The word of the day is Lovely. The dog walked off in the beginning of the video He knew the contents of the box were definitely NOT A DOGS BREAKFAST

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, nothing for him in that box. The whole components list is wall to wall treasures.

@tmayberry7559

2 жыл бұрын

@@red_dread yes lovely as you said

You get a lot of newby 90s mountain bike retro fans...who dont even know what an 80s mtb is...lol...like they didnt exist before 1990...thank god for this channel for us older guys...

@red_dread

8 ай бұрын

Ha, I'm not that old - but I do remember vividly my childhood obsession really intensifying in the second half of the '80s. I'm still fascinated by how massively MTBs changed between 88 and 90.

Absolutely beautiful build. I am from '89 so this is before I existed but the bikes back then were so pure, so nice, so easy to maintain and so satisfying to work on! This is one of the best bike channels on youtube. Top 10 for sure! I love the way you narrate the videos and the explanations that you provide. It is a really immersive experience. Thank you for sharing your hobby with the internet!

@red_dread

6 ай бұрын

Thank you, it's great to hear you enjoy the videos and your kind words encourage me to make more effort to do more! I have quite a backlog of projects in the workshop so you can expect more builds soon, stay tuned.

My go to channel at the mo working through your back catalogue like a young Andrea Bocelli with optimal sight to see the perfection under the rust

Love that ‘Pro Tip’ at 19:35 to measure chain length. Gonna steal that idea.👍

It's a joy to watch. Great commentary and rebuilds! I envy you so much for having your space for the hobby :( I started my love of 90's MTB bikes (not necessarily restoration) with my Schwinn Frontier (1999-2000, can'r remember). Then all of a sudden in 2015 I decided to buy another old Schwinn and came up with Schwinn Crosspoint with all original accessories except saddle and handlebars. At the time I didn't know that this could be special so I threw all parts (except frame, fork, wobbler wheels) away as it was old, and replaced it with Acera/Alivio/Deore 😂 Then in 2020 I somehow found a "restoration bike" video and decided to find and identify my bike. To my surprise, it was THE ONLY one model that was produced in 1992. It was their highest, lightest steel-is-real cross bike. Factory weight in the catalogue: 11,6 kg in 1992. Since the I was able to catch 75% originally equipped Trek Singletrack 970 1993 and... In 2023 I almost grabbed another Schwinn Crosspoint. But our Polish post messed up something with labels and it was lost. From what I heard someone, who got my bike (for less than 60€) claimed complain and there still is a chance of me getting the bike back :) I envy so much, that you have a place to rebuild and tinker with your bike. I might get one when my kids grow older :P

@red_dread

10 ай бұрын

Glad you're enjoying the videos, there's definitely more to come. And hope you get to build that workshop of your own before too long!

Lovely job. I absolutely adore my Trekker. It just feels prefect in every way for my commutes. I hope this one serves you well too!

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

This is likely to end up being my all-year-round commuter which will make work days a pleasure.

I love how match stem and bottle cage !

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

It’s so 80s isn’t it? It was very common to have bars and stem colour matched to frame and fork, but the same paint job on the bottle cage is a seriously high class touch!

I've had a Saracen Hy-Trail (Hybrid) 1996 from new. It cost me just under £300 back then. Shimano Acera-X 21 speed gear train, Gripshift MRX-100, Alesa 4019 36-hole rims, and Saracen Soft Comfort saddle. I've put some miles into this in past years but it's been idle for too long, like me; so perhaps a project for 2024.

@red_dread

8 ай бұрын

Those hybrids are great bikes for things like commuting and all-weather transportation. Yours is definitely a worthy project and a real treasure.

That. is. beautiful.

Great video, great bike and what an end product, double U brake heaven

@red_dread

10 ай бұрын

Those brakes are fantastic! So much more powerful than the cantis of the same era, but I guess lightweight and low profile became more fashionable.

@74leogambo

10 ай бұрын

@@red_dread absolutely agree, have the Mountain LX kit with a rear U brake on my Sierra and it still to this day surprises me how well it works

I used the T-Cut colorfast recently on an 86 MTB. I think it's pretty good on solid colors.

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

It's been successful on some projects and less so on others. Not entirely sure why - I guess because it's designed for automotive paints and some bike manufacturers used different formulations or methods. Unfortunately on this Saracen it came up nice and shiny but by no means restored to its original colour. But that's OK, I love the vintage patina.

"because I'm lazy' says the man who spends days and hours meticulously restoring lovely old bikes ;)

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

I can't think of a better way to while away idle hours than tinkering with mechanicals - but painting (specifically all the prep and cleanup) starts to feel too much like hard work!

BTW I have a pair of 231’s with black LX hubs hanging in my garage ready to go on my Saracen Kiliracer (when I pull my finger out). 👍🏼

@red_dread

11 ай бұрын

Oof, those black groupsets did look cool. I quite fancy finding an early 90s all-black at some point. I remember when Saracen did it and it looked stealth af.

