Saracen revival?

Mister Mister
Mister Mister Posts: 4
edited November 2007 in MTB buying advice
Hi, new to this forum and hoping for some sound advice.....pretty please :D
Has anyone got any recent experience with Saracen, and most notably the Zen series, their name used to be mud but now I hear they've come back from the wilderness?

To cut a long story short I've got the choice between a Saracen Zen 1 and a Specialized Rockhopper Disc (both 2008 models), the former being £50 more. If you ignore the price difference would I be a mug for not picking the trusted name of specialized?

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    They are different types of bikes. The Zen is a longer travel, shorter framed hardcore bike, the Rockhopper an xc/trail bike with smaller forks.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • Mister Mister
    Mister Mister Posts: 4
    The Zen has 130mm travel on the forks which should make it better for downhill trails I guess? I will be using it to cycle to work and also off road once a week both uphill and downhill over rough terrain. I'm stuck in two minds and was hoping someone would make my mind up for me :wink:
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Hehe, I'd have test them out!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Mister Mister
    Mister Mister Posts: 4
    I've tested the Rockhopper, I had it for three weeks before it was stolen last week, liked the bike except for the chain slip which happened quite a bit - probably an adjustment issue? (haven't been into bikes for a long time now!).

    Insurance company use Halfords who can give me a voucher for a Zen 1 or they can order me in a Rockhopper - thought it was cut and dry but reading up on the Zen it actually looks like a decent bit of kit with a very solid frame. Reckon I'll stick to the Rockhopper but thought I'd ask the wider, more knowledgable audience!
  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    Don't know much about the Saracen but the Rockhopper is a very good bike in my opinion (I used to have one). Any chain slip problems will more than likely be down to the set up of the gears and will not be anything to do with the model of bike.

    Have you considered going for the 2007 model which should be about £100 cheaper and, in my opinion, looks better too.

    Stu

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