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Today’s Deals2020 Saracen
Ariel Elite
A 27.5″ aluminum frame full suspension enduro bike with upper mid-range components.
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| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 165 / 170mm |
| Fork | RockShox Yari RC |
| Shock | Fox Float DPX2 Performance |
| Wheels | 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | Truvativ Descendant, SX Eagle |
| Brakes | Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Saracen Ariel is a mixed bag in the enduro category, offering a playful and fun ride with good geometry and suspension performance, but it's not without its flaws. The bike shines in descents with its stable and balanced handling, yet it struggles with climbing efficiency and some build quality issues.
Good geometry and riding position
Playful character and fun to ride
Stable and balanced at speeds
Supple suspension with sensitive feel
Rear wheel traction is excellent
Internal cables rattle incessantly
Rear suspension lacks midstroke support
Not the sprightliest climber
Fork requires more pressure than recommended
Excess feedback through the frame in rough conditions
Saracen has all the makings of a good enduro bike in the Ariel Elite.
MBRThe new Ariel has dramatically different vital stats to its predecessor, but Saracen has retained the playful character that made the original bike so much fun to ride.
MBRIt screams gravity from top to bottom of the hill.
off.road.ccA real hoot to chuck into chunky terrain and wait for the suspension to smooth out the ride.
off.road.ccFeedback?
View all reviews
Apr 2021 · Tom Marvin
A great bike for all-day adventures and picking your way down steep tech
If you like ‘long’ geometry, you’ll love the Ariel 30
Pedalling efficiency and snappiness is great between corners
Well-thought-out kit provides great value for money
Back end doesn’t quite smooth the ride as much on the fastest, roughest tracks
Mar 2021 · Guy Kesteven
Saracen’s new flagship enduro bike has top-spec and World Cup DH DNA but does that show through on the trail?
Awesome fork
World Cup proven suspension
Speed happy reach
Sorted angles
Rock-solid frame
Excellent value kit
Wheel switch links included
Precarious ride height
Overlong seat tube on large
Fragile EXO tires
Heavy for price
The coil is rider weight-specific
Short dropper
Pro is better for practical value
Mar 2021 · Seb Stott
Did someone say freeride? The new Saracen 80 rolls on 27.5" wheels and has 180mm of travel.
Rear suspension is supple and predictable, allowing you to look further ahead and ride faster
Very well priced for the kit and performance on offer
Could use a lockout on the climbs
Still no room for a water bottle
Jun 2018 · Alan Muldoon
New Saracen Ariel Elite has suspension and character influenced by the Myst downhill bike and it’s gained a new sense of purpose.
Good geometry and riding position
Internal cables rattle incessantly
Apr 2018
The Ariel Elite is Saracen's answer to the aluminium aggressive enduro bike question and with 165mm of travel from a suspension design similar to the brand's downhill bike, the Myst, it screams gravity from top to bottom of the hill. Review - Rocky Mountain Altitude Alloy 30 The best waterproof shorts you can buy We’ve already had a ride on the 2018 Ariel at Revolution Bike Park earlier this year and were eager to get back aboard the enduro sled for some more action. The alloy version of the Ariel has been in our shed for a couple of months now and has seen plenty of trail time.
Sep 2017 · Chipps
We've had Saracen's new long travel Ariel for a couple of months, and now we can spill the beans on this chunky enduro beast
| Frame | Aluminum BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Yari RC, DebonAir, low speed compression and rebound adjust, 15mm x 110mm Maxle Stealth axle Travel: 170mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance, EVOL, Kashima, 3-position, compression and rebound adjustment, 230mm x 60mm Travel: 165mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, BSA 73mm |
| Headset | Saracen Tapered |
| Stem | Race Face Chester, 40mm length |
| Handlebar | Race Face Chester, 20mm rise, 780mm width, 35mm diameter |
| Saddle | Saracen Custom |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic, internal cable routing, Travel: 125mm on S, 150mm on M/L/XL Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Alloy MTB |
| Grips | Saracen Lock-On |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | None |
| Crank | SRAM Descendant 6K Eagle, 170mm |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM Eagle PG-1210, 11-50 tooth, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Chain Guide | MRP 1x V3 |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-MT520, 4-piston, 203mm front rotor, 180mm rear rotor Type: Shimano Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano BL-MT501 |
| Rims | Race Face ARC Offset 27.5", 32 hole |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Double butted stainless steel |
| Front Hub | Front: Formula DC-711, 6-bolt, Boost 15mm x 110mm, Rear: Formula DCL-348S, 6-bolt, 12mm Saracen Taper Lock axle |
| Rear Hub | Front: Formula DC-711, 6-bolt, Boost 15mm x 110mm, Rear: Formula DCL-348S, 6-bolt, 12mm Saracen Taper Lock axle |
| Tires | Maxxis Assegai WT, 27.5" x 2.5", 3C, MaxxTerra, EXO+, TR |
First added May 14
Last updated May 14
Not listed for 2,206 days