A classic bulletproof design that could be used for anything, everything you need and nothing you don't. 👍🤘.

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Used for everything except racing perhaps!

Gammon Units. I shall certainly be paying that one forward. Superb.

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Credit for that one goes to my dear friend Iain, owner of the blue Cannondale in my Retro MTB Weekend film. He shares my robust view that anyone agreeing with Rees Mogg on the relevance of imperial measures is an irredeemable bell end.

This takes me back! In the 80's my first mtb was a Saracen Kili Flyer; wish I still had it. However my Kona fetish satisfies me.

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Who actually had a Kili in the 80s? Apart from Mike Edwards, lead singer of Jesus Jones. Wait a minute, are you him?

That's beautiful, what a slice of history

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

It's been quite an emotional journey building this thing and reading about the history of Saracen! I can't see myself ever parting with it.

I had the slightly newer version of this when it was a newish model in the early 90s , it had the u brake both front and rear but it was positioned in the traditional place on the back and not on the chain stays like this model, it had a Deore II GS with 7 Spd Thumbies, HG, SG round rings and slightly more aggressive geometry, great bike, I still take my 90s MTB (531 Claud Butler) off-road

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Interesting point about the slightly more aggressive geometry. I think 1990 was a real turning point between the generation of adventure-oriented bikes and the race-oriented trend that took over. The former are so much more stable, comfortable and easy to ride - when I get on some of my high-end builds from the early 90s it's like getting onto a time trial bike by comparison!

And we love a lot less faff. Plus this build is not a butchers dust bin of bits The cartel thanks you

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Every part is a gem. I love this bike.

Work a lovely piece of history. We should do a retro ride, I can bring my 89” Roberts along

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

I am well up for that - I know some great local trails that would be perfect for these bikes. Can't promise I won't beat you up and steal your Roberts though, that thing is a masterpiece.

Great build Oliver!

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks - very little actual fixing required, these parts are solid!

Great bike! great video! Ive been following your projects for some time. Thanks for the tips and tricks! :) Big fan!

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel. Plenty more to come!

“Daddy…”❤

Dude this turned out absolutely amazing !! Love the stem on that thing - great lines. Also of course you made the best saddle choice anyone could have made 😂. Bike turned out spectacular!! P.s and I thought I was the only one that looked that crazy when I unpackage a rear mech !!

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Thanks brother. Yes, the whole geometry is just lovely - a big long wheelbase, slack angles, perfect reach and throw, an absolute pleasure to ride. Last of a generation, because bikes of this spec would have gone all lightweight, back-breakingly low and aero by the end of the 80s. And yes, the saddle is a tribute to you. Who else in the world could have chosen better?

@garysprojects

Жыл бұрын

@@red_dread Hahha bless up, I’m honored homie! 💕🫡

👍👍

Nice Bike

😍

I tried the sink cleaning once, wife was not happy.

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Try running chains through the dishwasher. They don't like that either.

@tecdesigns8183

2 жыл бұрын

@@red_dread ooooh that's a good one, I think I'd have to swap my flite for a ladies saddle if I did that.

It's a cracker 👍I have a 91 Saracen Frenzy with a Brookes saddle fitted 😁

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

The early 90s Saracens were very different, but equally exciting in their own way. Personally I'm not averse to a Brooks saddle, but it wouldn't be appropriate for this build.

A beautiful build and an awesome video. I really enjoy your enthusiasm and commentary. I’m sure you have considered this but in case you haven’t and you’re looking to rejuvenate older paint systems maybe try using a professional grade cutting/polishing compound. I use Farcela G3 and G6. They deoxidise and remove scratches so much faster than T-Cut. Thanks.

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

I hadn't considered that, so thanks for the recommendation! I'm tempted to try that since the paint on these old Saracens is generally pretty tough - although I'm nervous about going too hard because you only get once chance...

@mattmorton5641

Жыл бұрын

My thoughts are that especially by hand it would take a long time to cut through the base coat.I’ve only ever managed it once!🤦🏻‍♂️

On my saracen got a BASSANO saddle.

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Another nostalgic brand I forgot to mention! In fact, I seem to recall later on (in the 90s) you often saw Selle Bassano on Saracens.

Fantastic built BTW. Where do you find all those original seats? Would you agree that the paintwork on old Saracens seems indestructable? Beautiful bike, thanks for sharing.

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

I'm very fussy about saddles, and have always gone to lengths to source proper ones. Some are easier to find than others, for example the Avocet is rare and the Look Rolls even rarer, whereas I have a big stash of near mint original Flites. Original Turbos tend to be expensive if they're not wrecked, but the good news is they're still making them to this day so I just get those new. That Saracen one with the coil sprung rail on the 89 Trekker is so cool but I bet you could never find an original one of those on the market, unless you stumbled across a whole bike with one on. I'm not bothered that this Trekker has lost its original Madison saddle because those would have been a cost-cutting spec at the time and weren't anything special.

