Great bike so far...ive only had it a week and twice in 2 weeks the chain snapped on me from going up a hill in a easy gear and second time riding on the dykes in maple ridge. im going 2 upgrade it alot by putting a bottom and top bracket on and singling out the front 2 sprockets. If some people who know what else could b better for the bike please write comments thanks.
Submitted by
rm6rider
a Downhiller
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2010
Strengths: cant be broken period. have done chest high drops to flat with no prob. stiff.
Weaknesses: heavy. cant fit my new 2.7 nevegals but not many can. creaks somtimes.
Bottom Line:
get this bike if you ride real techy trails and need somthing that can handle the daily grime and abuse of a daily rider. its great also if you like doing big ol drops all the time. im doing drops that are much bigger than with my old rocky mountain FREERIDE BIKE. basicaly get this bike if you ride techyy free ride and urban and dont care about weight to much cause its a bit heavy
Similar Products Used: for hardtails not much but have used some diamond back a rocky mountain rm6 and giant reign.
Bike Setup: nothing stock except for front wheel. old bomber fork 150mm travel. slx derailure hayes brakes fsa gravity cranks.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
dman86
a Downhiller
from Logan, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2009
Strengths: Strong frame. Excellent components that come with the bike. Tuff as nails all around. Got this bike new for real cheap at a store that was going out of business.
Weaknesses: Comes with fat tires that barely fit and the front derailleur will rub but easy fix. Stem could be a bit longer, but my preference. A little difficult to ride uphill compared to lighter bikes.
Bottom Line:
Best hard tail I have owned yet!!! If your looking for a hard tail this is the bike.
Similar Products Used: Haro Zero-Eight
Several MTBikes
Bike Setup: Everything is stock. Going to get a longer stem. Got this bike new for real cheap at a store that was going out of business.
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Submitted by
jflo
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2009
Strengths: Nice looking durable frame.
Weaknesses: Heavy 35+ lbs. Marzocchi dirt jumper II (Leaks), Front derailleur wtf?
Bottom Line:
Awesome Frame. I use it for street and downhill riding. I have replaced everything except the the frame, seat, rear brake, and rear wheel. People that want a slick frame that will not break should use this frame. The Marzocchi Fork Leaked shortly after the warranty, go figure. People that are really into dirt jumping and street should just use the frame, just strip the components. Good Geometery for bunny hopping.
I beat the sh*t out of this bike for two days straight this past weekend. 70degree rooted decline no brakes to dirt table top to 9ft air to 26ft long to flat and not a squeak nor crack. I did this 4 times and probably will do it 4 more times this weekend. I bought this bike used from craigslist from a local guy that was using it for XC; I have not idea why. I plan on using this bike for downhill, so I am going to change the fork, the DJ2 is an awesome fork, but I need somemore travel. There are a few things I would recommend replacing: (1.) Pedals; stockers are crap(changed to XPEDO's. (2/3.) Seat/post; I don't know what Haro was thinking, but this seat sucks, it is a road bike seat and because of the geometry of the frame this seat is constantly up your a$$. So plastic doesn't do to well up there. I plan on changing it to a bmx style pivotal seat and post to lower the overall height of the seat which is at about 4inches with the post slammed. The post is rediculously long, which it could be cut, but again it is paired specifically with the SDG seat. All in all this bike will kick your a$$ before you kick it's. Aluminum is usually supposed to flex, right? Throw that mindset out the window with your ball$ because this bike will take both. I am extremely happy with this bike and I plan to ride it until it dies, which with good upkeep should be never(frame has lifetime warranty)!!!
Submitted by
ryan kuch
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, Ut US
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008
Strengths: Everything is way over sized. Feels like a tank. Built very strong. Huge 2.5 tires just mow over everything. Despite its weight its very easy to ride. Doesn't shutter when its abused, unlike my XC bike. Everything is Black! Makes me feel like special forces.
Weaknesses: Huge 2.5 tire rubs a bit in rear on fast corners. Had to adjust my front derailer way out to keep my chain on when in 32f gear and 34r gear. I want to change the gearing a bit and add a 3rd ring.
