Specialized Rockhopper 90s 'Rust-o-mod'

I struck gold with this Rockhopper. Well, more accurately, I struck rust. I'd wanted a Rockhopper for ages and I'd also wanted a vintage MTB that actually fitted me, as someone who usually rides a 58cm frame. When this one showed up as a frame-only sale on Nottingham Bike Works' eBay page, I wasted no time placing a bid.

I had planned to build the Rockhopper up by fully transplanting parts from my Holdsworth Ultima build, but for various reasons (best laid plans, etc. etc. - see here) this wasn't as easy as planned. Eventually, I procured a new-old Easton 30.9mm seatpost and a non-matching (but very pink) fork over several weeks and the build carried on.

The plan was always for the bike to have drop bars and lately, I have favoured slightly wider and flared bars with a bit of backsweep and gently flattened tops. While I'd sought after a Ritchey Venturemax, my eventual choice was a Ritchey Evomax from the Holdsworth, 440mm wide with 12 degrees of flare. I think I could go more flared still, but this is TBC.

The only other parts I really purchased for this build were the wheels and crankset.The latter Nottingham Bikeworks threw in from their own parts bin - a suitably scuffed steel Shimano Deore square taper crank that I paired with a brand new Superstar Components 34T chainring (snazzy!). The former were a hen's tooth find - a pair of Mavic X137 26" rims on Shimano Deore hubs. Importanly, they had an 8-speed freehub, unlike the wheels on the Holdsworth. A period-accurate pair of Maxxis Crossmark 26x2.1" tires completed the set.

Final touches were added quickly. I had previously run Tiagra 4600 drop-bar shifters with a 200GS 7-speed rear mech on the Holdsworth (see this post for more) so those went straight on. After that, it was just a case of fitting the chain, cables, brakes, bottle cages and bar tape and voila! I had a fully running bicycle.

I've amended the final build a few times since this point. I realised very quickly, for instance, that a 'utility'-focused ATB in the UK could not be run without mudguards. A rear pannier rack was always on the cards but I plan to eventually fit a front rack or basket, too. Ultimately, though, this build was about the utility and practicality I needed, carrying me and everything I needed place to place sans-car, in all weathers and without a grumble.