Strengths: Does work... It handles nicely and takes a beating for sure. Components haven't given me fits (yet) and I push it to it's limits... Great on downhill rocky sprints too!
Weaknesses: Dart 2 isn't the best and the stock tires could be upgraded...
Bottom Line:
It takes a beating and gives a beating... Has handled everything I have put it through which is more I can say for my body... Two thumbs up for sure...
My friend has a giant and enjoys riding my bike more and always asks to trade... Speaks for itself...
Submitted by
Got Wheelz?
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, California
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2010
Strengths: -Decent weight for the price
-Decent compontry for the price (bonus for all shimano deore)
-Strong frame
-Comfortable enough for a cruise around the block, yet durable enough for whatever you throw at it.
Weaknesses: -Pedals
-Handlebar
-Stem
-Crankset (Atleast on my bike. Broke shortly after I bought it.)
-Seat
Bottom Line:
I have to admit that I love this bike. I was looking at getting into mountain biking especially since where I work sells bikes, so I was set. I talked to the guy who works in the bike shop and he told me for my first time bike this thing is the way to go. The components are great, the bike is responsive, strong, agile, and light. I ride this thing atleast three times a month and every time it still feels like its my first time. I just got into using clip less pedals and it makes this bike seem like a different bike now. I feel like this bike puts so much more down to the trail then before. If you have a chance to get one, get it. You won't be disappointed.
Bike Setup: 2009 Haro Flightline Comp
-Thompson 90 mm Black Stem
-Monkey Lite XC CNT bar
-Avid Juicy 7's
-LX Crankset
-Shimano M-520 Pedals
-ODI Extreme Tech Grips
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
azonic_alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Colchester, UK
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2010
Strengths: Very nice frame - well built and strong, nice parts all round especially LX rear mech, Hayes MX4 brakes and Shimano M442 crankset. I also love the fools gold colour scheme.
Weaknesses: Cheap Wellgo pedals creak sometimes and the reflectors have come loose and make a clicking noise while pedaling (minor). WTB saddle has also started creaking even though the post is tight.
Bottom Line:
I am very impressed with the bike for the price I paid. It is very solid and feels stable when riding. I have so far done about 800 odd miles mainly road and some XC stuff. It has taken everything I have ridden and still looks mint. I intend to keep it until most of the parts are worn out.
Similar Products Used: Various hardtails I have owned in the past
Bike Setup: Stock as I haven't needed to change anything so far. I am happy with the parts fitted as they are worth more than I paid separately.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Drosas
a Weekend Warrior
from Pflugerville, TX 78660
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2010
Strengths: Strong sturdy frame. Nice components for the buck comparing to what you get from other brands in this price range.
Weaknesses: The Dart 2 Shock has issues from what I have heard. I was told there is a recall for it so you may be able to get that replaced or fixed if it's still under warranty free of charge.
Mine worked fine but I went ahead and upgraded after 3 months.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! Due to a recent knee injury, I won't know what kind of beating it can take until I get surgery but if it's anything like my old Haro and what everyone's been saying, sounds like it can handle anything I throw at it.
After a year of researching, I found that this bike has the best all around components for the bucks when comparing what you get with the other brands in this price range.
I highly recommend this bike for anyone wanting a good solid bike to take to the trails.
Bike Setup: All stock except replaced fork with a Rock Shox Race solo air.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jace
a Weekend Warrior
from Montgomery, AL
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2010
Strengths: Solid frame, great stock components for the price, fits well for both on and off road. Lock out on the Dart 2 front shock is great for road/city riding and is easy to adjust on the fly. The mechanical disc brakes are a true wonder. Perform almost, if not as well, as hydraulics. This bike is SOLID for the price.
Weaknesses: Worthless tires, not good for either trail or road. Deore Front derailleur had to be replaced after 6 months. Very hard WTB saddle. Bit on the heavy side, but this bike is easily customized.
Bottom Line:
I'm not a current XC racer. Bought this bike after a divorce, needed an all around bike that would still let me have fun. Commute to work, shop, and fun. This was the best choice. For all around city and single track trails you can't get much better than this. This bike has been through 3 vehicle accidents. 2 ruined my helmet and 1 broke my clavicle, the bike came out fine. Whether hopping curbs, large branches, or going down steps. Definitely replace the tires, saddle, and chain. The tires are worthless. Only time they grip is on a slightly damp trail. Saddle feels like solid steel, even on the road WITH gel padded shorts. The original shimano chain broke after 6 months of use.
You can't expect a stock bike to do everything you want, but this one comes close. The stock bike lasts. I only upgrade when components break or wear out. Replacing only the chain, derailleur, and tires is great after 2 years of everyday use.
Strengths: On sale from £550 to £280 (Stirling GB) and for the price bracket (even at £550) the stock parts are very impressive. Think this is due to Haro not being a big name in UK MTBing. Maybe some kinda bribe:-) For £280 a DAMN BARGAIN!!
Handles well, slide into gear and feels great!
Climbs like a champ!
Weaknesses: Pedals not great, switching to DMR-V8.
Not really heavy, but still light enough to throw around on single-track
Bottom Line:
Brilliant for the price - Even better when you get one on sale!!
Fun to ride - She goes and she stops and she runs smooth!!
Good climber, fun descent's.
Similar Products Used: Kona Lava Dome - RSdart2-DeoreLX throughout
Bike Setup: Stock (deore and LX)
Rockshox Dart 2 (going to upgrade to Rockshox Tora very soon)
Heys mech disc brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Go! Ninja Go!
a Cross Country Rider
from Dickinson, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2009
Strengths: Bike has been very strong overall, and comes with nice components for the price from the factory. Shifts smoothly, and handles and climbs well.
