Hardrock Adventure Cruiser

It's been a good long while since I had a project on the go, and the Retro MTB thread and some recent builds got me scheming a new ride of my own. Not so much a Gnarmac thrasher, more a beater for cruising about, and that I can also take up into the mountains for some weekend camping trips.

I moved to America a few years ago, and there's loads of good things about this place, but as the locals aren't as bicycle-inclined as the Europeans, it's tough to find a good bike bargain.

I'd also treated myself to a new bouncy mountain bike in the Summer - so set myself a budget of $100 and set to trawling the classifieds.

2 months and a bunch of dead-ends later, I picked this up on Sunday for $60.

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I believe it's a 1991 Specialized Hardrock. Looks like it's all original. Except the saddle which is easily the most uncomfortable bike seat I've ever been on.

Still got the rubber flashing on the tyres from the molds and factory sticker on the quick release.

Some more pics of the components and state of it. It's got a Shimano GS200 groupset, so pretty low end , but all fresh - no rust or corrosion. Looks like someone's touched up the paint around the decals at some point.

](IMG]http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/YCrar5.jpg[/IMG])

Dog likes it.

So the plans are to get some fresh tyres on it. The 1.6" Continental Goliaths that it came with would have been a nice set of gumwalls in their day, but they are perished and look fit to pop.
2.15" Maxxis DTHs will just about fit I think.

I've got to sort that stem out. It is super relaxed with that very upright riding position but I have Synchros stem in the parts bin that I'll stick on, and probably switch the stock steel risers for some alloy Titecs I have in the garage.

The seat needs to go. It's hard plastic with no give at all. Wholly unforgiving on my delicate posterior. And weirdly small. Maybe from a kids BMX. Rolls or a Turbo to replace it I think.

The drivetrain is 3x7 and all runs smoothly. It has forward facing horizontal dropouts and I had thought about going single speed. But I have a trailer that I sometimes use and with some weight in it it's good to have some lower gears to get going at the lights.

1x7 would be fun to have. Can anyone tell me if I can do the conversion just by swapping out the chainring for a Woolfstooth or something like that? Or will I need a different rear mech too?

I did a 1x9 setup in the GF's bike. Just get a narrow/wide chainring and install it wherever the chainline looks better.

just make sure you get the right BCD and a somewhat straight chainline and you're set.

No need for fancy wolftooth or race face.
This one is perfect:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-L-Narrow-Wide-Road-CX-Bike-ChainRing-130MM-BCD-fit-Sram-Shimano-FSA-RACEFACE-/301933208383?var=&hash=item464c9f233f:g:rKAAAOSw~oFXFNqo

No need for fancy wolftooth or race face.

This one is perfect:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J-L-Narrow-Wid­e-Road-CX-Bike-ChainRing-130MM-BCD-fit-S­ram-Shimano-FSA-RACEFACE-/301933208383?v­ar=&hash=item464c9f233f:g:rKAAAOSw~oFXFN­qo

Commenting for easier search

Thanks @PhilDAS

Your Pinarello in the Retro MTB thread is lovely.

Looks like my crankset is riveted together so I can't separate the chainrings. The quality!

So I'll get looking for a replacement.

Meanwhile tyres should arrive this weekend so build updates and pics to follow.

Had the exact same problem while converting my Hardrock to 1x9 recently, used crankset off eBay, narrow wide Race Face - sorted. These frames seem bombproof, good luck with the project.

Thanks @mattspare

Got a link to your build dude? Would be good to see another Hardrock rebuild.

Lots of goodies arrived today.

2.15" Maxxis DTHs. Got some beefy 2.4" Conti Mountain Kings that I'll try too if they'll fit.

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2 bottle cages delivered from China for 99 cents total.

Some bad juju going on here surely.

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Suitably ratty Turbo off eBay for $10.

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Syncros from the parts bin. I think it's likely too long and low but will throw it on to have a look.

One good thing about the upright stem the bike came with was it routed the front canti cable through the middle of it - I'll have to get a headset mounted guide instead.

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I couldn't find them in the UK recently. Where did you get them?

you can get them here, not sure how good the price is (Kuku lives in the US)

if you interested, i could send you gumwall or black ones, for 30 pounds/piece posted to UK, or other Europe country, just perhaps it will took approx week
Hardrock would look crazy good with Dth!
btw one urban 26er from me

Yeah got them from Jensons. About $35 each plus post.