Buying a full sus. frame off Ebay and wacking my bits on
Discussion
I currently have a 2008 Specialized Rockhopper comp disc but have an urge to spend some cash and get the spanners out. The bike as is is pretty damn good really but.....
Is it a stupid idea to purchase something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-PITCH-FRAME-in-b...
and expect to simply be able to unbolt all my existing parts and wack em on that bad boy?
Will I be disappointed or is it a fairly worthwhile thing to do?
Bear in mind, when I go out on the bike I do give it some proper stick, having a bouncy back end would be useful I reckon.
Is it a stupid idea to purchase something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPECIALIZED-PITCH-FRAME-in-b...
and expect to simply be able to unbolt all my existing parts and wack em on that bad boy?
Will I be disappointed or is it a fairly worthwhile thing to do?
Bear in mind, when I go out on the bike I do give it some proper stick, having a bouncy back end would be useful I reckon.
At the most basic level you would possibly need a new seatpost depending on diameters, cables and to ensure that you get the complete headset including the crown race.
From a riding point of view, I don't think that your current fork is at all suited to this frame, the geometry would be horrible. Something lighter with a 100/120mm rear end would be more suitable.
From a riding point of view, I don't think that your current fork is at all suited to this frame, the geometry would be horrible. Something lighter with a 100/120mm rear end would be more suitable.
Theres a number of things to consider -
The problem with that Pitch is that its a 150mm travel agressive trail bike - and your forks on your Rockhopper are not long enough, as said. You need to be looking at LEAST at some 140mm travel pikes.
It will ride awful with the Toras (guess?) that you have.
Look out for an original Giant Trance frame - they were fantastic value when new, and even more so 2nd hand - you should pick one up for ~£300. very good short travel trail frame.
Things to consider -
Seatpost size
BB width - I guess you have an octalink BB, so a new BB would be around £30 if needed.
Headset - Giant for instance use an integrated type.
Front mech clamp size - usually just need a shim which you'll get from any shop.
Coil - If its a coil sprung shock, you may well need a new spring to suit your size.
Also remember that a Suspension frame has much more to check over - condition of pivots, suspension bushes, and the shock itself.
The problem with that Pitch is that its a 150mm travel agressive trail bike - and your forks on your Rockhopper are not long enough, as said. You need to be looking at LEAST at some 140mm travel pikes.
It will ride awful with the Toras (guess?) that you have.
Look out for an original Giant Trance frame - they were fantastic value when new, and even more so 2nd hand - you should pick one up for ~£300. very good short travel trail frame.
Things to consider -
Seatpost size
BB width - I guess you have an octalink BB, so a new BB would be around £30 if needed.
Headset - Giant for instance use an integrated type.
Front mech clamp size - usually just need a shim which you'll get from any shop.
Coil - If its a coil sprung shock, you may well need a new spring to suit your size.
Also remember that a Suspension frame has much more to check over - condition of pivots, suspension bushes, and the shock itself.
The Pitch is a great bike for getting nice and agressive at the Trail Centres and rocky natural stuff. Lots of people say it's a bloody good bike for the mega as well.
My riding buddie has one and it's very much in the same league as our Endruo's, Nomads and 666's despite costing a lot less.
As above really it simply wont work right with your short XC forks, the geo will be horrible and the frame will be able to deal with stuff that will leave your forks at best dying in a pool of their own oil or at worst snapping, same goes for your current wheelset. And if you're ot going to be riding like that it's not worth the weight of the frame.
If it were me, from a performance and financial point of view, ether buy a complete pitch from eBay, they sell by the bucket-load new so there must be loads to choose from, the pro is a much better spec for little extra money but the paint job is boring. Or buy the frame and start a little project buying up the bits for it, start with some 140mm-160mm forks, (but a set of 150mm or 160mm Fox 36's would be awesome on that frame)Hope hoops (proII on DT Swiss 5.1 or 4.1's would be good) and some hydro brakes and you'll have a very sweet riding AM bike you can tackle pretty much everything on.
My riding buddie has one and it's very much in the same league as our Endruo's, Nomads and 666's despite costing a lot less.
As above really it simply wont work right with your short XC forks, the geo will be horrible and the frame will be able to deal with stuff that will leave your forks at best dying in a pool of their own oil or at worst snapping, same goes for your current wheelset. And if you're ot going to be riding like that it's not worth the weight of the frame.
