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Submitted by
Mike Manuel
a
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Courtesy Bicycles | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review aobut the bike. I broke my frame today. rear triangle at the top just above the weld. snapped clean off. overall its components are good, but take it easy on the frame or it will brake. Very dissappointed. the frame is terribly weak | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Urban-Dunbar
a Weekend Warrior
from Nanoose Bay, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The Downhill Slalom by Englishman River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | friends house (used) | | Strengths: | nice light beefy frame, excellent for jumping | | Weaknesses: | rear disc brake wore out | | Similar Products Used: | 2006 Norco Katmandu, 2006 Norco Bigfoot | | Bike Setup: | New SRAM derailleur and shifters, New handlebars, new Truativ crankset, new Marzocchi Dirt Jumper Urbans. new 2006 crank brothers mallet pedals and a few other upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is excellent for both beginners and experienced riders. it's great for jumping. I can't really think of anything that's wrong with it except for the rear disc but that will be fixed. the new shox make it great for hard landings. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumberland , R.I. , U.S.A
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Lincoln Woods , Lincoln , R.I. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Underground Ski Market | | Strengths: | The frame is bombproof and bulletproof and clydsdale proof .
Rides great in dirt , sand , snow , and takes a heck of a beating without any complaints . Army green paint job is the bomb . | | Weaknesses: | Not a one that I can see | | Similar Products Used: | My other bikes don't even come close but I'll list them anyway : Mongoose GSX 9.0 , Z-bike (folder) , Raleigh c30 (hybrid) | | Bike Setup: | Stock right out of the LBS , it's good enough for me | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the weekend warrior like myself and a good starter bike for those people thinking of getting serious about freestyle and downhill mountain biking . The frame is like a mountain bike on steriods and the components can't be beat for the amount of money paid . Haro is the bicycle company to go to as far as I'm concerned if you want a big bang for your mountain biking buck . It's fast going downhill , not bad climbing uphill and the looks some other people give me make me proud to be a Haro Escape 8.2 owner . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike crumley
a Weekend Warrior
from anchorage, alaska
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | undecided | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$859.00 | | Purchased At: | paramount cycles | | Strengths: | beefy frame, components are perfect for how i ride, easy to ride, the bike is awsome if you are looking for somthing you can use to get from point a to b and beat the crap out of on the way | | Weaknesses: | frame squeakes | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | escape 7005 alloy frame, Marzocchi EXR Pro Coil 105mm, Alpha Drive Bashguard, Haro DH Platform Pedals, Shimano Alivio derailer, Truvativ Hussefelt Riser 680 x 50 rise handlbar, sun rims, mechanical disc | | Bottom Line: | nice bike for the price, gets you from point a to b with a hell of alot of fun in between, if you like to really ride yer bike hard then i would recomend this bike, as it stands its my first love | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from cal city
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | ur mom and ur sister in marquette | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$805.00 | | Purchased At: | cross country sports | | Strengths: | u get what u pay for. the stock wheels are strong as u know what. the 2003 frame lasted a few months but im glad i got a 2004. this thing is really strong. | | Weaknesses: | the 2003 frame is kinda chinsy if u ask me but the 2004 i cant find any weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 kona coiler, 2004 haro escape 8.3 | | Bike Setup: | i have halo sas wheels with hayes mag 8". i also upgraded to a drop off comp instead of the stock fork. i also upgraded the stem cuz it stripped out. this thing kick a$$!! | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a really good starter bike. it can handle a ton of abuse. the stock parts are strong but i chose to upgrade. i would recomened this bike to a beginner on a budget. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Braeden
a Downhiller
from PoCo,BC Cananda
