Al Carter Saratoga?

[burnsey602]

Took a punt on this today:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150862323351? ... 1497.l2649

Not quite sure what it is, i think its an Al Carter Saratoga, which from doing a bit of investigation is Townsends premium brand.

Anyone know much more about them, or this one in particular??

 

[lrh]

Probably 1000x less likely to crack than an Alpinestars

Looks like it's got Exage 300LX on it, so 1990-1992.

 

[REKIBorter]

legrandefromage is a big A la Carte fan

 

[burnsey602]

Looking forward to picking it up on Monday, will post some pics once collected.

 

[misteroo]

legrandefromage is a big A la Carte fan

Ive heard that too....doesn't stop talking about them!

 

[legrandefromage]

Ha!

Better than some that I've seen.

 

[Skinwhistle]

I bought one of these in '90 '91, as I liked the e-stay idea! Took me for miles this steed, can't remember the spec though?
But IMO it was virtually bomb proof!!!!
Enjoy
Please post some pics when you get it!
I'll try and dig some out of mine BITD

 

[burnsey602]

So i picked it up yesterday, first impressions are its a bit big. Probably about a 20" frame but ive not measured it as yet.

Right hand shifter has been replaced with an old sis thumb shifter so will need replacing, has Exage 300LX as stated by lrh.

Horrible plastic brake levers will have to go as well.

Has joytech hubs with araya rims, looks pretty clean with one or two scratches.

 

[lrh]

Frame looks identical to the un-identified (possibly Carrera) e-stay on eBay recently: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=210245

Possible that Townsend was making the low-end Carrera e-stays while Saracen was making the high-end ones.

Hubs and spokes are a bit far gone.