First Look - Saracen 2014

Published: 21st August 2013 | By AngusMcIntosh

Countless hours/days/weeks have been lost with forum based ranting/discussion/meltdown on the new 27.5” wheel format that many haven’t even ridden! Fact is 27.5” wheels roll faster than 26” wheels: Strava has proven that on back-to-back tests on UK trails.

Bike geo remains almost unchanged from the much loved 26” format so the transition to 27.5” wheels is natural and almost un-noticeable, especially when compared to 29” wheels.

The future for serious off-road trail bikes is here and for 2014 we embrace this new beginning in Mantra, Kili Flyer, Ariel and Zen.

That’s not all in our world… Following a stellar first season from our Hack do-it-all-urban-CX-drop bar bikes, we’re introducing something a little faster for the black-top…

Finally you’ll have to wait until the DH World Champs to see what we’ve been up to with our Myst chassis…. Watch this space!

Kili Flyer 120

Kili Flyer is an apt name for our flagship trail bike category. Running 27.5” wheels the Kili Flyer’s 120mm travel feels more like a traditional 130-140mm 26” wheeled trail bike. Introduced in 2013 as a single model it now boasts a fantastic 3 bike line up. Our Kili Flyer platform has received subtle tweaks to further improve it out on the trail by simplifying the linkage assembly to a 2pc design and minor revisions to the geometry to balance the suspension travel front and rear at 120mm.

The biggest development is the introduction of a Toray carbon rear triangle on the Flyer 122/123 and 12X framekit. Following in the foot-steps of our 2013 Myst, we have been quietly working away with our carbon manufacturer and have successfully shaved over 400gms from the original alloy rear triangle. Using the over used phrase “lighter and stronger” we’ve shaved weight and increased stiffness while not forgetting durability.

Our opening price-point Kili Flyer 121 is £1999 and comes standard with a full 6013 alloy frame, Fox Float Evolution rear can, X-fusion Velvet taper fork and a full 20spd Shimano drivetrain. The Flyer 122 gets the new carbon rear and Fox 32 Float Evolution for £2599 (same price as last year’s full alloy bike!). At the top of the ladder is the Flyer 123 at £3199 featuring full Fox factory Kashima suspension and an internally routed KS Integra dropper post.

Zen

Our first 27.5” bike comes of age.

Marketing hype and ballyhoo aside, our Zen is one mean hard-core trail-slaying agro awardwinning hardtail! Playful and flickable, 140mm travel, fast rolling and smooth. If you have yet to ride one, now is the time.

Zen: redefining a category it already wrote.

Mantra

Mantra takes a bold step forward for 2014 by embracing 27.5” wheels. We feel this is the natural progression for our award winning 120mm hardtail bike. The geometry remains remarkably similar so expect the bench-mark handling and trail manners we are known for.

The 4 model Mantra range starts at £499 and tops out at £1199 for the Mantra Elite

Hack

The Hack was well received by riders and journalist that “got” it. Originally built as a cyclo-cross bike but with a personality that went so much further than a wet and windy field on a cold Sunday morning.

What is the definition of hack? To us it was everything from commuting, fast trail riding and cross racing. Drop bars, fat tyres and a playful disposition.

For 2014 we have updated the butting profiles on the toptube and downtube shaving precious grams and finally our custom fork with mudguard eyes goes into production to make it a truly versatile Hack.

Tenet

Brand new for Saracen in 2014 is our concise range of aggressive alloy road bikes. Not a me-too formula for road bikes but our take on what a modern road bike is. We started by looking at what riders wanted out of an alloy bike: Lightweight frame, reasonably fast handling geometry that was still comfortable 30miles into a ride, all-weather practicality and most importantly a hoot to ride.

Our propriety chassis starts with a custom formed and triple butted 6061 alloy tubeset, sharing the visual cues of our Hack but weighing a scant 1.55kg in 56cm form. It comes standard with a tapered headtube for maximum headtube/downtube stiffness giving sharp, precise handling.

All Tenet road models come with a tapered alloy steerer fork with carbon blades that are mudguard ready for year-round all-weather versatility.

Take a good look but better still, take one for a ride! The range starts at just £649 and tops out £949.

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