Press Release: Introducing the Saracen Myst Carbon

Sep 9, 2015

by Paul Aston

Press Release
09.09.2015

Saracen launch new Carbon Myst bike

Renowned British bike manufacturer, Saracen, has revealed the details on its stunning, all-new Myst Carbon Race bike.

Myst X/Myst Team frame description:

• Full carbon chassis with Toray 24T/40T/3K mix optimizing our TRL suspension design
• 37mm main pivot bearings and 28mm linkage bearings
• Suspension travel: 203mm
• Wheel size: 27.5"
• Custom headtube with adjustable front centre +/- 5mm
• Internal cable routing and integrated fork bump-stops
• 12 x 150mm rear axle
• MSRP: Complete builds start at £4,999 GBP
• Contact: Saracen.co.uk

The impressive Carbon Myst has made several key performance improvements from its predecessor and Saracen has developed a bike capable of winning races at the highest level. Following another successful season as part of the Madison Saracen Factory Race Team, the new Carbon Myst is lighter with a lower centre of gravity, yet has retained its durability.

Making its first understated public appearance at Eurobike recently before being ridden by UCI Downhill World Championship silver medallist Manon Carpenter, very few details have been released on the bike. The Myst Team model is a pro-level factory build that is as fast as any race machine on the market today as proven in Andorra on the weekend.

Development

Built from a mixture of Toray 24T/30T UD carbon with 3K reinforcement in strategic areas of the downtube Saracen have saved 560 grams on the existing alloy front triangle. The design team at Saracen have incorporated the ability to fine-tune the front-centre -/+5mm with its custom headtube and headsets and following another stellar race season, the rear brake hose routing has also been updated to run internally through the seatstay.

UD carbon links save 110 grams over the original CNC machined alloy linkages and the shock cradle has also been relocated to the downtube to lower the centre of gravity and improve standover – no small feat as it needs to accommodate the next generation of air shocks featuring large volume air cans.

Additionally, integrated fork bump-stops help clean up the front end of the bike and house the cable ports for the rear brake hose and rear derailleur cable.

Simon Wild, cycle project manager at Saracen reflected on the journey of the bike and team ahead of the launch. He said:

We have come so far, growing from a small UK team to compete at the highest level of downhill racing and starting the 2015 season as the world's number one ranked UCI team was an extremely proud moment. A lot has changed over the years but the ethos is still the same; to build a chassis that can to compete at the top level of downhill racing and be available for the general public to buy. We are thrilled to introduce the Myst Carbon Factory Race chassis which is at the pinnacle of downhill race-bike design.- Simon Wild, Cycle Product Manager, Saracen

Manon Carpenter won two world titles on board versions of the Myst, and finished with an impressive silver medal at the weekend’s world championships. Prior to the tournament, Manon said:

I've grown pretty close to my Myst over the past four years - from winning junior worlds in 2011, then the world cup overall and world champs in 2014 - it has been quite a journey! The bike has developed so much over that time and it has been great to be a part of a team that values feedback from us and then puts it into practice. - Manon Carpenter, Madison Saracen Factory Team

Production bikes will be available to buy from winter 2015 for £4,999.

MENTIONS: @SaracenBikes

Posted In:
Press Releases Saracen

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astonmtb
Member since Aug 23, 2009
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92 Comments

284 10

inabiff68 (Sep 9, 2015 at 7:49)

My wife's lucky that bike ain't got a vagina.

17 6

bigtim FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:24)

If I had one it would have a total pussy riding it.

10 4

poah (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:26)

you mean your pocket pussy is lucky

36 4

moefosho (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:47)

@inabiff68 , you win the internet for today.

