Nicely, I’ve talked about it sufficient in a couple of of my current articles… like this one, that one….oh, and this different one right here. I suppose it’s about time I let you already know what my first impressions are of Haro Bike’s new Saguaro 1 hardtail mountain bike.
Nicely, I prefer it… quite a bit. I’m having a extremely enjoyable time on this bike. Fast confession, I’ve been “virtually” solely driving inflexible mountain bikes for shut to 10 years. I say virtually as a result of from 2018 by means of 2020 I did take pleasure in my RSD Center Youngster till I acquired the itch through the pandemic to promote it and construct one thing completely different. Regretted that call virtually immediately.
Anywho, on to the Haro Suguaro 1. It has an incredible spec sheet, and geometry that’s each snug and aggressive on the similar time. I’ve made a couple of small element upgrades, however for probably the most half, the bike continues to be in inventory type. Let’s get into the main points.
Hardtails Rule!
After I select to experience a motorbike with suspension, my selections at all times appear to show to hardtails. For me, a hardtail means much less upkeep. It means just a little extra focus on the path, as choosing your line on a descent turns into just a little extra vital. This makes it enjoyable for me the identical means a completely inflexible MTB would. And the Haro shall be no exception. Though this FOX fork that’s spec’d on the Saguaro does make it extra snug whereas doing it.
The Saguaro 1
The Haro Saguaro hardtails are available in three spec ranges – Saguaro 3, 2, and 1. The Saguaro 3 retails for $1899, the two retails for $2399 and the 1 retails for $3999 (examined). The entire bikes appear to have good specs and are an excellent worth for the cash.
Haro despatched me a big Saguaro 1. The digital SRAM GX Transmission 12-speed drivetrain was pretty straightforward to arrange. It clearly gained’t have any cables to interchange or modify, which is sweet. And the dependable, easy-to-set-up FOX fork provides to the bike’s simplicity.
Saguaro 1 Specsheet
That being mentioned, let’s go over a couple of extra of the good parts this bike was spec’d with.
- Body: Hydroformed, heat-treated 6061-T6 aluminum body. Double-butted high and down tubes with inner cable routing. the body additionally makes use of size-specific chainstay lengths. Arrange for a UDH derailleur hanger and clearance for two.6″ tires.
- Fork: FOX 36 Efficiency Elite, with 140mm journey. Grip X2. 44mm rake.
- Cranks: SRAM GX Transmission 32t chainring
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Transmission 12-speed
- Derailleur Shifter: SRAM GX Transmission 12-speed
- Cassette: SRAM GX Transmission 10/52t
- Tires: Kenda Pinner 29X2.4 ATC (entrance) and Kenda Nevegal 2, 29X2.4 ATC (rear). Sealant included.
- Wheels/Rims: DT Swiss XM 1700 Aluminum, hooked, tubeless TC, 30mm internal width, 32H
- Entrance Hub: DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline, 110 x 15mm enhance thru-axle
- Rear Hub: DT Swiss XM 1700 Spline, 148 x 12mm enhance thru-axle
- Brakes: TRP Evo-4-piston brakes, 203mm rotor up entrance and 180mm within the rear
- Grips: WTB Wavelength lock-on
- Handlebar: Race Face Turbine R. 800mm large X 20mm rise
- Stem: Race Face Turbine R. 35mm
- Headset: FSA Orbit sealed, tapered 1-1/8″- 1-1/5″
- Saddle: WTB Volt Medium with chromoly rails. PU Leather-based. Flex tuned
- Seatpost: TranzX JD-YSI35 dropper 210mm drop
Elements I’ve Changed
Regardless that this bike is spec’d very well, I changed a couple of issues proper off the bat. I’ve acquired this bike for a long-term evaluation and also will use it to evaluation different components within the close to and not-so-near future.
Tires
The very very first thing I changed, earlier than I even rode the bike had been the Kenda Tires. I changed them with a set of Teravail Kessels, for each the entrance and rear, within the 29×2.6 taste with the “sturdy” tan wall casing. I believe Tan partitions at all times make a motorbike look higher.
Saddle
The second factor I changed was the saddle. I changed it with one in all my favourite “fashionable” saddles, the Ergon SM Professional Mens within the M/L measurement. I say “fashionable” as a result of I normally experience the Brooks B17 solely… however the B17 gained’t work nicely on this utility.
Grips and Cockpit Additions
On to the grips. Though I’m a giant fan of nearly all the pieces WTB does, I didn’t look after the Wavelength grips that got here inventory on the Saguaro 1. Together with Ergon’s saddles, I’m a giant fan of their grips. I swapped within the Ergon GE1 Evo Manufacturing facility within the Frozen Moss/Oil Slick colour. They appear marvelous and really feel nice.
