Yes, I guess those early British Saracens didn't make it that far afield - but then I bet you see some MTBs out there that we would consider impossibly exotic!
@@red_dread yes. I have been to British Columbia , Canada and thats where I was in MTB heaven. Myself I have a rare swell old TechNova that most know nothing about. Middle Canada made bike in the 80's.4130 1 1/4" headset .
@@red_dreadOverbury’s, Muddy Fox and countless US brands ran U-brakes (mostly in the 80s) and not good as they easily clog with mud and especially chalk.
@@red_dread I’ve seen 😂 fortunately I found a pretty much NOS wheelset with a 6 speed block on for the price of just a block so I’ve got that spare when needed. And a used one too somewhere! The one on my Trekker is still going strong thoufh
I broke up a perfectly good 7-speed XT Hyperglide to make garden ornaments about 20 years ago. I now realise it would have been less stupid to use diamonds.
I had a Green Trekker back in the day, It had u brakes front and rear, I think it was a slightly later model to this, It had Deore II GS with 7 spd Thumbies
Oh wow, thank you for the piece of information on UniGlide cassette sprockets. Just got my hands on '87 Panasonic MC4500 with a filthy rusty 6 spd and was wondering what to do with it...
When you see the price of those Uniglide cassettes you'll be very glad you already have one, no matter how rusty! I'd give it a night in the vinegar, then if necessary flip all the sprockets for a whole new life. They're easy to disassemble, you just need a tiny spanner (6mm iirc). All you need to know is the smallest sprocket (the one most likely to be worn) is also the lockring. You can reverse it but you'll need to make or find a spacer because it has a flange on one side. I managed it easily enough and mine now runs flawlessly.
I got a 97’ orange O2 one of the least known of oranges but I’ve been giving it a bit of a beating really sending it down stairs and jumps so it’s still really good.
Yes, they'd put some great thought into it. Started at a very cool urban coffee house (right next to my office) and took in canals, woods, river, mud, ice, lakes, parks, wasteland, cobbles... All within Manchester.
Looked like a fabulous multi-terrain ride on a fabulous bike! I too have had a few exotic carbon and xtr bikes over the years but these mid/late 80's atb are my absolute favourites for sure... There's a simplistic magic to them that's hard to beat! Happy riding! 🙂👍
Thanks, I think a solid 80s MTB that's properly set up is hard to beat. The point-and-shoot simplicity is a delight, compared to my modern bikes where you have to check the shock pressures etc the night before a ride!
Really good to see you out with the Trekker among all those other bikes . You are tougher than I am but well done. Make me want to take my 1990 Tufftrax out for an airing....almost. Maybe I'll waint until the dail moves above freezing!
I actually prefer it when it's sub zero - there's much less of a cleanup operation when you get home! I also love shopping for extreme weather clothing so I'm always prepared.
There was a lot of style on display, I'm ashamed to say very little of it from me. Yes, those were some of our familiar routes - TPT, Mersey etc. Lovely in these conditions.
Thank you for your channel. I'm thinking of trying mtb tourism. However, everyone says that you have to ride on modern geometry. What's your opinion on the subject? Is modern geometry really necessary for mtb tourism? Thank you and best regards.
I have given this subject a lot of thought in the past. For touring, you can definitely use a bike like this 80s Saracen, in fact I'd say the geometry and build quality make it perfect for the task. In the early days of mountain bikes, they were very much built with adventure and long distances in mind, so the geometry would be ideal on anything up to about 1989. From 1990, everything changed because the fashion became much more race oriented, and bike geometry got more aero, twitchy, long/low and generally uncomfortable as we all wanted to look like the pros, even if it meant riding ridiculous time trial geometry off road! By the mid-00s the fashion swung back to more "trail" oriented geometry, and you could once again buy quality MTBs with a more upright, stable and comfortable position.
I doubt it's exactly the same, but for sure there would have been a lot of similarities across different mountain bike manufacturers back then. Certainly lots of different brands would have used the same tubing (in this case Tange), same components (Shimano groupsets, limited choice on things like stems and seatposts). It's likely a lot of them would have had contracts with the same factories in Taiwan too, although I do think this Saracen was made in England.
@@red_dread Thanks for the reply! I’m about to purchase a really nice Trek Antelope, all original with bio-pace chainrings and Shimano components of the era, and this sure looks extremely similar to what you have. Will use it to learn light touring on and off trails. excited! 😊
Hi sir red_dread, are you able to know where did your friend on a Stumpjumper bought the long quill stem? I cant find that type of stem here in the Philippines.