An absolute minter beautifully restored. I was also thinking turbo saddle. Is the high end handlebar made of aluminium or metal? I suspect the latter but perhaps 1mm wall cromoly?

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Turbo saddle was the only choice. Even if I could have found the leather Madison one as seen on the '87 Conquest, it wouldn't be as good. Those things disappeared for a reason! As for the bar, it's black anodised aluminium. Was expecting cr-mo like on the similar Saracen I recently built, which is why it was a surprise to find such a lightweight piece from a brand with such racy heritage as ITM, on an otherwise super heavyweight spec. Perhaps it's an aftermarket upgrade, would have to refer back to that catalogue.

Hi Oliver, lovely Sarcen and an inspiring video ! Two questions: - which Dremel bit did you use to clean up the pedals? it turned so fast that I could not make it out. Was that a kind of brush ? - when rebuilding the rear mech - do you use loctite to fix the jockey whee screws - and if yes: how do you keep the washers from being locked as well, which is what always happens when I try to do this... And last time I did not use it it promptly fell apart on the first ride. Thanks As for the saddle: an old used Turbo works every time for me

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Hi, glad you enjoyed! The Dremel bit was just one of the polishing heads - it looks like a white chimney brush and wears away very quickly. I use them with Autosol hence everything turns black. As for rear mechs, I never use Loctite because as long as you use the intended bolts for the purpose then they should already have some sort of threadlock on them. If you're installing the jockeys correctly you can torque the bolts fairly tight because even when the centre is gripped tight it's designed to still allow for the bushing or bearing to move freely.

Beautiful build Oliver, a real stunner. Never owned a Saracen but recently acquired two Diamond Back’s from 1991. Do you have a DB in your collection?

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

Never have but used to sell them when I worked in bike shops in the 90s and recommended them to family and friends because they were great. I did once cut out a pic of an Apex from MBUK in the early days, as a pocket money saving target. Never did save enough though.

@mattderwent2133

2 жыл бұрын

@@red_dread not too sure how much they retailed for back in 91. I’ve got an Apex & Ascent.

@red_dread

2 жыл бұрын

@@mattderwent2133 As I recall the Apex I had the picture of had a full DX groupset and a smoky grey paint job, and was in the region of £600. Which was insane money back in the day, hence I never got one!

If you like 80s/90s Saracens, I just uploaded a video showing my 90's MTB collection which has 3 Sacracens, a Tufftrax, Rufftrax and one I'm not sure what it is, any ideas? Cheers John

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

I've just watched and enjoyed that video - I do recognise that nameless Saracen but can't be sure what it's name is. It's possible that it's a Rufftrax from slightly later in the 90s, but I couldn't say for sure without reference to the Retrobike archives.

i bought a classic mtb with the same deore-group and 2 u-brakes.the frame was overpainted so i cant tell which brand it is. i costed only 35 € on a fleamarket. :)

@red_dread

10 ай бұрын

Whatever it was, no matter the condition, you got a bargain there!

Great video. The 1980s Saracens people often see as the best. Where do the 1990s Saracens fit in. I have a Forcetrax from 1995, which I bought new. Is it a clunker or is it worth keeping. I would appreciate your opinion.

@red_dread

9 ай бұрын

Absolutely, the 80s Saracens are the best - however the early 90s ones are great too. I'd always say a Saracen from 95 would be worth keeping, no matter what condition it's in. It was only really at the very end of the 90s that they made a few "questionable" bikes for the mass market (the Raw and Raw DH were pretty horrid), but even then their higher end stuff was still good.

@johnmessenger4351

9 ай бұрын

@@red_dread Thanks for your opinion. I think I'll keep it on that basis. I've seen a few Trekkers for sale but they rarely are as good as the one you restored. Thank for a great channel. ATB John

What knife are you using?

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

I have a hell of a collection (I'm a hoarder)! I have pretty much every model of Leatherman, plus bushcraft knives, craft knives etc. I guess the one you can see in this video is the carpet-fitter's box cutter? It's just a trade spec fixed blade Stanley with a champagne cork as a safety cap.

Uniglide?

@red_dread

Жыл бұрын

Oh yes, and what a fascinating and rewarding project this cassette turned out to be! I could have done another ten minute video just on that. I love the fact that you can take a totally worn and unridable cassette (as this one turned out to be) and simply reverse the sprockets to double its life - because the splines and the teeth profiling are symmetrical unlike Hyperglide and later. You can even reverse the smallest (threaded lockring/sprocket) if you're clever with spacers. So satisfying.