Submitted by
Mtbdhxctwg
a Cross Country Rider
from San Gabriel CA united states
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2010
Strengths: The strenghts of this bike are the way it handles the climbs and the decents.
Weaknesses: The only problem is the hubs, they let in water and dirt so u have to clean them and regrease them alot. I've had to replace the brake pads 3 times now where as on my AM bike I have had to replace them once in 5 years.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellent bike if u want to have fin downhill but not have to walk up the hill to get there. I got a new xc bike this year but I still ride my haro way more. The single pivot point it not the greatest but it gets the job done so in all honest of I had the choice of buying the haro XLS or another bike of the same caliber I would take the haro. The haro can take the abuse of a AM bike bt can race xc also and win
Similar Products Used: haro x3 old version of this bike
Bike Setup: rock shox psylo, shimano xc crank, shifters, cassett, chain, derelliar. w/ hayes 6 inch hydrolic disc brakes, wtb velocity raptors 2.1
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Submitted by
Rich A.
a Racer
from Holly Springs, NC, usa
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2007
Strengths: Frame design, Swinger 3-way shock, geometry, price, single pivot placement is perfect, low maintenance, XC/trail versatility, XT rear der., overall performance and value. It's a Superlight killer... just as good, but a lot less expensive.
Weaknesses: As purchased, the main weakness was the generic hubs that invited water and dirt into the bearings. I also consider some of the heavy components like the saddle and handlebar a weakness because for not much more money they can be upgraded to something much lighter. I also burned through a couple of the Isis bottom brackets in short order. Once some of the lower end components are upgraded, there are no real weaknesses, especially when considering the frame, which is really the only Haro part, right? Maybe it would flex a bit if you are a clydesdale, but for the rest of us it is a highly underrated frame for hardcore XC riding and racing.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the XLS R7... I originally posted in the Werx XLS section by mistake...
I'm writing this review almost 3 years after purchasing this bike and even after Haro has stopped making it (what a shame), and here's why... this bike is way underrated and deserves respect. This was my first "real" mountain bike and I didn't know it at the time, but the frame is really one of the best XC/trail frames you can find. I was living in the mountains of NC at the time and rode the heck out of this thing all over Bent Creek, Pisgah, and Dupont. I loved this bike and it NEVER let me down... no failures, no breakdowns, and I hardly ever did any real maintenance (I was a newb)... the more effort I put into my ride the more performance it delivered in return. It would climb like a goat and descend like an anvil... all day long... and I ride hard and fast.
Now fast forward a couple of years... I got some high flutin' job offer out of the mountains and made the tough decision to move away and take it (dumb, I know, I'm stuck in the suburbs now). I would frequently get comments from guys on the local trails like "nice bike, what is it?" and stuff like that. I was always happy to tell people about the Haro. Well, as money has a way of doing, it made me feel like I needed more, so I bought my Intense Spider frame and hung the Haro on the wall. I never wanted to get rid of it because I always liked it, but it took a back seat to the Spider. Yes, the Spider is a nice bike with loads of stiffness and bling, but I've been riding the Haro a bit lately and all this week exclusively as I was doing some major bearing maintenance on the Spider.
Well, after riding the Haro again a lot, I'm being reminded of how awesome that bike really is. I have a new respect for it. I've taken it on the same trails I ride the Spider and the handling and performance of the Haro leave nothing to be desired. In fact, I'm even thinking of putting my nice lightweight parts from the Spider onto the Haro and giving it a whirl in some races, it's that good. I'm not convinced that the multi-pivot suspension designs are *that* much better than the single pivot, but after replacing 8 bearings, I am convinced they're harder to maintain... sheesh. Will I end up selling the Spider frame in favor of the Haro? I dunno, but I can tell you that I probably won't be any slower and won't be having any less fun on the Haro.
Bike Setup: As bought it had the stock Black fork, Swinger 3-way shock, Truvativ Stylo Isis crankset, Shimano BR-M525 disc brakes, Shimano 525? pedals, heavy saddle, heavy Truvativ handlebar, low end hubs. I now have Hollowtech LX cranks and use either my Bontrager Race Lite or Race X Lite wheels on it. I'm thinking about putting ALL of my high-end parts from my Spider onto this frame and giving it the respect it deserves...
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Submitted by
Shane
a Weekend Warrior
from Markham, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006
Strengths: Tough enough frame to handle the hard drops and jumps, light enough to tackle the uphill climbs.
