Calling the cyclists - is this any good?

Hacker

Hacker

TPer Emeritus
Suspended / Banned
Messages
7,625
Name
Colin
Edit My Images
Yes
In an effort to lose a bit of weight and overcome my slothful behaviour of late I was toying with the idea of a pushbike. I mentioned this to a mate and to cut a long story short I bought his bike for £25. It's either a Specialized HR Hardrock or HR Hardrock Specialized and it has been sitting in his garage for the last three years, I've given it a quick wash to get rid of the worst of the grime and cobwebs, oiled all the bits I need to oil and pumped up the tyres which appear to be holding their pressure for the moment. The exposed brake cables have a bit of rust on them but they appear to be working fine. The front shocks are SR Suntour :shrug:

First off, is this make any good and is there anything else I need to do? I might get it checked over by the local bike shop just for peace of mind.

0806_bike_005.jpg


0806_bike_004.jpg


0806_bike_002.jpg


0806_bike_007.jpg


It's been a very long time since I sat on a bike so if you're in the Hertfordshire area you might be lucky and see me huffing and puffing. :lol: :lol:
 
Replace the chain before it snaps on you. Replace all the cables as they may be OOK now but soon enough they will peg it. To give them a bit more life drop some oil down the ends and pull the cables to and fro to lube the innards.

Specialized are alright and to be honest you got a bargain as the current hardrock sells for 300 nicker. I would get the forks serviced as well, will cost you a few quid down at your local bike shop, but will be worth it. I would also drop the forks out and lube the bearings there as well.
 
Nice ;)

I like riding too, nice going down hills and the wind in your hair
 
Do as Bert says and unless you are going to start doing Steve Peat impressions this set up will do fine for loosening up those bones (and hopefully not breaking them). Specialized are a good make (I have a Rockhopper in my garage) with especially nice confidence-building geometry.

We'll get you on a few tracks the next time you're up north. ;)
 
if you want to double your money PM Me :p ;)
 
Nah, what you really want is something with lower handlebars, a higher seat and much, much narrower tyres! :p
 
My other bike is a Specialized...:p
 
My dad has a £2000 specialized. So yes its a good make.
The best thing to do is get it serviced at a local bike shop. They can check exactly what needs doing and it will probably cost you about £20. I know this is about the price you payed for the bike but you got yourself a very good deal!
 
I reckon you have a bargain there. I've got a Hardrock Sport and it just got me round a 100 mile ride. If you're planning on mainly road work get some skinny tyres, they make a difference.

A service is worthwhile (yes it will cost more than the bike did) but that's what happens when you get a bargain. :thumbs:

Enjoy it
 
I would say do not bother getting the forks serviced they are worth very little (£15) and it will cost more to service them,

I would

1. Make sure all bolts are fully tightened, remove them and spray some gt 85 into them and replace,

2. Replace brake cables,

3. Replace gear cables,

4. Replace chain, although it should be alright,

5. Post a close up pic of the rear cogs so i can have a look and see if they need replacing, if they are very rounded the chain may jump cause problems, so best to replace if they are very worn.

6. Makes sure the brakes ar clamping the wheel well and you can come to a stop quickly and they the pads have enough wearon them, if they are v brakes make sure there is still a grove in the pads.

7. last of all enjoy!

P.S only replace gear cables if they are fraying or look worn, otherwise they will be fine. The brake ones may be best for safety though
 
Agreed on the forks......just get out and ride ;)

I can't imagine your going to be throwing your self around the Peaks just yet so replace nothing unless you need to....:D

Then when your ready Colin, gimmie a shout and well get out in the mountains for some fun :thumbs:

For the record, Specialized are a decent brand and have always had a decent frame package with reliable components....even their own branded items.
I raced on stumpjumpers for a few years and will happily go back to the brand when it's time to replace my intense.
 
Hacker
It looks ok.

Chain, cables and derailiers
Defo get the cables replaced and make sure you run some oil down the cable outers. Get some of the following "Finish Line Cross Country oil £4.99" get the "wet" green top bottle as this is a little thicker and lasts longer on the chain. Make sure you give the chain a goodly amount of oil on each link so that it works it's way in. Also use this oil on the front and rear derailiers and on the pedals.

Also buy a bottle of "Snott Slime" this goes in the inner tubes and will help stop the small thorn puntures, it's a little pricey at £8.99 a bottle but you only need one bottle as there's enough to do both tubes.
It's called Slime tube sealent, I call it snott as it's green:lol::lol:

Forks, wheels
Get the forks checked over at your local bike shop also get them to true your wheels while you're there.

Tyres,
Check them over for wear if you find any large amounts of wear, gashes or splits bin them and get new.

Gloves
If you're planning on going cross country get a pair of CC gloves as if you come off your hands will more than likely be the first things to hit any gravel.
"It hurts"

I get my stuff from here;
http://www.evanscycles.com/foyer.jsp

Hope the above helps
 
Adding to earlier advice, I wouldn't change the chain unless your going to change the cogs as well. They will have worn into each other, and the remaining worn cogs would quickly ruin a new chain.

I'd suggest for sure changing the cables, which are really cheap at any bike shop. From there, just ride. You'll quickly know if anything else is wierd from noises - crank, pedals, hubs, headset etc. Then just change as necessary.

Nice buy though - secondhand bikes tend to be real bargains. So many people buy them and never use them, so you get real bargains later as garages get cleared out :thumbs:
 
That's a great buy. I paid £100 for my secondhand Hardrock. Get it serviced at your LBS and it's still a crackin buy.
 
Can only add one thing to the above advice.

GET YOURSELF A HELMET

There are many things that can hurt you off road and on road. Break your leg and they can pin it. Break your head and.... well we all know what happens. Don't take the risk, buy a bash hat.
 
Replace the seat, that one is going to do you some serious harm on a bumpy track I reckon! I got a fat man padded seat and pneumatic seat pole? for very little money.
 
I think i am going to get out on the bike tomorrow, come and meet me and i'll show you what a sexy bike looks like :lol: Okay maybe not sexy :lol:
 
Not a bad bike. Get some padded shorts - if you don't dig lycra there are some good MTB ones. Make sure you put the seat up high enough else you will have bad knees and not be able to get up hills. Lower the seat if riding off road on difficult terrain. Learn to ride seated if climbing off road and not standing up, else you will lose traction. wear some bright coloured clothing because you will now become prey for mad motorists. Above all - enjoy it.:thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top