Product news: As a traditional BMX manufacturer, the US Americans from Haro have been firmly part of the two-wheeler landscape for four decades now. The fact that many do not yet know the name Haro is because they only recently ventured out of the BMX niche and now also have a number of mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes in their range. We specifically took a closer look at Haro's E-MTBs.
Although Haro cannot (yet) quite keep up with the big, established bicycle giants in terms of selection and model variety, you still cover a large spectrum with a handful of models and can inspire friends of inexpensive bikes as well as those with high demands.
Company portrait: Haro Bikes – from BMX pioneer to established MTB manufacturer
Haro has a total of six E-MTBs on three platforms in its 2018 range. The trail hardtail Subvert I/O joins the full-suspension top model Shift Plus I/O, while the Double Peak I/O is more touring-oriented. All Haro E-MTBs have a Shimano motor in common: apart from the Double Peak I/O touring hardtail, in which an E-6000 motor provides propulsion, they are all equipped with the sporty E-8000.
Haro Shift Plus I/O
The Shift Plus I/O is the spearhead of Haro E-MTBs 2018 and is the only full-suspension e-mountain bike in the current portfolio of the Americans. With 150mm at the front and 140mm at the rear, it is located in the middle spring travel range; enough reserves for demanding terrain, but not so much that you feel like you're sitting on a worn-out sofa.
The wide plus tires and the consistently robust and durable equipment also go well with the concept of an off-road all-rounder - which incidentally applies to all three equipment variants. Shift Plus I/O 9 and Shift Plus I/O 7 only differ in the gearshift – the top model comes with an electronic Di2, the mechanical version is sufficient, you save €500. Otherwise, for 3.999 or 3.499 euros, you get a RockShox suspension with a new Revelation at the front and the proven Monarch at the rear. In keeping with the universal character, all variants are also equipped with wide plus tires.
Haro Shift Plus I/O 9
suspension fork: RockShox Revelation RC 150mm
Mute: RockShox Monarch RL
Circuit: Shimano XT Di2
brakes: Shimano SLX M7000
Price: € 4.999
Haro Shift Plus I/O 7
suspension fork: RockShox Revelation RC 150mm
Mute: RockShox Monarch RL
Circuit: Shimano XT
brakes: Shimano SLX M7000
Price: € 4.499
Haro Shift Plus I/O 5
suspension fork: Suntour Aion Boost 140mm
Mute: RockShox Monarch R
Circuit: Shimano Deore M6000
brakes: Shimano M396
Price: € 3.999
With the Shift Plus I/O 7, we were able to put one of the Haro E-MTBs 2018 under the microscope in a test – you can read what we had to say about the bike in the corresponding test:
Haro Shift Plus i/O 7 review – Potent E-MTB from the BMX brand
Haro Subvert I/O
Those who can do without rear suspension, but are still not deterred by crashing trail excursions, can keep an eye on the Subvert I/O. Here you get 130 or 120mm of spring travel at the front and equipment that is thoroughly trail-ready: In addition to the dropper post in the top model, this also includes the wide plus tires and robust attachments. The geometry also shows that the Subvert is not a tame touring e-bike, but built for "real" terrain. The steering angle is moderately slack and the standover height is low.
Haro Subvert I/O 9
suspension fork: RockShox Revelation RC 29″ 130mm
Circuit: Shimano XT Di2
brakes: Shimano SLX M7000
Price: € 3.999
Haro Subvert I/O 5
suspension fork: Suntour Raidon 29 120mm
Circuit: Shimano Deore M6000
brakes: Shimano M396
Price: € 3.199
Haro Double Peak I/O
Anyone who would like to have an off-road e-bike, but usually stays on more or less paved paths, does not need 120mm of spring travel and certainly prefers a more comfortable geometry: Haro has the Double Peak I/O in its range for exactly this purpose, the one with a Overall, the more functional equipment really knows how to convince in terms of price. It is also the only E-MTB in the range to come with the E-6000 motor from Shimano, which is a touch tamer than the E-8000.
suspension fork: Suntour XCM 32 100mm
Circuit: Shimano Deore M6000
brakes: Shimano M365
Price: € 2.499
Anyone who would like to examine or test one of the Haro bikes can do so in one of the two E-MTB test centers set up especially for this purpose. In addition to the flagship store and test center in Bielefeld and the test centers in Maikammer/Palatinate and Meckenheim/Rhineland, the test centers Halde Hohewart/Ruhrgebiet, Harburger Berge/Hamburg, Forchheim/Franconian Switzerland and Rabenberg/Erzgebirge will soon be opened. In addition, all Haro bikes are available through their own web shop www.harobikes.de .