Saracen Eiger

[bornagainbiker]

I have just decided to get back into cycling for leisure and help recover some long lost fitness, I was never without a bike when I was younger.

I could not afford a lot to start with but I did manage to get an oldschool Saracen Eiger from ebay.

I am well happy with this.

Its a really comfy ride and its the firsty time I have been back on a cycle for years.

I remember these bikes being reasonably expesive in the 90's.

Anyone have any further info on this bike, or even better an old magazine review?

Was this a well received model? any hints or tips?

I have added a pic of my Eiger to the user album and is also attached.

 

[drystonepaul]

Very nice. There are a fair few fans of the old Saracens and this one looks in very good condition. I particularly like the colour matched reflector mounts.
Looks like a 1989/90 model and there are a few scans of the relevant catalogue here, courtesy of retrobikeguy:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c320/ ... npage1.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c320/ ... npage2.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c320/ ... npage3.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c320/ ... npage4.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c320/ ... npage5.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c320/ ... npage6.jpg

Unfortunatly there doesn't appear to very much reliable information around about early Saracens. There have been many requests on here for more info, to the extent that the search for a 1991 catalogue has been likened to the mythical quests of long forgotten legends.

But post up some pics in the Early Saracen Lovers Anonymous thread to satisfy our collective Saracenism:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40984

 

[bornagainbiker]

More pics to come

Thanks for the reply and info.

"likened to the mythical quests of long forgotten legends."

I love the statement above. Cool the brand still has a following then!

I will post some better pics tommorow in that section for you all to see, I only just collected it this evening gave it a good wash with some car shampoo and then lubed the chain and cables etc I am really happy with the condition, as you can never really tell from fuzzy ebay pics.

I did a google to see if I could find any info on it and found this forum.

I cant beleive I took my first ride on a cycle for about 6 years tonight and didnt fall off its seems like a great bike to get me back into cycling again who knows maybe even commuting in the future.

One quick question if I may as I have been out of cycling for ages, what would be the best tyres to get for this bike?

It will be mainly road use but I will be going down gravel paths and some ruff canal towpaths aswell.

 

[brocklanders023]

It looks just like my old '89 Tufftrax but with different decals. Love that colour blue for bikes.

I'd say it's a '90 as my Tufftrax had Mountain LX kit and I don't think they went to 300/400/500 LX untill 1990. If my memory is correct by '91 they had changed to wacky multi coloured paint jobs. :?

Looking through a 1989 MBUK and there seemed to be a lot of bikes from the same brand within about £20 of each other e.g Saracen Tufftrax £379, Saracen Traverse £399. Why make two models so close together??

You defo want to go on the main Saracen thread because those chaps have planet sized brains when it comes to retro Sara's.

 

[DeletedUser006]

Hello and welcome

I love it, looks almost new, Is a good bike to start your retro collection with

Your looks almost as it left the factory barring the tyres which would have been amber walled, I like the black ones with the black rims anyhow.

Its always good to get a used bike that still has the reflectors on, shows that it has not been hammered or seen much use.

Do you have any plans for it ? Are you going to keep it as it is ?

Cheers

 

[bornagainbiker]

I think the only thing I will change is the tyres for paths and roads use.

I was thinking of putting "Michelin Country Rock" road tyres on as I have seen some good reviews of them.

I start a new job Saturday and wanted a better way to commute than driving as its only couple of miles away by using a road then a nice smooth cycle path.

It will save petrol money and hopefully keep me fit, I have turned into a couch potato since getting a car

Also I did pick up some wind up LED rechargeable bike lights from Tesco and they are great, no batteries to buy they were about £9 on offer at the moment.

And if they do run out of power you just detach the headlight and give it a quick wind up.

I can some pics of the lights if anyone is interested?

Yes I am v happy with the condition I gave £62 for it, a bargain really as its pretty light for an old bike too, much lighter than the last Raleigh MTB I had.

I just thought that an old quality bike may be a better deal than a cheapo brand £99 modern one.

I did a trial run tonight and was knackered and sweating like a pig as I just aint fit, but once I do the run twice a day 5 times a week I should get fitter.

Thanks for the interest I will post some more pics with the new tyres in daylight.

 

[Viv1969]

Might be looking for some help soon on identifying an old Saracen. I'm an old Muddy fox man myself but love bikes in general. Anyway I also volunteer for a small charity supplying medical relief around the world and as a bike lover I was mortified to find non ride-able immediately bikes, were sold as scrap to raise funds to ship the medical supplies etc. Long story short I volunteered to fix up anything reasonable so it could go on fleabay, gumtree etc, most of which is non descript junk. But among the junk I've spotted an early Saracen... I think! plus obvious old rod pull break bikes I'm trying to rescue rather than let the multi coloured transit flat back "RAGANDBONE" type profit from. So main question is will someone take a look at photo's I'll post and give me a rough idea of year and value as a "retrobike" ;-). bit cheeky to ask I know, but I'm a cow pat splatting, branch in the face, oh sh*t, earth sky earth sky earth sky "is the bike alright?" type of person, with only honesty and a hatred of all religions except 'Mint Sauce' and rigid forks and flat rides now I'm old, oh and smoke dart combi. Photos next week. And unofficially anyone interested in a "Ride to Africa" fundraiser?
Thanks for reading guys
Appreciated
Viv

 

[drystonepaul]

Re:

Saracen is my chosen specialist subject. I'll happily try to identify whatever it is.

 

[doctorstewie]

The Eiger was a Halfords only version of the Tufftrax, that one is in great condition Good score.
I wish there were a few more small ones around.

 

[xxnick1975]

Re:

viv, we got the same religion bro, welcome to the church, get the pictures up and your prays will be answered