Hutch goes overseas to compete with other biggies.
MORE BIKE FOR YOUR BUCK?
A hutch for $239--shouldn't surprice you. It's just Hutch's way of keeping up with the Joneses. . . And Schwinn,Mongoose,Daimond Back and Red Line. All these companies (and a few we've forgotten) have entered a new era in BMX. Full race at a low budget. Two years ago all you could buy in the $200 to $250 range was a Thrasher: Mild steel frame,steel rims and a coaster brake. Nothing you could race on and be competitive. But all that has changed. Now for the same dollars you can get a bike that is track worthy.
JAPAN VS. TAIWAN
One reason all these companies have been able to build these bikes at this low price is because companies in Taiwan have copied every part that Japan makes: seat clamps,seats,rims,brakes,tires,grips,pedals--almost everything. In most cases they aren't as good as the Japanese orginals,but they're not as expensive either. Take these parts and put them with a Taiwan built frame,fork and bars and you can get on track for less.

WHAT IS A RAIDER?
The heart of the Hutch Raider is an all chromoly Taiwan frame and fork. It was designed By Hutch and built to their specs. It is the same geometry as the Hutch Experts so it is sized for the 11-to 15-year-old market. The frame looks exactly like an Expert except the downtube is 1-1/4'' rather than 1-3/8''.
The welds on the frame are OK--not up to American Hutch standarts,but good for Taiwan. The dropouts are copies of the American frame.
All in all the frame and fork feels stiff and strong.
The handlebars are also chromoly and made in Taiwan. They are a copy of Hutch's Pro Bar. This is very important because most Taiwan made bikes are using small handlebars which not only make the bike feel small,but cause the brake levers to be mounted on the bend in the handlebar. This causes the levers to move no matter how much you tighten them. On the Hutch they stay fairly tight.
The next decision was what Japanese parts and what Taiwanese parts to use. Hutch opted for Japanese hubs (Suzue) and Tiaga head set and bottom bracket,guaranteeing all the bearings are top stuff. The cranks are Takagi chromoly 175mm one-piece. The spider is a wild looking Hutch « New Force Connection » made by Tioga. According to Hutch you will have to buy the bike to get it. It won't be for sale alone. The sprocket is a Takagi 43T and the freewheel as a Shimani DX 16T chromoly. All quality stuff. Hutch has a lot of Hutch brand parts on this bike. Beside the frame,fork,

bars and power connection,the Taiwan seat post,clamp and seat all carry Hutch's name. The grips are also Hutch,but we didn't care for them at all. Maybe with gloves--but not bare handed.
The stem is an SR. It works well but could be replaced to add front end room for a larger rider. Front and rear brakes are Taiwan copies of an MX 1000. They are the most notiveable copy on the bike. Stopping a adequate but not in the same league as a real Dia-Compe. The tires are comp III copies. The front is a 2.125 and the rear  is 1.75. They don't hold quite as well as the real thing but they'll work okay. The rims are also Taiwan: copies of a 7X rim. They seemed to hold up fine during the test. The pedals are also a Taiwan copy of hot Japanese products. These Victor pedals are a replica of a Shimano DX. The raider also comes with a complete set of pads.
ON THE TRACK
The bike handles well. A change of tires would probably make it handle even better. They only bugged us on real slick packed dirt. The Taiwan pedals,rims and other parts worked well but only time will really tell. Most of these parts haven't been used on bikes we've tested so we can't look back at a bike to see if they are still working. The brakes are really the only part (other than the grips) we had trouble living with. The handles give as you tighten them

so they will never tighten like the Dia-Compe. The spring is weak,the arms really flex and the shoes are so-so. All this adds up to needing two brakes to stop as well as one Dia-Compe.
Using all the quality parts in the drive train (hubs,freewheel,spider,etc.) made for good,smooth chain action which is something its competing lacks.
IS IT WORTH $240?
For  $200 you could get an all Taiwan bike (from someone else)--hubs,bearings,steel gear,funky bars.
The Hutch bike does ride better than those bikes because of the Japanese parts in the critical spots.
For $300 you can buy (from someone else) a full Japanese equipped bike--brakes,tires,everything. The Hutch falls in the middle. Considering the proven frame geometry and Hutch's guarantee we could say are getting a good bike for the bucks.
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame: Hutch Pro Raider,chromoly,chrome plated.
Fork: Hutch,chromoly,chrome plated with hole for front brake.
Handlebars: Hutch,chrome plated.
Stem: SR 422,black and silver.

The MX1000 type brakes stop the Hutch Pro Raider but not as wal as the real thing.

Headset: Tioga,AW-27,chrome plated.
Bottom Bracket Set: Tioga BB-22U,chrome plated.
Chain: 1/2x1/8,black and silver.
Brakes: MX 1000 type,chrome plated,front and rear with Tech 3 levers.
Tires: Comp III type,black,20x2.125 front and 20x1.75 rear.
Crank: Takagi one piece,chromoly,175mm.
Spider: Hutch New Force Connection.
Chainwheel: Takagi 43T,alloy,black.
Freewheel: Shimano DX 16T,chromoly.
Seat: Hutch Aero,black with Hutch logo.
Seat post: Hutch,chrome plated.

The components used in the drive train are all top quality,helping the bike perform well and making it a good value. The Hutch Spider,  « New Force Connection »,is a sharp looking tough added to the Pro Raider.

Seat Post Clamp: Hutch,alloy typr,black.
Grips: Hutch black.
Rims: Sumo 7X type,buffed silver.
Hubs: Suzue,small flange alloy,black.
Pedals: DX type,black with chromoly spindle.
Spokes: 14 gauge U.P.C.
Pads: Hutch,black with velcro.
Reflectors and chain guard is included.

Handlebar by Hutch,a set of pads and Tech 3 levers come as standard equipment. Watch out for the grips,they're not as easy to handle as others on the market.