Saracen, the UK mountain bike manufacturer has a history of making some of the best mountain bikes around and the now direct-to-consumer brand is renowned for its affordable mountain bike range. Just announced is an update to its award-winning Saracen Ariel platform. As well as updated specs and new colorways being added to the range, it has added a brand new short travel model to the line-up with the Ariel 30 Elite.
The Ariel 30 Elite has been designed and developed with the help of Madison Saracen Factory Racing Team rider, Matt Walker. The new model, like the entire Ariel range, has a custom-butted and hydroformed 6013 aluminum frame. The short-travel trail bike features 130mm of rear travel built around the brand’s signature TRL suspension, which is Saracen's linkage-driven single-pivot platform. The 30 Elite's rear shock is a Fox Float DPS Performance Elite, which matches up with the Fox 36 Performance Elite fork with 140mm of travel.
The Ariel 30 range also features size-specific wheels. Small and medium bikes come in a mullet wheel (MX) configuration with a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear, and large and extra-large come as full 29ers. Saracen also includes additional push links that allows owners to swap the rear wheel size without detrimentally affecting the bike's geometry – but anyone wanting to do that would of course need to buy an additional rear wheel too.
Saracen says the Ariel Elite 30 will take performance up a notch and it has a killer spec with a Shimano XT drivetrain and braking. The Elite rolls on DT Swiss EX511 rims wrapped with Maxxis Minion DHR II tires. Finishing kit highlights are the Race Face bar and stem, and the KS Lev Integra dropper post. Saracen adds they have listened to consumer feedback and now the entire Ariel range comes equipped with a longer 170mm dropper post as standard (150mm for size small).
Andrew Ayers, Senior Product Manager at Saracen, said, “We are super excited to introduce the brand-new Ariel 30 Elite to complete the Ariel 30 line-up. Now we have a short travel trail bike that is perfect for big days out or ripping it up at a trail center."
The Saracen Ariel range still comes in three different travel options, each designed with different riders and riding in mind. The Ariel 30 is the trail-ready, downcountry bike and as well as the new Elite, there are new colorways of the Ariel 30, 30 Pro and Ariel 30 X frameset.
The Ariel 60 gets updated colors too and the brand's enduro bike has three offerings for every budget in the form of the Ariel 60, 60 Pro and 60 Elite. There is also a new color for the frame only Ariel 60 X.
For riders wanting even more travel, the Ariel 80 also gets two new colors added to the range for 2024. It has a hefty 180mm travel and comes in two specs, the Ariel 80 and Ariel 80 Pro.
Pricing and availability
All of the bikes mentioned are available to buy now direct from Saracen. Full spec details on the brand new Elite 30 are below with further details on the entire Ariel range also available at Saracen.co.uk. Pricing is very competitive and starts on the Ariel 30 range at £2,499 up to £3,999 for the new Elite model. The Ariel 60 starts at £2,599 up to £4,399. The Ariel 80 starts at £2,599 up to £3,499.
Framesets can be purchased in the 30 and 60 ranges priced at £1,499 for the 30 and £1,799 for the 60.
Tech specs: Saracen Ariel 30 Elite
- Frame: Saracen 6013 alloy
- Fork: Fox Performance 36 Elite, 140mm
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance Elite, 130mm
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT, 12-spd
- Shifters: Shimano XT
- Bar: Raceface Next R 36
- Crankset: Shimano XT
- Seatpost: KS Lev Integra, dropper
- Saddle: Saracen Custom CRMO
- Brakes: Shimano XT, 203mm F/R
- Wheels: DT Swiss EX511
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHR II
- Color: Yellow
- Sizes: S-XL
- Price: £3,999
