Early Saracen Lovers Anonymous......

[Minifreak]

Currently own a 1995 Powertrax in almost original condition, only non catalogue part is the shifter/brake lever units and missing the toeclips and straps. Going to strip her down and give her a good check over, she'll then be for sale.

 

[Muddy paw]

Currently own a 1995 Powertrax in almost original condition, only non catalogue part is the shifter/brake lever units and missing the toeclips and straps. Going to strip her down and give her a good check over, she'll then be for sale.

That colour looks gorgeous Tim and will look even better with a cut n polish but so i can't wait to see it in all it's glory mate ..

 

[jaypee]

Dear all,
First time post and I need help identifying/dating my Saracen. This was my best mates bike back in the day it was bright green and top of the range at the time. I got it off him and did it up about 15 years ago (sprayed it grey) now it needs to go to someone who will appreciate it. I will be selling it ebay.
I think it is an early Killi Flyer Comp. It needs some attention, is this valuable?

Hi there and welcome..

Your bike is a 1988 Trekker (maybe a comp) it was just below the kili in Saracen's line-up,

Valuable... well an 87 Trekker just sold on ebay for £11.50, so I don't think you'll be retiring from selling it


Hope this helps kaya

Yes you'll never make a fortune from an old saracen but that is a well-loved model and you'll find plenty of people on here interested in it

 

[jaypee]

So, here's mine. I got this secondhand in 1989 and it was a couple of years old then. Not much of the original equipment left and now it is a fixed commuter. First pic was a couple of years ago with the original forks, second is with a front disc brake (so different forks)

It's just gone off to be repainted at Ellis Briggs but the transfers caused some confusion as H Lloyds - who supply most of them - had never seen this type before. I'm guessing it was something knocked up by Saracen.

ETA: it's 531 ATB. Originally had Suntour cantis and thumbshifters, which I still have. I have the original front wheel (Rigida black rim) and it has the original seatpost, but most of the rest of the original kit had been cannibalised before i got it.

Yes it's certainly a strange one, possibly replacement decals but strange to do that as early as 1989. With better pictures it might be identifiable. Do you still have the original forks?

 

[Tob]

Re:

As far as I know those are the original decals. I got it in 89 but it wasn't very old then and it has no signs of respray or decals replacement. The Evans head transfer and 531 ATB stickers are original and genuine as far as I can see.As I say, my best guess is that it was some sort of mash-up from Saracen.

Yes I have the original forks which I will keep in case I ever wanted to return it to its original spec.

Here's some more pics. As far as I can see it's a pretty standard late-mid 80s Saracen/Evans 531 ATB job.

Pretty scruffy on these pics, after a hard winter's commuting.

 

[kaya]

Re: Re:

As far as I know those are the original decals. I got it in 89 but it wasn't very old then and it has no signs of respray or decals replacement. The Evans head transfer and 531 ATB stickers are original and genuine as far as I can see.As I say, my best guess is that it was some sort of mash-up from Saracen.

Yes I have the original forks which I will keep in case I ever wanted to return it to its original spec.

Here's some more pics. As far as I can see it's a pretty standard late-mid 80s Saracen/Evans 531 ATB job.

Pretty scruffy on these pics, after a hard winter's commuting.

Hi Tob

If this had flat top forks I'd say it was a Conquest, but Saracen didn't start using your style of fork till 88.

But this is an Evans so they may have started using them before Saracen, if you have any original components you maybe able to date it from them, as some have date codes on them. here's a link.... http://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm

The decals are wrong but the head tube decals are correct, so I'd be going with decals from 85/7 ish.

Would love to see some pics of it clean

cheers kaya

 

[Henne]

Re:

Here is a Saracen Tuff Trax 1989 20" that I picked up last year. I had an 18" TT the same as this BITD and I have to say that the 20" is very nice and comfortable to ride for my height of 6 foot. The previous owner had it from new and used it mainly to go to the shops and to cycle the lanes of Surrey at the weekends with his wife. It has had some use but for it's age is in good condition. Still on original gears and cogs which are good for some more mileage too. I was using it on the original Nutrak 1.9 tan wall tyres and the tread on them was good apart from the flaky sidewalls. I had the rear go on me last week so I have grabbed a pair of blackwalls I had laying around just so it can be used. The previous owner added the rack and swapped the original Saracen saddle when he purchased it unfortunately. On the plus side, it came with the water bottle and cage too!

 

[brocklanders023]

Re:

Sweet, just like mine and same back story as I had an 18" bitd but my current 20" fits much better.

 

[Muddy paw]

Re: Re:

Here is a Saracen Tuff Trax 1989 20" that I picked up last year. I had an 18" TT the same as this BITD and I have to say that the 20" is very nice and comfortable to ride for my height of 6 foot. The previous owner had it from new and used it mainly to go to the shops and to cycle the lanes of Surrey at the weekends with his wife. It has had some use but for it's age is in good condition. Still on original gears and cogs which are good for some more mileage too. I was using it on the original Nutrak 1.9 tan wall tyres and the tread on them was good apart from the flaky sidewalls. I had the rear go on me last week so I have grabbed a pair of blackwalls I had laying around just so it can be used. The previous owner added the rack and swapped the original Saracen saddle when he purchased it unfortunately. On the plus side, it came with the water bottle and cage too!

Nice story and the TT looks great but is their any chance of a bigger pic as the current one doesn't do it justice and i had a 95 HT which was an 18" but kinda felt it was a tad smaller than i needed and i'm 5ft11" so whats your leg length if you don't mind me asking as mine is 29" and just wondering if i'd of fitted on a 20" frame ..

 

[Henne]

Re:

Yeah, tricky one MP. I have a 31" leg and 28" reach. You may find the TT a little high since it is not sloping. I will be posting a few more pics under Pre 97 bikes.