This latest generation Saracen Myst downhill bike first broke cover late last year at the 2015 Downhill World Champs. Since then, Saracen has taken its sweet time in refining the carbon frame of its flagship downhiller. Testing that involved no less than five alloy mules, plus a full 18 months of development time with the Madison Saracen Factory Race team means the production bike is finally ready.
Sold as a race-ready package for £5,299 or as a £2,299 frame, Saracen claims an impressive 560g saving from switching to a carbon front triangle. A carbon suspension link saves another 110g over previous generation CNC alloy parts.
Meanwhile, the suspension arrangement has also changed from the alloy Myst, with the shock now mounting at the down tube – this allows for increased standover, a lower centre of gravity and more room for the latest generation air shocks. Three sizes will be on offer: medium, large and extra large. Take a look at the image below the frameset pic for a full geometry rundown.
The design team at Saracen have also incorporated the ability to fine-tune the front-centre length by +8mm through to -5mm with its custom head tube and headsets. Other notable features are a rear brake hose that's internally routed through the chainstay, and integrated bump-stops to protect the frame.
Myst Team £5299
Specification
Toray UD carbon race chassis optimising 24T/40T/3K fibre mix / 37mm main pivot bearings / 28mm linkage bearings /
signature TRL suspension design / internal cable routing / 203mm travel / 12 x 150mm rear axle
Rear Shock
Fox DHX2 Factory / Kashima / HSC/LSC / RVS / SLS spring
Fork
Fox 40 Factory / 203mm travel / FIT damper / HSC/LSC / 20x110
Headset
Saracen offset headset / 0mm / 5mm
Shifters
Shimano Saint M820 Rapidfire Plus 1x10 speed
Rear derailleur
Shimano Saint M820 Shadow Plus
Chain Device
Gamut P30s
Chainset
Shimano Saint M825 36T 165mm
Bottom Bracket
Shimano SM-BB80
Chain
Shimano HG54
Cassette
Shimano HG500 10 speed cassette 11-25t
Rims
DT Swiss FR570 27.5 32h
Hubs
Shimano Saint M820 32h front / Shimano Saint M825 32h rear
Spokes
Double-butted stainless steel
Tyres
Maxxis High Roller II / 42a Super Tacky / 27.5 x 2.4in
Brakes
Shimano M820 203/203mm
Brake levers
Shimano Saint M820
Handlebars
PRO DH 7050 DB alloy riser bar / 800mm wide /20mm rise / 5 degree up bend / 9 degree back bend
Grips / Tape
Saracen lock-on grip
Stem
PRO DH / 50mm / direct mount / 0 degree rise / 31.8mm clamp
Saddle
PRO DH custom
Seatpost
PRO DH custom / 30.9mm
Pedals
Alloy MTB / sealed bearings / replaceable pins
Array
Myst X Frameset £2299.99
Geometry table
The Myst Team and Myst X Frameset are available now from authorised Saracen retailers.
