Saracen has revealed its 2016 road and mountain bike lines. We've pulled together a few highlights from each range for you to ponder below.
Kili Flyer
Saracen's much loved Kili Flyer model now has a longer stroke shock at the rear meaning you'll get 130mm of travel rather than the 120mm of the current frame. Those looking for a complete Kili Flyer will only have one option, and it's a pretty interesting one – the £3,699 Kili Flyer Elite packs Shimano's latest XT M8000 groupset in 1x flavour, a factory spec Fox 34 Float 130mm fork up front and a matching Float EVOL shock in its frame. The wheels are Durox 27.5-inch models from partner brand Kore and are shod in some of the most interesting tyres we've seen for a while – limited edition tan wall Maxxis Ardents. Like them or loathe them, we think they'll sell well. The package also includes a KS Lev remote dropper, with the claimed overall bike weight given as 12.87kg/28.4lb.
The Saracen Kili Flyer Elite 2016
If you haven't got the coin for that full build or want to build up a Kili Flyer your own way then Saracen also sells it as a frameset for a penny shy of £2,000 (Porsche not included).
Saracen's Kili Flyer now offers 130mm of travel at the rear wheel thanks to a rear shock with a longer stroke
Avro
When Saracen released its Avro adventure road bike last year it was certainly a breath of fresh air, and it turned out that Saracen was very much ahead of the game with this model. That's because the Avro now sits alongside a whole barrage of adventure/gravel/whateveryouwannacallit bikes from other manufacturers.
Saracen's Avro 02
Now available in two specs, the top Avro 02 retails for £2,099 and for that you'll get a full carbon chassis, a Shimano 105 drivetrain paired with Shimano hydraulic discs and an Alex wheelset wrapped in 28mm Maxxis tyres. The Avro still retains the features that made it interesting in the first place, like its 15mm front and 142x12mm axle standards and concealed mudguard mounts. We think it's everything the first Avro should've been, and the colour fade/matte paintwork looks the part also. The claimed weight for the bike is is 8.84kg/19.49lb.
For those looking to spend a bit less there's the Avro 01. At £1,699 the drivetrain spec takes a bump down to Shimano's new 10-speed Tiagra group and you'll be braking via Promax mechanical discs. You'll actually save weight over the more expensive model though, as the 01 is 8.7kg/19.18lb according to Saracen's scales.
The Saracen Avro 01
Mantra Carbon
Saracen is particularly proud of its 650b Mantra Carbon hardtail which comes in two builds or as a frameset for 2016. The range topper is the Elite model, which for £2,099 gets you Shimano's much anticipated 1x11 XT drivetrain plus brakes to match, a 120mm Fox 32 Evolution fork and finishing bits from Kore. The claimed weight for this model is 11.33kg/25lb.
The Saracen Mantra Carbon Elite
The next in line is the £1,599 Mantra Carbon Trail with a 2x10 Shimano Deore groupset and hydraulic brakes, a 120mm Suntour Axon fork and similar finishing kit to the Elite model. It'll apparently weigh in at 11.8kg/26lb.
The Saracen Mantra Carbon Trail
Should you want to build up your own Mantra Carbon then there's a frameset also available. It's £799.99, comes in 15, 17, 19 and 21-inch size options and boasts some very bright paintwork.
The Saracen Mantra Carbon X frame
Ariel
Saracen's 150mm Ariel trail bike will be available in two specs for 2016 – a £2,799 Pro model and a range topping Elite spec for £3,499. Both bikes feature the same frameset that pairs an alloy front end to a carbon fibre rear triangle and 160mm forks.
The Pro spec gets a 1x10 drivetrain that uses a mix of Shimano's Zee and SLX parts and is further secured by a Gamut chainguide. Suspension at either end is from Marzocchi, the front being a 350CR fork and the rear a 053 S32CR shock (not easy to type, that one!). There's also Shimano Deore brakes and a KS Dropzone lever operated dropper post. It's expected to weight 14.12kg/31.12lb.
The Saracen Ariel Pro
The Elite spec sees the drivetrain upgraded to 1x11 XT kit, and suspension moves up to top-drawer bits from Fox – namely a 36 Factory fork and Float X Factory rear shock. Elsewhere there's an upgrade to Kore's tubeless-ready Mega 650b rims and the same KS Dropzone post. The claimed weight is 14.08kg/31lb for this one.
The Saracen Ariel Elite
An Ariel frameset it also available at £1,599.
Myst
Saracen's 650b Myst downhill bike will be landing in two specs for 2016 – a Pro model at £2,999 or the full-blown £4,999 Team spec. The former was on display and includes a RockShox Boxxer RC fork and Fox Van RC rear shock plus a drivetrain and brakes from Shimano's Zee line.
The Saracen Myst Pro
