1992 Saracen Traverse - drystonepaul asked for pictures

drystonepaul, pictures as promised - thanks for the exploded diagram and spacer info (Shimano FH-M650). It did help me sort it out.

I don't suppose the bike will ever get a good clean/polish, so I took some pictures today.

The bike came with black brake levers and black Deore hubs fitted.

The front derailleur is Deore XT - I'm 99% certain that it was fitted as standard, I can't recall ever replacing the original DX.

Orange Alistalk fitted - I think the original Zoom eventually cracked.

Everything is original, apart from the chain, rear tyre, pedals and bar grips.

Years ago the bike went through a phase when rear wheel spokes were constantly breaking, I had it rebuilt, with new spokes.

The rear hub/axle (FH-M650) is a bit of a mystery.
I've measured the rear axle cone-flat to cone-flat - 119.0mm. If all the spacers, as per the Shimano diagram were fitted, the OLN would be 140.5mm. The measurement between the dropouts on the Saracen is 135.0mm. Either one, or both of the cones is non-standard by a total of 5.5mm.

I can't remember ever changing the axle and cones, but I must have done at some time (or non-standard fitting by Saracen. Maybe the LBS changed it when rebuilding the wheel).


http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/71 ... 338fh.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/dscf4336m.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/dscf4313a.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/dscf4312y.jpg/

Thanks for posting those up. It's great to see another one at last.
Your's looks to be in great condition. Looks like a 17" frame.

Here's the catalogue page for reference:

Ah... I miss the days when a fully-rigid steel bike could be marketed as offering 'thrilling downhill performance'

1992 Saracen Traverse

reply to drystonepaul:

Frame size:
(measured along seat tube)
15.5" mid bottom bracket to mid top tube
18.0" mid bottom bracket to top of seat tube

Thanks for the Saracen catalogue image - I had already saved it after reading your 'Completed for the OWMTBC' article some time ago.

Everything on it works nicely. I was going to use it as a pub bike, I've changed my mind - it's too good.

I've been out on it a several times over the past few weeks - I've noticed that the Saracen gel saddle/steel frame combination is really comfortable, no discomfort whatsoever after 3-4 hours yesterday, mainly off-road. Maybe my imagination, but it seems more comfortable than my aluminium 2007 GT Avalanche 1.0 (hardtail, eXotic rigid aluminium fork, Charge Spoon saddle).

You've probably got this anyway, but here's a link to the Saracen Deore DX catalogue (92DX.jpeg 305,523kB):

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FTlo_yrOCBA/S ... /92DX.jpeg