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | cbc | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1320.00 | | Strengths: | The frame is great,army green paint and its massive tubes look great no problems so far even though ive done some pretty big djs and hcore trails.Wheels are pretty strong i just replaced them cus i got real good deals on new ones. Brakes,Bar,cranks,drivetrain. | | Weaknesses: | The fork was ok even though i bent it decent for a beginner,hubs are cheap but work,no bashguard,uncomfortable seat thats really all. | | Similar Products Used: | old school cove stiffee like 98 lol | | Bike Setup: | dj3,vuelta dh disc wheel front,rhyno lite back,wtb seat,bashguard,new grips,kenda tires,everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | Its a sweet bike for the money looks great is strong,internal headset is burly,id buy a smaller frame though like a 15.5 or smaller cus im 5 10 and i bought a 17.5 inch which is alrite but smaller would be better for djs,im buying a more race bred fork lol like an mx to race some all mountain/xc stuff,it actually climbs alrite if u have the leg power anyways peace out | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T. McAlevey
a Weekend Warrior
from Worcester, MA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Leominster State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Market Underground | | Strengths: | FRAME...its a brute. Brakes kick ass as well. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Chain has slipped a few times but i think when i get it tuned itl be all set. Fork sucks but we already knew that. | | Similar Products Used: | I also own a GF Tass. That would be the better cross country bike. Weighs a bit less. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now. Next up is new front shock. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excelent bike. Odd that i own both this and the GF, i know, but i saw how cheap this bike was and figured it would come in handy for some downhill. Climbing is brutal with this compared to GF but we already knew that it would be. I give it 5 chilis for value cuz i got it for 540, but only 4 for rating becuz as stock set up, my GF is a little bit better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Logan P.
a Weekend Warrior
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Very solid, good at drops. It is really bomb proof and it looks pretty cool too. | | Weaknesses: | Not nearly as good a climber as my old Hardrock. Also is on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Specialized Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | stock except I switched the stem to a longer, lower one. | | Bottom Line: | This is not a cross country bike but that doesnt mean that its not good for general trail riding. It is amazing how much confidence in drops I got within the first few rides. I am starting to get used to climbing with it. The longer stem helped. You won't be hurting this frame anytime soon I think, it is massive. The components are ok, but you probably can't beat them for the price. Overall, if you are looking into going down things more than up them, buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy the Mariner
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Royal Nat Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Frasers | | Strengths: | The Haro Escape 8.2 2004 bike has a good light and strong frame with kick ass breaks.. it has saved me a few times. when you want to stop they stop. | | Weaknesses: | I have found the rims both front and rear to be weak as I have buckled both of them after 4 rides (110km), the seat is fairly uncomfortable. It has excellent breaks but poorish pads (smoked them a few times)change them and you will be fine. | | Similar Products Used: | first full off-road bike bought but trialed Norco, this is all in all a better bike. | | Bike Setup: | now running 27 speed, better break pads, ride computer and soon looking to upgrade seat. | | Bottom Line: | This is a really good heavy duty bike that has stood up to hugh amounts of punishment. The main use of the bike is very poor trails and tracks with very slippery and large rocky hills and large jumps both in the dry and wet. The suspension is handeling the terrain, the gears work well only after they are worn in (not happy until 1st service) but the breaks comes into their own in the wet and dusty trails (i have had the pads smoking a few times but onced changed to a harder better quality pad problem gone). the only thing i would like to see is hydrolic disk breaks and dirt jumper III shocks appart from this im very happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikeman007
a Weekend Warrior
from new england area
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 800 | | Strengths: | solid frame, great geometry, decent components, looks | | Weaknesses: | stock shocks are below par | | Similar Products Used: | all kinds of mtbs | | Bike Setup: | stock except for shock upgrade | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. Replace the shocks to one of your choice (if you are a serious rider), and you are all set. The bike gives a feeling of solidity, everything is burly without being too heavy. I do mostly xc and urban stuff, and commuting now and then. This bike has held up well, and I will highly recommend it, especially if you are on a budget. I have not come across a reputed name brand with the cost/quality advantage of this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane Queensland Australia
