Submitted by
Mark Dalby
a Weekend Warrior
from Oadby Leicester UK Date Reviewed: November 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Whitick & Chicksands
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Used frame in dirt magazine
Strengths:
Great build quality! I heard these things were made by intense. Long travel and you can still get a front mech on. Lots of shock options if you like to play around. Good bearings and a stiff back end (compared to my old bike!) only cost £40 ... yes really!
Weaknesses:
Slack Stearing angle even when linkage is inverted and cable guides dont like hydraulic hoses and need filling out. Rear tyre clearance is about a 2.3 inch max.
Similar Products Used:
DDG cleaner. Specialized BIG HIT.
Bike Setup:
05 Junior t. clarks 6 pots brakes. Acor dh stem. XT transmission with bashguard. Rockshox rear shock with Stendec 850lb spring.
Bottom Line:
Fantastic!!! for £40 i have a frame that should have cost hundreds of pounds (£40 is around $75!) A bit slow to stear on fast dual tracks but the new stem may help. will also try some shock sizes to alter the geometry, but what a fantastic freeride bike, find one and do everything you can to buy it. you will not get a bigger bargain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roscoe
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs, Colorado Date Reviewed: November 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim, Jones Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
From a friend
Strengths:
Great pivot bearings, strong monocoque main-frame and 4-link rear triangle. Good finish and welds. Lighter than most freeride and downhill frames.
Weaknesses:
Monocoque frame amplifies all noises and creaks - can get a bit annoying, but cured with ample grease at all contact points and pivots (bottom bracket, links, headset, etc) - hardly the frame's fault.
Similar Products Used:
No other downhill rides, but numerous freeride hardtails.
Bike Setup:
Haro MX3 frame, Marzocchi Super T, Fox Vanilla RC shock, Mavic D521 / XT / Atom Lab disc wheelset, Shimano M555 hydraulic disc brakes w/ Hope Gothic 8" rotors and EBC red pads, Shimano shifter, Shimano M545 pedals, Truvativ Holzfeller DH cranks, ring, stem, and handlebar (these rock!), MRP Slalom 1 chainguide, ODI Yeti Lock-on grips, Koski saddle.
Bottom Line:
I have now raced an entire Mountain States Cup season with this bike. I lost the two-ring set-up after Moab and switched over to the MRP guide - much better! I switched to an 8" rear rotor (close fit), and again the results were great! The EBC pads are wonderful, but wear down quickly. The Fox Vanilla RC (7.5" w/2" stroke now)is about to be changed to a slightly longer RC with a bit more stroke. I want 7" of travel so switching to a 7.875" with around 2.5" of stroke should do the job without any frame contact, as what happens when dudes switch the link around - not a good idea. Overall, this was a great ride for me. It was light (40 lbs), accelerated quickly and stood up to my heavy weight and tons of abuse over the season. I would recommend this ride to anyone looking for a cheap way to get into DH racing. Have fun on the trails!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roscoe
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs, Colorado Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim, Jones Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
From a friend
Strengths:
Smooth pivots (4-link design); nice monocoque design with good welds; front derailleur compatible; no flex; looks good without the loud Haro stickers
Weaknesses:
The monocoque front triangle is a bit easy to dent; you hear all the noises on the bike amplified through the frame; a bit short in the top-tube with a short DH stem.
Similar Products Used:
No other DH / Freeride bikes, but a GT Rebound, Specialized Rockhopper, and a Devinci Kingpin all built as freeride hardtails.
Bike Setup:
Haro MX3 frame, Marzocchi Jr. T, Mavic D521s w/ Shimano XT and Atomic Lab hubs, Michelin Wildgripper DH 24.1 softs, Truvativ Holzfeller DH 2-ring Rockguard cranks, Truvativ ISIS GigaPipe BB, Shimano Deore Hydraulic disc brakes w/ Hope Gothic Rotors (8"F, 6"R) & EBC Red pads, Fox Vanilla RC rear shock, World Force Shorty Stem, Easton EA70 bars, XT drivetrain, Koski saddle, Shimano M545 pedals, Heim 3Guide chainguide.
Bottom Line:
I just built this bike, so this is the first review of a couple I'll do on this custom build as the racing season progresses over the next few months. I started with the Haro MX3 frame with nothing on it, and from there, I built the bike to the specs that I wanted, as Haro originally intended this bike to be built. The set-up described above seems to work well for this frame, as initial test runs have proven the bike to be predictable, smooth, and well balanced. The components I chose are indeed higher end products, so that probably helps, but my pocketbook is a lot lighter now, while the bike weighs in at nearly 40 lbs. That is all for now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eder Giovani Savio
a Downhiller
from Florianópolis Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Costa da Lagoa
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Bikerspoint
Strengths:
Good and plush 6,25" rear travel
Weaknesses:
Flex, stupid flex. There are two Haro MX3. The single pivot and the 4bar. The single has a serious problem with flex. This kill the rear shock
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stink, Foes Weasel, Cndle V1000, GT LTS
Bike Setup:
tires maxxis 2.35, sadle specialized body geometry comp., Hi5, grimeca s 8 disc brake, STX group, DH Power Tools stem, DH Bar.
