sixer

Photos are taken from another online sale, but I'm considering the exact bike in similar condition. It is a Rockhopper24 (24 speeds and wheels) from the early-mid 90's (old ad wondered if it was a '95), but I can't find anything specific in the misc. Specialized catalogs posted around the web. The curved seattube seems to be a unique feature (like a vintage Clem L . I've discerned it has a Sakae xr100 crankset (or similar), 6 speeds and gripshift. I'm wondering what it might weigh, how many things might need/want to be upgraded - it would be for an 8yo.

Thanks for any assistance.

Darth Lefty 

Imagine, the little girl who first got this bike is in her thirties.

Andy_K 

I would guess that it weighs in the neighborhood of 25 pounds. That's a lot lighter than most new kids bikes made these days, which have overbuilt aluminum frames and heavy, mostly ineffective, suspension.

It doesn't look like anything would obviously need to be upgraded. The components are entry-level 90's components, probably Shimano, but that's still a bit better than what you'd find on a Walmart kids bike today. The brakes might need a tune-up from a knowledgeable bike shop (cantilever brakes are notoriously fussy), but if the seller is a skilled mechanic even that might not be necessary.

sixer

Thanks. It's amazing and confounding what kids bikes weigh. My daughters each have a 20" wheel bike with no suspension. The steel one from 2014 weighs 25.6#. The aluminum one from 2019 weighs 21.4#. 21.4# is exactly what my xxl aluminum framed road bike weighs and my xxl steel road bike from the 90s only weighs 23.8#!

wrk101

As long as everything works, nothing needs to be upgraded.

Some grip shifters are very stiff, hard for an 8 year old to turn. If so, I'd look into simple thumb shifters.

If it is early 1990s, then I would replace consumables: tires, brake pads, cables, lube chain and service bottom bracket, headset and wheel hubs.

Its the top tube that looks curved, that is not unusual for kids bikes.

Kid's bikes were made to meet a price point, and light weight wasn't typically a critical design feature. Lots of heavier steel parts on the bike: chain rings, seat post, most likely handlebars and stem, nutted axles, etc. No suspension is a plus IMHO.

If RD is Shimano:

https://www.amazon.com/lundeng-Shima...-goods&sr=1-10

Russ Roth

I'd guess easily 25lb but don't be surprised by closer to 30, picked up a pair of trek 220s from craigslist, one from 1999 the other 2001 and they both tip the scales at just over 30lb. Steel stem, handlebars, seatpost and cheap hubs all drive up the weight. The C-dale that just replaced them is 4lb less with disc brakes and a suspension fork. I'll be changing out the kenda small block 8 for rocket rons and the basic fork for a spinner air shock which should shave off 2more lb. Kid's bikes are really just heavy, no way around it without spending a lot.
Replace the brake pads and the grips, both will be old hardened rubber and the bike will stop faster and feel better with new. Other then that as was mentioned regrease the bearings in the headset, hubs and bb and just have her ride it.

madpogue 

We have one, but a diamond frame. I'm forgetting the year; around '93 or '94. For some reason, they put bottom-of-the-line derailleurs on it, but fairly nice wheels, brakes, etc. The grip shifters aren't that stiff. Rear axle is nutted, but front is QR; the one pictured here appears to have both nutted. It's unexpectedly heavy for its size, closer to 30 lb. But it's a nimble, easy to ride bike, would probably be just the right size for an 8-year-old, and the overall design suggests "real bike" more than "toy bike", which she'll no doubt like.

We have a couple other step-through MTBs with the pulley for the rear brake. Yours, with the curved top tube, will have some extra housed cable to boot. So keep that rear brake cable and the pulley lubricated.

Decent used 24" tires aren't nearly as common as 26"-ers, so whenever you see any at yard sales, thrift stores, etc. that arent' dried up or worn out, and priced okay, grab 'em up.

sixer

Thanks for all the tips. I got the bike home this afternoon. It's in good shape - missing one grip and in need of a kids saddle (both of which I have - it was a 5' woman's bike, but better cared for because of it). It looks to have the original tires but seems to have seen little use/little outdoor use. Shifting is ok but my daughter hasnt ridden it yet - RD cable is shreded at the end and has been worn by rubbing on the pulleys.

Derailleurs are Shimano TY-22. Serial number is M6EG70380. Any idea on the year? Weighed in at 30.4# but the only issue there is getting it down the front stairs.

madpogue 

Hmm, that serial number format doesn't seem to match anything in @T-Mar 's serial number guide, unless MAYBE it was Merida made, and the 6 indicates a 1996 model. Look for a two-letter code on one of the derailleurs or the brakes. There's a component code page on the vintage-trek site that will decode that.

T-Mar

Based on the combination of a Shimano Tourney TY-22 rear derailleur, in combination with the serial number, it's probably a 1996 model or a 1997 model manufactured in 1996. The TY-22 was introduced in mid-1995 for the 1996 model year, according to my Shimano documentation. I do have 1996 Canadian specs listing a Rockhopper 24 with a TY-22.