Are Haro BMX Bikes Good?

A good bicycle motocross is what you need to hit the street and skate parks in your next cycling adventure. And if you’ve considered searching for the bike based on brands instead of individual models, there’s a high chance you’ve come across Haro BMX.

But are Haro BMX bikes good? And, are they still in production?

Haro BMX bikes are good because they have a strong yet lightweight frame builds. With stronger and efficient components, from the cranks and chain to the sprockets and brakes, Haro BMX bikes are hands down some of the best models ever built.

If you look at Haro’s BMX section here, you’ll notice that the brand took part in making different types of BMX bikes, from race and freestyle to kids and balance bikes, to give you a wide variety of options to consider. 

haro bmx bike reviews

Haro BMX came to the market at different price points. Unfortunately, they were some of the most expensive bikes in the bicycle motocross category, with the cheapest model in the freestyle series going for around $400 and  the priciest scooping up to $1,000 in retail.

Haro Bike Brand: What’s The History?

Bob Haro, a currently retired freestyle BMX rider started, started the bike company in 1978, and every model built at the time was considered the best freestyle BMX bike.

are haro bmx bikes good

What initially started as a business dealing in the production of number plates for BMX bikes quickly grew to become one of the top bike corporations in California.

Bob found an adventure in traveling around the United States demonstrating BMX trick riding never seen anywhere else. That alone earned him the title “The Father of Freestyle”.

As the demand for BMX bikes took root and continued to boom, particularly in the early 1980s, the company expanded its target market and invested more in freestyle bikes and related accessories, with the Sport and Master being the company’s flagship.

Haro’s success in the BMX business pushed companies like Redline, Diamondback, GT, and Schwinn to model their independent frames based on Bob Haro’s ideas.

As the BMX business continued to see entrants from other brands, GT BMX bikes became Haro’s biggest competitor, although their sales later dwindled because Haro was more dominant in the freestyle BMX bikes landscape, hence a larger market share.

In 1988, Bob Haro sold Haro Bikes to a bigger bike company to which he was a member for five years as a contracted consultant. Later in 1993, Bob left the bike company and started a graphics design agency.

In the same year, the company to which he sold the bike brand sold the brand to a group of investors. The new independence, under Jim Ford’s leadership, changed the focus of the company, which saw a tremendous decline of the production of Haro BMX bikes.

Haro Bike is no longer in the active production of BMX bikes, but they actively sponsor a number of freestyle BMX riders and racers.

Are Haro BMX Bikes Any Good?

There was a time when roadies would think Haro when someone mentioned BMX. And while they were somewhat on the higher-end in terms of cost, they were as good as the current Mongoose BMX bikes.

As for the production, Bob Haro outsourced the production of the bike’s frame. It production centers were in Taiwan, where all the BMX models were produced and tested for freestyle racing.

People who got into BMX at the time loved Bob Haro’s BMX bikes for a number of reasons. If own a Haro BMX bike, consider it to be a well-built model because:

1. Haro BMX Bikes Boast of Robust Construction

Many BMX bikes are made of high-tensile steel. And while that’s a robust material for a strong frame that can stand up to intense use and abuse, steel isn’t as lightweight.

Haro took a completely different approach. Instead of the hi-ten steel, the brand used Chromoly to make its BMX frames.

Chromoly is a good material because it keeps the BMX bike weight to a minimal while offering optimum performance for street riding and stunt performance.

2. Haro BMX Have Better Components

Roadies like to compare BMX components to determine what BMX bikes to buy. And it’s quite a relief to see that Haro BMX bikes have better components than Trek BMX bikes do.

We can argue that both brands focus on giving their best in terms of components, but Bob Haro went as far as to give every model in its series the best components for better performance.

Bob Haro made sure that every component they made, from the brakes and the cranks to the sprockets and chains, was up to the accepted standards in the BMX world.

Take the Haro Downtown BMX, for example.

It was, and probably still is, the most favorite model for many BMX riders. Those who currently own this freestyle BMX bike praise it because of high quality sealed bearings in the headset, well-built rear cassette hubs that require less maintenance, and strong bottom bracket.

Every Haro BMX feature double walled rims and uses three-piece cranks, which is the latest standard in the BMX space.

In addition to the high quality components, Haro Downtown freestyle BMX is an ideal model for new as well as advanced riders. Those who currently own the model can attest that the bike even offer better clearance for tricks and stunt performance.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that if you currently own a Haro BMX is the replacement parts are readily available. You can click this link to see the list of parts that Haro currently sell for its BMX bikes.

3. Haro Had A Wide Collection Of BMX Bikes

I’m convinced that Haro bikes wouldn’t be a lot more common in the skate and street parks if they were still in production.

Why?

Haro Midway Freecoaster Freestyle BMX Bikes

It’s because Bob Haro and his team focused on manufacturing a variety of BMX bikes to give riders as many options as possible.

Some of the top of the line models that the brand dealt in include: 

  • Haro Pro Blackout Race BMX Bikes
  • Annex Pro XL Race BMX Bikes
  • Haro Annex SI Race BMX Bikes
  • The Midway Freecoaster Freestyle BMX Bikes
  • Haro Leucadia DLX Freestyle BMX Bikes

These are just but some examples of BMX bikes that Haro sold. And as you can see, the brand did provide quite a number of options so rider could choose what’s best for them.

4. Haro BMX Bikes Are Light

I’m a fan of lightweight BMX bikes because when it comes to bmxing, it’s serious business or no riding the bike at all. And it’s good to see that Haro BMX bikes weigh much lower compared to other BMX bike brands.

For example, Haro Annex 24-inch BMX bike weighs only 23.5 pounds. While that’s about 2 pounds heavier than the GT Race Speed Cruiser BMX, it’s still setup for better performance.

The advantage of owning a lightweight BMX bike is that you can pedal less and get that short burst of speed quite fast. Moreover, even performing simple and complex tricks become quite easier.

To be clear, BMX bikes that weigh as much as 28 pounds aren’t bad. But that’s truly so under the condition that you intend to use them only for normal riding.

I will recommend that you go lightweight if you’re into racing, stunt and trick performance, and professional riding.

5. Haro BMX Feature High Quality Tires

Every part of a BMX bike plays a part in its performance, which means that even the tires are worth looking at.

Rolling on the double walled rims are some of the most robust and durable tires in the BMX space. These give you sufficient grip when hitting skate and street parks and therefore great for normal riding as well as performing tricks. 

6. Haro BMX Feature Powerful Brakes

There’s need to have sufficient stopping power when riding a BMX bike. And it’s good to see that the Haro bike brand took that part with the seriousness that it deserves.

The brand equipped every bike with powerful U brakes, which gives riders sufficient stopping power.

These BMX brakes do two things and do so quite well:

  • They’re so responsive that they allow you to make emergency stops
  • They can help you get out of emergency situations

Does Haro Still Make BMX Bikes? 

Haro doesn’t make BMX bikes anymore. The team that bought the company eventually re-purposed Haro, which led to closing doors on the making of Haro BMX bikes.

Still, the brand seems to be selling bike parts, which are specific to Haro BMX, so in case you need to replace some components, it should be easy to find the parts that you need.

Also Read:

Are Sunday BMX Bikes Good?

How Much Does a BMX Bike Cost?

Are Kink BMX Bikes Good?

Are DK BMX Bikes Good?

Final Thoughts: Are Haro BMX Bikes Good?

Haro BMX bikes are no longer in production, but those who own them can attest that they are some of the best bikes ever built, especially in the freestyle BMX category. The bike parts are readily available, so you shouldn’t have a difficult time replacing components if you ever have to.