Haro Extreme Comp 1991 build

[ultrazenith]

The information now seems to be falling into place. The retrobiker who sold me the frame, thnos, very kindly measured the OLD of the hub that he used to have fitted to this frame, and it is indeed 130 mm, not 135 mm. Checking with a tape measure, I get 128.5 mm +/- 0.5 mm for the distance between the rear dropouts. So the bent frame hypothesis is looking wrong now (phew!).

But it's confusing that some frames from this year (or thereabouts) are 135 mm OLD and others are 130 mm. Sean's frame is definitely 135 mm, but I have also found an Aussie 1991 Haro Extreme Comp build here on retrobike with 130 mm OLD listed in the spec sheet. If any other Haro enthusiasts can shed any light on this then it would be highly welcomed.

In the meantime, I'm going with a 130 mm wheel build.

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

Mine above has got modern XT hubs on it at 135mm and they fit perfectly.

 

[haulawayjoe]

But it's confusing that some frames from this year (or thereabouts) are 135 mm OLD and others are 130 mm. Sean's frame is definitely 135 mm, but I have also found an Aussie 1991 Haro Extreme Comp build here on retrobike with 130 mm OLD listed in the spec sheet. If any other Haro enthusiasts can shed any light on this then it would be highly welcomed.

In the meantime, I'm going with a 130 mm wheel build.

That would be my Extreme, this one to be presice

Mine definitely is 130mm spacing, it is possible there was an update in the production of the frames as my bike does not have the integrated cable noodle for the rear derailleur that is just above the front derailleur while Rob's and Sean's bikes do. Mine has cable stops, what method does your Extreme employ? Some more photos would be good, yours is the first black one I have seen.

Good luck with the build, should turn out really nice in black.

 

[ultrazenith]

It's been a long time in the making, but the Haro is now built, at last! Photos to follow later, after I take it for its maiden test ride.

 

[ultrazenith]

 

[ultrazenith]

This Haro is really growing on me. Once I got the saddle set correctly, and removed the peak from my helmet, the riding position is not at all uncomfortable, at least for the first 60 km or so of riding.

The original build had Deore DX SLR brake levers, but I found they didn't give enough modulation on the U brake at the rear. After changing for some NOS Dia Compe SS5 levers, the rear brake now feels much much better. Nearly as good as a v-brake, in fact.

I also changed the stem for a girvin flexstem, just because I have always wanted to try one out. And I love it! The travel is minimal - about 20 mm - but gives decent enough supression of trail buzz and takes the edge of impacts. It feels like having the advantages of suspension and rigid, without the disadvantages. I love being able to honk out of the saddle without having a suspension fork suck away energy. Even so, my upper body doesn't feel beaten up after a day ride, unlike it used to when riding fully rigid.