In development for about two years, the Access Stealth 29er carbon fiber mountain bike is a budget conscious weight weenie’s dream come true.
The top of the line 1.0 model, shown above, comes in a slick matte/gloss finish that highlights the broad weave pattern of the woven outer layer of carbon. As shown for a 19″ frame with full XTR, Fox fork, Stan’s wheels and tires, Fizik Gobe saddle and no-name bar, stem and post, it weighed in at just 20lbs 12oz. As a house brand for Performance Bike, Access could likely refer to it’s attainability on a budget – retail is just $4,499.99 and like most everything at Performance, it’s on sale for $3,999.99.
For those on a serious budget, the same ~1,100g frame (claimed) can be had on their complete 4.0 bike for $1,699.99. Interested? Check more pics after the break…
On our scale at 20lbs 12oz, without pedals.
After you get past the massive carbon weave pattern, what stands out most is how big the tubes are. I didn’t get to ride it, but appearances suggest it’s pretty stiff.
Speaking of the weave, it’s a 12K carbon monocoque frame. Actual retail bikes get Hutchinson tires and an alloy seatpost, but this one had the Stan’s NoTubes super low profile tires and a carbon post. Most everything else looked to be on spec.
Since many of you apparently leave Chinese stock frame catalogs open on your work desks, I’ve started asking. Yes, this started life as a catalog frame, but PB’s David Swan says they’ve customized the layup and a few other factors to deliver the ride and durability they wanted. One of their team riders was rocking an early prototype that’s been ridden for over a year. Lastly, should red flags about the price versus weight be sounding in your head, Swan said it, like everything else they sell, comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
