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There's no outsize wheels in either width or diameter, it's made of (SHOCK-HORROR) metal, not soot & plastic, and held together with an arcane, outdated welding method that makes it heavier. It's not got hub gears, it's not got hugely wide, nearly flat bars, lots of travel and I didn't even buy a lot of it new, including the frame (Thanks to Leku) Nothing shouts loud of GNARR or expense, nothing is tapered (Thank GOD!) press-fit or oversize, and worst of all, it really iz Sarcin, innit blud, the most uncool name you could possibly think of on STW
OK. I swapped my C456 for this, so no giggling at the back please, I'm the sensitive sort.
Go on then, have a laff 🙄
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8463713491_c5736c9119_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8463713491_c5736c9119_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8463713491/ ]IMG_1460[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8464808824_2ff34d5f09_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8464808824_2ff34d5f09_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8464808824/ ]IMG_1471[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8464813754_bdcf90d5b7_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8464813754_bdcf90d5b7_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8464813754/ ]IMG_1457[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8463724273_6f6efa4481_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8463724273_6f6efa4481_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8463724273/ ]IMG_1451[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8463721033_3f004cd087_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8463721033_3f004cd087_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8463721033/ ]IMG_1473[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8464816452_661c333e47_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8464816452_661c333e47_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8464816452/ ]IMG_1454[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
I like it. Very nice. Too clean though.
Very nice, wont the Inbred be sad 🙂
Bit too much panel-gap between the cupboard doors.
Nice work that man! Gorgeous colour too - resprayed or original?
That much seat post showing in an 853 frame - I hope you're a racing snake 😯
screw the name, that's lovely!
Nice looking bike!
Almost as lovely as when I had it.
Top build. Enjoy...
Much betterer than a fake plastic bike as it's steel so must be [i]real[/i]. Thumbs up.
CG - That's straight out of the factory like that. It appears to be a chrome frame, with paint over the chrome, masked off to reveal shinyness in strategic places
Too clean though.
Some of it has been used: Frame I bought used, wheels and brakes are getting on for 2 years old, seat post about 5 years old, used bars, secondhand tyres.
The best bit is I've added it all up and the whole bike has cost me £1190 over the years, including brand new forks and group set, Mavic/DT Swiss 240 wheels and Magura Louise carbons. The full bike was £2600 new, for a similar spec, with maybe slightly better forks.
To change from my C456, again including all those new bits, it's cost me £130.
Looks very nice, any reason for swapping the C456 for this or did you just fancy a change?
Meh, it's a bike. I'm more concerned about the windowsill getting a bit cluttered.
The nozzle of the washing-up liquid will get blocked if you insist on leaving the cap open.
UR BIKE IZ..... Very nice.
Saracen are on the up these days it'll soon be like the the 00's never happened, mark my words... the kidz will soon be badmouthing somebody else's bicycles. the real question is who?
That much seat post showing in an 853 frame
It's exactly the same amount as shows on my 5.5 year old 853 Inbred, and there's roughly 145mm of post inside the frame, which takes it to roughly the top of the cable stop for the front mech. The seat tube is IDENTICAL in length to my 16in Inbred. This is 14mm shorter so I just fitted a layback post. It feels perfect, but I've not been out for a ride yet, only up and down the road
Almost as lovely as when I had it.Top build. Enjoy...
Cheers mate, it's GORGEOUS! 🙂
LOL @ Mr A. Still got your Dawes SS? 😀
any reason for swapping the C456
Yes. But I'm not going into that now. 🙂
Last Saracen I had was in 1994. This almost makes me want another one.
Nice, needs an RCT3 damper and some tuning on the fork 😉
The stem, seems rather high 😉
1" 1/8 is retro cool now you know, like the Albert Classic.
It's gone through uncool to retro cool I reckon, I can see in a few years getting all misty eyed and saying how I can remeber when bikes were made of steel and had 26" wheels 😀
Nice. very nice.
Now, you make a big point of saying it hasnt got big wheels, loads of travel, wide bars etc. all that trendy stuff... but I notice it has got a 1x10 drivetrain, so ha! trendy boy. 🙂
(dammit. it's 2x10 isn't it?)
Nice, like the smooth welds and the cable stops. It's 853 so what's not to like?