Bottom Line:
I wanted a bullit proof set up that I could abuse. This ride is certanly it. I started life in the BMX world so I just loved that a company would commit to building a tough hardtail. It might be to fat for some to be a daily driver. With some small XC tires this ride could take you to work everyday.
Purchased At: Pedersens ski n sports (friends shop)
Similar Products Used: Bent my 91'Diamondback frame. Warranty not honored! Switched parts to a 95'Caloi frame. Spent a ton of cash on new parts. Then figured I just wanted a new ride that had disks, 9spd, and huge 2.5 treads.
Bike Setup: Factory pilot. I don't care for trigger shifters so I will switch to grip shift X.0 in a bit. Still too new to start upgrading.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008
Strengths: Have not had to replace a part yet and Ive been trying to kill it for 4 years...
Weaknesses: SDG Seatpost moves a bit under alot of peddleing stress...
Bottom Line:
Im 250lbs, and can bunny hop it onto a picnic table, ride it down stuff that makes guys of full suspension rigs cringe, and all I do is keep thewheels trued. Its a tank Im even going to ride it in an up coming EXTERRA Triathalon. It does everything!!!
Strengths: By far the toughest hardtail i have ridden. Geometry is absolutely spot on for dj's, may be a little high for hardcore dh. Awesome street bike too. The SDG I-Beam is nutz, strong and extremely light, will be running one on my dh rig after flogging this one on the hardtail.
Weaknesses: Some componentry e.g dual chainrings up front, fork (manitou stance flows) bars grips and stem. STILL stock is ok, custom is my thing though. Not making them for "06".
Bottom Line:
For me with the custom options i have on it there was just no other choice. The geometry is great, this bike even stock is a great choice. p.s squeeky brakes and tyre rubbing are a maitainance thing see your local bike shop.
Similar Products Used: Kona Cowan, Giant STP1, Speciallised p3
Bike Setup: red brake pads, da bomb moto stem, pro tapers, oury lock on grips, dmr end caps, upgraded lowers and seals on the stances, truvative chain device, blackspire dh chain ring 40T, xtension X-pedals (with five ten, stealth shoes...won't ever be going away from that combo), hard pack minion's front and rear 2.5"...awsome all round tyre feel sorry for anyone not running them on thier hardtails/bikes period
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Submitted by
skylar mellby
a Downhiller
from san diego, CA , U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2006
Strengths: beefest bike ever will take anything everything on it is bullit proof
Weaknesses: brok bottom bracket 2 because of 12 stair to flat dident hurt bike just squeaked a little. Heavy but because so heavy-duty
Bike Setup: Stock, but soon to be easton ea 70 o/s bars, raceface diobolus o/s stem, raceface deabolus headset, and 2005 Marzocchi Jr. T
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX USA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2005
Strengths: The components and frame are solid. I will break before they ever will. I could not buy all these components for the price and the lifetime service deal that Sun and Ski offers.
Weaknesses: The reflectors busted off the pedals on the first ride...didn't need them anyway. The giant stock rear tire rubs the frame some times. Disk brakes squeak some. And as others have mentioned it is HEAVY...but worth it
Bottom Line:
I looked for about six months, read all the reviews, test rode bikes, asked all my buddies about their favorites, thought about ordering a bike, but when it all came down to it, the best bike for the money was this one!
Anyone interested in a 2003 Haro Escape 8.3 that I need to get rid of?
Its a 17.5" frame in gunmetal.
I upgraded the fork to a Manitou Black Elite 120/100 w/lockout and the stem Read More »
Just picked up a nice Med green 05 8.3 frame on eBay, adding it to my X7
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Using alot of OEM X7 parts, seat, seat-post, cranks, forks (Marz 150mm), stem, brakes, (8" So1e).rear Read More »
I was wondering which of these escapes is better like the geo and or the versatility Escape 2007 or Escape 8.3 2005. I am currently using my 2007 escape comp that is an 18in frame Read More »