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Brakes,rims, | | Weaknesses: | Fork,hubs,FRAME!!! | | Bike Setup: | Psylo fork | | Bottom Line: | the first thing i noticed after i boght this bike was how bad the forks were i would even call them dangerous i cant beleive they would actually put these on a bike this price.I replaced these with the psylos wich are great forks.Now for the frame ,it is a nice frame as far as geometry and rigidity but for strength its just pathetic my rear left drop out snapped clean off and i wasnt even jumping or anything just a small bump and it broke looking at how it broke i think it was mostly from how the disk brake mounts.haro says i must mistreat the bike but i have never even buckled a wheel on it.Who should buy this bike no body ,think what could have happend if this snapped on the road at high speed i could have been under a car.my rating for this bike would be a lot higher if it was still in one peice but what use is it now.DONT BUY HARO buy another brand that makes things properly and honours there waranty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian
a Downhiller
from MA
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Harborside Cycle | | Strengths: | has a really backed up frame, comes with really good parts | | Weaknesses: | the fork isn't that great, thats why i bought a new one. Also the crank arm fell off on mine because the bolt snapped inside the bottom bracket. | | Bike Setup: | stock, w/ dj3's and wellgo platform petals | | Bottom Line: | great for doing drops, so far it can handle 6 footers to flat with little problems. a great deal i'd recomend this bike to any one who likes riding trails and aggresivly like jumps and drops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc-André Côté
a
from Quebec Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Street | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1286.00 | | Purchased At: | Lessard Bicycles | | Strengths: | This is a very good bike for street riding and freeride. I did some extreme freeride with this bike I did some 12 foot drops and it never broke or cracked or anything like that.
All the parts are good exept from the suspension. The parts are very good.(I never broke any exept from the fork.) | | Weaknesses: | The fork is a bit crap because I broke mine when I did a 12 foot drop. It bottomed out and the stanchions went through the bottom and the fork broke. Appart from that it's a good bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized P.2
Planet X Jack Flash
Rocky mountain Flow
| | Bike Setup: | I put a Blackspire bashguard
I am going to get a new fork(probably a Z150 FR) | | Bottom Line: | This bike is indestructible exept from the fork which you can change. You should buy this bike if you want a good hardtail that you can use for pretty much anything for you're budget. I give this bike a 4 because i think the fork is good for trash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heroine
a Downhiller
from Windsor, CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | this a follow-up on my first review.
after a few months of riding this beast, everythings held up nicely. ive snapped a brake cable but thats no biggie.
i dont really like the pedals, the pins arent replaceable and i snapped one. they dont grip my shoes very well, ive got the scars to prove it lol. the forks still really stiff(the way i like it) and is plush on landings. its taken everything ive dished at it, which isnt anything over 6feet to flat.
umm.. rims are realy strong, havnt needed any truing. the avids were squealing for about a weel but dont anymore, tehy dont work as well in the cold.
everythings held up nice, overall im still unbelivably happy
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gp
a Cross Country Rider
from cambridge,ma
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | ski market | | Strengths: | - Componenets (for the price)
- Looks
- Frame | | Weaknesses: | - Crappy fork (marzocchi offered a replacement)
- Pedals do not have replaceable pins (which IMO grip better) | | Similar Products Used: | none
(also had a cannondale f700 but that is in a different category) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for marzocchi exr pro (oil damped), and new wellgo pedals with repaceable pins. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike on impulse. I have a 2003 dark green with Maxxis tires (looks exactly like 2004 8.3). It looked so good that I could not stop thinking about it. Finally I had to get it, since I had recently sold my 2002 cannondale F700. I have nothing but praise for this bike. It is on the heavy side (mine weighed 33 lbs for medium), but you don't feel it. It has bottom pull front deraileur, so you can comfortably lift and carry the bike (if necessary) by holding onto the seat tube. The avid brakes work well, as do most parts. Here are the problems I have encountered:
- forks were not providing anough 'plush'. In fact it was so hard that I suspect I broke something inside on my first ride. I called marzocchi and they offered several upgrade options (subtracting about $200+ if I returned the crappy fork). But I was able to find a guy selling his new fork (EXR pro) from a 2004 8.2, so I bought it. New ones are better.
