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Today’s Deals2020 Saracen
Ariel LT
A 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with high-end components.
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| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 165 / 170mm |
| Fork | Fox Factory Float 36 |
| Shock | Fox Float X2 Factory |
| Wheels | 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT, SLX |
| Brakes | Shimano XT 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
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
Mar 2021 · Chipps
The Saracen Ariel 30 is an entry-level monster of a trail bike. 130mm of travel and a whole load of modern attitude
The feeling of invincibility on descents – on a 130mm bike!
The Ariel is a quiet, simple bike that just gets on with things
The potential to mullet or un-mullet your bike in the future to see if you like it
35mm bar/stem seems to add girth but stops you running a super short stem. And a 760mm bar will be too narrow for some riders. I’d prefer a 35mm stem and 31.8 x 780mm bars. (The model up has 820mm bars!)
Easy to knock the shock lever while getting a waterbottle out of its cage
Why is the seat tube so tall? A shorter mast and longer dropper would please more riders
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 · Ed Thomsett
If all-out downhill capability is your top priority for a trail bike the Saracen’s new Ariel should definitely be on your list. Buy if you value pure gravity performance over shiny componentry
Geometry that’s bang on the money and adjustable, excellent suspension performance
A little sluggish on the ups
| Frame | Carbon Fiber BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | FOX 36 FLOAT Factory, Kashima, GRIP2, 4-way, high and low speed compression, 15mm x 110mm Boost, quick release Travel: 170mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX FLOAT X2 Factory, EVOL, Kashima, 2-position, LSC, HSC, LSR, HSR, 230mm x 60mm Travel: 165mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano MT800, BSA 73mm |
| Headset | Saracen Custom, 0mm and +/- 5mm adjustable front center options |
| Stem | Race Face Aeffect R, 0°, 40mm length |
| Handlebar | Race Face Atlas, 5° up, 8° back, 20mm rise, 820mm 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 | Shimano XT RD-8100, SGS, SHADOW RD+, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | None |
| Crank | Shimano XT FC-M8120, 165mm on S/M, 170mm on L/XL |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX SL-M7100, 12-speed, RAPIDFIRE PLUS |
| Cassette | Shimano SLX CS-M7100, 12-speed, 10-51 tooth |
| Chain | Shimano CN-7100, 12-speed |
| Chain Guide | MRP 1x V3 |
| Brakes | Shimano XT M8120, 4-piston, 203mm front rotor, 180mm rear rotor Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano XT BL-M8100 |
| Rims | Race Face ARC 35 27.5", 32 hole |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Double butted stainless steel |
| Front Hub | Front: Shimano XT HB-M8110-B, centerlock, Boost 15mm x 110mm, Rear: Shimano XT FH-M8110-B, centerlock, 12mm Saracen Taper Lock axle |
| Rear Hub | Front: Shimano XT HB-M8110-B, centerlock, Boost 15mm x 110mm, Rear: Shimano XT FH-M8110-B, centerlock, 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