Haro Bicycles Signs Greg Watts

+ 6

CasinoBicycles (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:43)

Being a Gary Fisher and Trek dealership, for 2010 Trek has positioned Gary Fisher as a dominate 29" wheel company; their new line up of 29" bikes are awesome. With this in mind, Greg's efforts as a freerider / slopestyle contestant do not match up anymore with the Gary Fisher brand's marketing plan. Because of this, Greg was forced to look elsewhere for a company's assistance that does coincide with his goals.

As an ex pro downhill rider, bicycle distributor, bicycle manufacture, and shop owner, I have seen and played the sponsorship game for over ten years. Back in the late 90's, almost all pro's had factory rides, which is why the sport was so glorious. Now, very few pros have factory rides and the sport has suffered due to this. So props to Greg and anyone who can find a company to represent them. One thing to remember about racing bicycles is we do it for the chicks and the money... cause there is neither in this sport.

+ 2

nyterider Plus (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:59)

I completely agree with you here.... Gary Fisher may be moving on but why not keep him around for the younger "slopestyle" generation to help sell their other ie. DJ and Slopestyle bikes.

+ 2

nyterider Plus (Nov 9, 2009 at 14:01)

by slopestyle i mean xc/am turned into slopestyle bikes Wink

+ 1

iwantapinkbike (Nov 9, 2009 at 14:53)

money maybe not... but chicks? really? there are a lot more in the sport for sure!

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+ 7

milanboez (Nov 9, 2009 at 12:01)

be nice to see a pick of his new ride

+ 0

liam-t (Nov 9, 2009 at 12:02)

yh i agree man

+ 2

ctbiker888 (Nov 9, 2009 at 12:03)

he'll probably end up ridng Porter's new SS rig. check it out on haro's website

+ 1

saint76 (Nov 9, 2009 at 12:13)

thats sick good for him!

+ 1

suicidedownhiller (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:02)

Um...I'll be the one to say it, Why haro? If you were that good, why?

+ 8

konad (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:09)

i thought romanuk already dealt with that controversy, oviously he knows what he is doing they have a few good freeriders now. sponsorship deals are probably good with haro.

+ 4

bike-person (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:30)

Keep On Keepin' On

+ 13

dotca (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:45)

Why not Haro? Haro has the money to make things happen, and be a great team. Look at Ryan Nyquist on their BMX team. He's been on there for a long time. Doesn't seem like he hates it... Now, don't give me this their bikes are garbage stuff, as really, that's not true... Stoked to see Watts on Haro, good for him.

+ 8

jumble Plus (Nov 9, 2009 at 14:04)

It really is fantastic news for Haro and Gregg! And as a first hand witness of the Haro guys and team support they offer - they really care about you and make sure you are ok with all aspects of life and riding. They go above the call of duty and are fantastic sponsors! Glad it has finally been announced - wanted to burst when i heared this the other day!

+ 17

bike-person (Nov 9, 2009 at 14:21)

Ha, he said "duty"

+ 2

Rattsl (Nov 9, 2009 at 14:32)

This is gonna be like Trek with McCaul and Semenuk, one bike, two completely different setups. A Fox suspension group on one and a Rockshox component group on the other.

+ 4

corsair711 (Nov 9, 2009 at 15:01)

Rattsl: Yeah, Except McCaul and Semenuk have two different frames.

Suicide Downhiller: They make a sick slope frame now, and you can't really mess up a hardtail. Why not Haro? If I was Greg (and I pretty much am, we look identical) I'd go to whatever brand wants me the most, as long as they're willing to work with me for my needs.

+ 4

suicidedownhiller (Nov 9, 2009 at 19:19)

I guess I look at it as more of a freeride/DH perspective, where haro fails pretty hard. They've got good budget bikes though

+ 1

dotca (Nov 9, 2009 at 19:22)

They haven't been in the 'extreme' mtb business for that long. Remember that. They are still trying to get everything dialed, and testing out what sells and what not. With the help of Watts, I see that growing majorly.

+ 1

ctbiker888 (Nov 9, 2009 at 19:24)

As well with other aspects of riding. a friend of mine, Mike Steidley, signed with them being the National Champ (US) for trials a while back, he's been doing alot of work with them on getting some trials frame going and get Haro's name big in other places.

All in all, this should be good for watts, a solid bike and an upandcoming company

+ 2

DylSay (Nov 9, 2009 at 21:12)

i woulda asked trek

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+ 3

mxnate (Nov 9, 2009 at 15:44)

Trust me, I used to work for Haro and they are 110% committed to making wicked bikes and supporting wicked riders. I know Gregs career will continue to go up on a Haro (pun), he will have every bit of technical and professional support he will ever need. Now they just need to start working on "the Watts" pro frame, get to work Varley!

