Haro Steps Into the Full-Suspension Game With Five New MTBs for All Budgets, Tasty Alloy

Yes, that's right. Haro is now the proud parent of not one but two full-suspension lineups: the Daley and Greer. But what's most important here is that there's a machine for just about everyone's pockets. For example, the Greer lineup starts off at no less than $3,000 (€2,800 at current exchange rates), and the more affordable Daley at no more than $2,000 (€1,850). Just $2,000 for a full-suspension MTB? Let's see what that's all about.

Now, Haro is the sort of crew that really needs no introduction. Heck, they've been around for decades (founded in 1978) and even led one of cycling's most beloved movements: BMX. Over the years, however, Haro has added a bike here and a bike there to their family, and these days, even road and gravel bikes join the mix, along with MTBs and even kid's bikes.

Well, welcome to the full-suspension age for this crew, a move that we should have been expecting, especially since Haro unveiled these babies earlier this year. So, let's grab the baseline unit of the five available models, the Daley Alloy 3, and see what's in store.

Overall, within this price bracket, you can't expect the frame to be completed from carbon fiber, so it is aluminum, and that's just fine if you ask me. What's important here are things like the construction of that frame. Yes, a tapered headtube is part of the equation, and so is a dropper-post-ready seat tube, along with a UDH derailleur hanger, Marzocchi suspension, and a geometry that I wouldn't mind taking out for a spin. Internal cable routing and frame armor are also spotted. Let's continue, shall we?

I mentioned that this baby is rocking a Marzocchi suspension, and at the front, a Bomber ZS offers 150 mm of travel with a 44 mm offset, which is standard in that $2,000. At the rear, however, the Marzocchi Inline R shock brings 140 mm of travel to your game. The last squishy, or rather, semi-squishy component here is the dropper post. Integrated neatly into the seat tube is a Kind Shock I900, giving you the clearance you need when you want it.

As we continue our exploration of this MTB, we arrive at the all-important drivetrain, where we clearly can't expect too much value to be pumped into this $2,000 trinket. That said, a Shimano Cues shifter and derailleur move a KMC chain up and down an 11-48T cassette. Suppose you're not familiar with the new-ish Cues. In that case, it's Shimano's solution to declutter the budget drivetrain names they've pumped into the market over the years by replacing them.

Several big names have already begun to adopt the Cues. All of that is tuned to the sounds of a 1x10-speed setup, so no getting mixed up in your triggers, but neither will you have the same range as some of the better sets from Shimano. Haro joins the ranks. Brakes, on the other hand, are trusty Tektros with a two-piston hydraulic setup biting down on 180 mm rotors.

All that sounds pretty good for that price, but until you find one in a local dealer and take it out for a spin, it's going to be difficult to tell you how it feels. But, as an idea, the Daley Alloy 3 sports a 64.5-degree headtube angle, 78-degree seat tube angle, and 445 mm chainstay length, which should give this one a nice decent feel. The size S, on the other hand, sports a 428 mm chainstay.

Actually, there is a way to get an idea of what's in store here: check out the video below. While it's not clear which of the five versions each rider is rocking, we are offered a few takeaways, aside from a very fitting soundtrack: good job, creative direction.

Now, allow me to start with the good news. From what I noticed, these babies are actually aiming hella high! The riders hit banks, airtime, wheelies, drops, and even pulled off a few other tricks that each of them had up their sleeve that day, and all along, both of these rides made it through the day.

One downside I noticed is that the rear end does look a tad stiff on landings; it can be spotted in a few scenes. However, this can be affected by adding a more capable shock, assuming the linkage is up for the job, too. Nonetheless, Haro is clearly banking on the ability to put a full-suspension MTB into the hands of new and experienced riders alike, and all on a budget. If you are a newer rider, be sure to aim within your limits; the last thing you want is a torn oblique muscle. Be sure to wear a helmet at all times.