|
expect on a made-in-the-U.S. Hutch, but they're nothing to gag over.
The frame weight IS a bit on the porkish side, though. 4 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces to be exact. However, considering that the frame is chromoly, this extra weight should translate into extra durability.
The forks are also chrome-moly. The weight is more in line with what you'd expect from Hutch forks; 1 pound, 12 ounces. That's the same weight as the forks that were on the Hutch Pro Star that we tested last year.
The geometry of the frame and fork is the same as Hutch's Expert Racer, which puts it in the area of 12 to 14 year olds, so we called in our tester extraordinaire of mid-size moto machinery, Tosh Muraviov.
Also, Hutch shipped mid-size factory fast cat, Monte gray, out from texas to help us wring out the Pro Raider. Thanks, Hutch and Monte.
We're gonna cut these guys loose so they can go a few rounds with the bike, but in the meantime, let's cruise through Componentville to see what makes the Pro Raider tick.
WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT
Let's start at the top and work our way through.
The Hutch grips are made from a durable rubber compound that's a little harder than most of the grips currently on the market. But they're not so hard that they qualify as plastic palm eaters.
Chang Star supplies the brake levers and calipers, and there's no nicer way to explain it than these are flat-out copies of Dia-Compe components. The levers are just like Dia-Compe Tech 3 levers, and the calipers are full-on-Dia-Compe MX look-alikes.
When we've come across the Chang Star brakes in the past, the performance left more than a little to be desired. This time, though, it seemed like they worked out a few of the bugs that were robbing performance. They were acceptable. Not as great as Dia-Compe's but okay.
The bars are Hutch Pro Raiders, are made from mild steel, and, like the frame and fork, are built in Taiwan to hutch's specs. The bend is the same as Hutch's pro bars, which are totally excellent.
We've tested plenty of bikes with the SR aluminum and chrome-moly stem, so you should already know how well it works for mid-sized guys. (Very well.)
The seat is a new Viscount aero style (with Hutch logos on the sides) that has a new shape to it. The lip on the rear has been flattened out a little so that it's not quite as abrasive to your buns.
The seat post is mild steel. The seat post clamp is aluminum and is the Hutch donut-style manufactured by Tioga.
The headset, bottom bracket set, and trick aluminum spider that's made exclusively for Hutch, are also Tiaga goodies. Bitchen stuff.
Cranks are qaul one-piece chrome-moly Takagi 175mm units. No probs there.
Pedals are look-alikes too. This time Shimano DX pedals are the victims.
The wheels are built up from Sumo rims (which look a lot like Araya 7-X's), Suzue low-flange hubs, and .080 spokes with brass nipples.
Tires are Cheng Shin's with a Comp III tread pattern. They function. Not as well as REAL Comp III's, but they do the job.
GOING ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Having the same geometry as hutch's Expert racer frame and fork, the Pro Raider exhibits the same good manners and race bred performance you expect from Hutch.
No trubs in the air.
Comfortable cornering.
No glitches or twitches during speed jumps.
Durability was great. Nothing bent?
The only thing that got tweaked was the barrel adjuster on the front brake.
SUMMING UP
When you're accustomed to seeing the totally high qual made-in-the-U.S. frames and forks that Hutch is famous for, you get spoiled and start to compare everything to them. In that sense, the Pro raider frame and fork have a REAL tough act to follow. But in its own class, it's excellent!
The Pro Raider should provide tons of fun, and miles of smiles.
|
|
