Worth resurrecting my old MTB?
Discussion
I've got a 2006-ish Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc. I've had it from new, but TBH it's hardly used.
I dusted it off and cleaned it up and it's in really good shape. The only issue is the hydraulic disk brakes need some work, I think one just needs bleeding, but the other I think may need replacing.
It's got SRAM components, Hope hydraulic disk brakes and Marzocchi front forks.
I'd like to get it back up and running but don't want to spend a fortune. Has MTB tech moved on much in the last 19 years?
IIRC it was about £600 brand new, but that was almost 20 years ago.
ETA: I believe it's this one: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/hardrock-pro-dis...
I dusted it off and cleaned it up and it's in really good shape. The only issue is the hydraulic disk brakes need some work, I think one just needs bleeding, but the other I think may need replacing.
It's got SRAM components, Hope hydraulic disk brakes and Marzocchi front forks.
I'd like to get it back up and running but don't want to spend a fortune. Has MTB tech moved on much in the last 19 years?
IIRC it was about £600 brand new, but that was almost 20 years ago.
ETA: I believe it's this one: https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/hardrock-pro-dis...
Edited by XJ75 on Thursday 10th April 15:43
As with all things technology moves on, but unless you are planning on red / black trails then it should do you well as a start.
DIY bike maintenance is quite simples, there are plenty of YouTube and Facebook pages to help. Bleeding is simple with an Amazon kit for about £15 including the oil if they are hydraulic.
You should be able to fix the whole thing up for £30-50 if you like a spanner.
DIY bike maintenance is quite simples, there are plenty of YouTube and Facebook pages to help. Bleeding is simple with an Amazon kit for about £15 including the oil if they are hydraulic.
You should be able to fix the whole thing up for £30-50 if you like a spanner.
Edited by ianreeves on Thursday 10th April 16:25
ianreeves said:
As with all things technology moves on, but unless you are planning on red / black trails then it should do you well as a start.
DIY bike maintenance is quite simples, there are plenty of YouTube and Facebook pages to help. Bleeding is simple with an Amazon kit for about £15 including the oil if they are hydraulic.
You should be able to fix the whole thing up for £30-50 if you like a spanner.
ThisDIY bike maintenance is quite simples, there are plenty of YouTube and Facebook pages to help. Bleeding is simple with an Amazon kit for about £15 including the oil if they are hydraulic.
You should be able to fix the whole thing up for £30-50 if you like a spanner.
Edited by ianreeves on Thursday 10th April 16:25
MTB tech has moved on massively however if you just want to ride gentle trails and tow paths it will be just fine
Go ride your bike and enjoy it
I’ve got a Rockhopper of similar vintage (next model up from the Hardrock, but bought in 2004 so v-brakes not discs). My experience is that you can keep them running, but you’re buying budget stuff from what are now cheapo bikes when you need to replace something.
Mine has 26” wheels, no new mountain bike has those, there have been about 3 different common sizes since 2004.
Forks are to fit the wheels, so at best you can get very low spec replacements and I’d likely have to switch to disc brakes.
Mine has 3x9 gearing. You won’t find that on much these days although you can switch to a more modern groupset fairly easily.
But, I keep it going and use it for daily summer commuting and crashing around the local off road trails. Not sure it will ever die!
Mine has 26” wheels, no new mountain bike has those, there have been about 3 different common sizes since 2004.
Forks are to fit the wheels, so at best you can get very low spec replacements and I’d likely have to switch to disc brakes.
Mine has 3x9 gearing. You won’t find that on much these days although you can switch to a more modern groupset fairly easily.
But, I keep it going and use it for daily summer commuting and crashing around the local off road trails. Not sure it will ever die!
I have something similar, although many of the original parts have been changed.
All the stuff is cheap, there is plenty of good used stuff, or you can upgrade anything.
Mine now has XTR derailleurs and the front brake is Hope.
You can get 26 inch wheels for a few quid, so it's easy to have a second pair with different tyres on.
I could probably go faster and injure myself more effectively on a more modern bike, but the bike still does what I want.
People used to do pretty adventurous stuff with these bikes when they were new.
Obviously if you are competing, you need to have a bike that's competitive, but most of us really just need stuff that works.
I prefer my old bike to a 'modern' one which is heavy and cheap, I'm not keen enough to spend on a quality modern bike.
All the stuff is cheap, there is plenty of good used stuff, or you can upgrade anything.
Mine now has XTR derailleurs and the front brake is Hope.
You can get 26 inch wheels for a few quid, so it's easy to have a second pair with different tyres on.
