Renovating a Specialized Rockhopper

ernestrome

I have recently bought an old steel rockhopper.

It is fitted with Judy xc forks. I think it is the 1998 rockhopper, but i cannot be certain, if anyone could help me identify it i would appreciate it. The frame is red with white decals. The Judy xc fork is white with red decals. Just like this picture

It has been fitted with, or possibly came with 3x7 gripshifts. It has stx rear derailleur and acera front. The chain, chain rings and sprockets are worn and i would like to upgrade them.
I quite like gripshifts and would like to keep them. I don't feel the need for any more gears. The bike shifts pretty well, but the sprockets look well worn. Can i upgrade the drivetrain, retaining the original shifters for around £60? The derailleurs do not seem particularly worn, so i would be happy to keep them. Is it worth buying expensive rear cassette and chainrings?

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supersonic

The Judy looks like a 97, but possibly a 98.

You should be able to get a 7spd cassette (try CRC), a square taper crankset (assuming you dont want to change your bottom bracket) a new chain (8spd are the same as 7spd) and new cables for about 60 quid.

ernestrome

And do i just buy a cheap 7spd cassette, or should i go for a better one? I want to stick with the original cranks, i think they are specialized ones with 5 bolts.

I would like a chain with an easy removal link. Any recommendations

supersonic

Not many 7spd cassettes to choose from now, they are largely obsolete. I'd recommend one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=128

Do check it is compatible with your freehub body ie hyperdrive c. Shelodn Brown has more info on this.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

A good chain would be the SRAM PC971

I would recommend changing the chainrings too - it can be cheaper just to buy new crank, the old speshes were quite flexy.

ernestrome

Thanks for your help.

I took it to my LBS (bike workshop, bristol) and they said the chain was not that worn, that i should ride it thru the winter then replace.

Might upgrade to 8spd sram instead.

supersonic

Might as well go straight to 9. Going to 8 or 9 would require a new hub (or freehub body and repsce of the axle and redish), new shifters, cassette, chain and chainset (maybe not chainset if stick to 8). 8 and 9 speed rear freehubs are identical, but 7 is not.