- Pedals could be better. The pins don't seem to grip my shoes well (coule be just me).
- Today I took it for a ride and the rear deraileur (shimano LX) missed downshifs several times. It was quite annoying.
This bike has a lot going for it. Frame is quite stiff. You pedal, it goes. Currently I am not into dirt jumping (I will start when winter is over). I am using it as my XC bike. I was amazed by how easily it climbs (I expected a worse performance owing to its weight). If you replace the pedals with SPD's then it can be quite effective weekend XC/trail bike. Finally, the bikes looks really sweet. I would recommend it highly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heroine
a
from Windsor, Ontario, Candaa
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1563.00 | | Purchased At: | the price is CAN, my LBS | | Strengths: | uhh... almost everything. big beefy frame, avids are great, dont squeal, dont rub. the rims, very strong, forks are nice, ive heard bad things about them breaking and such but mine have held up nicely so far... ill upgrade to DJ3's once i get enough money. firex cranks with the ISIS are great, bars are nice. its so light! it weighs 28 lbs, its a pound lighter than my friend's 2000$ xc bike. | | Weaknesses: | umm... the stem only has two screws, but thats inexpensively upgradable. and the rear forks look a little skinny, skinnier than most bikes anyways, but its got a lifetime warranty on the frame so its all good. | | Similar Products Used: | ummm.. GT ruckus 2.0, specialized P.2. | | Bike Setup: | stock, getting bashring asap, cant afford it yet, still payin off bike. | | Bottom Line: | ive been shopping around for a bike for the last 6 months and nothing in this price range even compares to it. If your looking for a good all-around bike, for freeriding, cross country, dirt jumping, this bikes for you.
haro really outdid themselves with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Houghton, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tech trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Everything!! This bike is awesome. This bike let me do drops and jumps I wouldn't even think of doing with my old diamondback. I even use this bike for some cross country and It's great. Dirt jumps are awesome with this bike!! | | Weaknesses: | Didn't like the pedals | | Bike Setup: | stock other than pedals | | Bottom Line: | If you want a good bike with sweet components and disc brakes this bike is definately the way to go!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SEAN
a Downhiller
from SUSSEX NB CANADA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | DIRT JUMPS AND POLY MOUNTAIN | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | THE FRAME IS SICK IT IS SO STIFF AND BEST OF ALL DURABLE IF YOU CRASH YOU WILL ONLY NEED TO WORRY BOUT YOUR SELF | | Weaknesses: | PROBABLY THE STEM AND PEDDALS I NOW HAVE RACE FACE DIABOLICUS STEM AND FUNN PEDDALS | | Similar Products Used: | ALLOT OF MTB MOST DJ'S OR FREERIDE | | Bike Setup: | STOCK SEPT FOR STEM AND PEDDALS AND SOME STICKERS | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE ALL ARROUND BUT THE BIKE WILL MAKE YOU TRY STUFF YOU THOUGHT YOUED NEVER DO SO AFTER YOU BUY THIS ONE YOULL PROBABLY WANT THE HARRO 8.3 BUT THIS IS JUST AS GOOD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Xavier
a Downhiller
from Davis Ca
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$870.00 | | Purchased At: | Kens bike and ski | | Strengths: | Great frame, storng fork, handlebars, derailers, shifters brakes,tires | | Weaknesses: | seat is hard grips wear down fast and thats about it. | | Similar Products Used: | hardrock pro, escape 8.1, gary fisher tassahara. | | Bike Setup: | race face diaoblous dh stem, intense O.D.I lockon grips lx front derailer, raceface bashguard. | | Bottom Line: | the bike is a tank u couldn't ask for much more. the bike is built great the green is awesome. I am really suprised at the price I mean its a great bike. you should buy this bike if u a are hardcore rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paz
a Weekend Warrior
from Townsville Australia
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Super strong frame, no flex, great head turner and conversation peice. | | Weaknesses: | Seat, looks good but... | | Bike Setup: | Standard 8.2 with Psylo's | | Bottom Line: | Ya gotta love it !! Good for just about everything. I ride cross country, and a bit of downhill on the weekends then ride it to work all week. My wife rides an 8.1. What else can I say. For the price, you can not get a better bike. I looked for 6-8 months, Specialized, Trek, Kona, you name them. Bang for buck, Haro is the wat to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Giardine