123 6

adamconradx (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:12)

Thinking of a pun but I myst an opportunity

13 25

greasecheese7 (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:18) (Below Threshold)

that's pretty punny

4 30

sewer-rat FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:45) (Below Threshold)

Looks like one hell of a Dale

31 2

sewer-rat FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:48)

And before anyone calls it, I wouldn't mind being a Manon one

29 9

J-A-S (Sep 9, 2015 at 12:01)

Hey Hutch, be a saint and stop piggybacking on other people's puns.

www.pinkbike.com/photo/12664237

2 24

cunning-linguist (Sep 9, 2015 at 13:41) (Below Threshold)

Punny you say that, shame you myst the boat really! But you could join team sarcasm racing. So all is well...

37 0

bishopsmike (Sep 9, 2015 at 14:20)

Wow, with a name like cunning-linguist, I expected more...

barzaka FL (Sep 10, 2015 at 2:21) (Below Threshold)

If you have a myst, can you ride in a myst or it would not be a myst opportunity?

doyouevenboost148bro (Sep 10, 2015 at 7:37)

they made it carbon without adding BOOST this is the single biggest mistake Saracen HAVE EVER MADE no wonder manon sucked this year SHE WASNT RUNNING BOOST

yoshiro (Sep 10, 2015 at 10:14)

A Boost only gives substantial boost over 142, 150 all the way for DH. Also, I'm not a Carpenter, koz I'm not riding this bike.

35 2

Cheedah (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:24)

But will it blend?

31 2

bulldog6485 (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:35)

Hurray for a normal 12x150 rear end , no boost bollocks in site

wpplayer18 (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:16)

Does anyone currently make a dedicated DH bike with Boost?

bulldog6485 (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:26)

I have no idea if anyone does , this is in the hope they don't introduce any of "the next best thing standards"

10 19

ollyforster (Sep 9, 2015 at 10:16) (Below Threshold)

Boost is predominantly aimed at addressing the flex in 29" wheels within 142mm wide hubs. Not in burly as hell DH bikes with 150mm hubs as standard... Boost is 148mm anyway dumbass.

tom666 FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 12:39)

I know all the different standards are annoying, but if people never experimented with new ideas and weren't pushing for improvement then the development of bikes would be a whole lot slower. I actually think most of the standards are created for a good reason, it's just the marketing hype and BS that often surrounds a minor change that's annoying.

Warburrito (Sep 9, 2015 at 13:14)

I think it's sheep and manufacturers convinced that some of these new standards are improvements that's annoying. Some have reasons and are genuine, but some just don't and are movements in a wrong or pointless direction. That's why you hear such backlash against things like boost, 15mm axles, and press-fit BBs on non-carbon bikes.

bulldog6485 (Sep 10, 2015 at 0:58)

@Ollyfoster. There are Boost front hubs at 110mm as well "PRICK" Who's to say they won't try introducing that as another standard for DH and non 29er forks as it adds stiffness "Allegedly"

32 6

Danielrifum (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:14)

Wow that looks like a full suspension dh bike! wonder why it resembles other full suspension dh bikes?

Maybe beacuse its a got damn full suspension dh bike!

Metacomet (Sep 11, 2015 at 8:54)

At first glance from the pic on the homepage, I actually thought it kind of looks like a Nomad with a dual crown dh fork.

21 1

Boardlife69 (Sep 9, 2015 at 7:49)

Wow, didn't see that one coming, total surprise.

9 25

rickaybobbay (Sep 9, 2015 at 10:03) (Below Threshold)

so wow. much surprise. didn't see wow.

16 8

mcozzy (Sep 9, 2015 at 15:32)

Is it just me who is utterly disinterested in carbon? I want metal bikes thanks.

JMBMTB (Sep 10, 2015 at 14:55)

what actually is your problem with carbon? is it the lighter weight or cleaner looks that puts you off?

bmbracing (Sep 10, 2015 at 3:28)

I've said it before and I'll say it again - internal routing, especially for brake hoses, is STUPID. Other than that, very nice bike!

pigman65 (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:32)

Complete builds start at £4,999 GBP

sewer-rat FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:47)

I agree, the old pricing for many (apart from the great performance) was part of its appeal. I feel unfortunately this may turn potential punters away

kingtut87 (Sep 9, 2015 at 12:16)

It's a top level carbon DH bike, it was never going to be cheap. Surely Saracen will continue making the old alu ones?

