HARO FLIGHTLINE ONE - GREY FADE

Haro’s latest Flightline One mountain bike is designed for pre-teens and early teens who are transitioning to their first proper full-size mountain bike.

The Flightline is not a hardcore mountain bike. Rather, it’s designed for recreational bike rides with friends and family on rail trails, country or suburban bike paths.

For those looking at the Giant ATX, it’s another amazing option to place on your new bike shortlist.

In this preview, we’ll go through some key features and explain why it’s a great option.

WHO IS THE FLIGHTLINE FOR?

The Flightline One rider is a pre-teen (26’’ wheel) or just-turned teen (27.5’’ wheel) who is upgrading from a 24-inch or in extreme cases a 20-inch kids bike.

They’ll use the bike on light dirt and gravel trails and bike paths. And it’s got to be versatile; riding to school, with mates and family bike rides.

FLIGHTLINE SIZING

There are 3 frame sizes to choose from: XS, S and M. The XS frame has 26’’ wheels and the other sizes use 27.5’’ wheels.

Think of the 26-inch wheel option as the transition size before going adult-size. It sits in the grey zone where a 24-inch bike is too small and an adult size too big. Tall 8 and 9 year olds will benefit most from the XS frame size.

THE COMPONENTS

Starting with the frame.

Credit where it’s due. Haro are never stingy with producing their frames; in both the actual aluminium material (grade X6 is better than average) and the manufacturing method. Both aspects of frame design are completed to a high standard. We’d go as far saying that not many brands come close at this price point.

First, the physical sections of the frame are different depending on the load requirements; square tubing is used for high-load areas and circular for lesser load areas.

Further, Haro has gone to the extra effort of removing material from the frame where it’s not required and adding material where it is - improving the Flightline frame’s strength-to-weight ratio.

Internal cable routing hides the majority of cables and creates a super clean looking frame.

Next, the gears.

The Flightline One is built with Shimano gears. Riders get 3 front gears and 7 back gears. Unlike most kids bikes, these gear shifters are proper triggers so gear shifts are more precise and easier to use.

The 3 front gears are designed for: very steep uphill (gear 1), flat/gentle gradients (gear 2) and very steep downhill (gear 3). Most bike trails will only require gear 2.

But it’s the 7 gears on the back that riders should be using more frequently. There is a gear for most terrain types (gentle gradients and flat).

It’s also worth mentioning that for riders with small hands, the brake levers can be adjusted to sit closer to the handlebar. This gives riders (especially younger riders) so much more control and confidence.

It’s also worth mentioning that Haro has used Shimano hubs. These are super rare to see at this price point. Using them definitely improves the value of the Flightline One.

Lastly, the Flightline comes with mechanical V-brakes. For fair-weather riders, these are fine. Because unlike cheaper V-brakes, Haro uses a great quality brake caliper and SHimano brake lever combination.