@@red_dread Thank you for the info sir, appreciate it, I saw a long quill stem here but can't put modern drops. bcoz of u and oldshovel , I got into this hobby, now my modern giant talon is not in use anymore.haha
You certainly have to be careful with jet washing. Mine has a lower power setting specifically for bikes, and you need to follow a technique of spraying across all bearings, seals and pivots at 90 degrees - never directly at them.
I still have it, and I still ride it occasionally - it works perfectly except that extremely complex rear shock which is going to be a headache to service. Will probably revisit the project in the Spring. By the way, it's a Genius not an Endorphin. The Endorphin is another fascinating bike I've never actually ridden - it had a rigid thermoplastic elevated chainstay and was apparently quite weird to ride. Would love a go on one someday.
The cartel says all of your bikes are your favorites. Why? Each of your bikes are in your words "tasty and savory treats ( borrowed that one from another of your videos 😁)
Once again ,thank you. So many classics we rarely see here in Nova Scotia ,Canada. I enjoy it very much. cheers !
Yes, I guess those early British Saracens didn't make it that far afield - but then I bet you see some MTBs out there that we would consider impossibly exotic!
@@red_dread yes. I have been to British Columbia , Canada and thats where I was in MTB heaven. Myself I have a rare swell old TechNova that most know nothing about. Middle Canada made bike in the 80's.4130 1 1/4" headset .
The perfect choice of vehicle for semi-urban soft-roading.
All it needs is mudguards, which will be a job for another day.
@@red_dread Yes. Not very "period" as mudguards were considered uncool but I do love the things in this weather.
Wow.. love the front u brake
Me too, it's surprisingly rare outside the world of BMX. So powerful and cool looking.
@@red_dreadOverbury’s, Muddy Fox and countless US brands ran U-brakes (mostly in the 80s) and not good as they easily clog with mud and especially chalk.
Got to love that 6 speed Uniglide!
When you see the price of a replacement you’ll know why I was so happy to get this one fixed! God damn
@@red_dread I’ve seen 😂 fortunately I found a pretty much NOS wheelset with a 6 speed block on for the price of just a block so I’ve got that spare when needed. And a used one too somewhere! The one on my Trekker is still going strong thoufh
I broke up a perfectly good 7-speed XT Hyperglide to make garden ornaments about 20 years ago. I now realise it would have been less stupid to use diamonds.
That looked like a lot of fun, thanks for sharing 👍
I had a Green Trekker back in the day, It had u brakes front and rear, I think it was a slightly later model to this, It had Deore II GS with 7 spd Thumbies
I love narrative in your videos. Unfortunately you upload videos very rarely. Cheers
Thanks, nice to hear you enjoy them. I wish I could do more but I have a very busy life! There's plenty more coming though.
Oh wow, thank you for the piece of information on UniGlide cassette sprockets. Just got my hands on '87 Panasonic MC4500 with a filthy rusty 6 spd and was wondering what to do with it...
When you see the price of those Uniglide cassettes you'll be very glad you already have one, no matter how rusty! I'd give it a night in the vinegar, then if necessary flip all the sprockets for a whole new life. They're easy to disassemble, you just need a tiny spanner (6mm iirc). All you need to know is the smallest sprocket (the one most likely to be worn) is also the lockring. You can reverse it but you'll need to make or find a spacer because it has a flange on one side. I managed it easily enough and mine now runs flawlessly.
I got a 97’ orange O2 one of the least known of oranges but I’ve been giving it a bit of a beating really sending it down stairs and jumps so it’s still really good.
I've never heard of anyone ever breaking an Orange. Those things are so good.
I literally just ripped the tire yesterday 😂
I've been trying to get a u brake front fork for years, great vid as per normal 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
That looked like a fun route to cycle.
:)
Yes, they'd put some great thought into it. Started at a very cool urban coffee house (right next to my office) and took in canals, woods, river, mud, ice, lakes, parks, wasteland, cobbles... All within Manchester.
Looked like a fabulous multi-terrain ride on a fabulous bike! I too have had a few exotic carbon and xtr bikes over the years but these mid/late 80's atb are my absolute favourites for sure... There's a simplistic magic to them that's hard to beat! Happy riding! 🙂👍
Thanks, I think a solid 80s MTB that's properly set up is hard to beat. The point-and-shoot simplicity is a delight, compared to my modern bikes where you have to check the shock pressures etc the night before a ride!
Really good to see you out with the Trekker among all those other bikes . You are tougher than I am but well done. Make me want to take my 1990 Tufftrax out for an airing....almost. Maybe I'll waint until the dail moves above freezing!
