Kpruu1014

Alright, I'm super new to bikes and this forum so please be gentle lol.

I want a bike for this summer and I'm tired of getting bikes that fall apart in a year from x-mart. Found a specialized rockhopper that I THINK is just the 2004 base model, but I'm having a hard time with figuring out the color scheme here so I'm doubting myself. (looks like black tape? Custom paint job?) It has been restored, 24 speed (I'll be riding some moderately rough terrain and some pretty steep inclines), 17" frame, 26" ground control tires. Obviously the forks and tires are not base model, and I don't think the drivetrain is either but I could be wrong. It's coming from a local restorer/cyclist and he's also unsure of the year as he's selling it for a friend. He's gonna try to get it for me by tomorrow but I posted this in the case the other guy doesn't know either. It's posted for $250, I obviously plan to ride it a bit and take it to an actual shop before purchasing, but I wanna know if it's even worth it the amount I'll be paying for it. I personally think with the after market forks/tires added on its worth the price, but I'm no expert. Help me before I possibly make a $250 mistake. 😅 I'm not gonna ride the **** out of it every day, I'm pretty slow moving and gentle. Let me know what you all think. I'm gonna go around and dish out a few comments so I can post a few pictures of it.

Edit: I added the pictures to my personal album, don't really know how to navigate the site yet. My bad guys, let me know if you can see them.

2old

Suitable price if it's in decent condition and functions adequately. Bike should be bulletproof and Specialized usually features decent components even if some parts are house brand IMO. Probably at least $100 more in socal where prices are too high.

Kpruu1014

Well, it's great to hear I didn't search for 2 weeks just to end up picking a crappy bike haha. I've been reading a lot about the brand and they sound well made for the price point, and that's all I'm looking for at this point. Just something I can comfortably ride down some trails that won't give me too many issues (I hope anyway.)

fishboat

Checked and I don't see an album created yet.

As for the bike..Rockhoppers are typically spec'd out fairly well. If it's in good condition and everything works..then $250 is in the ballpark. You may want to do some research on how to check out a used bike.

Kpruu1014

Awe man, let me see if I can figure that out. It looks to be in great condition, but I won't really know until riding it I'm sure. I think I've learned more about bikes the past 24 hours than I have in my whole life searching for this thing.

fishboat

I haven't done the album thing, but there may be a Public or Private setting somewhere, if you've already set it up and have uploaded pics.

Kpruu1014

Awesome. I was leaning towards it being a good purchase but I'm always happy to hear more seasoned users tell me that as well. Thank you!

cobba

I think there's a trick to seeing a new member's album.

Change the 6 digit number in your user album to the 6 digit number at the end of Kpruu1014 profile.

Your album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/431789

Kpruu1014 profile: https://www.bikeforums.net/members/kpruu1014-535132.html

Kpruu1014 album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/535132

Click on Kpruu1014's album and you'll see Kpruu1014's photos: https://bikeforums.net/g/album/20735961

fishboat

Yikes..thx.. I had no idea it took a minor hack. Silly me..I thought all it took was..like..click on it..

cb400bill

Pic Assist

DMC707

Looks like a nice enough machine for $250

its one intended for short people however, so if you are over 5’4”, you might want to keep looking

Darth Lefty 

Yeah definitely on the small side of medium. It looks like early 2000's, with the V brakes and straight tubes and disc bosses. 2004 Comp? The next generation got some more shape to the tubes. Decent hardtail at the time, a good all-rounder. It's pretty impossible to tell by looking what's going on with the components, but at least they're not dirty. No idea what's going on with the black, if it's tape or paint. The seat post looks... stained? It shouldn't be rust, everything should be aluminum

Darth Lefty 

FWIW, the base model was the Hardrock. I had a blue 2001 example. It had much cheaper components than this, like riveted crank chain rings, Acera shifting, and a Suntour fork with only preload, not even lockout. At least it had triggers and not grip shifters. In the 2010's the model at this level was called Pitch. I later put a better fork (Rockshox Duke, contemporary equivalent of a Reba I think) and modern premium tires on it, and it was a huge improvement.

Sometimes there was a 26" Hotrock below that with Tourney components but I don't know if it came in grownup sizes or only like XS/S. In the 2015-ish timeframe the Hardrock took this slot.

HotLap

Looks nice enough in he pics (for $250.00), but you really need to ride it and see make sure it's going to fit (frame size) you. You can change things like seat post height and bar stem reach/height but if the frame is too small I wouldn't waste my time as you'll likely end up disappointed and selling it anyways. Good luck and keep us posted...

BiciMan

My rim-brake 1997 Rocks on: Three or four tire changes, one rim-brake change, and a chain-change is all it's required, besides regular maintenance. As with any used vehicle, it's maintenance and condition that matter. I'd say $250 would be a very good price for even mine,

AeroGut

If everything’s working, that’s certainly a reasonable price. The nice thing about the rock hopper is that the frame is pretty good quality, so it’s a good base to upgrade on if you decide it’s not up to your liking. Having disc brake mounts front and rear is really nice since that’s something you might want to upgrade if you ride in the mud.

Although geometries have changed since then and 26 inch wheels are going out of style, that’s still a perfectly capable bike. I’ve got one from just a few years later, and it’s still going strong.

So if the frame fits, go for it.