11 0

orangepatriot66 (Sep 10, 2015 at 1:06)

They don't start at £4999, they are £4999. That's with full Fox factory level suspension, Shimano Saint groupset, DTSwiss wheelset and Pro finishing kit, i.e. the same bike the pros ride. Considering a V10 at the pro level is 10,000 then I think the Myst is pretty cheap.

pigman65 (Sep 10, 2015 at 4:50)

Read the article first , it states ,and I copied and pasted it

danob (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:16)

Simple, elegant, clean design. I LOVE it! We need more bikes like this, the YT TuEs carbon, and Specialized Demo S-Works.

twozerosix (Sep 9, 2015 at 14:47)

Probably the cleanest, most streamlined DH bike I've seen. Looks very well refined. Props to the design and CAD surfacing team.

10 9

TrinityTest (Sep 9, 2015 at 11:28)

Anyone who is wanting to buy a new bike and isn't loaded should just get a YT/Canyon/German. Unless you're a pro you probably won't notice the difference and you can spend the extra £1500 on uplift days which will actually make you faster.

14 6

gnarbar (Sep 9, 2015 at 17:28)

thanks tips, but people like choice and not junk that has no front line bike shop support and infrastructure. some people actually like bike shops being in business

theredbaron (Sep 10, 2015 at 1:31)

gnarbar ..you sir are a legend...that is all

russthedog FL (Sep 11, 2015 at 18:53)

Lol wont notice the difference - you ever ridden mire than one bike? They're pretty different!

lurch710 (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:37)

All I saw was 150x12

tobiusmaximum (Sep 10, 2015 at 0:43)

Proper!

tobiusmaximum (Sep 9, 2015 at 14:18)

Still have to kinda pinch myself over the fact these incredible bikes are Saracens. Saracens. Nope, still seems weird.

Medacus (Sep 9, 2015 at 21:56)

Why? Saracens were one of the best manufacturers back in the 90's, yes they went through a crap stage but Madison have very much turned them around

tobiusmaximum (Sep 10, 2015 at 0:41)

That's my point, they've been turned around. They were crap, if someone had said they would be winning wc-dh races I would've laughed. I'm not convinced they were 'one of the best' at any point other than now. But that's probably just opinion. That one up there is shexshe though eh?

hollowing2000 (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:20)

Wow! I never realized Manon Carpenter is such an accomplished dh racer.

Karpiel073 (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:40)

Yeah she is. I didn't know she was aboard Saracen so long.

stuwiltshire (Sep 10, 2015 at 0:17)

You can't moan about the price , it's only £200 more expensive than the 2014/2015 Myst Teams.

dnam2000 (Sep 9, 2015 at 7:57)

i like the new look

DM-DownHill (Sep 11, 2015 at 5:14)

Thumbs up for the wheel base being respective to the wheel size - Finally! I like it.

butlerssecret (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:24)

Nice bikes but I still don't see them at cycles centres around the country. I guess it's been hard to shake the Halfords shame

DaMilkyBarKid (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:12)

That and the Ariel bushing fiasco is putting a lot of people off Saracen despite the bikes being very good!

miketizzle (Sep 9, 2015 at 10:14)

Shed loads of them up at Aston Hill. Second only to the YT Tues round these parts. Those things are like arseholes...everyone's got one!

bigburd (Sep 9, 2015 at 10:58)

I see them quite often on uplift days and such, mates got one too , and few other local riders

ben8633 (Sep 9, 2015 at 11:38)

I had a myst and switched to a demo, I really wish I kept the myst, by far the best bike I've ever owned!

mrmac1980 (Sep 9, 2015 at 15:24)

Thing is back in th day (mid 90's) they were the nuts with bikes like the kili comp and flyer, you need to forget the halfords phase.. and you got to admit this is up there with the v10 for nice looking bikes..