I actually prefer it when it's sub zero - there's much less of a cleanup operation when you get home! I also love shopping for extreme weather clothing so I'm always prepared.
Lovely stuff…
Looks like a strong coterie 👍
A fine bunch of hardy northerners. Pace rarely exceeded a brisk jog. My kind of riding.
So much fun! :)
nice video about nice bikes :)
Loved this video, as usual. The cartel looks more approachable than I would have expected. Maybe these were just decoys.
Au contraire, these were a different crew. Make no mistake, the cartel remain shady and evil men.
Haha😂
😂😂
Retro mtbs is king 🤴
Definitely my favourite means of transport, if not the fastest.
These guys look like proper NQ hipsters. I recognised some bits of that from when we used to ride down the Mersey toward Sale, right?
There was a lot of style on display, I'm ashamed to say very little of it from me. Yes, those were some of our familiar routes - TPT, Mersey etc. Lovely in these conditions.
Thank you for your channel. I'm thinking of trying mtb tourism. However, everyone says that you have to ride on modern geometry. What's your opinion on the subject? Is modern geometry really necessary for mtb tourism? Thank you and best regards.
I have given this subject a lot of thought in the past. For touring, you can definitely use a bike like this 80s Saracen, in fact I'd say the geometry and build quality make it perfect for the task. In the early days of mountain bikes, they were very much built with adventure and long distances in mind, so the geometry would be ideal on anything up to about 1989. From 1990, everything changed because the fashion became much more race oriented, and bike geometry got more aero, twitchy, long/low and generally uncomfortable as we all wanted to look like the pros, even if it meant riding ridiculous time trial geometry off road! By the mid-00s the fashion swung back to more "trail" oriented geometry, and you could once again buy quality MTBs with a more upright, stable and comfortable position.
Looks just like a Trek 800 from the same years. Is it? Down to paint, stem, bars and undermount seats stays rear brake.
I doubt it's exactly the same, but for sure there would have been a lot of similarities across different mountain bike manufacturers back then. Certainly lots of different brands would have used the same tubing (in this case Tange), same components (Shimano groupsets, limited choice on things like stems and seatposts). It's likely a lot of them would have had contracts with the same factories in Taiwan too, although I do think this Saracen was made in England.
@@red_dread Thanks for the reply! I’m about to purchase a really nice Trek Antelope, all original with bio-pace chainrings and Shimano components of the era, and this sure looks extremely similar to what you have. Will use it to learn light touring on and off trails. excited! 😊
@@mozaic_channel These bikes are perfect for light touring. You could ride in total comfort for days, and it won't let you down.
Hi sir red_dread, are you able to know where did your friend on a Stumpjumper bought the long quill stem? I cant find that type of stem here in the Philippines.
Hi, yes I do know: he got it from Velo Orange. Hope you can get one where you are!
@@red_dread Thank you for the info sir, appreciate it, I saw a long quill stem here but can't put modern drops. bcoz of u and oldshovel , I got into this hobby, now my modern giant talon is not in use anymore.haha
Muy bonita Bici Saludos desde Perú
Lovely bike and route to ride..don't use de hidrowash with high preasure in your bike because wash the grease..
You certainly have to be careful with jet washing. Mine has a lower power setting specifically for bikes, and you need to follow a technique of spraying across all bearings, seals and pivots at 90 degrees - never directly at them.
Whatever happened to the Scott Endorphin you introduced a while back?
I still have it, and I still ride it occasionally - it works perfectly except that extremely complex rear shock which is going to be a headache to service. Will probably revisit the project in the Spring. By the way, it's a Genius not an Endorphin. The Endorphin is another fascinating bike I've never actually ridden - it had a rigid thermoplastic elevated chainstay and was apparently quite weird to ride. Would love a go on one someday.
Lovely hair 😍
All my power is drawn from this hair.
We've got similar weather in Nevada at the moment. Time to ride and show the weaklings how it's done in bad weather.
The weaklings look upon my thunderous Saracen and tremble
And the don't forget the quinnie
The cartel says all of your bikes are your favorites. Why? Each of your bikes are in your words "tasty and savory treats ( borrowed that one from another of your videos 😁)
All my bikes are tasty, that’s true. But this one is more of a delight than most.
@@red_dread yes so you have mentioned. 😁😎 And the weather might I add looked like a dog's breakfast (snow mud and muck)
It’s a Stumpjumper, not a Stuntjumper.
kronenburged.
🧐🤔
I loved that reference to the body horror genre. An unexpected fusion of flesh and machine always adds spice to a ride.
Muy bonita Bici Saludos desde Perú
Gracias, saludos desde Stockport!