montclairbobbyb

Meant to comment how much I LOVE your Combo!!

AeroGut

I don't think there was a different hybrid in the "Rock" family. When MTB's took off, Specialized (and, notably, Bridgestone) thought that the intermediate bike people would want was basically an MTB with a wide drop bar. Thus the RockCombo and Bridgestone XO series. But the popular hybrid turned out to be opposite - a road-ish bike with 700c wheels and flat handlebars. So between 1989 and 1990 Specialized killed the RockCombo and came out with the CrossRoads family.

Sadly not mine. Just a pic stolen off the internet.

montclairbobbyb

I picked up this NOS Handsome XOXO frame, which was designed as a virtual knockoff of the 1993 (canti) version of the Bridgestone XO-1.

Admittedly I found the whole "knock-off" thing kinda hokey, and was expecting a lackluster ho-hum ride... So I built it up and took an obligatory ride, convinced I would immediately conclude that I would sell it. Well... I was pleasantly surprised (and impressed) by this bike. Rides like a fast, nimble mointain bike that somehow feels perfectly at home on pavement and dirt roads. Handsome did a really nice job!!👍

sloppy12

the street stomper.

himespau 

I have a very good condition Specialized Sequoia frameset from 92/93 when they took a Rockhopper (?) frame and moved the cantilever bosses up to fit a 700c frame. They also added a boss under the seat cluster for a lever to control a union dynamo light. I'm pretty sure it came with flat bars and was marketed as an urban commuter bike. One of these days I'm going to put some drop bars on it and see how it rides. I was going to build it up for my wife, but then I got a Cannondale ST400 frame that would fit 35s with fenders while this supposedly would only fit 32s (or maybe I got that backwards, not sure), so I built that for her instead.

AeroGut

Ah, I totally forgot about the StreetStomper.

RichSPK

Was that the stem they used on the RockCombo?

AeroGut

Looks like the original might have been a little shallower and didn't have pulley wheel under it:

This is from the 1989 catalog:



Team StumpJumper & RockCombo | Specialized Catalogue 1989 | Retrobike

aeshultz 

Very interesting bike- hadn't seen these before this. Is yours a 60cm?
Any other feedback would be appreciated.

montclairbobbyb

Yes, the XOXO is 60 cm, Reynolds 631 tubing, which has great ride quality, and is (IMO) a pretty close second to Reynolds 853 tubing, which I think is the finest material I've ever ridden, and is featured on my Niner MCR and SIR mountain bikes.

I understand Handsome (due to overwhelmingly positive feedback on the XOXO) has launched a Kickstarter program to fund a rerun of the XOXO, this time around with reynolds 520 tubing and available in pumpkin, white or purple (the original Bridgestone XO colors)👍.... Kinda funny, isn't it???... You could say it's essentially a "knockoff of a knockoff"...😝. My XOXO may actually be offered for sale in the coming months (for a very reasonable price). If interested please email me at MontclairBobbyB@gmail com

Korina

For anyone interested, Bike Snob is riding one for a bit. He talks about it here; he included an original TV commercial for it.

dphilips

I've also got a 60cm built up as an all-rounder that I've been enjoying for 6 years. I've posted some thoughts in the XOXO thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/21785168-post68.html

Paramount1973 

My gravel bike. Early 1990s Giant Iguana frame, Deda Elementi drop bars, Cane Creek v-lever compatible road levers, Tektro 741 v-brake cross levers (sadly, out of production), Shimano v-brakes, 3x8 drivetrain with Sakae crankset, Shimano Deore derailleurs, Microshift 8-speed bar end shifters, Cane Creek Thudbuster LT seatpost, Tioga Powerblock 2.1 26 tires (out of production). It’s fun to ride. Also, I like telling people that I ride around on a Giant Iguana.

bikemig 

I've been working on this 1992 Stumpjumper for a while. It had a lot of scratches that I had to deal with. I used flat white rustoleum and then a model paint that was an OK match to the original color. I replaced the headset, cassette, and cantilevers but I was able to use the original derailleurs, crank, and wheels. I replaced the consumables. I like the gearing on old MTBs (46/36/24 and an 11-28 7 speed cassette). I'm running 26 x 1.9 continental top contact winter tires. They're good for mixed pavement/snow. I'll install some fenders as soon as I track down the right mounting bolt. I like the way the bike came out.

imabeliever1

Changed from trekkingbars to drops .

oldtimeyirv

Bought this over the summer to build up a more rugged commuter. I fell in love with the frame/color and had started reading this thread... Now I'm broke 🤣

Had time over the holidays to tear down a couple road bikes I needed parts off of and got to work. Looking forward to getting everything pieced together soon and riding it again. It was really comfy as a worn out MTB when I got it.

I am making an attempt at running an ultegra 6600 drivetrain with the deore lx crank. It may be terrible, but I had the parts and will have learned 🤷🏼‍♂️ Holy rollers and fresh cables are on the way. Silent rear hub should be interesting.

Before:


70% complete:

beicster 

Looking good. That is my favorite Shimano mountain crank style. It only lasted a couple of years but I loved it.

2cam16

ggmu!!

oldtimeyirv

Thanks! I inherited an old Diamondback Apex from my mother when I built her a hybrid. It was loaded with older Deore LX (crank, FD, hubs). Hoping the limit screws and a bit of tinkering will turn the triple into a double.

beicster 

I have an Apex but it is currently with my son. I really liked it. If it had been a couple of inches bigger, it would have been a forever bike for me.

oldtimeyirv

I really like the frame... not sure what I will do with it. Luckily I don't have any money left, so I have plenty of time to figure that one out! Some bike shop in my hometown evidently built it custom for someone way back when.

bechermitT

Hello, I am new here and built a Trek 8000 with drop bars. I choose XT M750 V brakes and RL520 levers, is anyone running a similar setup? I find the brakes a bit lacking.

Korina

Soooo... what size is it?

Korina

Welcome! Post four more times today (you can compliment others' bikes if nothing else) and five times tomorrow, and you'll be able to post pics of your bike! It sounds cool. I don't have a drop bar conversion, I just like to look, and I'd love to look at yours.

notthe1freeman

GT bikes are so hot! Just got this one myself