[mtnman1007]

Gentlemen,

I am a returning mtn biker I used to do alot of biking about 12 years ago and am getting back into the sport. I have what I believe to be a 91' Specialized Hardrock and I would like to beef it up a little bit. I just want to make sure I can put components (suspension fork) onto it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, D

 

[trailville]

No.
That frame was not designed for suspension and I almost positive it has a 1" headtube which will make it very difficult finding a suspension fork that fits.
Tune it up and ride it as is, or get a newer bike.

 

[mtnman1007]

Thanks for the reply, it's got a CR-MO sticker on it but I can't read all of the serial number, it's like G?01945.

 

[jacdykema]

If it has a CR-MO sticker, components should work fine.

 

[mtnman1007]

Thank for the help.

 

[Rumpfy]

Unless you're planning on riding on bike paths only....start over.

 

[MendonCycleSmith]

Basically, what they said. A Hard Rock is a recreational level bike. As such, it'll have a shorter than normal top tube, making the ride comfortable and upright. The components are also fairly basic, and functional. Get a tune up, ignore the comments about "just getting a new bike" you're likely to hear at the shop. If you need a mess of new parts, that may be something to consider, but more than likely, air it up, lube it, and get things running smoothly, and get out there.

If you like it, have fun, and want to hit the trails, look into a bike better suited to actual trail riding.

This forum is mostly old farts who like stuff from 20+ years ago, before suspension was even a consideration, so asking for help from these guys is like asking the docent at the Henry Ford Museum to have an opinion about the rear end gearing on your 1996 Mustang

Have fun!:thumbsup:

 

[trailville]

Watch me as I defend both the old farts (sort of) and Hardrocks in the same post.

The old farts don't necessarily have a problem with suspension, they just don't like entry-level bikes. Hell, they don't even like mid-level bikes.

As to the old Hardrock, my first mtb was a Hardrock I purchased in '93 for $300. It had fat tires and a burly steel frame and was quite capable of trail riding. Granted I only rode it that one season then sold it for $50 and got a much nicer bike (but still not nice enough for the old farts on this forum ).

And just to clarify, the statement made by jacdykema about the CR-MO sticker was a joke. Actually a pretty good one. I don't usually "out" jokes and sarcasm, but I'd hate to find out you started buying "components" based on that.

 

[Rumpfy]

And just to clarify, the statement made by jacdykema about the CR-MO sticker was a joke. Actually a pretty good one. I don't usually "out" jokes and sarcasm, but I'd hate to find out you started buying "components" based on that.

Damn you. It was perfectly executed dead pan!

 

[trailville]

Damn you. It was perfectly executed dead pan!

Don't think it didn't hurt me to do that. I was good enough to let it sit and simmer for a while though.

 

[Rumpfy]

Don't think it didn't hurt me to do that. I was good enough to let it sit and simmer for a while though.

True.

And I've been nice enough not to tell him his bike is a steaming turd.

Ssssss. Ooo, my bad. :blush:

 

[MendonCycleSmith]

And I've been nice enough not to tell him his bike is a steaming turd.

I was going to comment on your exemplary restraint, I guess there's no need now

 

[mechagouki]

There goes another one whose post count won't make double digits.

I will say this in defense of the (early) Hardrocks; they were styled pretty much identically to the Rockhoppers and Stumpys, and if you ignored the Tourney/70GS/whatever it was, and squinted a bit, and had a couple/6 beers, they weren't as bad looking as most of the MTB-alikes around at the time.

 

[s4gobabygo]

apparently i'm alone in this sentiment, but i still ride my 1992 hardrock regularly offroad, and i think it's just swell. i stay away from the really technical stuff on that bike, but it's no less trail-capable than most higher-end bikes a decade older (which get plenty of offroad cred around here). however, glamorous it isn't.

 

[mtnman1007]

Thanks for all the advise, but you are going to have to try a little harder. It was free so why wouldn't I try to keep it around a little longer even though it's probably time trade her in and believe me if I had the money for a new bike it would have been done already and I wouldn't be on this thread listening to all you old farts. I am just trying to do the economically sound thing and save some money where I can.

Is there a good web site that I can go that has a serial number search to find out how old this bike actually is? I would like to get the specs on it. I had it tuned up a couple years ago I put new tires on it one new shift control, all the components are Shimano.

 

[Rumpfy]

Thanks for all the advise, you guys have been a huge help.

Is there a good web site that I can go that has a serial number search to find out how old this bike actually is? I would like to get the specs on it. I had it tuned up a couple years ago I put new tires on it one new shift control, all the components are Shimano.

Post a picture and the people here will be able to tell you exactly what it is.

 

[girlonbike]

I swear to God, I know I saw a Potts around here somewhere just the other day.

 

[trailville]

Post a picture and the people here will be able to tell you exactly what it is.

Seems like there should be a warning here somewhere. Or maybe that was the warning?

 

[trailville]

Oh look what I found in another thread.
Now I feel bad for telling people not to upgrade their old Hardrocks.

 

[Funrover]

Sweet a hardrock with Girvin forks, that is friggen sweet! I wish I still had tha front fork!