mtb-timeline

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<div column 50% #intro>
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===== Saracen =====

The Saracen bicycle brand was born in 1983 in Brian Staples' cycle shop in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.  The Saracen brand of mountain bikes had a few chaotic years passing through three owners before the end of 1986.  Staples had previously built up and rebranded road and touring bicycles with frames supplied by [[https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/classic_builders/wolverhamptonknight-cycles/|Knight Fabrications]].  In 1983, Staples moved to Warwick and created the Saracen mountain bike brand, by first importing and repainting Japan mountain bikes and then having Knight Fabrications make the frames.((
<blockquote>
[Bike building] progressed to mountain bikes when we moved to Warwick. The first mountain bike with a Saracen name on it was actually a stripped down and repainted bike from Japan.
<cite>
Elaine (Staples) Dunn, daughter of Brian Staples, [[https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/classic_builders/wolverhamptonknight-cycles/|classiclightweights]]
</cite>
</blockquote>))
(("This model was in fact to a specification supplied only to Staples. " See: [[https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/classic_builders/wolverhamptonknight-cycles/|link]]))((Perhaps a few months later (in 1984) Knight' Saracens were resold and re-badged by [[evans:start|F. W. Evans]] - perhaps after the Bluemels acquisition.))
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Early Knight built Saracens are easily spotted by both their Knight decal, and unusual rear brake bridge and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_Technology|Reynolds 501]] tubing.
Almost immediately after introducing the first British made mountain bikes, Staples sold his business to Bluemel's Cycles (in late 1983?((This date likely occurred before by Bluemels adverts published in 1984 and F. W. Evans shipping re-badged Saracens ordered from Bluemels in 1983.  The first F. W. Evans Saracen appeared in 1984.  See discussion: [[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/first-uk-production-mtb-a-ridgeback.260739/page-11#post-3197508|retrobike]])),) who then moved manufacturing to Wolston.
((The Bluemel's Cycle brand continues to exist today as a brand of fenders: [[https://www.sks-germany.com/en/productcategories/bluemels-en/|sks-germany]]))
Soon after, in 1986, it was purchased Paul and Rick Stanforth, who gradually moved production to Asia.  (("The Stanforth brothers sold nearly one million mountain bikes while they owned the company. Paul and Rick now sell the [[http://www.ebco-ebikes.co.uk/|Ebco]] brand of e-bike." [[https://www.bikebiz.com/paul-stanforths-son-creates-stanforth-bikes/|bikebiz]]))
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Today, Saracen remains a successful British brand: [[https://www.saracen.co.uk]].
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Much info from: [[https://web.archive.org/web/20150316102251/https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/knight-cycles-builders.html|classiclightweights archive]], [[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/Manufacturer+Archive/Saracen/Catalogues/|retrobike]] and [[https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/classic_builders/wolverhamptonknight-cycles/|classiclightweights]]

{{bridge.jpg?300|Funky Bridge}}
A bridge built to last [[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/very-early-saracen-or-is-it.339152/|retrobike]]

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<div column 45%>
{{sad.jpg?300|Saracen ad}}
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June 1984, Bicycle Action mag
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/first-uk-production-mtb-a-ridgeback.260739/page-6|retrobike]]
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</div>
<div column 50% #s1983>
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===== 1983 Saracen =====

No provable 1983 pictures can be found.  Saracen claims to have built bikes in [[https://www.saracen.co.uk/pages/about|1983]] and various internet sources hint at this.  However, all example pictures are not consistent with a 1983 timeline.  For now, this will be left blank, with some confidence that the 1983 starting date is accurate and that corroborating evidence will appear.


</div>


<div column 45%>
{{blank.jpg?300|TBD}}
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Picture needed!

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</div>


<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 ATB =====

Knight Cycles logo, lugged frame, black paint, Reynolds 501 tubing (1984+), SunTour aRX (1981-1983), over built brake bridge.
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{{sad2.jpg?200|Jan. 1985 ad}}
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Jan. 1985 advert.  Note that the name is simply "All-Terrain Bikes"
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/early-saracen-lovers-anonymous.40984/page-84|retrobike]]

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<div column 45%>
{{1983.jpg?300|1984 Saracen }}
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1984 Saracen
[[https://imgur.com/gallery/yFTZTO2|imgur]]


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<div column 50% #kilimanjaro>
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===== 1984 Ascent of Kilimanjaro =====

Nick and Richard Crane rode two stock Saracens up Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania to promote a charity to help third world development.  Read of their exploit here: [[ https://www.abebooks.co.uk/first-edition/Bicycles-Kilimanjaro-Richard-Crane-Nicholas-Oxford/30207014760/bd|abebooks]]  or: [[https://www.uzdevumi.lv/p/valsts-eksamens-anglu-valoda/9-klase/valsts-eksamens-anglu-valoda-2015-g-12286/re-7d044b7c-84ae-437d-ae5c-dc40b871e6ea|uzdevmi]].  Their mountain bike adventures brought world attention to the tiny brand.

