Just yesterday morning, British mountain biking brand Saracen finally pulled the wraps off its 2018 range. The announcement included several revised models, including the sleek Zenith carbon hardtail and an all-new, wallet-friendly alloy version of the Kili Flyer trail bike. Saracen also rolled out some new 2018 spec options for the popular Myst downhill bike, which seriously couldn’t have come with better timing with Matt Walker having struck gold in the Junior World Championship race in Cairns over the weekend aboard a Saracen Myst. Some serious high-5s must be going down in the Saracen marketing department right about now.
The biggest product news of the 2018 Saracen launch however, was the announcement of the all-new Ariel.
With a bump up to 165mm of travel on the back and 170mm of travel on the front, the Ariel brings with it a burlier frame that draws some heavy inspiration from the Myst downhill bike. Also borrowed from the Myst is the use of the dual-link rear suspension design, which aims to give the Ariel a much plusher and more controlled feel, with a bigger propensity to going downhill very, very fast.
For 2018, there will be two versions of the new Ariel. The full carbon Ariel LT, and the alloy/carbon Ariel Elite that uses an alloy mainframe and a carbon fibre swingarm. Back in July we were invited out to Revolution Bike Park to test ride both Ariel models, and so I took the opportunity to shoot some video out on the trail to give you a closer look at some of the key changes going on, including that funky adjustable reach headset;
Following the test day at Revolution Bike Park, we brought one of the Elite models back to the office to continue testing back on home trails. Interested to hear what the new Ariel is like to ride and how it compares to the old one we all know and love? Then head on through to read Chipps’ full review of the 2018 Saracen Ariel Elite here.
For more details, head to saracen.co.uk