Looks like a great build, quality components in fact I can't find anything to be hating on and I've tried.
😉
Being ultra picky I'd say there's no long to align with the valve on the front tyre and that's all I got.
but I notice it has got a 1x10 drivetrain, so ha! trendy boy
*Ahem front mech alert!*
yes you loose points for 2 X 10 😉
can't belive no one has come up with an issue with the kitchen or utensils yet 😯
Nice big bottle of Fairy, but now it's getting low it starts to become tiresome waiting for it to flow. My tip is to replace the cap as mentioned above, and use an empty glass to keep it upside down in leaning against the wall.
Very quick to dispense then and you use all thats left in the bottle.
Bike is gorgeous, but obviously, steerer is too long, as is the stem. Lovely apart from that though.
Looks the nuts. Don't go in for too much modern nonsense myself, if the bits you have work, would not bust a gut to change them.
Nice, needs an RCT3 damper and some tuning on the forkThe stem, seems rather high
What I DO need is a crown lockout lever to match this rather lovely pulley it has now.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8464812864_8ef6355fba_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8464812864_8ef6355fba_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/8464812864/ ]IMG_1468[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
I hate remote lock outs. I'll email you.
I knew someone would comment on the stem or steerer. I don't like or need a low front end. It might be adjusted but I WILL NOT be cutting the steerer any shorter. That's at 195mm now and that's where it's staying.
Here's a breakdown if anyone is interested
Saracen Kili Flyer, headset, seat QR £150 (Used)
RS Revelation RLC £295 (NEW)
Magura Louise Carbon £125 (Used)
DT Swiss 240/ Mavic 717 wheels £180 (All brand new bar the rear hub)
Maxxis Larsen Tyres £25 (Used)
SPD M520 £15 (NEW)
SLX Shifters £16 (NEW)
XT Cassette £40 (NEW)
XT M786 rear Mech £63 (NEW)
XT F.Mech, chain, XT chainset £173 (NEW)
Control Tech Seatpost £30 (NEW but 5 years old now)
Control Tech Stem £36 (NEW)
SDG Saddle £26 (Used)
Bars £FREE for a favour
Superstar Grips £12 (NEW)
Cables £4 (NEW)
TOTAL - £1190
Nice big bottle of Fairy, but now it's getting low it starts to become tiresome waiting for it to flow. My tip is to replace the cap as mentioned above, and use an empty glass to keep it upside down in leaning against the wall.
Very quick to dispense then and you use all thats left in the bottle.
phew was starting to get worried STW was broken
I'm sure there's a rule for stem height 😉 I was being ironic ish
Am currently running about 3 spacers ontop of my stem with steerer at 225mm albeit on a 'gate' sized frame
We've got the crown top kits for those.
Damn straight. In fact I recently doubled its value by fitting a new freewheel.
LOL! Excellent! 😀
When I had it...
[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7406988852_8b9acf1387.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7406988852_8b9acf1387.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/13146208@N08/7406988852/ ]IMG_0458[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/13146208@N08/ ]100%of thetime60%ofthetime[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Now..
[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8369285763_da6571eaf4.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8369285763_da6571eaf4.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/13146208@N08/8369285763/ ]IMG_0801[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/13146208@N08/ ]100%of thetime60%ofthetime[/url], on Flickr[/img]
saracens rock.
Did someone just post a funny sized wheel bike on PP's nice semi-retro bicycle thread? 🙁
Very nice 😀 it looks lovely, in fact I'm drooling at the sight of it..
Not the bike, it's nice.. but the cake on the windowsill looks scrummy...
650B Zen isn't it.? Niiice 🙂
Pete, I remember like it was yesterday when you posted pics of your blue 456 in front of your fire in the living room. Different part of the house, but the first thing it made me think of when I saw the pics above. 🙄
You'll not get to the sink if you leave your bike there
Otherwise, very nice...
26" wheels.
Just small frame..
Nice! Clean/neat looking HT's and a utility FS is where its at IMO.
One thing, your frame savers need turning around (pic 2) and what are you doing with a RED washing up brush?! Heaven's above! 😯
Nice. Very nice...
