Bike Review: Haro Shift I/O 9 Trail eBike
HARO SHIFT I/O 9
Trail Bike
Another mainstay company in the world of BMX, Haro has been putting efforts into e-bikes in more recent years. Haro is offering a commuter e-bike, one hardtail e-MTB, as well as three different builds of the all-mountain-style I/O-series e-MTB. Although the Shift I/O 9 has some quirks, it is built well with some nice components.
THE BIKE
We’re going to put this black and blue metallic fade aluminum frame into the “all-mountain” category of bikes, owing especially to its 160mm of suspension travel and a mixed-wheel setup (27.5-inch rear wheel/29-inch front wheel). The head angle is 65 degrees. It seems to be a growing trend lately to design a bike that can handle the widest possible variety of terrain, and the mixed wheelset seems to be a contributing factor. The rear swingarm and pivot are a 4-bar link system as we’ve seen used on many mountain bikes in recent years.
“The extra range of the new 630-Wh battery is a fantastic push over the edge for people worried about the range of their e-bike.”
THE MOTOR
By now the Shimano e8000 is pretty well-regarded as a quality motor with solid power and torque characteristics. It is nice to have the Shimano E-Tube app for dialing in the level of assist in the Eco and Trail modes. The motor comes stock with a high level of assist in Eco mode, which dialed back will help you conserve battery. Also, we found the aluminum frame helped keep the high-end noise a little quieter than the carbon-framed bikes.
THE PARTS
The Shift I/O 9 is the top build of three that Haro offers for 2021. For $5999.99 you’ll find a decent component outfit, most notable being the 160mm travel Fox Rhythm 36 forks and Float X2 air shock. The brakes are mid-tier Shimano BT MR520s that work really well, though we would expect a little more for the price of the bike. The Shift rolls on WTB ST i35 wheels with Kenda Nevegal 2 Pro treads. It comes with an 11-46T 11s cassette. Haro went with Shimano XT Di2 electronic shifting.
“Climbing was a bit more fun on this bike, especially because the 630-Wh battery took away a lot of the battery-range anxiety.”
One thing that is almost worth the price of the bike is the internal 630-Wh battery. The display is the e7000, and the motor is coupled with a proven e8000 motor. For your dropper seatpost convenience, you’ll find an X-Fusion Manic with 100/125mm travel.
WHO IT’S MADE FOR
Although built in a sportier vein, the Haro would be a good adventure/longer ride bike considering the comfortable suspension and bigger battery. In any case it will allow you to go have a good time, which could be the most important thing for many people.
THE RIDE
The Shift’s cockpit left us feeling a bit lower towards the front end of the bike. This was fine when climbing, but provided less of a secure feeling on downhill cornering at higher speeds compared to what you might find on other mixed wheelsets. Climbing was more fun on this bike, especially because the 630-Wh battery took away a lot of the battery-range anxiety.
“Although built in a sportier vein, the Haro would be a good adventure/longer ride bike considering the comfortable suspension and bigger battery.”
THE VERDICT
There are some important factors in considering a Haro Shift. First off, it’s got great suspension that makes for a comfortable ride. The extra range of the new 630-Wh battery is a fantastic push over the edge for people worried about the range of their e-bike. The charge port is in an inconvenient location and also has to be threaded in to initiate the charge. We found this annoying considering you’ll want to charge your bike after every ride. The Di2 shifting is nice to have, but at the same time it’s nice to be able to push a shift lever and grab more gears really quickly when you really need to spin up a climb.
“By now the Shimano e8000 is pretty well-regarded as a quality machine with solid power and torque characteristics.”
For $5999 it is lacking in a few departments, but no doubt the great component build can serve its purpose of getting you out and riding, which is always a good thing.
HARO SHIFT I/O 9
Price: $5999.99
Motor: Shimano Steps e8000
Battery: 630 Wh
Controller: e7000
Top speed: 20 mph
Drive: Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11-speed, 11-46T with XT Di2 derailleur
Brakes: Shimano BR-MT520 hydraulic disc, 4-piston, 203mm rotors w/ integrated speed-sensor magnet
Wheels: WTB ST i35 TCS 2.0, tubeless-ready, 29” front and 27.5” rear, 40mm wide, double wall
Tires: Kenda Nevegal 2 29×2.6” front, 27.5×2.6” rear, EMC, 60 tpi, Aramid beads, tubeless-compatible
Fork: Fox Rhythm 36 Float “E”, 29”, 160mm travel, grip cartridge, sweep adjuster, 15x110mm Boost axle, hydraulic lockout
Shock: Fox Float X2, air shock, trunnion, 225x75mm, low-speed compression & low-speed rebound adjustments
Frame: Aluminum
Seatpost: X-Fusion Manic 100/125mm dropper post, horizontal remote, aluminum 31.6mm
Weight: 55 pounds (Large)
Sizes: S, M, L (tested),XL
