Does anyone have one of these or has ridden one? Considering that with REI member discount it would be close to $1500 the component spec is amazing. I'm wondering about the frame for rough rides, though. They make no claims about engineering for compliance, which has me worried considering how that is all the rage right now. Thanks!
With REI you can have the bike delivered to a store if they don't have it in stock. Then test ride the bike before you finalize the sale. I was told if you don't like the bike you are under no obligation to go thru with the purchase.
\nThe Haanjo Team seems like a great value. And it has three water bottle mounts, something that their sister brand Raleigh neglected on the Tamland.
\nThe only thing that has held me back is the lack of ride reports, but I will probably order one because of he specs and the geometry is exactly what I was looking for in my size.
Ken, that's a good point about ordering the bike in and I'll certainly take advantage. I also have a GT Grade on order that I'll be doing the same thing. It won't be in until June, though, so I have lots of time to figure this out If you get a Haanjo in the meantime, please post your thoughts!
My only concern is only being able to ride around in the parking lot, which won't be much of a test. Also, this is only my second bike, so I don't have a lot of experience in judging these sorts of things. If anyone out there has a more seasoned opinion, I'd love to hear it.
You can't beat the price for the components on the Haanjo Trail; it was in the running for my last purchase, but I couldn't find one to test ride. Diamondback doesn't have a dealer in my area. Well they have Sports Authority, but those guys didn't want to order one for me to test ride, so no sale.
I saw one at REI in Northern Atlanta earlier this week, they had both a 105 spec and the Ultegra spec. I didn't ride it though. The mechanic thought it was a great value, especially the Ultegra.
I'm loving mine. I bought it through backcountry about three weeks ago. I've had it on some pretty terrible roads and I haven't noticed it being harsh at all. It feels extremely planted going over washboard roads, and handled some muddy roads well. I'm fortunate to live near some great gravel/dirt roads as well as some very long/steep climbs. While the drivetrain has been great, the brakes are phenomenal. I've dropped some of the descents with way more confidence than I've ever dropped them on my traditional road bike. Do you have any other specific questions?
Thanks autodropltd,
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\nEnjoyed the photos also.
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\nI have a 59cm on order and should have it in a week.
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\nAre the rims tubeless ready or compatible? I know the Kenda tires are supposed to be OK with sealant.
I haven't been able to find anything out about those HED rims. I also haven't tried to set them up tubeless, but I'm betting one of the Stans kits would likely work. If you end up trying it, let me know how it goes!
Autodropltd wrote:I've had it on some pretty terrible roads and I haven't noticed it being harsh at all. It feels extremely planted going over washboard roads, and handled some muddy roads well.
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\nThanks for that info, Autodropltd. Great pics too, especially the one with the turn off a/c sign!
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\nOut of curiosity, what bikes are you able to compare it with as far as the frame/fork feel/compliance goes? I've read the review that was linked and it said the ride was pretty stiff. Also how do you like the stock handlebar?
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\nSounds like I'll be getting one of these on order this weekend!
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\nEric
Heh, the road that has the turn off AC sign on it gets ridiculously steep. Gps has it pegged as a .9 mile grade with a 14.1% average. The max is 29%. It's brutal.
My normal road bike that I ride on quite a bit of dirt and gravel is a focus izalco pro. It's a typical carbon road bike. I've also ridden a Cielo (steel road bike) quite a bit and owned a Cannondale Caadx for a while that was pressed into service as a gravel bike. I didn't test ride any other real gravel specific bikes. I've taken the Diamondback on some horrendous roads around here as well as some singletrack and would not consider it to be harsh. To be honest, I've worked in bike shops for a long time, and the designs of the more recent aluminum frames seem to me to be very compliant. I wonder if sometimes people anticipate that aluminum will ride harshly compared to other frame materials and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I could be wrong, or just not as sensitive to it as others, but I would consider the Haanjo to be compliant on choppy stuff. I think the biggest difference to be made is tire volume and pressure.
As for the handlebar, I've liked it thus far. The flat top part is of a large diameter so it fits my lanky hands pretty well. I also like the slight outsweep in the drops as it gives my legs a bit more room to work when standing or hitting it hard on the flats.
This weekend I'll be doing the Love Valley Roubaix here in NC, so I'll have a bit better perspective as how it serves as a race bike. From what I've seen (I haven't been able to pre-ride the course) the last big descent looks rough. I'll post up some further reviews after it gets put through the wringer.