Weaknesses: The bike does not seem to enjoy pavement type jumps, but that's not what it's made for, so no issues here.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a big upgrade from my hardtail trek, and I'm loving every bit of it. Rides like a dream down the steep hills and back up them. I plan on taking this bike racing this year, and am going in very confident. Definately a great all around bike, I would suggest it to a serious cross country rider who also wants to be able to do the downhill and jumping aspect of riding.
Strengths: Stability and comfort. Excellent for technical riding.
Weaknesses: A little slow on nontechnical climbs.
Bottom Line:
This bike's strangth are technical singletracks and steep descents. In general it's comfortable and stable. It feels a little heavy on long climbs, compared to best hardtails (which is understandable), on the other hand it is a pleasure to hammer through rocky sections with it. It's remarkably versatile: passable as a downhill bike, but still a decent climber. Components are very good, except for the mediocre tires. The Juicy 5 disc breaks work very well but are difficult to adjust and have a tendency to rub.
The bike is the best deal around in its category. Recommended.
Submitted by
Bone
a Weekend Warrior
from Tega Cay SC
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2005
Strengths: incredible value for $$ - M. Black elite/Swinger - perfect match. XT der! Hydro discs!! Can't beat if for the $$
Weaknesses: cheap ass Hutchinsons. stock (haro) stem/seatpost.
Bottom Line:
Upgraded the rims/tires/stem/post. Derraileurs work awesome even ridden hard. 4 ft drops, forgetaboutit. Climbs like a scared rabbit. descends like a barcalounger. helluva bike for msrp $1750!! even better for $1200. Kona, Cruz, look out! All that and still 27.8 lbs!!!!
Bike Setup: Black elite/spv swinger. WTB seat. LX fr/XT rear. truvative stylo cranks. Ritchey comp stem/seatpost. Mavic rims.
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Submitted by
Darren
a Cross Country Rider
from nebraska
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2004
Strengths: everything. It doesnt feel like a stiff xc bike. Its light weight and soft at the same time. Swinger is awesome. It gives high performance effeciency as you pedal up and it feels great on the way down. Such a great deal for the specs this is equipped with
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
best deal around. I shopped around for a long time and couldnt find anything that compares with this bike for the price. I was a little worried about the shimano disc brakes just because ive only used hayes and magura, but these things feel as good as every other disc brake ive ever tried.
Submitted by
robby lee
a Weekend Warrior
from north carolina
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004
Strengths: Great price, specs are awesome for the price. Frame geometry.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the buck. Light weight, comfortable setup. the swinger is an awesome rear suspension. If youre looking for a bike like this, the r7 is the way to go. any other bike like this is gonna cost AT LEAST a few hundred bucks more. How haro can make their bikes this cheap i have no idea,
Submitted by
Mike McGraw
a Weekend Warrior
from McGraws, WV 25875
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Strengths: Good components, great "feel and flow" to the bike. Looks great! Ride is even better. Very smooth and forgiving. Brakes will stop you as fast as you want to stop.
Weaknesses: Picky here--could be sold in a couple more color schemes-told you it was picky.
Bottom Line:
I am 57 years old and ride differing types of terrain and trails. This bike fits every type of riding I have done so far. Handles hills and rock gardens with no problem. No bobbing on pedaling. Setting the shocks was easy and quick and adjustment since initial setting has been equally simple. The bike looks great and I would recommend that anyone give it a try. This is my retirement present to myself and I should be riding this bike for a long time. Great bike, but you won't know how good until you try it.
Bike Setup: Still stock with the exception of an added computer. I do not need to do anything to it.
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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004
Strengths: Nice components for the $. SPV rear and Manitou Black Elite shock set up is awesome. This is a much cheaper rip off of Santa Cruz Superlight frame but for less. The brakes do a really good job.
Weaknesses: Cheap ass lizard skin rip off above the chain. Hutchinson Air Light tires are thin and easy to poke through. Weird mineral oil crap on the drivetrain when first used - soaked up all the dirt in 30 miles on my first ride.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a super smooth ride and is loaded with great components at a semi reasonable price. It was definitely the sweetest thing I rode for the money. It wieghs in at 28.5 which aint bad. As parts break I plan to replace them with lighter ones. I have no regrets about buying this bike and would recommend it to others as a serious cross country ride.