a Weekend Warrior
from Lansing, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | burchfield | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Erics Cycle | | Strengths: | this bike is a tank. By far and away the toughest frame and component set you will ever come across for the money. I did my research, and this bike delivered. I eat the dirt, and the bike comes away like a champ. The frame is ridiculous! All components are comp. ready. The shock is a champ. I ride five star trails 3-4 times a week and this bike makes it a joy. | | Weaknesses: | It needs to be tuned after the first 30 days. You stretch the cables and make it fit you
| | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose, TREK, Giant, and Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for gear upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I used to ride strictly TREK. This bike leaves all other competitors in the dirt. It is bigger, faster, and stronger than anything you will come across for the money. I did the research. Hats off to the guys at Haro. They know how to satisfy the customer. I am 6'3", 230 lbs, and this bike just shrugs it off. The 19.5 frame is bigger than most. So if you want to test yourself on huge jumps and technical haggard backwoods crap, do yourself a favor and invest in this bike. You won't be disapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Robertson
a Downhiller
from Suffolk
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | bikewest.com | | Strengths: | Product strenghts, hmm. Everything is rocking IMO. Its componients are all crazy thick and stout.
The 8.2 is (like described else where) very balanced bike from geometry to over all componient group.
First thing I found very impressive was the stiffness. You pedal, it goes with little to know flex, very responsive.
| | Weaknesses: | I hear a lot about the pedals and fork. But personally the shock is stout and sure will meet my needs. The pedals are my first set of concav's so we'll just have to see with more use if they end up "useless". | | Similar Products Used: | Cannon F800, Trek 8200 | | Bike Setup: | Crank swap to the TruVativ Hussefelt, single 32t ring with TruVativ bash guard. 50mm rise bars.
| | Bottom Line: | Out the box I was really impressed. I've worked as a bike mechanic for 6 years and this bike is flat out bad ass. I've never felt confident with the strength of any of the 7 MTB's i've owed so far, until now.
This is my first real freeride/MTX bike. My previous bikes that were morphed into a eurban/trail banger never did preform. The cannondale f800 (cadd 4) ended up with a broken frame, the trek 8200 was trash from the beginning (terrible geometry). Save yourself some time and get one of these 8.2's if you plan on putting your MTB through less than ordinary riding, don't even bother upgrading or converting your current MTB.
Im 6'1" and went with the 15.5. Yeah I know, small eh. Well i'm not planning to put in saddle time, but pedal time so I opt with the 15.5 to handle and feel more like a jumper.
You get what you pay for and more with this bike. I've had 2 haro's (jumpers) before and again Haro delievers.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steven
a Weekend Warrior
from houston, tx, u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | garmisch, germany | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | sun & ski sports | | Strengths: | overall great bike for price, beats a lot of the competition away | | Weaknesses: | none yet, | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale f900 | | Bottom Line: | i like it a lot. you can buy another brand name bike for about 300 more and have the same stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Armstrong
a Downhiller
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Southwest Texas State University | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$775.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Beef.....very good components for the price.....lighter than it looks.....well balanced | | Weaknesses: | The fork is less than desirable, but i can work with it.....the paint scheme sucks (they ran out of the army green, so i had to settle for the silver and blue), but i'll prolly have it repainted in a few months.....seat.....pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized P.2 (with a stock EXR Comp, and a DJ3), Kona Stuff | | Bike Setup: | Stock, 'cept for the seat, and will be replacing the pedals soon | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike!....it's well worth the money spent.....very beefy, with good geometry, this bike can take it all.....i'm gonna beat the crap out of it, break the fork (if i can), so i'll feel justified in spending the money on a better one......
