Y'Know What I Need?

That's right...another bike.

 

This is a 1989 Specialized RockCombo, a precursor to the Bridgestone XO series.  Like the XOs, the Combo was way ahead of its time, and a total sales flop.  It came with the Specialized version of the WTB Dirt Drop handlebar, with Suntour Bar-Cons and an all-Suntour parts group.

You can see a complete one here.

I actually got the frame and fork from a fellow in the Netherlands.  I looked for one, around here, for quite a while, starting not long after I for the XO.  I figured I might as well have another tig-welded, vintage all-rounder in the stable.  I seem to have a thing for them...

  

Triple-butted tubes, but still no lightweight.  

The paint needs a bit of touching-up, but the decals are in good shspe.

 This so 1980s:  

Designed In the USA

Made in Taiwan

 

Between the parts I already have, plus a couple of trades with Brad and Mark,  I have pretty much everything I need to build it up.  All I am missing is a Dirt Drop handlebar.  I'm thinking I might just use a Gary bar, like I have on the XO-2.

I don't intend to restore it to anything near stock.  While I appreciate Suntour parts as much as the next guy, I'll go with period-appropriate Shimano and Specialized parts since Shimano-compatible 7-speed cogsets, etc, are much easier to come up with.

More, later, as the build progresses.

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