Saracen Tufftrax.....from some time in the late 1980's

[k-rod]

isn't that tube cover a 'knacker saver' ?

 

[Muddy paw]

Haven't had a Retrobike for a while as a few long long projects just didn't get off the ground and I have been using my newer bikes. However I wanted another retro ride and has been waiting patiently.

This came up local pick up only on eBay. Not a terrible advert but no mention of model or spec and only one poor quality photo to show it. Anyway, auction ran and I won for £37.

Coomber picked it up for me today and has removed a horrendous gel seat and some plastic horrendous guards and I'm left with this beauty. Literally immaculate - hardly any use, could almost pass as NOS. I love it already!






Excuse my brothers poor quality pictures! Better ones will be taken in due course

Yes i saw this on the ebay thread and totally hated the guards and that shoulder carry protector or what ever it's called but i thought it looked really decent and any how i think what you have their is a 1989 model as i'm sure it was 1988 when Saracen stil had the U brakes on the chainstays any way heres another Saracen 1989 model ..

viewtopic.php?t=186262#p1408216

 

[ThomasElliott]

Re: Re:

Yours if you want to collect them or pay for postage!

If I had had a similarly blue frame to work with, I might just have taken you up on that!

 

[Kell]

I would have sworn I got mine in that colourway with those graphics in 1990, but that might be old age.

I got a Raleigh Maverick for my 16th birthday and, back then, no one knew any better so the shop sized it up like a road bike with only about an inch clearance between top tube and knackers.

I soon found out (the hard way) that this was too big and bought the Tuff Trax in a 19" frame as opposed to a 21" which the Maverick was.

 

[Kell]

Having said all that...

I was still in the Venture Scouts and we used to go away quite a lot Mountain Biking with other guys from there and I took the Saracen away with me. So that would make it before I was 18 And I was 18 in 1990...

What I do remember is that the Saracen bottle cages were indestructible. Not one for the weight weenies though.

 

[drystonepaul]

I would have sworn I got mine in that colourway with those graphics in 1990, but that might be old age.

Could have been knowing Saracen's flexible approach to bike specs.
The 1990 Eiger was definitely offered in that shade of blue. It was virtually identical to the 1990 Tufftrax apart from the colour.
To clarify; 1989 Tufftrax = blue, 1990 Tufftrax = magenta, 1990 Eiger = blue.

It could also be that you got a 1989 Tufftrax in 1990.

I get the triangle bag, but educate me please (!) what is the purpose of the top tube wrap? To ease carrying the bike up a mountain?

I had a 'Local Motion' corner bag in fluorescent pink, and I had one of those top tube padding things although not fitted at the same time.
They were indeed for those tricky bike 'portage' sections on epic mountain adventures or in my case mostly on my paper round.

I was always prepared to shoulder my 36 pound Peugeot Ranger ATB.
Actually, whenever the gradient meant that my puny teenage stick legs couldn't push the 28:28 lowest gear I'd normally have to get off and push.

 

[Rodrigues]

Love this bike. As you say, almost unused. Just incredible. Who buys a bike like this and doesn't ride it? No need for the top tube padding - clearly no balls

I guess this one was a late 1989 or even assembled in 1990 from 1989 frame stock. As Paul says it's definitely 1989 colour wise, but has the STI units found on the 1990 model.

Does it have mountain LX derailleurs or Exage?

 

[superstu]

Exage drivetrain I believe even the pedals

 

[superstu]

Maiden voyage was a success

 

[superstu]