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I've had a build thread of this bike sitting on other sites for a while and thought it was about time I share the journey of the Saracen with RB.
I bought this bike in May 2009. I was on a big budget and just needed something that was ok specced and could take my riding style. This bike retailed at £799, but I picked it up from Wiggle at around £450. For a bike with dual piston hydraulic discs, RS Tora forks etc it was a bargain.
The spec stayed original for a while, until around November 2009 when I fancied a long travel full suss bike. I picked up a Kona Coiler frame from eBay and a set of Marzocchi 66 forks from Bike Radar and set about swopping the parts from the Mantra on to the new frame.
This was a great bike, but I couldn't get on with it. It weighed a ton and didn't climb well at all. It decended superbly, but I didn't want to compromise and have to struggle bobbing along on climbs. So the frame and forks were sold and I went back to original spec again.
This is how it stayed until early summer 2010, when I started upgrading the Mantra. As much as my snobbery dislikes the fact that it is a Saracen, I can't fault it. The frame is spot on, not too heavy but nice and stiff. Plus it's always good to fly past people on £2k+ bikes on a Saracen
So this is how it stands today:
Spec:
Frame: 2009 Saracen Mantra Three 17"
Fork: 2008 Marzocchi XC 600 TST2
Headset: No name Black aheadset with cartridge bearings
Stem: 70mm Specialized - Black
Handlebar: FSA XC-280 riser
Grips: DMR
Brakes: Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic with 180mm front rotor and 180mm rear rotor
Shifters: Shimano SLX
Front Derailleur: Shimano SLX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Derailleur Cables: White outers, standard inner.
Cassette: SRAM PG50 9sp
Chain: SRAM 69
Cranks: Shimano XT Hollowtech 2
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT Hollowtech 2
Pedals: Crank Bros Egg Beaters
Hub Skewers: No name QR - Black
Wheels: Superstar Components Subzero XC/AM
Tyres: Continental Mountain King 2.4"
Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL
Seatpost: Saracen "Blade" alloy micro adjust black finish (logo removed)
Seatpost Binder: No name QR - Black
Weight: N/K - 27lbs?
Future plans - None really. Would like some 2.2" tyres for winter to drop a bit of rolling resistance. Other than that I'm just going to ride it and save up for something new (although will keep the Mantra).
I bought this bike in May 2009. I was on a big budget and just needed something that was ok specced and could take my riding style. This bike retailed at £799, but I picked it up from Wiggle at around £450. For a bike with dual piston hydraulic discs, RS Tora forks etc it was a bargain.
The spec stayed original for a while, until around November 2009 when I fancied a long travel full suss bike. I picked up a Kona Coiler frame from eBay and a set of Marzocchi 66 forks from Bike Radar and set about swopping the parts from the Mantra on to the new frame.
This was a great bike, but I couldn't get on with it. It weighed a ton and didn't climb well at all. It decended superbly, but I didn't want to compromise and have to struggle bobbing along on climbs. So the frame and forks were sold and I went back to original spec again.
This is how it stayed until early summer 2010, when I started upgrading the Mantra. As much as my snobbery dislikes the fact that it is a Saracen, I can't fault it. The frame is spot on, not too heavy but nice and stiff. Plus it's always good to fly past people on £2k+ bikes on a Saracen
So this is how it stands today:
Spec:
Frame: 2009 Saracen Mantra Three 17"
Fork: 2008 Marzocchi XC 600 TST2
Headset: No name Black aheadset with cartridge bearings
Stem: 70mm Specialized - Black
Handlebar: FSA XC-280 riser
Grips: DMR
Brakes: Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic with 180mm front rotor and 180mm rear rotor
Shifters: Shimano SLX
Front Derailleur: Shimano SLX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Derailleur Cables: White outers, standard inner.
Cassette: SRAM PG50 9sp
Chain: SRAM 69
Cranks: Shimano XT Hollowtech 2
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT Hollowtech 2
Pedals: Crank Bros Egg Beaters
Hub Skewers: No name QR - Black
Wheels: Superstar Components Subzero XC/AM
Tyres: Continental Mountain King 2.4"
Saddle: SDG Bel Air RL
Seatpost: Saracen "Blade" alloy micro adjust black finish (logo removed)
Seatpost Binder: No name QR - Black
Weight: N/K - 27lbs?
Future plans - None really. Would like some 2.2" tyres for winter to drop a bit of rolling resistance. Other than that I'm just going to ride it and save up for something new (although will keep the Mantra).
