1996 Saracen Tufftrax. STX Groupset. Ritchey Finishing Kit. Original Factory Specification.

[enigma]

Lovely looking bike, screams nineties with purple paint instead of all purple anodised bits!
I would love one or even earlier e stay Saracen.
I've low mileage stx on a marin, it's slightly heavier but hard wearing and good looking.
I've got lx and xt and xtr bikes, and actually it's all very similar in use..!
8 speed xt is the pinnacle of smooth and nice finish, but I grew up stx level, I thrashed it.. it works and spares in nice nick are cheap.
Just like a lot of older cars you can have a lot of fun without being broke, just be being different.
Reckon you are in good company here, there's more riders than garage queen's I think still.
Enjoy the purple goodness .

 

[sefton1275gt]

spot on!

 

[SimonC100]

I have a Powertrax of the same era that I am putting back together. The Aheadset is in bits and looks like a typical threadless system. But there is an external circlip in amongst the bits that were bagged up as the headset parts. I can only think it is to hold the separate cable housing stop collar snuggly in place. Would that make sense, or does it go somewhere else on the headset? Any thoughts welcome. Thanks.

 

[XTSTIMAN]

If memory serves me right, the circlip goes last over the headset, beneath any spacers, keeping it tight on the steerer tube.

 

[SimonC100]

Ah, yes, that can make sense. Thank-you.