not for winning races, but a good all around bike, does everything well enough for 800 dollars
btw, weight spec is 31.5 lbs stock | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lenny
a Downhiller
from Asheville
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | My Neighbor Hood | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Carolina Fatz | | Strengths: | The Marz Bomber EXR is a really nice fork. It is able to take all the things I throw at it when I broke it in. The brakes are awsome. I was going up a hill in my neighbor hood and I wanted to see how good I wanted see how good my front brake is so I pulled the lever. I went over the handle bars at like 2 mph!!! Shifts great. Well and to many other things. | | Weaknesses: | Needs a bash guard and a chain guard | | Similar Products Used: | P.2 and Hard rock | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the bomb. My little brother got a P.2 at the same time as I got mine. Mine climbs better, the brakes are better, it has the same fork though. But I never jumped much before I got this bike. But I am now hitting small jumps.
The only problem is that it needs a bash guard and chain guard. I was on a ride and I put on my clipless cuz it was mostly up hill. So I hit a little jump over a mud puddle and I hit the ground after the jump and the chain came off. I was trying to peddle but it wasnt on the chain ring in the front. I was used to flat peddles so i tried to pull up off the peddles and I crashed. My elbow was smashed to peices and my knee was too. When I got home I had the clean off all the mud and blood off my bike. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT!!!
Buy this bike if you plan to freeride and downhill cuz this bike is a beast.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from Fayetteville, AR, USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Highlander Cycling | | Strengths: | Massive front end. High-end components including great avid mechanical brakes, splined Truvative Crankset, 100mm travel Marzocchi Shocks. | | Weaknesses: | There's nothing "weak" about this bike, but it is a tank. I don't know actual weight, but it's sure not light. The seat isn't exactly comfort city. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode some Kona's and checked out the Giant Iguana disk and the Gary Fisher tassahara disc. This bike is beefier, and has better components. | | Bike Setup: | Such a sweet stock setup. Phat Maxxis tires and all. haven't touched it(the setup)... | | Bottom Line: | This is a lot of bike for the money. Buy this bike if you want a not so expensive, nice bike that you can beat the - out of. If you want to shave off time or want the suspension, don't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddy Flores
a Weekend Warrior
from Anacortes, Wa
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All in Pacific Northwest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Discount Cycling | | Strengths: | Top of the line components!!!! Tough on the trails, great durability...and I abuse the hell out of mine. Its always in perfect order. | | Weaknesses: | I can't find any.......I love hardtails, and this one is the best I've ever ridden | | Similar Products Used: | Trek zx 6500; 7000; Haro 8.2 (2002) and haro 8.1 (2003) | | Bike Setup: | I use it stock, it already has great deraillers, all shimano components, disc brakes....it has everything | | Bottom Line: | I was extremely lucky to find this bike. When I bought it, i had no intentions on buying a bike, I owned the trek zx 6500 and was very happy. I took my friend to buy a bike, she tried the Haro 8.1 and immediately loved it, so I tried the 8.2 and did not want to get off. The bike was priced at $800 and hers at 650.00. The owner of the store made us a great deal to purchase both and we did, she spent $450 and me $650......Sorry for rambling, but I love that story.....The point is, the hardier the frame and burley size makes this bike great on the trails. That burley look may turn off some people but thats my favorite part. try finding a bike with half the great components for that price range, you can't. Any hardcore trail rider that tests rides this bike, will love it. Its not full suspension, but who cares!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Hawkes
