Saracen Sahara 26 Build

Bought this last year from @RunRabbitRun

I had an early Rockhopper that didn’t workout, the u-brake was under the chainstays so just wasn’t going to suit my needs.

Photo from the listing

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Thinking to keep the original finishing kit on the build, will see how the stem/bars workout with v-brake setup

It’s a mish-mash build of Deore XT 739, newer Deore XT, shimano zee and modern ish bottom dollar sram MTB cranks.

@walkmanman has sorted me out with a few bits

Wheels look so tiny, incoming tyres to correct that.

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Kona lumpy gravy tyres picked up from by for £7.50. Surprised how good the condition is

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Fun!

Tyres and tubes fitted, frustratingly I didn’t spot the rear wheel didn’t have any rim tape.

The dimensions really work now, mixed feeling on the cable routing with V-Brake setup. I will probably go with cantilevers later on.

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Build complete (for now), off to Tinker Bubble tomorrow to see how it rides

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Need to make some adjustments, bars are not very wide, plus I don’t like the stem setup.

I will run some monkey bars, thread less stem, with a quill stem adapter.

The post clamp isn’t great, post slips/drops, ideally want a bolt over QR

And I need to get another Arundel steel bottle cage

Obligatory Glastonbury Tor shot

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Great photo. I had the pleasure of riding round Somerset earlier this year.
What a great place to ride a bike - lots of variety. I even managed to grunt up Wookey Hole/ Deers Leap.

Been tweaking the build a little and failing. Firstly I didn’t realise that the headset is oversized. Tried a threaded to threadless adapter to run a better cockpit…didn’t work.

Then I went down the wider bar route with a set of Azonics. This has worked out well, much nice to rider. Just not digging the stem.

Managed to source some Saracen Max forks, so will get it dialled before the winter with a threadless stem and monkey bars.

Off to the Dales at the end of September and decided to take this one.

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Those forks are going to look really good.

Definitely glad I took this bike to the Dales. Did a nice small Askrigg-Hawes loop this morning. I could do with a dinner plate rear cassette. Overall it’s a very nice ride.

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Fun!

Fitted the Saracen max forks with a Ritchey headset. I semi fucked up the headset, as it just doesn’t seem to riding freely, I’m getting slight resistance feedback.

Also found out the monkey bars are slightly bent, so I’ll fit the Azonic back on.

Ordered some Schwable Billy Bonkers 2.1, to replace the Kona tyres, as they feel old and tired on the sidewalls.

I’ll also be moving to towards v-brakes, as I’m finding the canti’s dog shit, plus I don’t like the headset cable adapter.

Overall the OCD tweaking continues, but it’s definitely a nice smooth steed.

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Ye the v-brakes are going to be a nice improvement. But aren't those XT levers linear pull, ie for v-brakes only? They are M739s right? They're never going to feel good!

I like those forks, I have them in blue. I do think a more retro crankset would suit it better though!

Spot on with the v-brakes M739, I have got my setup nailed yet. So I am on the lookout for some M739 brakes.

New Billy Bonkers tyres fitted, which have helped with the soft sidewalls and a replacement alloy finish post for aesthetics.

Period cranks will come at a later point, as these sram cranks just work

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New stem awaiting v-brakes

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Oof nice! That's a good upgrade!
Not really a fan of those tyres tbh though