I am going to a few places this summer where I'll need to leave a bike locked up on the street. After being tempted on here by retro Muddy Foxes, Diamond Backs and all kinds of bikes from BITD, I decided that I couldn't bring myself to build them up with cheap tat or leave them unloved on the street. I still wanted something with patina and heritage rather than a BSO.
So....
Introducing the Yellow Peril Saracen Fasttrax! A heads up from DryStonePaul indicated this unloved Saracen on ebay: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=104118
A quick email to check if courier pickup is OK, click of buy it now and paypal and then over to these guys: www.parcelmonkey.co.uk £8 later and citylink got their mucky paws on it. I didn't enter the correct dimensions (as this would run to their more expensive service) and estimated the weight at 14kg.
I told the seller I wasn't fussed about packaging so the seller simply taped my address to the frame. A day later, here it is in its well used glory, wheels are straight, nothing got bent by the courier!
I think sometimes it is better to leave things with couriers unpackaged - as they take care wheeling the bike etc rather than throwing and dragging them.
Its a 1996/7 (I think) Saracen Fasttrax. Bottom of the range and retailed at around £300. The best bit is that everything seems to work! The rear tyre needs air and the pedals need replacing (I have some). If there's any trouble from the gears I will whip them off and single speed it.
Running total:
Bike: £15 from ebay
Courier: £8 via parcelmonkey
Total: £23 - I still have £7 to spend wisely
Frame: Saracen Fasttrax Tange MTB Butted Main Tubes
Fork: Saracen OE
Stem: Saracen by Kalin
Handlebar: Alloy
Barends: Yes, almost vertical
Brakes: Shimano Cantis
Brake Levers: Shimano integrated with 7spd shifters
Shifters: As above
Front Derailleur: Shimano
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SIS
Cassette: 7speed
Cranks: Shimano Altus
Pedals: worn out
Rims: Deep V replacements
Hubs: Shimano rear and bolted front
Tyres: Nice fat specialized commuter rear tyre
Saddle: Big fat thing
Seatpost: Stuck
Weight: Not as much as I was expecting!
So....
Introducing the Yellow Peril Saracen Fasttrax! A heads up from DryStonePaul indicated this unloved Saracen on ebay: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=104118
A quick email to check if courier pickup is OK, click of buy it now and paypal and then over to these guys: www.parcelmonkey.co.uk £8 later and citylink got their mucky paws on it. I didn't enter the correct dimensions (as this would run to their more expensive service) and estimated the weight at 14kg.
I told the seller I wasn't fussed about packaging so the seller simply taped my address to the frame. A day later, here it is in its well used glory, wheels are straight, nothing got bent by the courier!
I think sometimes it is better to leave things with couriers unpackaged - as they take care wheeling the bike etc rather than throwing and dragging them.
Its a 1996/7 (I think) Saracen Fasttrax. Bottom of the range and retailed at around £300. The best bit is that everything seems to work! The rear tyre needs air and the pedals need replacing (I have some). If there's any trouble from the gears I will whip them off and single speed it.
Running total:
Bike: £15 from ebay
Courier: £8 via parcelmonkey
Total: £23 - I still have £7 to spend wisely
Frame: Saracen Fasttrax Tange MTB Butted Main Tubes
Fork: Saracen OE
Stem: Saracen by Kalin
Handlebar: Alloy
Barends: Yes, almost vertical
Brakes: Shimano Cantis
Brake Levers: Shimano integrated with 7spd shifters
Shifters: As above
Front Derailleur: Shimano
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SIS
Cassette: 7speed
Cranks: Shimano Altus
Pedals: worn out
Rims: Deep V replacements
Hubs: Shimano rear and bolted front
Tyres: Nice fat specialized commuter rear tyre
Saddle: Big fat thing
Seatpost: Stuck
Weight: Not as much as I was expecting!