She's a beaut... I'm curious about the welds~ never seen a steel frame with such large radii like that~ almost looks like a cannondale or nukeproof alu frame where they do double pass welds.
Edit: Doh, I forgot about brazing... Monday morning numptiness
I thought nothing was oversize?
Where are the 'retro' 25.4 handlebars then...... 😉
Other than that, very nice.
Pete, I remember like it was yesterday when you posted pics of your blue 456 in front of your fire in the living room. Different part of the house, but the first thing it made me think of when I saw the pics above.
That's about 5.5 years ago now! In a different hose these days too!
That was my 853 Inbred, not a 456. I've still got it but it's changed a lot. Mainly becasue it's very versatile
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2426/3996208442_d65b6ebc7a_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2426/3996208442_d65b6ebc7a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/3996208442/ ]Inbred 013[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4016/4270552759_0f58a29f23_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4016/4270552759_0f58a29f23_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/4270552759/ ]IMG_1459[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
Then it broke, and returned like this:
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3156/2677327318_5f0f4097c8_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3156/2677327318_5f0f4097c8_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/2677327318/ ]IMG_7246[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
And now it's doing this:
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/5901984405_1c2e9d175d_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/5901984405_1c2e9d175d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/5901984405/ ]IMG_1412[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
I had this for a while as well. Snapped it 🙁
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2663/3995511353_91b390442c_o.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2663/3995511353_91b390442c_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/peter_atkin/3995511353/ ]ygpC8CD[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/peter_atkin/ ]PeterPoddy[/url], on Flickr
I lke the union jack stem cap, nice little touch.
Can't see the Sarcin pics dude....
Really nice bike that. I remember it from when Leku visited us for a day, there was a bit of bling about that day but Leku´s bike stood out. Here´s it in action, I think,
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8464016371_88dd2cdc52_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8464016371_88dd2cdc52_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/basquemtb/8464016371/ ]Leku´s Lovely Saracen on "All Along the Watchtowers"[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/basquemtb/ ]basqueMTB - mountain biking holidays[/url], on Flickr
Very nice build.
the tension of the third spoke clockwise from the valve on the front wheel looks tight. did you build it? perhaps you should have a qualified mechanic look over it just in case?
did you build it? perhaps you should have a qualified mechanic look over it just in case?
LOL! 🙂
I did build the wheels. I am a qualified mechanic. 😛 😉
Doug, nice to see it being used. It's bloody snowing/sleeting here now. Perishing it is 🙁
it's made of (SHOCK-HORROR) metal, not soot
Of course without the soot that steel bike would be made of iron. Nice though.
I am a qualified mechanic.
'newly' qualified 😉
shouldn't the bike have 'P' plates on it?
'newly' qualified
True. More experience than most, mind...... I started on a Raleigh Boxer in 1974. 😉
shouldn't the bike have 'P' plates on it?
Nahh. I just shouldn't be riding it. It's too god for me.
Yep, like that very much and a lovely colour.
I've got an old (92 I think) Trekker Elite sat in the garage at my parents house. Still got the original exage groupset on it too 🙂
Out of interest where did you get the frame protectors/bumpers that fit over the cables?
Tragic that the hub logo is not aligned with the valve on the front rim. It's ruined I tells ya.
I'm willing to take it away to spare you the shame 😉
really nice build.
campy type headsets ftw.
Out of interest where did you get the frame protectors/bumpers that fit over the cables?
Decathlon in Reading.
Did I see the frame changing hands at the Bristol bike jumble the other weekend? Wasn't sure what it was.
P.S. Your kitchen looks almost identical to mine, only your's is tidier. (B&Q oak doors if I'm not mistaken)
You're going to need a front mud guard, skinny tubes make mud a real issue. You could probably cut up a bit of the C456 to make a nice DIY one.
The Kili still looks very small with that much seatpost. Pretty but tiny.
mmm, steel HT with mid travel forks, sensible kit and a nice paint job? Why yes, I do like. 8)
I've got perfectly functional HTs in plastic and aluminium, why do they not seem like "proper" bikes? is it some yearning for the olden days* when everything was made of pig iron?mmm, steel HT with mid travel forks, sensible kit and a nice paint job? Why yes, I do like.
Anyway, ooooooh niiiiiiice.