<blockquote>
Coming down was more fun: they could ride the bikes fast and easily some of the way, though they still fell off. Almost at the bottom of the mountain they met a Frenchman who couldn’t stop laughing.
 
“Why are you riding bicycles on Kilimanjaro? Now I know what I must do next year: carry a refrigerator to the top!”
<cite>
Someone's English reading assignment at: [[https://www.uzdevumi.lv/p/valsts-eksamens-anglu-valoda/9-klase/valsts-eksamens-anglu-valoda-2015-g-12286/re-7d044b7c-84ae-437d-ae5c-dc40b871e6ea|uzdevumi]]
</cite>
</blockquote>


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{kili.jpg?300|1984 Ascent }}
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1984 Bicycles up Kilimanjaro
[[https://www.abebooks.co.uk/first-edition/Bicycles-Kilimanjaro-Richard-Crane-Nicholas-Oxford/30207014760/bd|abebooks]]


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<div column 50% #s1985>
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===== 1985 Kili Flyer =====

1985 saw the introduction of model names such as "Conquest", "Kili Flyer" and "Sherpa", all referring to their mountain climbing prowess.  The Kili Flyer was named in honor of the Crane cousins' proof that Saracen have what it takes and that Brits still lead the world in adventurous eccentricity.
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Knight Cycles logo, "Conquest" Brooks saddle, standard brake bridge, Reynolds 501 tubing and SunTour MounTech front derailleur, with a likely replacement rear derailleur.



</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1985b.jpg?300|1985 Kili Flyer}}
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1985 Kili Flyer
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1985-saracen-kili-flyer.225478/|retrobike]]


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<div column 50% #s1986>
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===== 1986 Conquest =====

Although its hard to spot in this low-res photo, there remains a Knight sticker on the head tube, while //Saracen// screams across both the seat and down tubes.  600EX & XT drive train.  Mudguards are original, a Bluemels specialty.


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1986.jpg?300|1986 Conquest}}
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1986 Conquest
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/saracen-kili-flyer-conquest-1986.337687/|retrobike]]


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<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 Tufftrax =====

In 1987, Saracen started to import two models: //Tufftrax// and the //Trekker//.  The //Conquest// and //Kili Flyer// remained the locally produced, higher end models.

</div>


<div column 45%>
{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Tufftrax}}
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1987 Tufftrax
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1987-saracen-tufftrax.183650/|retrobike]]


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<div column 50% #s1988>
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===== 1988 Blizzard =====

This model did not appear in any catalogs.  Tange tubing, Shimano Exage group set.

</div>


<div column 45%>
{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Blizzard}}
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1988 Blizzard
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/1988-saracen-blizzard.273424/|retrobike]]


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<div column 50% #s1989>
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===== 1989 Kili Flyer =====

Fillet brazed!

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<div column 45%>
{{1989.jpg?300|1989 Kili Flyer}}
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1988 Kili Flyer
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/boy-o-boys-1989-saracen-kili-flyer-aka-pinky.403667/|retrobike]]


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<div column 50% #s1990>
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===== 1990 Traverse =====

Shimano Deore/LX drive train, Tange tubing in "ultra violet."


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1990.jpg?300|1990 Traverse}}
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1990 Traverse
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/saracen-traverse-23-1989-1990-model-mountain-lx-deore-lx.322625/|retrobike]]


</div>

<div column 50% #s1991>
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===== 1991 Traverse Competition Hydrotech =====

Elevated chain stays!  Hydraulic disk brakes!  Optional front suspension (([[https://www.pinkbike.com/news/marzocchi-forks-through-the-years-2013.html|Marzocchi]] hydraulic))!  Wild paint schemes!  Saracen hit all the mountain bike lust buttons this year and it's no wonder they sold over a million bikes going forwards.

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1991.jpg?300|1991 Traverse Competition Hydrotech}}
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1991 Traverse Competition Hydrotech
[[https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/316354/|lfgss]]

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<div column 50% #s1992>
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===== 1992 Kili Ultra =====

Saracen offered **//15//** different models of mountain bike in 1991, with all mixes of components to distinguish them.  The Ultra weighed less than 26 pounds, as it was equipped with a full Campagnolo Record OR group set, with a nice Campy [[https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.aspx?ID=b568cf57-8124-447f-9d8a-10cd93a36ebd&Enum=108|RD-130R]] 42T derailleur.  ((This was the last attempt Campagnolo made at making mountain bike components.  The 42T, [[https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/campagnolo_record_or_rd-22or_1st_style_derailleur.html|long cage]] derailleur only showed up in this one single year.  According to disraeligears, //"Record OR was fiendishly expensive, not particularly lightweight, did not index particularly accurately and so did not sell too well - in other words it had everything that a group set requires to become a cult among vintage mountain bike fanatics today."//))


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<div column 45%>
{{1992.jpg?300|1992 Kili Ultra}}
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1992 Kili Ultra
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/d/114212-2/Saracen_1992.pdf|retrobike]]

</div>