"Suddenly it's 1990" states Hutch bicycles for the release of it's Limited Edition Trickstyler. A gold-plated-component decorated version of thier Trickstar II. Right away, I wondered how anything was going to outshine thier Trickstar frame/fork. For me, the Trickstar was the perfect frame/fork set ever made. It's geometry was very comfortable and the standing areas were useful but not in the way. So I was curious how closely Hutch came to thier goal of improving thier famous first. I purchased a Trickstyler Frame and fork and began assembling it fairly close to it's stock specifications. I changed a few parts from it's stock list mostly due to the lack of availability of some parts, but also to upgrade it some. With all that out of the way, let's get started on the first part of this bike test.

APPEARANCE: The Frame/Fork may have the same geometry as the Trickstar, but it's design is the furthest thing from it. It does share the same signature gusset tubing that the Trickstar is famous for, though the twin top tubes are a totally new direction for Hutch. The first of it's kind to come from the Hutch factory with 990 brake mounts as well. The twin top tubes support quite a standing platform at the seat tube, although there is a bend. The seat stays continue the angle down to the very original rear end. Hutch has done away with thier usual built in standing designs on the rear and opted for use of axle pegs instead of a welded-on area.

The forks sport both high and low thread in locations for screw-in adaptors mounted with Hutch axle pegs. I'm not sure who still uses the high position for pegs these days, but it's nice to keep your options open. The fork drop outs don't have any axle lead and closely resemble the Mongoose forks that came on the Decade model. Hutch also went with thinner dropouts on this model compared to the Trickstar. Which makes me think this was designed more as a flatland bike than an all terrain rider. The gold plated parts definetely draw your eye to this bike. Once you get past the mesmerizing angles of the frame and the "dance floor" of a standing platform, your eyes notice that there is gold on the bike. The "Porsche Pearlescent White" paint is a nice color for the gold plated parts to accent. I'm using a Dia-Compe 883 on the front with a recessed center bolt. Yes, I drilled the fork. I think the stock bike came with Odyssey front brakes.

I opted to use a black Hutch Pro Freestyle stem instead of the gold plated version for holding the "Bad Bars". The "Bad bars" are basically Woody bars as far as I can tell. I've compared them with the Hutch Woody bars on my Trickstar and they seem identical. Jive Handles and ACS locking levers complete the steerage on this bike and give it that Flatlander feel. Running a Gyro on this bike is essential as a Rotor would bring the bars up dangerously high. The Hutch Pro Freestyle stem doesn't like being too far from the fork. The stem flexes since the head tube doesn't.

I really like the 990 brake mounted out of the way on the bottom of the chainstays. Looks clean and makes my feet happy during Cherrypickers. The rear dropouts look kinda hideous I think, but are very strong when a wheel is bolted on. The Peregrine cranks are super nice and I can't imagine this bike with a one piece crank on it. With all the futuristic design of the frame, it needs some high tech in the drivetrain area. I'm running a Tuf-Neck power disk and Pro-Neck chainring because I think it looks better than the "Gold Record" sprocket that came stock. I'm also not running pedals that cost $300 AND have gold plated cages. I AM running ACS Z-48's with the stock gold plated spokes and the ACS RL Edge freecoaster rear hub.

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