*dunno why I was a crap rider back then and was riding even crappier bikes
I've got perfectly functional HTs in plastic and aluminium, why do they not seem like "proper" bikes?
I refer the poster to my original post, and my choice of bike. This post is in no way negative in anyway against any other frame material.[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/7824034278_1553950bdc_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/7824034278/ ]Comrie Croft pump jump track[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
Did I see the frame changing hands at the Bristol bike jumble the other weekend? Wasn't sure what it was.
Yep. That was me 🙂
P.S. Your kitchen looks almost identical to mine, only your's is tidier. (B&Q oak doors if I'm not mistaken)
You are mistaken. It may look the same but it came from ABC Magnum in Aldershot. Free plug for those guys because they are very, very good. And cheaper than most too. 🙂
You're going to need a front mud guard,
I has crudcatcher bosses 😀
Lovely.
I'm missing my Genesis latitude 853 immensely right now, it was pretty similar to your Saracen, likely from the same factory as they are both Madison brands.
I have just built up a ti flyer and can,t understand why mine has not got the sloping top tube 😥 is it because it,s a 21" ?
[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/62407303@N03/8466136836/ ][img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8466136836_26e24d23c3.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/62407303@N03/8466136836/ ][img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8466136836_26e24d23c3.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/62407303@N03/8466136836/ ]P1030208[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/62407303@N03/ ]zonda200[/url], on Flickr
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I would to terrible, terrible things with a bucket of the paint used for OP's frame...
What I meant to say is that it's utterly gorgeous.
Marina says sod the bike, can we have more pics fo the house 😉 (do I know the house btw?)
OP. That's nice. Apart from the stem / bars breaking The Rules. [i]#Shakes head disappointedly[/i] 😉
yes i am aware of the stem,but the bars ? fill me in or i won,t sleep tonight 🙂
Nicest looking bike I've seen in a while PP. Only thing I'd change would be some slightly lower rise bars (and possibly the tyres), but that's personal preference.
I was on the lookout for a 17" version of the same frame myself recently, when they were clearing them out cheap. But it seems they only had 15's and 21's left! 🙁 Shame as I absolutely love the colour and the fillet brazed 853 tubes! Ah well, I'll just have to stick with my Ti Genesis Altitude for a while longer I suppose... 😉
stem / bars breaking The Rules.
What 'rules'?
Whose 'rules'?
I don't need no stinkin' RULES!
Not mine. 🙂 I already had the post and bars, the only thing I bought was the stem. If you look on the Saracen website, that's how they built it. Black bars and post, white stem, black and white saddle. It works well IMO 🙂
Marina says sod the bike, can we have more pics fo the house (do I know the house btw?)
Oh, I don't know. We lived here when you were at our wedding 🙂
Only thing I'd change would be some slightly lower rise bars
I know what you mean but I like those Eastons, there's bugger all wrong with them and the position seems fine from a quick ride round the street. I'll see how it goes but considering I'm unemployed right now, I think I'll hang on for a while.
I wanted some carbon bars, but all the ones I was prepared to buy (no way I'm spending £100+, they simply aren't worth it) were 660mm. The Eastons are a perfect 685mm, and you don't get a better bar anywhere than an EA70
🙂
I like that, loving the colour too!
That's fair enough PP, position is a personal thing, I like my bikes with lower and wider bars tis all. And don't bother with Carbon bars, waste of money. Been there, done that, they're not a huge amount lighter (100g that you can easily save elsewhere for less money), and whilst they're not that fragile, I do know a couple of people that have overtightened their lockon grips and ended up ruining a £100 handlebar! I'm sticking with ally from now on... Cheaper to buy in nice widths (720+) too!
Looks good Pete..
Is it a slightly faded Cotic?
Is it a slightly faded Cotic?
No offence but it's a nicer and better made frame than a Cotic. 🙂
Jay - I might even get out for a ride this week too...!
Is it quite a short bike (tt length)? Not a criticism, just curious.
nice build, chain looks slack, but I'm sure it's just the angle the pictures taken at.
and whilst they're not that fragile, I do know a couple of people that have overtightened their lockon grips and ended up ruining a £100 handlebar!
Uh huh and that's carbons fault how?




