mtb-timeline

Hutch

Hutch BMX was founded in 1979 by Richard Hutchins just south of Baltimore, Mayland. They focused on high-end BMX bikes with “show-chrome plating.” At first most parts and bikes were outsourced and then beautified by Hutch. By 1983, Hutch employed 55+ welders to build frames in addition to having frames made by Profile Design, Thruster & MCS. By 1984, Hutch was the voted to the best BMX bicycle for a number of years in a row. When they briefly tried there hand at MTBs they designed quality bikes made in Japan with Tange tubing and excellent components, and then beautifully chromed.

In 1988 Hutch made a HPV Superbike, or Human Powered Vehicle (after “Gravity Powered Vehicle”) as a super fast downhill machine, which deserves inclusion as it's a true downhill off road bike, with full aerodynamic fairing. It was hopefully never used off-road, as it has 20“ rims with side pull brakes.

Hutch supposedly made a “Savage” mtb, which has not been found.

Some Hutch BMX bikes were the most expensive on the market. wikipedia

The Hutch brand continues today as Hutch Hi-Performance BMX.

Resources:

Rich Hutchins jjrbmx

1984 Pro Raider Conversion

It was common to convert single speeds BMX to something practical¹⁾. Not factory built, hence not in the timeline.

1984 Pro Raider bmxmuseum

1985 Trail Star

Tange Champion tubing & Tange headset. Chromed & lugged frame. Made in Japan stickers. Shimano RD-L512-SGS touring rear derailleur (1985 only.)

1985 Trail Star bmxmuseum

Note that Trail Stars are available in red, blue & chrome.
bmxmuseum

1986 Trail Star

From the July 1986 issue of Mountain Bike Action.

1986 Trail Star mbaction

1988 HPV Superbike

Downhill BMX? Motor pacing? Gravity bike? ²⁾ Pedals out at over 60mph. $299 or $399 with fairing. SunTour alpha-2000 (1988-89.) Wheel disk covers. Flat handlebars. Mount points for optional fairing. Advertised as having 12 speeds with a front derailleur (not seen in any pics.) 12-24 gearing on rear - and 52 and/or 64 up front. 20” wheels. 30 pound weight with faring. Hi-Caliber BMX side pull brakes will not work well when pedaling over 50mph. HPV := Human Powered Vehicle.

Dan Hanebrink, who had his own brand, worked for Hutch in the late 80's.

Does this belong in the MTB timeline? Well, mtbs were invented at first solely to go downhill on Repack, after a truck ride to the top… Downhill only bikes would make a comeback in the late 1990s.

HPV fully faired. facebook

1988 HPV Superbike bmxmuseum

1989 HPV Superbike

Hutch continued to sell remaining Superbikes with and without fairing. Shimano Ultegra rear road derailleur (this derailleur is found on most 1989 models,) Odyssey BMX brakes, Shimano XT rear thumb shifter on left side (this occurs on other HPVs as well.)

There's one one sale (as of 5/2/2024) for $15,000 at the Budget Bicycle Center. However, there are plenty available for sale on line, such as a minty one on offerup for $975.

1989 HPV Superbike thecabe

¹⁾

Why aren't more BMX bikes fitted with gears? BMX racing rules have always allowed for multiple gears. See: UCI Part VI BMX rules. Reliability? Weight? Or really, the lack of any hills…

²⁾

See Mile a Minute Murphy.

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