Autodropltd,
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\nThanks for all of the input. I've only owned an aluminum bike, a Jamis Allegro flat bar road bike that has done surprisingly well as I've discovered the world of gravel. I don't figure it's a very rigid frame, though, since my spindly 150lb frame can torque it when on the trainer. Therefore I want to make sure I don't take any steps back in terms of compliance. I wanted to get a raleigh Tamland (steel) but the pricepoint on the Haanjo is hard to resist, especially since it has better components. Plus I want whatever bike I get to last me into my 40s so I'm sure I'll be pickier about the feel then!
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\nAs luck would have it, I just got a 20% off coupon for REI that is good on bikes so I'm definitely going to get one of these on order. Please continue to update me on your thoughts though. I did think of one other specific question, especially since you say you've worked in shops a lot. How do you feel about the bottom bracket? I'm frustrated by the number of "standards" out there now and don't like that special tools are required, I have no idea of whether this design will hold and I'll be able to get replacement parts in the future, etc. I can't even keep track of the pros and cons of BB386; is this one of the press fit versions I've heard so much complaining about creaking?
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\nThanks!
\nEric
I rode mine for the fdirst time this evening and I am really pleased with it. I still need to dial I a few things but I would not hesitate using this bike on any long rides. I am an active randonneur (long distance unsupported riding) and this bike is just what I was looking for.
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\nReal!y right now the only thing that is disappointing is the lack of eyelets on the fork legs for fender stays. There are work arounds for this.
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\nThe bike is very smooth riding and stable. The stand outs are the wheels, tires, fork and components. The tires are really impressive. One of the bikes I ride is a 650b randonneur bike with Compass 42's and the Kenda's seem every bit as smooth as those. And on gravel those tires just seem to take off.
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\nThis bike is really a big bang for the buck.
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\nI will post more as I get in some longer rides on this bike but so far I am very satisfied with the purchase.
So, I've been late in posting this review...but, the bike still rocks. Last weekend I "raced" to a mid pack finish in the Love Valley Roubaix. The course consists of about 47 miles, 30+ of which were gravel. There were two largish category 3 climbs with matching looooong gravel descents on the other side. The bike performed flawlessly. No flats, no issues. About half of the field opted for road bikes with fatter 25 or 28c road specific tires (mostly gatorskins). The race director said there were 22 flats in the first five miles. The highlight of the whole thing was descending with confidence on gravel at more than 40mph. The happy mediums are pretty spectacular.
I've got a few hundred more miles in on the bike. Still going strong, the only minor issue is that the happy mediums wear fast if you are on pavement much...that's to be expected though!
Hey y'all, I just ordered one.... we'll see how it goes. Meanwhile, a few questions... Anyone add fenders/rack? I am looking to add at least a rack on back... looking for one that will fit and work like a hoss. Also, anyone considering/installed a compact crankset (50/34)? Finally, the bar tape looks awfully thin. Has anyone opted to doublewrap or use Fizik bar gel to smooth out washboards?
Thanks... we'll see if I can stretch my dollars to make this a go anywhere, do anything COMFORTABLE bike, since I already have a dedicated mtb and roadie.
I got the bike and took it immediately on one of the more gnarly forest service roads in my area. I ride mtb with 1.9" tires, so the stock 40mm tires were not that far off.
First impression: The bike should've come with a second set of brake levers on the flats. I think that is a mod I am going to pay for. I nearly need dental work from the jackhammer effect of going down a rocky descent.
The bicycle itself is gorgeous, yes, even for an aluminum frame. I ride a Trek Madone 6.9 SSL on roads, so I have been spoiled by super light, super racy carbon. It may be time to make an honest change, since carbon wheels (and alloy wheels) just don't stop as well as I'd like in wet conditions. If I sell the Trek, I am putting carbon wheels on this bike, probably Zipp or Reynolds (or another disc brake carbon road wheel) That is where the most weight savings can be made, along with a 25mm tire for road use.
I plan to take this bike on the 6-gap century this fall. I will keep you up to speed on my mods, and give you a comparison of how this bike performs with my Trek (not that they're apples to apples, but just bike to bike). Stay tuned.......
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If you get a Haanjo in the meantime, please post your thoughts!