Access bikes were the in-house bicycle line from Performance Bicycle, built by contracted factories and sold through Performance’s stores and site.
Who Makes Access Bikes?
Short answer: Performance Bicycle owned the Access brand and commissioned the frames and complete bikes through third-party producers. Access wasn’t a stand-alone company with its own plant. It was a private-label line that Performance spec’d, tested, and sold only through its retail channels. That’s why you’ll see Access logos on frames and wheels, yet no separate Access corporate website for bicycles. If you’re asking who makes access bikes?, the accurate answer points to Performance Bicycle, not a separate factory brand.
Access Brand Quick Facts And Background
If you’ve spotted an Access hardtail or a carbon 29er in a shop or classifieds, you’re looking at a house brand machine. The retailer created the model list, chose the parts mix, and worked with outside factories to build each run. Below is a compact snapshot that clears up where the name came from and how those bikes reached riders.
| Item | What It Means | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Parent | Performance Bicycle owned the Access name and sold the bikes exclusively. | — |
| What It Was | Private-label mountain bikes and frames, not a separate manufacturer. | — |
| Sales Channel | Sold through Performance stores and the website as an exclusive line. | — |
| Era You’ll See Most | Late 2000s through the mid-2010s, with a notable 2010–2011 push. | — |
| Notable Carbon Model | Access Stealth 29er carbon hardtail appeared in 2011 coverage. | — |
| Corporate Headline | Performance’s parent filed Chapter 11 in 2018; stores later closed. | — |
| What That Means Now | Access bikes pop up used; new production under that badge is uncommon. | — |
| Where Frames Came From | Contract factories produced the frames to Performance’s specs. | — |
Why The Access Name Shows Up In So Many Places
The retailer layered the Access label across frames, complete bikes, and some components. That kept prices keen while giving control over geometry, parts, and finish. Riders got decent alloy frames, race-oriented 29ers for the time, and occasional carbon options without boutique markups. Because the bikes were house-spec’d, the same model might ship with different forks, brakes, or wheelsets across seasons.
Who Manufactures Access Bicycles By Trim And Year?
This is the nuance. Access didn’t run a single plant. Like many private-label lines, it relied on established OEMs to weld or mold frames, then assemble completes. Model-year runs could come from different vendors. That’s why two Access XCL frames from consecutive seasons can share geometry but vary in tube shaping, dropouts, or fork spec. Evidence from period coverage and catalog blurbs points to a 2009–2011 surge, with alloy XCL hardtails and the Stealth carbon 29er drawing attention.
Model History You’ll Commonly See Used
While a full archive isn’t available, certain models show up again and again on owner boards and resale sites. If you’re shopping the second-hand market, these names help you decode listings and match parts correctly.
Common Access Names
- XCL 29er hardtails: Alloy frames with RockShox forks and SRAM drivetrains on many builds around 2009–2011.
- Stealth 29er carbon: A light hardtail that arrived around 2011, positioned as a value play against big-brand carbon options (period coverage).
- House-spec wheelsets and cockpit: Some bikes shipped with Access-branded bars, stems, and wheels that balanced price with rider-ready weight.
What To Expect If You Buy A Used Access
Condition matters more than the badge with any older bike. For Access frames, start with straight-forward checks: clean welds, no cracks at the head tube and seat cluster, and snug dropouts. On carbon Stealth frames, study the bottom bracket and chainstay junction for chips or stress marks. Most used examples run QR rear ends and post-mount brakes, so parts are easy to source. Budget for a modern tubeless tire setup and fresh cables to bring ride feel up to date.
Ride Character
Access hardtails from that era sit on the racy side for trail use, with steeper head angles than many current bikes. That gives snappy climbing and crisp handling in tight woods, but it also asks for steady hands on steep descents. A modern wide bar and a shorter stem can settle the front end without heavy spending. The carbon Stealth version drops weight and adds snap, which helps if you toe a start line now and then.
Drivetrain And Brakes
Plenty of Access builds shipped with 3×9 or 2×10 drivetrains. Converting to a 1x setup is painless on most frames. Check derailleur hanger alignment, then pick a narrow-wide ring that matches your crank’s BCD or direct-mount standard. For brakes, look for mineral-oil systems from Shimano if you want easy upkeep, or freshen the existing Avid setup with new pads and a bleed kit. Rotors at 160/160 or 180/160 will suit the geometry and fork ratings found on these frames.
