Vintage Specialized Hardrock Still Rocks Hard On The Trails

I really enjoy working on and riding old bikes. In February of 2021 bought a 1999 Specialized Hardrock for only $65.00 (not $35.00 as stated in the video). Although the bike had spent a lot of time outdoors, it is structurally sound. The Cro-Mo steel frame and welds are all in good shape. The metallic ruby red paint is gorgeous, but there is a lot of wear and scratches on it.
I cleaned the living daylights out of it, and rebuilt it with upgraded or repurposed components. It now has a one by setup with a new Fomtor 30 tooth narrow-wide chainring attached to a repurposed Shimano Alivio crankset with new Fooker pedals. I decided to upgrade the drive train using a Shimano 9 speed cassette, Shimano Alivio rear derailleur, and Shimano Alivio trigger shifter. Tires are 26 by 2.2 Schwalbe Black Jacks. Brakes are Fomtor levers and linear pull units,. The stem is a Wake 90mm with 17 degrees of rise, which I already had. I replaced the stock 620mm handlebar with a repurposed and repainted 670mm aluminum handlebar from a 2008 Diamondback. I chose a narrow-ish bar to keep the vintage look. The icing on the cake in my opinion is the reissued Selle Italia Turbo saddle - I just love how it looks on the bike.
The bike is a lot of fun to ride, but it is also a lot of work.
Original 1999 MRSP: $290.00 US
2021 Purchase Price: $65.00
New Components:
Schwalbe Black Jack, 26” x 2.2” 2@ $21.95 Amazon.com
Selle Italia Turbo saddle, reissue $59.95 Statebicycle.com
Fomtor 30 tooth narrow-wide chainring $16.99 Amazon.com
Fooker pedals $28.99 Amazon.com
Shimano 9 speed cassette, Alivio derailleur and shifter: $0.00
Weinmann 26 inch wheels: $120.00
Stock Components (from Bicycle Blue Book)
Pedals: Specialized platform, steel
Bottom Bracket: Specialized Sport, 122.5mm spindle
BB Shell Width: 68mm English
Chain: Shimano CN-UG50, 1/2 x 3/32inch
Spoke Brand: Chung Nan stainless steel, 2.0mm straight gauge
Spoke Nipples: Brass nipples
Hubs Front: aluminum, Q/R, Rear: Shimano Acera X
Rims: Weinmann 519, 36-hole
Tires: 26 x 1.95inch Specialized Hardrock'R
Frame Construction: TIG-welded
Fork Brand & Model: Specialized
Fork Material: Chromoly, unicrown crown
Cassette 7-speed, 11 - 32 teeth (12 - 28 as bought)
Crankset: Specialized Strong Arm, 24/34/42 teeth
Shift Levers: Sram Grip Shift MRX-201
Handlebar: Specialized alloy (575mm as measured)
Handlebar Stem: Specialized A-1
Headset: 1 1/8inch threadless Aheadset
Saddle: Specialized Hardrock Men's
Seatpost: Pillar, aluminum
Brakeset: Lee Chi ProMax linear-pull brakes, linear-pull levers
Frame Tubing Material: Chromoly main triangle, hi-tensile steel rear stays

[@wooldridgejill]

I was happy to watch this. I have a 1990 Specialized Hardrock which I bought for trail riding back in the day. My daughter just helped me get it ready for the summer. She put on new brakepads, greased the derailleur and added a rack with a pannier for errands. I realize it is a funky old thing but it feels like a victory to be back on my bike.

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

It sounds awesome!

[@Br4m76]

Is it chromoly frame?

[@JimsObsessiveCyclingDisorder]

It's in my shed and we are in the middle of a blizzard, so I can't check, but I'm pretty sure it is.