Saracen Mantra X27

jjl5590

Hey guys,

I think I've decided I'll keep the bike. They have offered me a refund if I send it back to them, but I'm going back to uni tomorrow and have important exams starting monday, so I don't really have the time to start messing around packing up the bike and sending it back off.

I put the tires from my Raleigh bike on the Saracen and am pleased to report it's improved it a lot, it now has much more traction and is more controllable. The rear brake has more modulation and doesn't skid with the slightest touch, and the front wheel no longer skids at all.

I still need to take it to a bike shop to sort out the gears, the seller offers a free service but it means taking the bike up to them which is not an option. They won't give me any money back but they are willing to send me a trouser guard and bottle cage, since they were pictured in the listing.

cooldad

Check Parktools website, or numerous Youtube videos on indexing and other bits of routine maintenance. You'll have to do it regularly so might as well start now.

phil_pompey

jjl5590 wrote:

Right, I think I've narrowed it down now to a choice of 6 bikes:

#1 RIDGEBACK MX5 - £300 new

#2 Saracen Mantra X27 - £300 used

#3 Claud Butler Cape Wrath 2 - £340 new

#4 Specialized Hardrock Disc Comp - £350 used w/Avid BB7

#5 Diamondback Response Sport - £330 new

#6 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc - £320 new w/Avid BB5

Where in the UK are you mate, I'm in Hull and been watching a very nice Kona on Ebay because my mate is after a bike with your budget but he cant get one till next month.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120838733046? ... _632wt_932

Also the next issue of MBUK has a budget bike test £300-400 bikes. Its out on wednesday. might be worth a read for you.

phil_pompey

Ooops, just read the last of this thread....................... Its like bulls eye! And here's what you could have won.......

BG2000

JJ - you made the right choice - the Mantra has a better frame, gears, brakes and forks than anything else mentioned, and I reckon it's lighter too (it's less than 12kg). Frame clearance is brilliant (can easily take 2.4" tyres). And your 2010 model is also the nicest colour scheme Saracen have done IMO, especially with the white rims and brakes. I don't think any part has been compromised in my view, I'm well chuffed with mine:

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I'm 5 foot 11" and ride the 16" frame. In the above photo, the saddle is as far down as it goes. Your only option is to drill out the bottle cage bosses that catch on the seat post, which will obviously leave a hole. I've done this on my other bike, it's not a problem although probably affects warranty.

supersonic

Less than 12kg?! No chance!

BG2000

supersonic wrote:

Less than 12kg?! No chance!

It really is lighter than you'd expect, although Saracens have really improved for 2010 and this is a £600 bike after all.

I've not weighed it properly, but it lives [in the garage] next to an old road training bike that I know is 26lbs and it's exactly the same weight when I've compared them. I know this is hardly the most scientific approach to finding out the weight :oops:
I think the frame is the main reason for it's light weight, and the XCR forks are only about 2.2kgs (on spec) which isn't bad. The wheels are average weight, all the components are decent, so all in all, it has a nice average hard tail weight of about 26lbs. It's nothing like the sort of 30lb dog of a bike you get for £200.

mac_man

LOL... my old shape Mantra 3 weighed something ridiculous, like 33Lbs

Most of that was in the wheels and fork though.... those Tora Uturn 90-130mm weigh a ton. As did the wheels.

The new Saracens look really smart these days, with a decent spec to boot.

The Rookie

With SS on this, not a hope in hell is that under 12Kg.

Stand on your bathroom scales and then pick it up, 13.5Kg min, more likely about 14.5Kg with pedals.

Mine is just over 11Kg with Manitous Skarebs (1.55Kg) Folding tyres (about 200g lighter each than wired) lightweight tubes (about 80g lighter each) Crossrides (saving about 0.5Kg).....etc etc

Evans estimate it at 35lbs
http://answers.evanscycles.com/answers/ ... stions.htm

Simon

BG2000

mac man wrote:

LOL... my old shape Mantra 3 weighed something ridiculous, like 33Lbs

I think the earlier Saracen Mantras were overbuilt, a bit like large jump bikes. I'm one of those annoying people who goes round tapping the tubes on every frameset I see, and I can tell how butted the 6061 frame is on these new Mantras, and how thin the tubing is towards the middle sections. I can't remember if it's double or triple butted, but it's certainly a much more agile beast than the Mantras before it. Well done to whoever took over the bike design when Madison took ownership.

supersonic

My zaskar expert is only just under 12kg with Rebas, full lx drivetrain and ritchey kit! If you weighed the mantra I bet it is 14kg.

The Rookie

Evans estimate 35lbs (16Kg)... (see edited post on last page for link)

My carrera frame weighs 1835g, even a good lightweight mid quality frame is at best 1300g, its the rest of the spec that is where the lard is added

Simon