Saracen Team Traverse Project

[widowmaker]

Managed to be in the right place at the right time last Saturday morning when this Saracen Team Traverse was offered via the Karma route

After my initial euphoria, I thought I'd better check its for a tall chap like me and bingo it was

Well thanks to Rojo, this is what I brought home tonight.

Needs a clean, has a few superficial rust patches and a little dry bearings as you would expect from a bike that's been 'lazy' for a while but all in all a damn fine bike. My plans are to replace the hub and headset bearings, replace the bottom bracket with a cartridge type and keep my eyes peeled for some amberwalls.

Up tomorrow (today) and will commence the regrease etc, ready for a ride on Sunday

Well here she is warts and all

If anyone has and info on this model it would be appreciated, I have looked in the Catalogue section but can see this year listed.

 

[superstu]

That's a cracking bike!

 

[widowmaker]

That's a cracking bike!

Why Thank-you

I am looking forward to getting grubby mits on it after work. Hope to be riding this on Sunday

 

[3stonesteve]

That's a bit of a conundrum... The "Team Saracen" name on your downtube generally appears on models in the 1998 catalogue onwards, before that it's just "Saracen" albeit in that same font. Problem is the canti-brakes suggest its earlier as all 1998 on all have V-Brakes, unless the cantis have been retro-fitted?

Further info on the drivetrain and any other frame labelling may help pin it down, does it specify the tubing used - Tange, Hi-Ten or similar?

From what I can see it's gonna be towards the bottom end of the range, whatever year it is, what with the quill stem and integrated seat clamp. Don't be put off though, steel framed Saracens from this era generally ride nice even if they aren't the lightest! I have a '96 Powertrax and I love it's ability to be stiff, yet springy enough to be comfortable.

Cheers,

Steve.

 

[ultrazenith]

The shifters and cantis look like they may be altus. The Altus groupset seems to have stayed with cantilevers long after V-Brakes superseded cantilevers. (You can still buy Altus cantis at Chain Reaction Cycles!!)

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

I am fond of the old girl anyway, so am not put of with the fact that its low end, i will get some more info on the frame, groupset etc.

I know the frame is Tange, it has ST stamped on the bottom bracket shell. Ill find more when i give it a clean up.

My plans are just to get it greased up, some new cables and just use it.

And a few months get a Black Powdercoat done on it.

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

Does anyone know the bottom bracket on Saracens of this age ?

Trouble is I am working away during the week, the bikes at home :facepalm:

But I need to order a bottom bracket ready for this weekends ride :facepalm:

 

[widowmaker]

Re:

I have had a look at the catalogue scans and cant seems to shed any light on the age of this bike

Not that it matters, I have been around the block tonight and It rides really nice. Just curious what year it is.

I will grab some pics but the spec that I know so far is

Frame is Tange Cromoly butted
Wheels Weinmann 4019, Shimano FHRM40 hubs
Ritchey Megabite/Alphabite tyres
Ritchey Vector Saddle
Brakes are Shimano cantis no model numbers that I can see.
The stem and cranks have Team Saracen etched/decals on them.
The frame has Traverse special equipment on too.


So if anyone can shed any light on the year I would be gratefull.