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fox Creek 1 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Standish Cycles | | Strengths: | What a tough bike!! The frame (17.5") is super strong and rigid, will take really big hits without a problem. The standard Maixs tyres are ok for dry hardpack but are skinny for 2.35's. The pedals are very good and i have only had my foot slip off once in the wet. The bike pedals very well and corners sharply without feeling unstable at warp speed. The Marzocchi EXR forks are good but not excellent. They cope with almost everything you throw at them but a set of Dirtjumpers would be a better option for faster, heavier riders. | | Weaknesses: | The tyres will need changing if you are riding on anything but dry hardpack. I am about to change the front tyre for a Tioga DH 2.5 and the back tyre for a Geax 2.25 Blade to ride in some of the dh races this season. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Roast, Shogun Prarie Breaker Pro, and an Avanti bitsa | | Bike Setup: | Stock appart for upgrading the Avid mechanicals to Amor 7" Hydros from new. I recomend these brakes they stop you on a dime and are cheap. | | Bottom Line: | This is a fantastic bike and comes with as good components or better than it's equivalent compeditors do, and for less money as well!! If you are looking for a very tough hard tail then don't look past the 8.2. With the money you save on the bike you can upgrade the forks and brakes if you want to do some seriously big/quick stuff and still come out ahead of other brands.
I have done some XC, DH and FR on it and the bike excells at it all | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen
a Weekend Warrior
from Wollongong, NSW,Australia
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Obriens Drift | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Wollongong discount bikes | | Strengths: | This is a fat bicycle. Chunkster frame, nice fork and the Avid brakes do the trick well. Better spec than Norco and Kona and GT in similar price range | | Weaknesses: | None yet. Don't let the weak-out-of-the-box-brakes scare you, Just wear them in before you get too vertical. | | Similar Products Used: | Colgate Flurogaurd. | | Bike Setup: | Out of the box. (even with the bell) | | Bottom Line: | This is a filth bike for the dosh. Downhills like a treat and climbing is not too bad given the geometry. Those, like me,who lined up for a Norco Sasquatch and missed out, compare the specs, check the chunky frame and get one of these instead. Even if you upgrade the fork to a dirt jumper III or something, it would still be cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Fulton
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Petersburg
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | Peak Bikes (peakbikes.com) | | Strengths: | The frame, components, tires, shock | | Weaknesses: | Pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stuff | | Bike Setup: | Stock, added: Cane Creek Direct Curve Brake Levers, Platform/Clipless Pedals, Stiffy Stem, RaceFace bash ring | | Bottom Line: | Disclaimer: I live in Flat Florida
This bike is the $hit. I like it a lot. I used to ride XC and had a Fisher Sugar. One day I decided that pansy style of riding wasn't for me. I wanted to do a little freeriding and needed something stonger. Well, this bike is it. Looks and feels like an M1A2 tank. Even has the same color scheme. This bike can make a gay man straight. It's tough. Out of the box this bike is awesome, and best price against it's competitors (Norco, Kona, Specialized). The brakes are great. My first experience with discs, very nice in the Florida wet sand trails. The tires are big and beefy. The seat is sweet, the crank kicks butt, the grips are awesome, the drive train components are just as nice. The only complaints: 1. The pedals, bad gription. I busted my ass doing a bunny hop because me foot slipped off. 2. The shock is pretty stiff and doesn't have that nice Marzocchi "oil dampening", but the shock is still kick butt, believe me, it's all good.
On the trail, very nice. It's climbs better than my old XC bike. Climbs very fast! Even though it is somewhat heavy, you would never know when climbing. Ok, I live in Florida, but there are some decewnt climbs in the old mining trails. Very solid ride. No clanging or chattering while riding. Nice and quiet. A bit heavy to try and get lift on a jump from flat. I haven't gotten big in the freeride scene yet, but this bike is going to make the transition very easy and affordable.
