2013 ELITE BIKE CHECK with Kurt Pickard. HARO Blackout

Feb 21, 2013

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 22175 times

Name: Kurt Pickard
Hometown: Tauranga NZ
2013 team: Haro NZ, High Performance NZ team
Bike: 2013 Haro
Sponsors: Haro, Box Components, 2XU, Oakley, Go Fast, ilabb.

-Frame: 2013 Haro Blackout 21.5
-Forks: Cliq 20mil
-Headset: Promax 45/45
-Stem: Box Delta stem 53mm

-Bars: Box Maximus
-Grips: ODI
-Bar ends: ODI
-Brake lever: Box Genius Level (prototype left)
-Brake caliper: Box Eclipse
-Brake shoes: Box Xray
-Chain: Black 3/32 half link (so i get my wheel back further)
-Chain tensioners: Box Limit
-Sprocket: Rennen
-Cranks: Cliq
-Bottom Bracket set: Box Extremum (ceramic)
-Pedals: Shimano DX (custom cut and ceramic)
-Seatpost: Box Echelon
-Seat: Box Echelon
-Front tire: 1.75 Maxxis Torch
-Front rim: Devient soon to be Box
-Front hub: Race ceramic Carbon
-Rear rim: Insurgent soon to be Box
-Rear tire: 1.5 Maxxis DTH

-Rear hub: Race ceramic Chris King
-Number plate: Waiting on a Box plate
-Padset: those went out in 2000?

Weight: 9kg

New bike for 2013. Tell us all about your new deal with HARO?
Kurt: Super pumped to be back on a Haro, I rode a Haro for most of my childhood so it's good to be back. My deal is with Haro NZ and I hope to make a long term shift to the states 2015 and 2016.

Did the bike feel good right from the start?
Kurt: I was fortunate enough to jump straight on the #blackout frame and I know Derek had put some time into this frame. After the first lap or first sprint session I was stoked with it. Haro keep a slightly longer back end than most and I'm all about that.

How long did it take you to get used to your new bike?
Kurt: I tent to notice all small changes on my bike and I'm quite fussy with my set up, but I felt at home within the first lap.

Are you into the stealth look?
Kurt: For sure! nothings better than flat black.

How long are your cranks nowadays and what gearing do you normally run?
Kurt: I'm using the Cliq 175mm and a 47/17. I wouldn't really change my gearing unless it's a real flat hill like at an ABA race I would go down to the smaller rings like a 44/16.

What part do you replace most often during the season?
Kurt: Nothing feels better than replacing a chain, cable and grips.

If that new carbon frame would make it your way, would you ride it?
Kurt: You bet! I should have mine in a few weeks, going to be so Legit. With the carbon frame having an extra wide BB and able to run 20mil hubs I think it's going to be a new market leader.

Thanks to: First of all Thanks Bart for the catch up! Also thanks to Tony at Haro NZ, Derek Betcher, Stacey and the guys at 2XU, Oakley, The Rad dudes at Ilabb, Go Fast and of Corse Toby and Michael at Box Components/Promax.