I added a Spurcycle Unique Bell to the cockpit as nicely. I want a bell on a whole lot of trails that I experience. And for me, there isn’t a different bell in the marketplace like this one. I additionally acquired the brand new Denim/Indigo colour. It’s lovely.
I’ve at all times wished to evaluation the Paul Elements Dropper Set off, so after I acquired the Saguaro 1 and constructed it up, I seen the dropper lever didn’t really feel nice. So, I opted to put in and evaluation the Paul Dropper Set off on the Saguaro. Take a look at that evaluation right here.
Bottle Cage and Pc Mount
I don’t like driving with a hydration pack. I can tolerate a pleasant hip pack, however I favor an excellent ol’ water bottle on my bike, and the Saguaro 1 comes with a bottle mount within the entrance triangle. In order that’s good. I then added the King Cage Stainless Metal Facet Loading bottle cage to the Haro. I wrote a evaluation of this cage right here.
Lastly, the unsung heroes of the entire gear I take advantage of are my Ok-Edge laptop mounts. They very hardly ever get talked about and are at all times there doing what they’re purported to do, with out a criticism or subject. So, after all, I added my Ok-Edge Gravity Prime Cap Mount.
Haro Suguaro 1 Geometry
Is available in sizes S, M, L (examined), and XL
The colours are Metallic Inexperienced (examined) and Matte Mauve
My Preliminary Ideas on the Trip
I’ve discovered the primary couple of rides on the Haro Saguaro 1 refreshingly acquainted. As I discussed earlier, it’s been some time since I’ve ridden a motorbike with a slack entrance finish and respectable entrance suspension. As somebody who prefers to experience metal bikes, I discovered myself very acutely aware of the best way the body rode on the primary few rides.
I used to be pleasantly stunned that I didn’t discover any overt harshness within the rear finish. Though it’s early within the evaluation interval, there’s been none of that loopy harsh experience that I bear in mind aluminum frames to dish out. Don’t mistake what I’m saying, the Saguaro 1 rides such as you’d count on a hardtail would. However, not as a result of the body is overly stiff.
29er For the Win
I like the best way this bike handles with the 29″ wheels. It rolls over all the pieces with grace. The FOX 36 Efficiency Elite fork helps quite a bit with that. However, that being mentioned when in comparison with the 27.5 RSD Center Youngster I had, I discover the Saguaro 1 rather more succesful and nimble.
As suspected, it’s quick on the descent. On the path that I’ve been driving, there’s a 1.5-mile descent that has a couple of chunky, rocky sections and the Saguaro 1 bulldozed proper by means of it the place I clocked 34.1 MPH….like buttah. The excessive quantity, low stress, 2.6 Kessles helped right here as nicely, I’m certain.
It’s a Hardtail
However, it’s a hardtail and there have been components of the path, on the descent, the place that truth was painfully apparent. With the decrease backside bracket, the bike appeared to remain planted and secure. Even on the quick rocky components of the path, the bike by no means felt prefer it was going to bounce or skip offline. If I picked the road, the Saguaro took it.
Brakes
The TRP Path EVO brakes really feel incredible. With the 210mm entrance rotor and the 180mm rear rotor, stopping energy is available and really current. The modulation is nice, and there may be a lot energy available.
The levers have a fast attain adjustment by simply twisting the dial proper behind the lever. It jogged my memory of the kick-ass ol’ Avid Velocity Dial Levers. Bear in mind these? These had been sick!
As a result of attain and longer entrance finish and larger wheels, it appears to be a lil’ bit exhausting to drag the entrance find yourself over some obstacles. As you’d count on from a hardtail, it climbs nicely, though it’s on the heavier finish of the spectrum at 34lbs.
Using the Saguaro within the New Hood
The terrain I’m driving it on probably the most is round our new home up within the mountains. It’s very rocky at instances with a whole lot of unfastened over exhausting pack, and the occasional sandy sections. I nonetheless have but to search out a whole lot of locations to experience right here. So, I’m excited to get it down the mountain on acquainted trails, the place I could make some good comparisons. However, extra on that within the full evaluation.
Wait, What About The Transmission?
I do know I haven’t talked in regards to the digital SRAM GX Transmission but, and I don’t suppose I’ll till the total evaluation, because it’s means too early for me to make a remaining judgment name. What I’ll say is that on the three or 4 rides I’ve completed on the SRAM GX, I’m not very impressed.
I’ll say setting it up with the app was fairly neat, and pretty straightforward. The shift pod is unnatrual and awkward to make use of. Possibly I may get used to it…once more too early to inform. However we’ll dive into that after a bit longer on the product.
There’s Extra to Come!
Nicely, I’m very excited to have this bike and to run it by means of its paces over the following few months. It’s a enjoyable bike to this point, that simply needs to go quick. And I’m anticipating many, many miles of enjoyable to come back. Keep tuned right here for extra!
HaroBikes.com
