Tested: 2007 Haro Werx 5/VL120

Haro Werx 5/VL120 /// $3,300
harobikes.com

This fall, Haro unveiled an entirely new suspension design called the Virtual Link, which, according to Haro, eliminates pedal-induced bobbing, pedal kickback, drivetrain flex and an assortment of other rearsuspension evils. Those are some ballsy claims….

In a nutshell, the VL120 sports 4 inches of travel up front, 5 inches in the rear and a fighting weight of about 27.5 pounds (for our 18-inch test model). Five inches of travel? That sounds like gobs of squishy suspension, right? Well, no. This is not a lightweight freeride bike. Let’s be clear on this point—the VL120 is pure cross-country, from its skinny WTB Exi Wolf 2.1 tires down to its even skinnier Manitou R-Seven Platinum fork. This confused me at first as I was expecting a magic-carpet-smooth ride. I was disappointed during my first week of riding. True, the bike didn’t bob an inch and it scooted up climbs like a hardtail, but it also felt eerily hardtailish on descents. Small-bump absorption was lackluster with the air pressure for the shock’s SPV pedal platform set in the upper range (at 70 percent of my bodyweight).

Long story short—you need to get the SPV pressure and sag dialed perfectly on this bike or else it underperforms. I eventually settled on 10 millimeters of sag and the SPV pressure set at 55 percent of my body weight. Set up accordingly, the bike still accelerated like it was on rocket fuel and was much smoother on small and big bumps alike. Setting up the Manitou SType shock isn’t rocket science, but the SPV valve is located in a particularly cramped spot on the bike—it’s a bit like giving a hamster a colonoscopy.

Once I sussed out the rear suspension, the Haro began to grow on me. For starters, the unified rear triangle was nice and stiff. The lack of seat or chainstay pivots was a boon during this year’s 55 inches of rain (no squeaky, wobbly joints to foul up). The VL120 also motored up climbs like a champ in any chainring. Pedal kickback was damn near non-existent and if you have the rear shock set up properly, pedal-induced bob is undetectable (though it does rear its head if you accidentally run too little SPV pressure). The Haro’s handling traits leaned to the XC side of things—not twitchy, but definitely racy. Our test bike sported a longish, 24-inch toptube, a fairly tight 42.2-inch wheelbase and a nice, lowslung and centered feel. Component spec was devoid of major sex appeal, but was dead-on reliable. Shimano XT owns 90 percent of the bike’s real estate and the WTB Laser Disc hoops were light and sturdy.

Is the VL120 the right bike for you? That depends on your expectations. If you come into the bargain expecting a bike with plenty of plush travel, you’ll be disappointed. Likewise, if you dream of owning the lightest race bike on the planet, you’ll need to do some serious parts swapping here. On the other hand, this is a fast, efficient bike with a reliable, no-nonsense parts pick and a solid frame design. That, right there, is plenty to brag about. —Vernon Felton