Access Versus The Big Brands Of Its Day
House lines tend to undercut major names on price at a given weight. Access followed that playbook. When placed next to contemporary alloy XC hardtails from Specialized or Trek, an Access XCL often landed a few hundred dollars lower at retail, yet kept mid-tier suspension and drivetrain parts. The trade-off was a slimmer warranty channel and fewer size runs in some seasons. If you value outright value for a fitness trail bike, the math still looks good on a clean used sample.
How To Verify An Access Frame
Old decals fade and sellers forget model names. Here’s a quick field guide you can use at a swap, in a garage, or in a listing photo set.
| Clue | Where You’ll See It | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Head Badge Or Decal | Stylized “Access” on down tube or head tube. | Compare font style across model-year photos to confirm era. |
| Dropouts | QR rear ends on most frames from 2009–2011. | Through-axles are rare; QR suggests original trail/XC intent. |
| Brake Mounts | Post mounts front and rear on many builds. | Rotor size limits mark frame’s intended use. |
| Cable Routing | External runs with bolt-on guides. | Clean the guides and replace cracked clips for quiet shifting. |
| Fork Spec | 100 mm RockShox on numerous XCL packages. | Steerer may be straight 1 1/8″, so match forks accordingly. |
| Tire Clearance | Room for 2.1–2.25″ rubber on alloy frames. | Wider tires may fit, but check stays for rub under load. |
| Serial Sticker | Bottom bracket shell or down-tube underside. | Note the code for shop records or warranty history if available. |
Parts Compatibility And Smart Upgrades
Bring the bike up to modern trail feel without throwing cash at the wrong spots. Focus on tires, contact points, and brakes first. A tubeless wheel setup with a fast-rolling rear and a grippier front transforms control. Swap to a 760–780 mm bar and a 40–60 mm stem to calm steering. Fresh brake pads and rotors will do more for confidence than a fancy cassette. If your fork is tired, a service kit is cheaper than a replacement and restores small-bump feel.
Wheels And Hubs
Many Access completes shipped with 9 mm QR front hubs and standard QR rears. Those wheels won’t accept through-axle forks without adapters, so plan upgrades carefully. If you do step to a new wheelset, pick common hub standards and a 30 mm internal rim for a sweet spot between tire shape and weight.
Drivetrain Refresh
If the bike still carries a triple crank, a narrow-wide chainring and a modern clutch rear derailleur tidy the cockpit and cut chain slap. Match cassette range to your terrain; an 11–42 on a 10-speed setup gives an easy bailout without changing the freehub body on most stock wheels.
Where Access Fits In The Market Story
Retailer-owned lines come and go. Performance’s Access slot mirrored Nashbar’s house bikes, giving riders a lower entry price into XC and trail riding. When Performance’s parent later entered bankruptcy, inventories thinned and many models disappeared from storefronts. You’ll still see clean frames and completes in classifieds and auction sites. If the fit is right and the frame checks out, it’s a solid way to get rolling without draining the gear budget. See the bankruptcy report for the timeline. That also answers who makes access bikes? for shoppers who find the badge on a frame and wonder which company stood behind it.
Frequently Asked Points About The Brand
Is Access Still In Production?
New bikes under the Access badge are scarce. The name hasn’t carried a broad, current line in recent seasons. You can still buy parts and complete used bikes, and you can service them with standard components.
Who Services An Access Bike?
Any competent shop can work on one. The frames use common standards for headsets, bottom brackets, and wheels for the years in question. Bring the bike in clean with a list of symptoms and photos of the serial label.
Is There A Warranty?
Original retail warranties tied to the retailer no longer apply in most cases. On a used buy, ask for the original receipt or order email if the seller has it. To stay safe, judge the bike on present condition and a careful test ride. Clearly.
Bottom Line: Who Makes Access Bikes?
Performance Bicycle created and owned the Access brand and brought the bikes to life through contract manufacturing. The line offered value-forward hardtails and a light carbon 29er that scored plenty of miles for riders who wanted race-lean geometry without premium pricing. If you’ve found one on the used market, inspect it with the checks above and you’ll know what you’re buying. If you want more certainty, ask the seller for original receipts or archived product pages; those records usually mention Performance Bicycle and the specific Access model. Too.