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So, I’m after a bike for my youngest skipperlet and he’s quite keen on a Specialized Rockhopper - we’ve tried one in a size medium 29” and it looks good.
Thing is I’d quite like one with 142mm rear and 110 front with Shimano 12 speed so I can make use of all the spares I have for that inc a lovely set of wheels with XT hubs ( otherwise I’m going to have to sell all my spares at a significant loss which seems pointless)
Anyone care to recommend something of comparable quality/geometry/sizing to the Specialized? If indeed something like that exists. I don’t want to build it up myself from a bare frame as I don’t have quite that many spares!
i think you will struggle with a 142mm rear on anything modern. Its old 'tech' now, so no one will be making new bikes with it.
Looks like it goes from a 135mm rear end on the lower end of the market to 148mm when you breach the upper end.
I did think Trek Marlin, as its a similar bike to the Rockhopper, but that appears to be a 135mm.
Are any of your wheels got hubs that can be converted? Cant see many other options unfortunately.
I'd put good money on there never having been a bike produced with a boost front end and non boost rear end
Actually - I typo'd the 142 - they are actually 148x12 rear and 110x15 front.. 🙄
Double check but I recently picked up a trek xcaliber (used) for my eldest and I’m sure it’s 141boost. Tapered head tube and Nicer finish that the younger kids rockhoppers too
Plenty of bikes still made with non boost. The rockhopper above is qr rear and qr non tapered forks (or at least my wife's 22 model expert is).
@oceanskipper - well in that case, the base bike just needs to be more expensive. A Specialized Fuse or Trek Roscoe would be the next step up. There will be loads of options for bikes with boost front and rear ends, but the entry fee will be a lot higher.
@5lab I take your bet and will PM my bank details for payment 🤪. Genesis longitude mk2 had this combo.
Hmm - don't really want to spend more than £650 is my problem.
If you have spares then why not build from a frame?
We were looking at new treks and speshs earlier in the year, wanted 1x drivetrain and an air fork and to get that you’re spending over your budget (which was our budget too)
Ended up paying 450 for a used xcaliber which is absolutely mint and leaves cash spare for some bling in the future.
Certainly seems to be no shortage of lockdown related unused bargains from the typical American brands
May have to look at used - could do with some ideas of what to look for though….. Not being lazy but by the time I get the research done on my own the summer will be over! I don’t know much about what’s good really. ☹️
1 x drivetrain ideally 148x12 rear and 110x15 forks. Shimano to match my spares (and the reason I don’t want to build from a frame is that I don’t have quite enough spares and researching what will fit it will send me to an early grave!)
Decent quality frame, forks and BB most important as I can sort the rest most likely.
Don't know where you are, but Dieter @down_and_across (of Back From The Dead) at Happy Days in Sowerby Bridge has a whole pile of donated Specialized somethings, I think Rockhoppers. Plus plenty of other good quality frames. He'd soon tell you if he had anything in that would fit your spares box. I imagine any decent bike recycling project will be the same.
Thanks - I’m in the North East so a couple of hours away. I’d like a complete bike to start with but one that will take my spares when the time comes..