If it were me, from a performance and financial point of view, ether buy a complete pitch from eBay, they sell by the bucket-load new so there must be loads to choose from, the pro is a much better spec for little extra money but the paint job is boring. Or buy the frame and start a little project buying up the bits for it, start with some 140mm-160mm forks, (but a set of 150mm or 160mm Fox 36's would be awesome on that frame)Hope hoops (proII on DT Swiss 5.1 or 4.1's would be good) and some hydro brakes and you'll have a very sweet riding AM bike you can tackle pretty much everything on.
snotrag said:
Lots of useful stuff
But the really critical thing with any Specialized frame is snotrag said:
condition of pivots, suspension bushes, and the shock itself.
because they wear out very fast in my experience and are one of the reasons I no longer consider buying Specialized FS frames. It's just too much bother constantly replacing bushings.I give my specialised a good beating and not had probs with the areas you mention. I have had to replace everything else though!
I have gone back to my hardtail of late as 90% of the time I feel a hardtail is the better bike. On rough loose stone areas I prefer full suss but the rest of the time I prefer a hardtail.
I have gone back to my hardtail of late as 90% of the time I feel a hardtail is the better bike. On rough loose stone areas I prefer full suss but the rest of the time I prefer a hardtail.
Dave,
Have looked on the Specialized site archive for you for the Rockhopper and the Pitch.
Everything would fit except the front mech as the pitch uses a different mount (the seat tube diameter is the same though so you may be able to make it work). Whilst things will fit the disc size and fork travel is not really suited to the pitch.
Also don't forget that you will need new cables.
My first step into FS was a Specialized Epic Marathon as it behaves like a hard tail on smooth stuff and FS when it gets rough. It is less travel and more cross country orientated than the Pitch but still worth a look as all of your parts will go straight on (I used 100mm travel forks with no issues).
There is one on ebay at £220 with a couple of days left so will probably finish at well over £300.
My frame (medium) is now spare and I would let it go for less than the one on ebay. It is technically perfect (smooth, playfree bearings etc) but has a few more chips / scratches / chainsuck marks that the ebay one. No dents or cracks. It would also come with a 6 month old set of Gore Ride-On Sealed cables cut to length.
PM me if you are interested (I can get it to Leeds).
Jon
Have looked on the Specialized site archive for you for the Rockhopper and the Pitch.
Everything would fit except the front mech as the pitch uses a different mount (the seat tube diameter is the same though so you may be able to make it work). Whilst things will fit the disc size and fork travel is not really suited to the pitch.
Also don't forget that you will need new cables.
My first step into FS was a Specialized Epic Marathon as it behaves like a hard tail on smooth stuff and FS when it gets rough. It is less travel and more cross country orientated than the Pitch but still worth a look as all of your parts will go straight on (I used 100mm travel forks with no issues).
There is one on ebay at £220 with a couple of days left so will probably finish at well over £300.
My frame (medium) is now spare and I would let it go for less than the one on ebay. It is technically perfect (smooth, playfree bearings etc) but has a few more chips / scratches / chainsuck marks that the ebay one. No dents or cracks. It would also come with a 6 month old set of Gore Ride-On Sealed cables cut to length.
PM me if you are interested (I can get it to Leeds).
Jon
longblackcoat said:
snotrag said:
Lots of useful stuff
But the really critical thing with any Specialized frame is snotrag said:
condition of pivots, suspension bushes, and the shock itself.
because they wear out very fast in my experience and are one of the reasons I no longer consider buying Specialized FS frames. It's just too much bother constantly replacing bushings.Master Mischief said:
Dave,
Have looked on the Specialized site archive for you for the Rockhopper and the Pitch.
Everything would fit except the front mech as the pitch uses a different mount (the seat tube diameter is the same though so you may be able to make it work). Whilst things will fit the disc size and fork travel is not really suited to the pitch.
Also don't forget that you will need new cables.
My first step into FS was a Specialized Epic Marathon as it behaves like a hard tail on smooth stuff and FS when it gets rough. It is less travel and more cross country orientated than the Pitch but still worth a look as all of your parts will go straight on (I used 100mm travel forks with no issues).
There is one on ebay at £220 with a couple of days left so will probably finish at well over £300.
My frame (medium) is now spare and I would let it go for less than the one on ebay. It is technically perfect (smooth, playfree bearings etc) but has a few more chips / scratches / chainsuck marks that the ebay one. No dents or cracks. It would also come with a 6 month old set of Gore Ride-On Sealed cables cut to length.
