What’s old is new again, or so they say.  The retro-BMX craze is still going strong and Haro has finally released the bike we’ve all been waiting for - the 2009 Freestyler.  This bike owes its lineage to the legendary 1983 Freestyler that Bob Haro created for the then-new trend of freestyle BMX riding.  I’ll have a full test posted very soon, but for now here’s a quick overview of this awesome new ride.

:: 2009 Haro Freestyler pays tribute to the original 1983 Freestyler - click to enlarge ::

First, it’s important to point out that the 2009 Freestyler is not a recreation of the 1983 Freestyler - it’s a retro-inspired bike with some modern characteristics such as modern geometry, 5mm thick, 10mm (3/8 compatible) rear dropouts, a mid bottom bracket shell, and rear 990 brake mounts.  The frame’s geometry is essentially the same as Haro’s top of the line Convert frame.  The result is a bike that looks retro-cool and rides as well as a high-end modern freestyle bike.  Some purists may scoff at this, but I want to ride this bike, not keep it on display indoors.  This bike has the perfect blend of modern and classic elements.  Yeah, I may swap out some parts, but isn’t that part of the fun of BMX?  Customizing your ride is almost as fun as riding it, but I woudn’t want to change much on this bike as it is.

:: Classic twin top tube design dominates the Freestyler’s personality - click to enlarge ::

With that out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff.  This bike looks killer.  My Freestyler arrived and as I unpacked it the first thing that impressed me was the chrome finish - it’s beautiful.  It’s actually the best chrome I’ve ever seen on a modern bike, and it’s on par with the best I’ve seen on old school Hutches.  Yes, it’s that good.  The same goes for the chrome on the cranks, which are 175mm, by the way.  Haro didn’t let us down with the original Skyway Tuffwheel mags, and the bars are a good match to this bike.

:: New, thicker seat tube gusset is much stronger than the original - click to enlarge ::

The frame is not full 4130 chromoly - although I do not think that means that strength will be sacrificed.  The down tube and fork steerer are chromoly, so it has it where it counts. The welds are very neat and consistent, and the seat tube gusset is at least three times thicker than the originals, so no worries about cracking for those wondering.  The twin top tubes should make this frame plenty rigid, and the overall weight of the bike is surprisingly light.  I’m willing to bet many younger riders will think this frame design is something entirely new - that should be funny to witness.

:: Retro 44/16 gearing, Skyway mags, and blinging chrome - retro is rad.  Click to enlarge ::

Since this is just a preview, that’s all you’ll get for now, but they’ll be much more forthcoming on this rad bike. I’ll have NBL A-Pro and awesome freestyler Ryan “Z-Man” Zielinski test this bike at the park, on the street, and even on the race track.  Of course I’ll have many killer photos and videos for you, as well as a full report on how the bike performed.   Until then, I’ll be riding and catching the reactions from the locals at the skatepark when they see this retro-rad ride.

:: Replica of Bob Haro’s 1983 Haro Freesyler, built by Dan Durr - click to enlarge ::

Related Links:

• Haro Bikes
• HaroFreestyler.com

You may have read in a previous entry about my purchase of Dan Durr’s rare pink Haro Sport.  Since then, I’ve been negotiating with Dan about the purchase of his Haro enthusiast website, HaroFreestyler.com.  This website is very well constructed, and its an information-rich location for all technical specifications and historical material pertaining to the Haro Master, Sport, and FST from 1983-1985.

:: Click on image to be taken to the HaroFreestyler.com website ::

What are my plans for this website?  For now, I’ll be adding a message board that focuses primarily on Haro collectors and establishing a Haro Owner’s Group of sorts.  The message forums will likely have multiple sections - one for each generation of Haro Freestylers and perhaps a “new-school” section for current Haro bikes.  We’ll also be testing the new Haro Retro Freestyler soon too, so stay tuned.  This is going to be fun.

Related Links:

• HaroFreestyler.com
• Haro Bikes

All of the old school BMXers will remember Bullseye - they were the company that made the exotic cranks and hubs that were super cool and super expensive.  We all wanted Bullseye parts badly.  Very badly.  When BMX died in the late 80s, so did Bullseye, or so it seemed…. Or did they?  Now that BMX is back in full swing and the retro-BMX craze is going full throttle, Bullseye products are back - and they are selling new-old-stock items on Ebay or directly through the company.

:: Bullseye BMX cranks were known as being super strong and super exotic ::

Bullseye director Steven Jackson has brought Bullseye back into the limelight by releasing old stock of  Bullseye cranks and hubs, and creating new, modern stems and pedals for a new generation of BMXers — and us old school people that wanted these products as kids, but could never afford them.  But sometimes having is not so great a thing as wanting, right?  Wrong, I wanted Bullseye parts!

:: Bullseye magazine ad from 1982 - click on image to enlarge ::

I just received my new Bullseye cranks with bottom bracket and alloy spider.  The cranks are 1984 NOS, though they have been show-chromed and include a new Bullseye bottom bracket assembly.  The chrome is drop-dead gorgeous, easily the best in the industry.  The machine work is as good as it gets, and the crank set is even lighter than Shimano DXR cranks.

:: Chrome finish, welding, and machine work is the best I’ve ever seen ::

Coincidentally, the 30+ year-old Bullseye two-piece design is very similar to the popular current two-piece designs being used by Shimano, Supercross, and some others.  Did these manufacturers get their idea from Bullseye?  Maybe, but there’s no doubt that Bullseye’s crank design was many years ahead of its time.

:: Bullseye’s two-piece design likely influenced many of today’s crank designs::

I’m not yet sure what I’ll do with these cranks, but I can at least say that I finally own a set and it was worth the wait.  These will match my Bullseye red and polished hubs perfectly, so whatever I install them on will get both the hubs and the cranks.  Most likely, I’ll install these pieces on my 25th Anniversary Skyway TA, but that’s if I ever even build it.  For now, I’m just happy having a set of these awesome cranks.  when you get a chance, head on over to Bullseye Cycle’s website and check out the photo gallery to relive that awesome feeling of radness again.

Related Links:

• Bullseye Cycle

I am not 100% sure if my pink Haro Sport came with its Peregrine 48s as original equipment, however after talking to a few people, it seems logical that my bike, like all 1985 Haro Sports, came with white Peregrine Master wheels (made by OGK in Japan) and Panaracer Freestyle tires originally and the bike shop this bike was purchased from likely swapped out the mag wheels for Peregrine 48s.  All 1985 Haro Sports came with Peregrine Master mag wheels, and it’s only natural that this bike would only seem factory original with these wheels.

:: Peregrine Master wheels and Panaracer Freestyle tires were OEM equipment ::

The original owner says the Peregrine 48s were original from the bike shop, and this is very likely since the 48s were a brand new wheel at the time that was very hot.  It was a tough call, but after talking to some top Haro collectors, it’s concluded that the pink Sport deserves its white Peregrine Masters and Panaracer tires to be totally factory original.  All other components on the bike are OEM-correct, and it seems fitting that the wheel set should be as well. As noted Haro collector and historian Dan Durr put it, “The Peregrine Master wheels are what came in the box when it was new.”

I’ll keep the Peregrine 48s and Comp Stadium tires as they were, and they will always go with the bike.  Also, the wheels are mounted with plastic washers on the inside and outside of the dropouts, so as not to scratch them.  So, here’s my pink Sport for now.  It took me a long time to find these NOS wheels and tires, but it was worth it, and this is how the bike will remain as long as I own it.

Related Links:

• HaroFreestyler.com