Bottom Line:
Do not buy the MX3 single pivot.
The MX3 4bar is a a good bike.
But the rating is about single pivot, because Haro could not sell this trash!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eder Giovani Savio
a Downhiller
from Florianópolis/SC - Brazil Date Reviewed: February 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Pedra Branca
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
http://www.bikerspoint.com.br
Strengths:
Light, simple, strong, nice, soft on holes and rocks.
Weaknesses:
The mega size parts are hard to find. The swimingarm pivot is not bearing.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stabe Dee-Lux, Santa Cruz Bullit.
Bike Setup:
Free Ride. RST Hi 5, Deore 2000 Kit, 2.10 tires.
Bottom Line:
I used the bike few times, but I already like it because the rear suspension is fine. The swmingarm is not "four bar linkage". It is a single pivot, but has more course ( 6,25 " ). See the picture: http://www.eder.com.br/bike/frbikes/pages/mx3.htm
If you consider the rear course, the bike is very light.
In Brazil the price is very good. A new frame, 1999 model, cost only U$ 700.
It is not a top DH bike, but is a top free ride.
After some months I will back for post a new review about the resistance of the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dhbiker14
a Weekend Warrior
from santa barbara, CA Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
cold springs
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
mtbr used market place
Strengths:
everything, it is a very stong leightweight frame and it hasn,t given me any trouble.
Weaknesses:
intensifies creaking from other parts because of hollow monocoque design.
this is a great bike, i have never ridden anything better. with an aftermarket shock i have increased travel and a way smoother ride. if somebody is looking for a strong leightweight long travel frame this is the one!!! it could be used as an XC bike because of the low amount of bobbing in the rear suspension when climbing but i do not recomend it. overall this is the best bike i have ever owned and i will never get rid of it, it is a sweet bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SHANNON@NiteRider
a Cross-Country Rider
from SAN DIEGO Date Reviewed: January 11, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
VERY LIGHT FOR THE AMMOUNT OF QUALITY SUSPENSION TRAVEL IT HAS,LOOKS FREAKIN' SWEET,HARO'S A GREAT COMPANY TO DEAL WITH
BOTTOM LINE- THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST BIKE I'VE EVER OWNED, SINCE I NO LONGER WORK IN A BIKE SHOP, I NO LONGER TAKE CARE OF MY BIKE, AND MY HARO JUST KEEPS ON ROLLIN. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, SIMPLE DESIGN, AND IS FAR AND AWAY THE BEST CLIMBING FS BIKE I'VE USED. MAJOR BONUS POINTS FOR IT BEING AN EXTREMELY LIGHT LONG TRAVEL FRAMESET, MY WHOLE BIKE, DOUBLE-TRIPLE CROWN FORK AND NON FANCY PARTS AND ALL WEIGHS A SVELTE 27 LBS. REALLY AN AMAZING MACHINE - GOOD JOB MY HARO BROTHERS!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clive Portman
a Downhiller
from Derby, England Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Jacob's Ladder
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light, stiff, looks gorgeous
Weaknesses:
creaks - I think
Similar Products Used:
GT LTS 5 GT STS 5 Gary Fisher Joshua
Bike Setup:
MX3 frame, Z1 Bams, x-lite bits, Kujo DHs
Bottom Line:
What is going on? I bought this frame (Haro MX3)late 98 direct from the suppliers and its different from the one in the catalogue. Wicked. Only two in the country. Single pivot, no 4-bar linkage. Broke the swingarm, got it replaced. awesome. People drool over the yellow monocoque. Why? Cos its different. But why is it different??? Help.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jean-Luc
a Downhiller
from Vista, Ca. Date Reviewed: April 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Telonic & Big Bear
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Lightweight, rigid, accurate, good basic DH geometry
Weaknesses:
Stock shock will be more progressive and more subtle on the first 1 of travel...it fits smooth courses quite well right now.
Similar Products Used:
'98 SUNN DH RADICAL +, INTENSE M-1, INTENSE UZZI
Bike Setup:
ROCK-SHOX BOXXER 151, HAYES disk brakes, SUPER DELUXE rear shock (stock on the frameset), MAVIC 321 rims, FORMULA hubs (TW), SHIMANO XT cranks w/ MRP chain-guide...
Bottom Line:
Once again, as with the MX2 (please check review), these bikes are only available as framesets and we only received the first ones (as of late March). No one has received them so far and the only persons that rode on them are myself (product manager at HARO) and Mike KING (for the first time yesterday...).As assembled (full DH set-up) the bike is rather lightweight (to the contrary of what that virtual user says below or above...) and works well.Mike used it on a very demanding course yesterday and felt fine on it even though the course has a lot of uphills (SAGEBRUSH / Lake Morena, Ca.).Our goal is to have him to race this frameset with the same kind of equipment, once we establish a specific racing geometry for him. That geometry will be used for the Y2K model...Good rides to everyone....
Overall Rating:
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