80s Saracen Conquest

Today I started building a project that's been on the backburner for a long while. It's a 1984 Saracen Conquest that was lovingly restored and modified by a Deadratz on the retrobike forum. Unfortunately I only picked up on it when it came to ebay so ended paying a fair bit more from the frame than he was originally asking for it, anyway, probablly not more than restoring something like this from scratch and less than other, more modern alternatives.

I've built it up in a very non period correct way from a mix of MTB and road parts from my parts box/2nd hand/new to be my do-it-all / path bike / tourer.

Sorry for the shit pic, will get a proper one when it's done.

Spec:

Saracen 1894 Conquest 501 mtb frame
mavic 517/D521 ceramic rims on shimano dynohub / STX hub
Campag racing T crankset
Campag veloce BB
Shimano 501 front mech
Shimano STX rear mech
Dia Comp Bar-end shifters
Ritchey seat post (logos removed and polished)
Unknown brand moustache bars
Shimano levers
Kore cantis
Panaracer Pascela TG 1.5 tyres

Once the basic build is done I'll probablly add these;

VO zepplin mudguards
VO front rack w/ intergrated decaleur
some rear rack
some bad-ass cynamo light like a Supernova E3

looks kinda long? I like it though! cool bar setup

I'm looking forward to seeing this finish with proper photos

.

If you ever want to sell let me know. Cheers

I didn't really realise there was any interest in this at the time, so never bothered to update. The bike's still in use, been through a few changes though. I'm taking it on a 2 week tour through Spain and France in a fortnight. How it performs on that will either strengthen my resolve to keep it, or to swap the frame for a LHT or a Thorn Sherpa.

Here she is on her maiden voyage along the Kennet and Avon last summer, shortly after being built. It performs great on those kind of fast gravel paths you get along there.

I didn't get along with those moustache bars though - put the pressure in the wrong places on my palm and ended up causing severe nerve twinges on cold days. I've swapped them out for the VO rando bar but unfortunately that means I have to use a really choady stem. The downside of using this frame out of its original intended purpose I suppose. The wheelbase is long but pretty much exactly the same as a LHT. The oddest bit is that the trail is fairly low, (about 50mm) so the steering can be quite twitchy. As such I'm planning to use just front panniers for the tour, a bar bag and maybe a carradice for light things. The tent poles will strap to the top-tube.

(sorry for the shitty pic)

Also swapped changed:

Copper rivet B17
Inline Thompson (to allow rails for carradice support)
Lower gearing
Mudflaps
Cheap Shimano dynohub with B&M IQ Cyo light and a Super-I-cable (I have yet to hook this up properly)

Tempted to dye the flaps black and stick some bright cloth tape on the bars. The black/tan look lost its appeal.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure it's a Kili Flyer, rather than a conquest as the seller originally told me (not sure what a conquest was or if it even existed)

one of these (very original) has just fetched £230 on ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221240830528?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Hi there, if it's the original paintwork then it's a Conquest. The bike looks great

No, it was renovated, here's the original retrobike thread, although the photos have been removed. I'm waiting to find the time to build this back up in touring mode with 60mm guards, drop bars and 3x7 gearing. Also planning to get bosses fitted under the down tube, and the front rack altered so it actually fits properly.

Ah yes, I remember this thread from a long time ago. If it's tig welded then it's definitely the Kili Flyer. Will it be road or all terrain touring?

Giving this another lease of life again soon. Nearly sold it, but couldn't bring myself to. Picked up some nice parts and got the frame respaced to 135 so I can run 10 speed.

Also got this fender flute thing custom made as the front mudguard sits about 30mm below the crown. I'm going to have to file it to fit. V brakes, 2" kojacs, 60mm GB guards, 10 speed, stainless north road bars with barcons, should be the best incarnation of it yet hopefully.

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Can't wait to see!

THis was one build, but I ditched the lowriders for the VO rack and changed the bars and brakes and saddle after this. Never actually used the spiked tyres in the end but they'll be nice to have as an options as the councils are shite at gritting around here.

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Some progress... Flaps for miles. Front mudguard looks a bit of a mess but I paid the price of a pair of stays for the short version so the bodge will be fine.

Need a new bb, current 111.5mm axle gives 49mm chain line, so 110mm should be best right? Or do I push it to 107mm for lowest q factor?

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Slow progress is slow.

Finally got my cassette issue sorted. Couldn't get the lockring on far enough, but I think I was missing a spacer from the cassette. Comparing with another 10s showed it was a bit short.

Headset repacked with fresh bearings.

Rear brake also a bastard to set up. Not sure if I messed up by cutting the regular section of the end of my jagwire xl road set. I assume that's just for getting round the bend of drops. Decided I'm not a fan of these cool-stop eagle pads.

BB is also staying, prey much the perfect length to just clear the mudguard in lowest gear .. Convenient

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Last [essential] part arrived, decided I was going to fuck up the bar ends having them sticking out the side, as Rivendell as it looks. This will also allow me to change bar/ shifter/ mech setup relatively easily, should I wish to make it more off-road oriented as everything is on a split clamp. Should get around to finishing the build this weekend hopefully.

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You need to find some of the old Tektro CNC levers

Would look perfect

They look nice, but I've already got Deore 610s: 3 finger split clamp, and they look nice enough.

Aaaand finished... almost. Just needs a wald 137. Also rear mech is squeaky as hell, not sure why, new jockey wheels needed maybe?

10sp thumbies work a dream. Brakes are really snatchy, but hopefully that'll ease off as the pads bed in.

Also totally FBNPNA'd my other half's Col Du Glandon, she seems pleased with it. Needs a tyre upgrade at some point.

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It looks really really good.
Is that 10sp friction or indexed?

Indexed. Microshift. Tried friction when is was 7 speed and couldn't get on with it

Actually, I have some 7 speed barend shifters for sale on that note if anyone's interested.

All right. I'm toying with the idea of combining hydraulic brakes with a 10 or 11 speed friction setup, and so far I haven't really come across anybody with actual experience.

Amazing looking, what's going on with that rear flap though? Also, if you need a bag for your basket, get that new mack workshop one.