Weaknesses: Nothing that hasn't been said already. . . pedals leave something to be desired, and the rear tire wore too fast for my liking. I've heard of the Dart 2 having problems, but mine is surprisingly still ok. I also wish the brakes provided more feel, but that's nitpicking at this pricepoint.
Bottom Line:
A nice strong hardtail that does everything I need it to do at least very well. Had a few friends with more expensive bikes prefer my Comp to their 'better' and more expensive bikes. . . especially after telling what I payed for it.
Similar Products Used: Raleigh Mojave 8.0
Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup: Stock for now. Planning on a 1x9 conversion, better wheels and tires, and grips in the near future. New fork when the Dart gives out.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
rocker1994
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane Wa USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2009
Strengths: frame is good and strong,cant beat the componentry for the money,
Weaknesses: saddle is as hard as a rock,pedals squeak,brakes are making a funny noise,chain falls off too much,
Bottom Line:
i would recomend it to a person who wants a bike to upgrade on or something to have weekend adventures on, but this bike is not to good to keep stock and ride hard
Bike Setup: computer,crank brothers 5050 pedals,kenda nevegal tires,WTB gel saddle,easton DH riser bar,race face evolve xc stem, avid juicy 7 160 F/R
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
02stampede
a Cross Country Rider
from arlington tx
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2009
Strengths: Great bang for the buck! Lots of good parts in the price range. Geometry feels very balanced.
Weaknesses: Seat post clamp does not clamp very well.
Bottom Line:
I did a lot of research and this bike had the best components for the $550 range. The frame is also very nice and light. The fork feels good and has some adjustability but may tire out sooner than I would like. I ride it hard and have not had a problem yet.
Bike Setup: Rock shox dart 2
shimano deroe 9 speed
Kenda komodo tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
marsh rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Downingtown, PA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009
Strengths: This is a very nicely appointed bike which holds up exceptionally well when used for what it was designed for- cross country riding. Since Haro is still relatively new to the mountain biking scene, you get more for your money than if you were to pay for the Specialized or Trek name. The geometry is also very comfortable and appropriate for XC use. (evox786@gmail.com)
Weaknesses: In a year of use, there are a few weaknesses I have been able to identify. First is the fork- a Dart 2. After approximately 3 months of use, oil began leaking from the right leg, so I took it back to the dealer to have it serviced under warranty. Less than two weeks later it was leaking oil again.
The other weak component is the pedals. After about 8 months of use, the pedals started creaking (they are a two-piece design). Since the outer cage is riveted to the center, they could not be tightened and I ended up replacing them with DMR V8s.
The most frustrating problem I had was with the seat bolt under the saddle coming loose. The first time I wasn't prepared for it and had to ride out with a loose saddle. It came loose many more times regardless of how tight I cranked the bolt down. Then for some reason the problem just went away completely.
Bottom Line:
After my Jamis Ranger was permanently borrowed from me, I started shopping around for a hardtail XC that was a step up from my entry level bike. In this price range, there were many bikes with similar components, but this one seemed to be the best value for the money. I am 6'1", 185lbs and fit very comfortably on the 20" frame. (A smaller attraction was the name itself- "Flightline". It was named after a network of trails in CA that were plowed over and developed. The area I ride was also in danger to an extent.)
As you may have noticed, I have upgraded many of the parts, but this was mostly out of the desire for higher end parts rather than necessity. The brakes/ derailleur/ shifter/ etc. were all functioning perfectly when they were replaced. As stated above, only the pedals required replacement, and only recently did I upgrade many of the other parts. Before that, I took this bike through stream crossing, caked it in delicious mud, and fell off some smaller jumps- never encountering any issues. The equipped tires are absolutely killer, as I hardly ever loose traction even on the steepest climbs.
As for the fork, I can't blame Haro since it is supposed to be a very decent fork, however there are many people having problems with it leaking as I found out on these forums. Rock Shox may have fixed this issue by now. If you're considering a bike in this price range, I strongly suggest taking this one for a test ride... I would have paid $700 for the bike. (evox786@gmail.com)
Similar Products Used: 2005 Jamis Ranger SX
2008 Trek 3900
(neither are really comparable)
Bike Setup: Raceface Dues XC stem (70mm x 6º)
SRAM X.O rear derailleur
SRAM X.O grip shift (right)
Shimano Deore trigger (left)
Specialized seatpost
BB7 brakes (160 F/R)
Avid Full Metal Jacket
Avid Speed Dial 7 levers
DMR V8 pedals
all else stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
nx250tx
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston,TEXAS USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2009
Strengths: Strong Frame, Great Components, quality workmanship, Great geometry.
Weaknesses: a little on the heavy side but it's negligible
Bottom Line:
I've had the bike for a 3 months now, and its awesome
pushing myself a lot fun! Great looking bike too.
It's the best bike yet for the price value as a beginner or intermediate. Not much to upgrade. Great support from the dealer Sun and Ski and Bike Route and Manufacturer.
Very capable bike. It's fast
Submitted by
papago warrior
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale AZ
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2009
Strengths: Fork works well for me. seems to be able to take whatever i throw at it. Decent Components. great for beginners. Cheap! Awesome orange color
Weaknesses: cable routing is annoying
Bottom Line:
Great bike to start out on. I bought this bike when i wanted to get more serious with mountain biking. seems to be able to take whatever i throw at it.
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