$875

30 pounds

Hardtail

Maxi test: March 2008 Click here to purchase the issue

Highlights: The Shimano XT rear derailleur is a lot of derailleur for a bike priced below a grand. The catch? It's Shimano's reverse-shifting-order, Rapid-Rise, Low-Normal rear derailleur. Haro probably got it at a discount to help Shimano get rid of them after pretty much every bike company abandoned Low Normal when a choice between Low Normal and High Normal was offered. The backwards action actually works great with trigger shifters.

Best quote: "The medium-length stem, riser bar and more centered and upright cycling position make the Flightline Expert a pleasure to climb. It's very easy to move around: weight the front for steering control or the back for more climbing traction."

Bottom line: The Haro Flightline Expert is one of the most fun mountain bikes you'll ever ride. When aboard the Flightline you aren't thinking about the money you spent. The lack of rear suspension isn't even a bother. You are thinking about singletracks, jumps, urban and all-day epics. It's the perfect bike to attract new people and to bust open the sport of mountain biking.