1991 Saracen Tufftrax Extreme

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Picked this one up today, which I found while searching Facebook for a donor bike, for the diamondback frameset I'm building.

But I feel like it's too good for that really, so it may become the main project while any parts I upgrade will be moved over to the db. Either way I have a rider now and that's what I needed.

give me some ideas on what to do with it, I don't like the blue forks for starters. But everything else minus the grips seems to be original

Pics

 

[Tsundere]

Agree about the blue forks, are they original to the bike? For me they would look better yellow to match the details on the frame, or black to tie up with the stem, seatpost and chainset. I know it's a bit of a cliche but it could be ripe for a drop bar Grabbel™ conversion.

The frame graphics are great and it's definitely worth doing something with it.

 

[greencat]

I have a lot of nostalgia for that generation of Saracens. BITD, I had a Sahara from that year, and it looked and rode great.

I think the forks were originally the same colour as the frame...

I doubt the saddle is original, but much of the rest is. The tyres might be worth selling on.

 

[RetroDavy]

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/archive/1991-saracen-poster-catalogue.464/version/483/download?file=761326

Very nice!
Originally same colour forks? Looks like it.

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

I think were in agreement about the forks. Originally they were colour matched to the frame it seems, I think I'll probably paint them black to match the bar and stem. From googling it looks like the oem forks were more tapered in thickness, becoming thinner towards the axle

(Credit to drystonepaul for the use of his picture)

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

The tyres might be worth selling on.

The tyres are tioga farmer Johns nephew. I think they'll clean up okay, not got a clue what they're worth though

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Todays brought the best weather we've had all year so far so I've taken the bike for its first ride at weston super mare. The gears need a bit of fettling but the brakes are spot on. The foot harnesses on the pedals though are terrible and they'll have to be changed

 

[Tsundere]

Cool mural. It was a lovely day for a ride, the last time a Saracen was seen hanging from a tree was after the Battle of Jaffa during the 3rd Crusade.

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Cool mural. It was a lovely day for a ride, the last time a Saracen was seen hanging from a tree was after the Battle of Jaffa during the 3rd Crusade.

Gotta take any chance we get in this country, luckily I had the bike in the car boot still

 

[joglo]

actually, to me the blue fork looks even better as the original one with same color as the frame.
There is also a bit of similar dark blue in the decals.

Overall, i think especially the fresh and bulky colors and great decals style make this one a bit standing out of crowd, especially nowadays.
It looks a bit like putting a few different colored LEGO Birks together... Love it

Personally i would try to add maybe not too much but at least one more similar blue piece. Maybe the stem should be similar blue too?