I recently bought a 1999 Specialized Hardrock for only $65.00. I really enjoy working on and riding old bikes, so this was an easy decision. Although the bike had spent a lot of time outdoors, it is structurally sound. The Cro-Mo steel frame and welds are all in good shape. The metallic ruby red paint is gorgeous, but there is a lot of wear and scratches on it.
I replaced the mismatched wheels with a pair of vintage Ritchey Vantage wheels shod with Schwalbe Black Jack tires. I swapped out the 3 speed chain rings and crankset for a Shimano Alivio crankset with a single Fomtor 30 tooth chainring. The cassette is now a 12-34 tooth set from an 8 speed cassette minus the 11 tooth high gear, resulting in an increased low gear from the stock 28 teeth. I installed a slightly wider handlebar on a 90mm stem, and a Shimano Altus 7 speed trigger shifter. The crowning touch is a reproduction Selle Itialia Turbo saddle that cost almost as much as I paid for the bike!.
All in all, the bike turned out great, although I am still undecided about what to do about the paint.
Original 1999 MRSP: $290.00 US
2021 Purchase Price: $65.00
New Components:
Schwalbe Black Jack, 26” x 2.2” 2@ $21.95
Selle Italia Turbo, reproduction $59.95
Fomtor 30 tooth narrow-wide chainring $16.99
Fooker pedals $28.99
Total: $214.87
Stock Components (from Bicycle Blue Book)
Pedals: Specialized platform, steel
Bottom Bracket: Specialized Sport, 122.5mm spindle
BB Shell Width: 68mm English
Chain: Shimano CN-UG50, 1/2 x 3/32inch
Spoke Brand: Chung Nan stainless steel, 2.0mm straight gauge
Spoke Nipples: Brass nipples
Hubs Front: aluminum, Q/R, Rear: Shimano Acera X
Rims: Weinmann 519, 36-hole
Tires: 26 x 1.95inch Specialized Hardrock'R
Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Fork Brand & Model: Specialized
Fork Material: Chromoly, unicrown crown
Cassette 7-speed, 11 - 32 teeth (12 – 28 as bought)
Crankset: Specialized Strong Arm, 24/34/42 teeth
Shift Levers: Sram Grip Shift MRX-201
Handlebar: Specialized alloy (575mm as measured)
Handlebar Stem: Specialized A-1
Headset: 1 1/8inch threadless Aheadset
Saddle: Specialized Hardrock Men's
Seatpost: Pillar, aluminum
Brakeset: Lee Chi ProMax linear-pull brakes, linear-pull levers
Frame Tubing Material: Chromoly main triangle, hi-tensile steel rear stays