'nuff said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stuart harvey
a Downhiller
from casterton vic australia
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | blue lke | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | mt gambier | | Strengths: | very good | | Weaknesses: | is none | | Similar Products Used: | gaint warp | | Bike Setup: | very good | | Bottom Line: | i like this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Brandon
a
from Loganville Ga USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Liftime Bikes | | Strengths: | Frame is super rigid with masive top tube and drop outs. Bike comes with awsome parts package, I did upgrade from the Avids to hayes hydro brakes, Not a problem with the Avids I am just not a big fan of cable pull disc's. Front fork comes with firm springs, which is good because it makes this bike A good out of the box jumper. | | Weaknesses: | I have yet to see any weakness's with this bike. I have not had it very long, but this is my fourth haro and I have no problems yet , and I think that this is on the toughest frames Haro has came out with yet. | | Similar Products Used: | DDG Shooter, 2001 Haro Ecape 8.2, | | Bike Setup: | Everything is stock except I put Hayes brakes on it and shorter stem. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is I have not had this bike long enough to really know what it will take, but the parts package can not be beat for the price and I have zero problems with Haro products in the past. The frame looks super tuff with the hydroformed top tub and Haros awsome paint job. The bike fells super rigid and is very nimble. It moves fast on technical stuff and make A great jump bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D. McNeill
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Melbourne Bicycle Centre | | Strengths: | Frame - Beefy is a bit of an understatement. There's plenty of meat on this one. The rear drop-outs and hydro guides for the rear brake are a nice touch. It should hold up to years of abuse.
Brakes - Avid disc brakes are every bit as good as everyone says, even with 6" rotors and ordinary Promax levers.
Tyres - I like 'em but they are the skinniest 2.35's I've ever seen. More like 2.1's really. On the trails around here they stick like crap to a fluffy blanket. | | Weaknesses: | Forks - The EXR Comp's will get the job done but won't blow you away with their performance. A bit stiff at first but they get better (sort of). They are good for jumps and drops though.
Pedals - Grip is pretty good with the right shoes but the bearings felt awful right out of the box. One side was too tight, the other was all sloppy and you can't adjust them either. Chuck 'em.
Hubs - Rear needed a bit of adjustment to remove some play in the bearings but it was nothing too major.
Paint - A bit average in places but the frame will soon be covered in mud and scratches anyway. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant, GT and Kona freeride hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Azonic World Force riser bars, ODI lock on grips, Serfas full Kevlar saddle and a few other small bits and pieces. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price. At $1450 (Aust. dollars, ~$850 US) not much else came close. It's perfect for the freeride, dirt jump and odd bit of XC riding that I do. The 17.5" frame is perfect for me at 6'1". The bike motors uphill very well for a 15kg ride. You won't win any races but it won't make you cry either. Downhill is alway more fun and this bike doesn't disappoint. It shines on trails with a few jumps and drops (just don't forget that it's no V-10). The Avid discs are great and with some better levers and a 7 or 8" front rotor they'd be hard to beat. No squeal in the wet either, bonus!
The only thing really holding this bike back a bit is the basic EXR Comp forks. They're not awful, they're just not that inspiring. They have no damping and after riding Z1's for a few years they feel a bit ordinary. They're good for medium to big hits because they are so stiff, but they refuse to soak up the small trail chatter. Could be because I only weigh 75kg's (~145 lbs). I added 20ml of fork oil to each leg (a pseudo oil bath if you like) to keep the bushings lubed and this made a big difference. Rebound is a bit wild but you get that when coil springs have no damping. Upgrade the forks to a good 5" single crown (Vanilla, Z1, Sherman etc.) and this bike will rip. If you like Rock Shox Psylo XC's then perhaps you should get the Escape 8.3. I'm not a fan of Psylos and I planned to upgrade the EXR forks anyway so I saved some cash and got the 8.2
In stock trim this is a great freeride hardtail for the money. Upgrade the fork, pedals and brake levers this bike would be pretty hard to beat.
Time for a ride methinks!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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