90's Specialized Hardrock // Vintage 26” Restoration

Another retro 90's MTB build. This time I went with single speed simplicity with a classic look. Enjoy!

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Partial build list (Amazon links are affiliate links - thanks!):

Frame / fork: 1990 Specialized Hardrock Sport
Cockpit 1:
Cockpit 2:

[johnsheetz]

I like that you kept the sugino. Best of all you're an inspiration for me to go work on my own projects and boy do I have them!

[sagehiker]

I have a 94 Hardrock (Black/silver-red decaling) in great condition. Rideable at $100 a month ago. Average for my area. I lucked out on the wheels as they were worth overhauling the hubs. This my fourth resto-mod since '19 but the first that will be more restore than modify. The bike will be a winter alley dasher in a small city in a place with serious snow and ice winter. Project to start in fall for '23-24 winter.The restored twist grip shifters are perfect being covered by pogies. I had to learn the challenges of the JIS and headsets on the previous build. Yours is the perfect Party Pace build!

[radbikeadventure]

The detail!! It looks amazing. Can’t wait to see it on the trails.

[davidcummings]

Sweet build! Keep an eye on the L-brackets that mount to the canti studs. Mine both broke on an extended, rough ride with a full load. The key is to squeeze the legs together enough so the head of the mounting bolt touches as much metal, as close to the bend as possible - don’t position the bolt head in the middle of the slot on the L-bracket or it will crack right in half.

My bike is now a “dingle speed” and, like yours, is a blast to ride. I ended up using a rear rack with adjustability and bolted a basket to it. Super stable now.

Glad I found you again through PLP!

[tevemullins]

Audio, video, lighting, edit, and content are all on point. Nicely done‼️

[Deldovacycles]

Perfection! Love the Finish. Your commentary is so on point and right to the point.

[vitoonto]

Bike looks awesome. Has me considering turning my 98 Cannondale single speed.

[layspeed]

Awesome video man! Good commentary and enough actual build footage to keep viewers interested. I don't know how it's taken me 3 years to stumble onto your channel. Subscribed for more retro rides! 😎

[JohnHughes]

Looks great but in my experience those single jockey chain tensioners don't last very long. A nice option would be a Shimano Alfine chain tensioner with Tacx stainless steel ball bearing jockey wheels or just a rear derailleur with the adjuster screw turned in. Or maybe a half link chain? You could also put a chain guard on the outer table of the chainset for a clean look.

[jasoncbrooks]

I built up a Mt. Shasta 90s bike single speed. It had semi horizontal dropouts so single speed was pretty easy. I got a great deal on some single speed wheels and V brakes. I stripped the decals off and it is my beater I can lock up and not worry about. Comfortable to ride and low maintenance. Not as nice as your build but one of my favorite bikes.

[johnbaca]

I'm with you on putting the chainring on the outside for better looks. I have also used a light thin "bash guard" on the outside position to get a good chain line and good looks. I've also used a large chain ring with the teeth removed using a lathe to fill the empty outside chainring position - again for looks over practicality!

[cribbsprojects]

Nice... as it happens, someone gave me an unused SHR Sport last year and I have been enjoying it. Looking forward to more tips on the chain line and adaptations...

[azpk]

I SS’d an old Rockhopper with a freewheel. I found a spacer from an online scooter shop that lined up the chainring (outer) near perfect with a BMX freewheel. It was around $45 but worth it for not dishing in my opinion. Forgot the store but it can be found with some googling. Great video!

[djkenny]

Picked up the bright green 87 with thumbies and u brake on bottom of bike yesterday. Its a neato bike. The stem matches the frame.

[lukeoverthehill]

Just picked up the same bike! Love your build!

[jp]

Awesome build! Most of my bikes are retro-mods to get max riding comfort. I have a 90s Rockhopper singlespeed on the stand right now. Going with bullhorns this time. Just completed a bmx cruiser build on a 92 GT Karakoram in tequila sunrise (a grail find).

[BrodyCox]

I dig it dude! Your channel is definitely rapidly becoming one of my favorites!

[lolosolodolo]

Really like those wheels. Definitely going with those on my retro-mod build.

[MrSFSTUDIOS]

Good work. Another Hard Rock saved from the metal-yard!

[WalkerBikes]

Fantastic look!

I have a silver hardrock of similar era that I put together single speed with riser bars, this was definitely the route I would've taken if I had a bigger budget haha