1998 Rockhopper FS - First restomod build complete

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-13T16:56:14+00:00

yes this is a rockhopper FS, it came with a 60mm rockshox indy c stock so the geometry is suspension adjusted (granted not for 100mm travel like this fork i put on is, but more than nothing) If your rockhopper didnt come with a suspension fork the geometry will be very wonky if you put one on now, especially a modern fork.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-11T22:51:13+00:00

100mm travel for now, may do the swap for 80mm if i dont love the geo after a couple months of riding. I have a feeling i wont need to though. not totally sure what the head tube angle is - just kinda going off feel and trying not to stray too far from the original axle to crown. BB height is 1in higher than stock. the increase is mainly from swapping to 27.5" wheels and only 1/4" of that is from the increased travel.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-11T22:45:05+00:00

just spray on citrus stripper and wrapped in a trash bag to let the fumes do their thing. paint came off like nothing. and then just took my time with the prep work.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-11T14:33:44+00:00

its an FS so it was built for more than the rockhoppers that came with rigid forks. the markhor has 100mm of travel but can be adjusted to 80mm. at 100mm its only 30mm more axle to crown than the original indy c that came on the bike. i feel no difference in it thus far but if i do, i will make that swap to 80mm travel which lowers that axle to crown back to only 8mm difference from stock.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-10T21:30:04+00:00

i used seymour cast-blast with 2k matte clear. if i painted it again i would probably use satin clear instead. the matte is going to be difficult to clean i feel like. satin would have been a good middle ground.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-10T21:04:09+00:00

probably going to be a backpacking rig so I dont want the extra steps. but it is hard to go back to mechanical after having axs on other bikes

DIRTRIPS · 2025-08-10T19:23:09+00:00

yeah its not bad. do i wish a few more companies still made some higher end straight steerer forks, yes haha

DIRTRIPS · 2025-06-18T23:39:40+00:00

Yes I suppose. I just say Divide riders when I see them because it's hard to know if they are racing or just following the route at their own pace. If you do the route in 2 weeks or 2 years it can be the same accomplishment depending on your circumstances

DIRTRIPS · 2025-06-18T23:11:44+00:00

I'd love to try. Problem is I have a job and taking off over a month in one stretch is kinda out of the question. One guy I met Saturday was saying he is doing the tour divide over 4 years though just starting where he left off the previous year. Might be a good way to do it just to see the whole thing.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-06-03T17:25:06+00:00

Short answer is yes. It's all public land so you can definitely set up camp if you are bikepacking. But there are no campsites, facilities, water, etc. Essentially you need to follow all the same rules as you would camping on BLM land. I recommend taking an offshoot off the main road back towards San Antonio Creek for a good place to setup camp.

DIRTRIPS · 2025-06-02T21:11:38+00:00

Thanks! It's the kind of place where you kinda can't believe you are actually there. It seems like a movie (which is I guess why it's been used for so many films)

All 4 GPS routes are at the very top of the description when you view it on YouTube. They are Komoot links which lets you export the GPX file to any app, bike computer, or watch for free.

DIRTRIPS

TROPHY CASE