+ 1

LycraKing (Nov 10, 2009 at 7:51)

Varley hasn't worked for Haro for years!

+ 1

mxnate (Nov 10, 2009 at 17:12)

Thats what you get for being a name dropping Tool. Im sure most of the people I worked with are gone by now, I shoulda kept in touch...my loss.

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+ 2

binman (Nov 10, 2009 at 8:31)

Haro is a great company with deep roots in this category. They have listened to Porter and created an awesome frame, and i am sure they will follow suit and give Watts rider input to co-create another awesome bike in their lineup. their bikes are hard to beat for the money, and i've always received superior customer service and support. so many of today's bikes are over-hyped and cost prohibitive, and Haro is still in touch with their core customer. i will continue to expect great things with the addition of Watts to Haro. i think it is a very nice feather in Haro's cap. and props to Watts for finding an awesome company to work with. pro riders have it very hard out there finding sponsors and making it work for them.

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+ 1

ridefreeride (Nov 9, 2009 at 21:46)

I like my Haro its a prety solid ride with desent specs (stock)
Haro is just underated due to its assosiation with bmx and the fact that the company's not a thorough bred mtb brand.

Greg will make Haro shine

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+ 3

elbry (Nov 9, 2009 at 12:02)

gregs been on fisher a long time and only come good this year, maybe new employer will do him good...

+ 3

ryanl2519 (Nov 9, 2009 at 15:17)

only come good this year? by that if you mean he only became good this year, you my friend are an idiot. Watts has always been INSANE at riding. only recently has he shown himself in big competitions aka the win at crankworx. watts has been throwing down for a long time now. actually i was surprised to find out he's only 22.

+ 4

cdavis (Nov 9, 2009 at 18:57)

Watts has been throwing down for ages dude; the first one on MTB to land a double backflip, flipwhip, flip BB ceiling stall, 360 doublewhip, flip doublewhip, triple trucks, backflip triple barspins...the list goes on. He does look a lot older than 22 though.

+ 3

elbry (Nov 9, 2009 at 22:50)

as in his only big win being crankworx this year..

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+ 3

cgroves Plus (Nov 9, 2009 at 15:46)

Its good to see Watts found a bike sponsor after Gary Fisher dropped him unexpectedly. Way to go Watts!!!

+ 2

me2menow (Nov 9, 2009 at 19:59)

why would fisher drop him? he gave them a pretty good name (but i guess he wasnt really selling products, but hey neither is trek for ss)

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+ 2

dannybanks (Nov 10, 2009 at 6:38)

rear swingarm looks familiar, its almost identical to the shape of the cannondale perp, imagine that..

+ 1

ridefreeride (Nov 10, 2009 at 17:34)

thats actualy pretty much the same arm as they have on all their FS bikes exepth the sonix

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+ 3

travisfoxx (Nov 9, 2009 at 20:59)

i dont think haro sucks but if i were him i would choose something else

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+ 1

ragdoll (Nov 9, 2009 at 15:33)

nice one greg. haro rocks, i dont care what the haters say. they have a great team and i think it has put him in a good postion to further his career. good luck man.

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+ 1

katinasd (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:56)

Wanna know how much Greg is getting for it, he's one of the best riders at this moment... Good luck dude!

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+ 2

epavichthesavage (Nov 10, 2009 at 10:31)

Greg is going to put haro on the map now

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+ 1

freeride603 (Nov 9, 2009 at 14:41)

that kid kills it.. no doubt. and that haro ss bike is sick. hes going to be a force for a while.

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+ 1

crash21 (Nov 10, 2009 at 18:56)

porters nice, but the sonix looks like it could potentially be a sick slopestyle type bike..

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+ 2

unclesmokey84 (Nov 9, 2009 at 12:51)

sucks fisher couldn't support him anymore

+ 2

marlon-d (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:00)

gary fisher (the bike company) sucks now. bigtime. is cool to see someone like this on the haro team.

+ 3

unclesmokey84 (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:09)

pretty baseless their 29ers are awesome. as far as catering to the "free ride" comunity your right. but to say they suck as a company that is far fetched to say the least.
if you think different it is your right, but go and ride some of there bikes the hifi the superfly the rosco all very dope XC all mnt bikes

+ 1

marlon-d (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:15)

i would very much like to try the roscoe

+ 1

six-feet-under (Nov 9, 2009 at 13:49)

Ya they definately stopped trying with their gravity bikes years ago.

+ 2

corsair711 (Nov 9, 2009 at 15:02)

They were planning on manufacturing Greg's slope bike, right? I wonder how that goes, now?

+ 1

unclesmokey84 (Nov 10, 2009 at 6:45)

what i heard was it is a bike made just for greg so i bet we here nothing about it any more. they will focus on the XC game and let trek take it over with the whole gravity thing.

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