FIRST IN FREESTYLE

1984 - 1986

It was the dawn of a new era. The mid-1980s witnessed the rise of freestyle as a global sport - supported by a thriving industry and a national contest circuit. With the launch of FREESTYLIN' Magazine in the summer of 1984, the sport had its own dedicated media source – one that spoke the language of the fans and covered every conceivable angle from within the scene.

The market for new products emerged rapidly in the early 1980s following nationwide tours carried out by the Haro Freestyle Team and The BMX Action Trick Team. Each show created an immediate demand for products and accessories. Infatuated kids flocked to local bike shops, which in turn, scrambled and hustled to satisfy the escalating demand. New brands and enterprises flooded the pages of the magazines, promoting "must-have" components – some genuinely innovative, others that missed the target altogether. The scene had a momentum that suggested a prosperous future, not only in the United States but also in Europe and as far afield as Australia. Despite its exponential growth, the epicenter of the BMX freestyle movement, along with the factors informing its culture, and growth, remained firmly rooted in southern California.

Haro's growth plan in the early 1980s revolved around consolidation, as well as leading-edge product design. Jim Ford identified the historical best sellers in the Haro product line and expanded the catalog to include new colors and designs. And through Bob Haro's vision, the company continued to innovate. While Bob focused on product innovation, design, and overseas promotion, Jim headed up distribution and operations as General Manager. In addition to the launch of the Haro Freestyler, the productive partnership launched several best-in-class product lines in 1982 and 1983, including the Haro Vented Race Pants, The "Big H" jersey, two new number plate models, and a detailed "how-to" trick riding manual, titled; Bob Haro Freestyle Moves.

The year 1984 launched a new era of critical innovation, and evolution, at Haro Designs. The introduction of the Haro Freestyler frame and fork in 1982 demonstrated Haro's ambitions and enabled the company to scale. But demand for the new model escalated rapidly in 1983, putting pressure on frame builder, Torker's, production capabilities. Although Haro's plan centered on Torker's proven ability to produce excellent quality products, Ford and Haro were already looking ahead towards the next milestone - the delivery of an out-of-the-box, complete freestyle bike. Few, if any, bicycle manufacturers in the US had the resources to manufacture and assemble in-house. The Taiwanese, however, had developed a highly efficient, inclusive process in the 1970s to satisfy demand during the 10-speed boom era. With most of the bicycle component makers operating from small factories in Asia, sourcing was equally as fast and economical. In the summer of 1984, Haro took a leap of faith and tooled up for a new era of production with Anlen Industries in Taichung.

Despite the inevitable shift from domestic, to overseas, manufacturing, Haro remained loyal to their US-based frame builder and in January of 1984, a new model came to life on the fixtures at Torker. The Haro Master represented Bob Haro's vision for the ultimate freestyle vehicle – born from the Freestyler concept but featuring a series of improvements and refinements informed by rider feedback.

The next big statement was another entirely new concept; the Haro Sport. The rapidly evolving vert scene demanded dedicated equipment with better handling. The Sport featured an extended wheelbase making it more stable at speed, and in the air. A standing platform around the seat mast provided some extra versatility, and the frame entered the market in around May of '84.

In October, Haro delivered the third of a bike range that set the standards in the Sport for the decade ahead. The Haro FST – Freestyle, Street, or Track, targeted entry-level riders. Built from quality raw materials and available as a complete bike, the FST was affordable but carried the same striking graphic scheme as the Sport and Master. The 1984 Haro Freestyle range set the tone and the standards in the scene and became the companies blueprint for continued success throughout the 1980s.

Aside from product development, the business of promoting the company brought a group of talented new riders together. For the leading bicycle brands, the tried and tested formula for success was simple – assemble a team, hook a portable ramp to the hitch of a Chevy Day Van, and stage freestyle shows at bike shops all summer long. In the summer of 1984, San Diego locals Marc McGlynn, and Tony Murray joined the Haro Freestyle team, having made a name for themselves riding in The King of the Skatepark's series at The Pipeline in Upland, and the Skate Ranch in Del Mar.

The universally-talented ramp and flatland rider Ron Wilkerson signed on as a team rider in the fall of 84, with additional duties as Haro's Freestyle Team Manager. Ron left sponsor GT and relocated from Novato in northern California to Leucadia in San Diego. Brian Blyther was another prodigious vert rider and a member of the legendary community that called the Pipeline Skate Park in Upland there second home in the early 1980s. Blyther's smooth, at times effortless, style put him in contention in the pro ranks, and his smooth transition to riding ramps made him a mainstay of the touring team through the mid-to-late 80s.

East coast vert rider Joe Johnson joined the team in December of 1985, following a recommendation from Ron Wilkerson, and the submission of a video of Johnson riding his famed backyard ramp set-up. Dennis McCoy became Haro's first out-of-state recruit in the November of '84. The all-rounder from Kansas City debuted at an AFA contest in Pleasanton, California, in March of 1985, and immediately and made an immediate impact with fast-linking runs – honed on the streets, and in the underground parking garages of his home city. McCoy's strengths on-ramps were also evident. His domination of the overall category in the "Overall" category during the mid-1980s challenged every rider in the scene to reevaluate their game plan.

In 1986, Haro ventured into the BMX Racing market with a dedicated bicycle range. Having collaborated with the top tier race brands, and riders through the early 1980s, providing dual-branded number plates and team clothing, productive, yet, non-competitive relationships developed that benefitted all parties. But as the freestyle market continued to grow exponentially, many of the established race brands developed freestyle specific products. This shift in loyalties left a clear path for Haro to unveil its new Racing Division, and newly recruited AA Pro racer; Pete Loncarevich at the ABA Grand’s in Oklahoma in November of 1985. The companies first complete race bike – The Haro Group 1 RS1 - made a definite statement, with a high-spec component group and stunning graphics. When the prodigious Mike King also signed on to race for Haro in 1986, the company enjoyed immediate success and was quickly recognized as a leading force in the sport.

The mid-1980s was a pivotal era for Haro Designs, as the company scaled and capitalized on the exponential growth of the freestyle market. The three-bike line up of the Master, The Sport, and The FST was the most advanced range of bicycles available, and Haro's rider roster included the most exciting young talent in the scene.