(Part 2) Top products from r/xbiking

Thanks! I almost pulled the trigger on a HardRock when I was looking for a 90s MTB frame! HardRocks have such good paint jobs. Can’t wait to see your build.

Re: Helpful build list. While I did a lot of research online, ultimately I got the best suggestions when I was talking to the guys at the LBS. Parts bought at LBS here cost on an average 25-30% more than online but I value their advice a lot so it’s worth it for me. This is my first build so I got a lot of input on how to put the bike together. Shout out to guys at The Peddler Bike Shop in Austin TX!

The Tektro Levers I used are from an older failed Rockhopper conversion. They’re linear pull so they should be fine with V brakes (open to be corrected. They seem to work great for me). They’re Tektro RL520.

If I didn’t have these levers on me, I would most likely have gone with cantis since I love the way they function and look (I was looking for a good looking bike as well).

Hope that helps.

Haha, tis okay. We're all jealous of your score, and that great choice of bars and tires.


How about these pedals, in white? I rode singletrack with them on my mountain bike. They worked great before I switched to clipless pedals.

Edit: I also own a set of these which cost about twice as much, but are very well made and great value for the money. I think they're as nice as $100+ MTB flats. I think either the black or grey ones would look nice on your bike.

I scored this Rockhopper for $50! Now I’m looking to modernize pretty much the whole thing. Please critique my build list below. Would you get anything different, or better, or maybe anything else that would be better value? Did I miss anything? Do you think all of this will work together? It will be my adventure bike for bike packing, gravel, off road touring.

FOMTOR 25.4 stem 60mm 35 Degree Bike Handlebar Stem Riserhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G71CZG6

UPANBIKE Road Mountain Bike Bicycle Stem Riser Adapter 1 1/8" φ22.2mm https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LLR8PR

Action 1-1/8" W/Adjuster Black Cable Hanger Fronthttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCSKWCQ

KMC X9L 9 Speed Chain Gold Coatedhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0789HPV7M

Wheel Set 26 x 1.5, Mavic x M117, Deore M530 9Sp Hub, Blk SS Spokes, 32Hhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033H53VI

Shimano Deore 9-Speed Mountain Bicycle Rear Derailleur - RD-M591https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OWPRLI

Maxxis DTH 26 X 2.15 60A Kevlar Blackhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XIT4YS

XCSOURCE MTB Mountain Bike Crankset Aluminum Bicycle Crank Sprocket and Bottom Bracket Kit 170mm CS400https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWXUV7I

RaceFace 104mm Single Chain Ringhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3FG6ZW

​

Edit: Adding Shifters and Cassette

SHIMANO Deore SL-M590 9-Speed Shift Lever
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IKVJF8Y/

JGbike Sunrace 8 9 10 Speed MTB Cassette 11-40T 1 Wide Ratio Including 22mm Extender - for SRAM Shimano-Type splined freehub Body
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRLWHEO

Just through Amazon. Get something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I7K5KS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fceBDb8Y9KDY0

Then something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073QHQHPB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4eeBDb2YYTRZJ

Then some spacers, how thick depending on where your chainline falls.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HOI6F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NheBDb9NZ1JFR

You may also need longer bolts, depending. You can definitely find all manner of videos on YouTube, many of which were made by people that know what they’re doing a whole lot better than I do.

Klunker bikes, the original gravel rides!

edit: If you want a really awesome documentary of how MTB started in Marin, this was a great watch! Even my non-riding GF liked it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00FIKINO2

Hah. Looking for concrete answers?

Buy these. https://www.amazon.com/MKS-18092030213-Sylvan-Touring-Pedals/dp/B000MXOLAK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=mks+sylvan+touring+pedals&qid=1569467532&s=gateway&sprefix=mks+s&sr=8-1

Not so sharp that she’ll dump you for getting them but still really grippy.

Nice classic look that would nice on a road bike.

I ended up going with the cheapest shifters I could find. I think they work quite well, actually. They're smooth and fast, but they are hard to install and get to stay on the handlebars without moving around. Electrical tape underneath them helps.

Crank $30-40: SHIMANO M361 Hybrid Crankset... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I7PSBY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Shifters $50-60: MicroNEW Shifters 3X7 Speed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078NPGQCG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

My standby for bike repair information has always been Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance.

I also live by Park Tool videos on YouTube. They're beyond excellent, and there's a video available for just about everything.

Thanks! This stem adapter and this cable hanger.

It's the Velo Orange PassHunter Canti rack: https://www.amazon.com/Velo-Orange-Passhunter-Front-Stainless/dp/B004JKIA5E.

Looks to be pretty similar to https://velo-orange.com/collections/racks/products/vo-rando-front-rack-cantilever, except mine doesn't have that adjustable piece.

Thanks, that stem really is working out well for the drop bar conversion. It also has a hole for the brake cable, but if you want a barrel adjuster might want to go with one of these hangers instead (which requires a spacer to work with that stem, so I learned...)

https://www.amazon.com/Rubies-Star-Wars-Darth-Latex/dp/B0000AOE9O

Nice combo.

This Shimano 6sp freewheel cluster is a good option for your driveline in terms of durability and shift quality. No real need to go to 7sp as the incremental difference isn't worth the added strain on the rear axle (7sp freewheels place extra loads on the rear hub/axle assemby).

I went with these:https://www.amazon.com/Wald-Fender-Flared-972-26-Chrome/dp/B001AYJEN4/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=flared+fender+26&qid=1572716803&sr=8-3 and theres a ton of room, could probably fit 2.5" if your frame has room. They are crazy heavy though, and sturdy as a result.

I saw a video where the guys suggested this!

Profile Design Threadless Size Converter (1" - 1 1/8") https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028N14GQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Z0ODDbC2E345N

SunRace MTB Right Friction Shift Lever https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GSSO4E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_eD7LDbEW2E50F

Exact Shifter

Amazon

It’s legit Cinelli in lots of colors.

Regular old Shimano Deore T-610. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUH1JTA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ABfPDbF6PM9MR

You're gonna need a saddle bag to dangle this off of:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009PUR72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_f..ADbQWDW2RN