AM
#14
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Thread Starter
Right? I'm 3 down and 7 up at the moment!
09-15-18, 09:02 AM
#15
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You guys are the bee’s knees.
09-15-18, 09:03 AM
#16
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And so is this next post.
09-15-18, 09:05 AM
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I love this bike like a fat kid loves cake.
That's some quality posting. I am actually thinking of using this as my signature.
Welcome welcome Jimmy. Keep 'em coming.
09-15-18, 09:06 AM
#18
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There’s also one about the Priest and lil kids.
09-16-18, 03:37 PM
#20
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3 more post, are you kidding me?
09-16-18, 03:38 PM
#21
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I'm dying over here...
09-16-18, 06:10 PM
#22
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Ok, 10 is done. What a nightmare to get THAT accomplished.
09-16-18, 06:32 PM
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Old specialized mountain bikes rock. I'm working on a 1987 specialized rockhopper. It's fine townie and a fine bike.
09-17-18, 09:36 PM
#24
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Thread Starter
This is it.
And my recent purchase, an '04 Gary Fisher Marlin. $60 find.
Rides like buttah.
Fat Kenda Kwest 26x1.95 added. More to come because there's brackets for disc brakes!