I could probably go faster and injure myself more effectively on a more modern bike, but the bike still does what I want.
People used to do pretty adventurous stuff with these bikes when they were new.
Obviously if you are competing, you need to have a bike that's competitive, but most of us really just need stuff that works.
I prefer my old bike to a 'modern' one which is heavy and cheap, I'm not keen enough to spend on a quality modern bike.
And there's my 25 year old MTB with rim brakes and I'm thinking why change.
I've had loads of fun with it and I'm just interested in these riding, not bothered about the technology.
I've tried newer motor evidencing bikes and I love them simplicity of what I've got with the added benefit that I can leave it anywhere and nobody will steal it.
I've had loads of fun with it and I'm just interested in these riding, not bothered about the technology.
I've tried newer motor evidencing bikes and I love them simplicity of what I've got with the added benefit that I can leave it anywhere and nobody will steal it.
I’m in the same predicament (probably too strong a word) as I have a Kona Kikapu deluxe from 2007 and use it for bashing over various terrain. I find myself looking at newer bikes to replace it with, but also considering fully upgrading it to the tune of maybe £600 to £800, but then also thinking is it worth it.
It’s a tough choice, mine is also 26 wheels and gears etc getting a bit cranky in their old age, but it works well enough for general use. I’d have about £800 for a newer bike so likely a HT which I’ve never had before and not sure how I’d get on without a rear shock smoothing things out.
I’m going to go have a look at a few at my local shop and also discuss with them about a full upgrade of components to get an estimate.
It’s a tough choice, mine is also 26 wheels and gears etc getting a bit cranky in their old age, but it works well enough for general use. I’d have about £800 for a newer bike so likely a HT which I’ve never had before and not sure how I’d get on without a rear shock smoothing things out.
I’m going to go have a look at a few at my local shop and also discuss with them about a full upgrade of components to get an estimate.
Edited by Misanthroper on Sunday 13th April 13:27
trashbat said:
Has MTB tech really moved on? I think it's a fair question.
Yeah sure, we or fashion went 26 to 27.5 to 29, but if you want a hardtail and you started from one with hydraulic discs, what's really advanced? Dropper posts? 1x11/12? Wireless shifting if you really wanted it. What else?
As I understand it, frame gemotryt has changed significantly. Yeah sure, we or fashion went 26 to 27.5 to 29, but if you want a hardtail and you started from one with hydraulic discs, what's really advanced? Dropper posts? 1x11/12? Wireless shifting if you really wanted it. What else?
2006 - modern! I still have a 96 GT zaskar!
I’d say get it up and running . One of two things will happen:
You’ll use it a few times and get bored, no money wasted.
You’ll get into it but will have practiced on something that challenges you to develop your skills rather than blindly bowling through the technical stuff. Which is a good thing.
You’ll use it a few times and get bored, no money wasted.
You’ll get into it but will have practiced on something that challenges you to develop your skills rather than blindly bowling through the technical stuff. Which is a good thing.
Thanks all, this is useful. I'm going to give the brakes a go myself, I've got a bleed kit so I'll see if I can get it operational.
I bought a Boardman hybrid back in 2017 for commuting too. At the time, gravel bikes hadn't really taken off. If I was looking at the hybrid again today I'd probably have bought a gravel bike.
I bought a Boardman hybrid back in 2017 for commuting too. At the time, gravel bikes hadn't really taken off. If I was looking at the hybrid again today I'd probably have bought a gravel bike.
I had a similar vintage Giant XTC sx frame lying around, in fact I have now done this 3x once for Mrs, once for daughter and once for son a few years back.
Rigid carbon fork from exotic (not sure if still around)
Surly ultra rear disc single speed hub and wheel rebuild (taught me how to lace up a wheel)
Half link chain
16t freewheel
suitable front narrow/wide 1x middle chainwheel.
Removed all gears and associated cabling/shifters etc = Simple, Cheap (well except for the hub) durable bike, massively reduced weight due to heavy front fork, hugely fun just for cruising around and enjoying being out on the bike, the single speed really helps build leg power for when you are on a geared bike too.
Rigid carbon fork from exotic (not sure if still around)
Surly ultra rear disc single speed hub and wheel rebuild (taught me how to lace up a wheel)
Half link chain
16t freewheel
suitable front narrow/wide 1x middle chainwheel.
Removed all gears and associated cabling/shifters etc = Simple, Cheap (well except for the hub) durable bike, massively reduced weight due to heavy front fork, hugely fun just for cruising around and enjoying being out on the bike, the single speed really helps build leg power for when you are on a geared bike too.
Edited by TWODs on Monday 14th April 13:38
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff