figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
This is more retro than vintage, but anyway…
I bought this Saracen Dirt Trax second hand in the late 90s - it was my first ‘proper’ MTB and was used as such. It eventually got usurped by a newer bike and was relegated to the back of the shed. A few years ago a friend had his bike stolen - it was his only means of transport so I gave him this.
Then recently he told me he’d bought a new bike - I enquired after the Saracen and he said he still had it and if I wanted it back I could have it. Then the big LD happened but today it finally came home! And it is just as I remember it - it still had the Crud Catcher and bottle cage I put on it, the front tyre is still the original as are pretty much all the parts.
It was a bit baggy and scruffy but largely sound - a hour of wiping and fettling and it’s a runner again.
I’m not entirely sure what to do with it - I am surprised how pleased I am to have it back; I’m not generally one for sentiment towards such things but I find myself chuffed to have it back. I’m considering using it as a commuting hack. I’m pretty sure it has no value as a retro MTB nor has any historic significance but I’m keen to keep it largely as it is, maybe with some rack or luggage options.
I bought this Saracen Dirt Trax second hand in the late 90s - it was my first ‘proper’ MTB and was used as such. It eventually got usurped by a newer bike and was relegated to the back of the shed. A few years ago a friend had his bike stolen - it was his only means of transport so I gave him this.
Then recently he told me he’d bought a new bike - I enquired after the Saracen and he said he still had it and if I wanted it back I could have it. Then the big LD happened but today it finally came home! And it is just as I remember it - it still had the Crud Catcher and bottle cage I put on it, the front tyre is still the original as are pretty much all the parts.
I’m not entirely sure what to do with it - I am surprised how pleased I am to have it back; I’m not generally one for sentiment towards such things but I find myself chuffed to have it back. I’m considering using it as a commuting hack. I’m pretty sure it has no value as a retro MTB nor has any historic significance but I’m keen to keep it largely as it is, maybe with some rack or luggage options.
