Steel is real! What a nice Rock hopper. Ritchie chromolly frame! One small ding in the frame on the seat stay. Does not effect structural integrity or ride quality at all. Otherwise the frame is in very good condition for it's age. Shifts good through it's 27 speed Shimano drive train. V brakes work great. Wheels are true and have good tubes and tires with sealant. 17" medium frame rides great. Surprising to see a Ritchie tube set in a Rockhopper as opposed to their higher end stump jumper, especially considering Specialized never names their tube sets and always calls them direct drive. People also ask What is Specialized direct drive? Specialized liked to coin a unique name for their bikes tubing that didn't pin it down to one supplier or manufacturer. Direct Drive was one of those names and it could be used for Tange-supplied tubing or same spec tubing from another source. It was seamless, drawn, and butted 4130 CrMo and that's what's important.