PM me if you are interested (I can get it to Leeds).
Jon
Cheers mate, that's useful. Comment re acting like a hardtail on the smoother stuff is interesting. My mate has a mongoose FS bike (couple of k's worth) and that doesn't bob when you're pedalling, that's what I'd want.Have looked on the Specialized site archive for you for the Rockhopper and the Pitch.
Everything would fit except the front mech as the pitch uses a different mount (the seat tube diameter is the same though so you may be able to make it work). Whilst things will fit the disc size and fork travel is not really suited to the pitch.
Also don't forget that you will need new cables.
My first step into FS was a Specialized Epic Marathon as it behaves like a hard tail on smooth stuff and FS when it gets rough. It is less travel and more cross country orientated than the Pitch but still worth a look as all of your parts will go straight on (I used 100mm travel forks with no issues).
There is one on ebay at £220 with a couple of days left so will probably finish at well over £300.
My frame (medium) is now spare and I would let it go for less than the one on ebay. It is technically perfect (smooth, playfree bearings etc) but has a few more chips / scratches / chainsuck marks that the ebay one. No dents or cracks. It would also come with a 6 month old set of Gore Ride-On Sealed cables cut to length.
PM me if you are interested (I can get it to Leeds).
Jon
Thinking about it I really want a full sus XC setup, rather than a DH beastie, I'm not into that. So your suggestion re getting an Epic frame is a damn good one.
Trouble is I'm not sure "medium" would suit me. I'm a big fecker (6'4").
I's be interested in your frame otherwise though.
Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 4th June 21:25
dave_s13 said:
Master Mischief said:
Dave,
Have looked on the Specialized site archive for you for the Rockhopper and the Pitch.
Everything would fit except the front mech as the pitch uses a different mount (the seat tube diameter is the same though so you may be able to make it work). Whilst things will fit the disc size and fork travel is not really suited to the pitch.
Also don't forget that you will need new cables.
My first step into FS was a Specialized Epic Marathon as it behaves like a hard tail on smooth stuff and FS when it gets rough. It is less travel and more cross country orientated than the Pitch but still worth a look as all of your parts will go straight on (I used 100mm travel forks with no issues).
There is one on ebay at £220 with a couple of days left so will probably finish at well over £300.
My frame (medium) is now spare and I would let it go for less than the one on ebay. It is technically perfect (smooth, playfree bearings etc) but has a few more chips / scratches / chainsuck marks that the ebay one. No dents or cracks. It would also come with a 6 month old set of Gore Ride-On Sealed cables cut to length.
PM me if you are interested (I can get it to Leeds).
Jon
Cheers mate, that's useful. Comment re acting like a hardtail on the smoother stuff is interesting. My mate has a mongoose FS bike (couple of k's worth) and that doesn't bob when you're pedalling, that's what I'd want.Have looked on the Specialized site archive for you for the Rockhopper and the Pitch.
Everything would fit except the front mech as the pitch uses a different mount (the seat tube diameter is the same though so you may be able to make it work). Whilst things will fit the disc size and fork travel is not really suited to the pitch.
Also don't forget that you will need new cables.
My first step into FS was a Specialized Epic Marathon as it behaves like a hard tail on smooth stuff and FS when it gets rough. It is less travel and more cross country orientated than the Pitch but still worth a look as all of your parts will go straight on (I used 100mm travel forks with no issues).
There is one on ebay at £220 with a couple of days left so will probably finish at well over £300.
My frame (medium) is now spare and I would let it go for less than the one on ebay. It is technically perfect (smooth, playfree bearings etc) but has a few more chips / scratches / chainsuck marks that the ebay one. No dents or cracks. It would also come with a 6 month old set of Gore Ride-On Sealed cables cut to length.
PM me if you are interested (I can get it to Leeds).
Jon
Thinking about it I really want a full sus XC setup, rather than a DH beastie, I'm not into that. So your suggestion re getting an Epic frame is a damn good one.
Trouble is I'm not sure "medium" would suit me. I'm a big fecker (6'4").
I's be interested in your frame otherwise though.
Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 4th June 21:25
I am 6'1" and that is the main reason for me moving on. My epic is really suited to someone below 6' so it would be way too small for you.
I hope you enjoy what ever you get. The difference between HT and FS is incredible.
Jon
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