Medacus (Sep 9, 2015 at 21:53)

You see loads of them up here in Scotland, Alpine Bikes use them as their hire bikes at Fort William and Innerleithen, I hired a Myst out at Fort William then went out and bought one as it was a fantastic bike, on my last uplift at Ae forest I wasn't the only Myst owner

DaRanger (Sep 9, 2015 at 15:27)

Nomad and transition tr500 combine to make myst, learn something every day

TimBurnmann (Sep 12, 2015 at 2:01)

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

nordland071285 (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:10)

lush

mudmandhbrazil (Sep 9, 2015 at 13:33)

Beautiful bike

jptothetree (Sep 9, 2015 at 18:24)

Oh my sexy!!!!!

Checkit (Sep 10, 2015 at 6:10)

Where is it made?

Below threshold threads are hidden

danielfox (Sep 9, 2015 at 16:26)

want to see a promotional video of Manon in full make up shredding that bike!

grgsmith (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:03)

I'm surprised nobody is complain it's single pivot, linkage driven shock.

justincs (Sep 9, 2015 at 20:24)

Dear grgsmith .... consider the following DH bikes.... GT, Devinci, Kona, Evil, Orange, Scott, Lapierre, Trek, Bergamont, Commencal, (all single pivot) and I've probably forgotten another dozen or more.

carfreak2000 (Sep 10, 2015 at 9:02)

I feel like complaining more about your grammar than the single pivot.

giantwhip (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:28)

Im all about the Saracen nooo treble

3 11

bigtim FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:11)

I wonder if it'll be a hit or a myss?

19 0

cmi85 (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:34)

fail

fingerbangextreme (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:07)

what was that film clint eastwood was in?
I just can't think, what the f*ck was it called
oh yeah play MYST-Y for me

flipoffthemonkeys (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:07)

maybe it's just me...nice bike, no doubt. but, and it's a big but, aren't we all sick of internal routing? particularly brakes. among the many things i want to see killed by fire in the bike industry are PF BB's and internal brake hose routing. sick of it, sick of it, sick of it.

fingerbangextreme (Sep 9, 2015 at 9:08)

gorillas in the MYST

Matt76 (Sep 9, 2015 at 13:24)

Looks nice. Shame about the glorified plastic.

carfreak2000 (Sep 10, 2015 at 9:00)

This isn't 1998 anymore. MTB carbon has improved a lot in the past few years.

JMBMTB (Sep 10, 2015 at 14:53)

i genuinely find it hard to believe how stupid some people can be, but apparently it happens unless this guy is just a troll

Matt76 (Sep 16, 2015 at 13:39)

Stupid? No mate I'm just not a sheep like most the bike buying public.

JMBMTB (Sep 16, 2015 at 14:12)

oh ok i guess you also hate disc brakes and decent suspension then as well... definitely not like the progression of bikes is good or anything

Matt76 (Sep 16, 2015 at 14:42)

No .I just like things made out of metal...Not glorified plastic, cloth and glue.

JMBMTB (Sep 16, 2015 at 14:45)

so you don't like progression then? i don't see whats not to like about a lighter, stiffer more attractive bike? but then i guess you probably can't afford it and that would almost explain your dislike, still unreasonable but an explanation none the less

Matt76 (Sep 16, 2015 at 14:53)

Rule No 1....Never assume someone's earnings and what they can and cannot afford...bad mistake! If you look at my photo on my profile from years ago I'm riding a Trek Session which I bought new like I do all my bikes and I now earn a lot more money than I did back then .Rule No2 stop believing all the marketing total bullshit about carbon. It will save you a wedge of money .

Matt76 (Sep 16, 2015 at 15:08)

www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/carbon-fibre-bicycles-in-the-frame-for-rising-number-of-injuries-1.1879653

JMBMTB (Sep 16, 2015 at 22:59)

^^those are road bikes not mountain bikes for a start and they're probably made differently, how many carbon mountain bikes made in the last couple of years do you hear about that are breaking? not many and just as many aluminium bikes have broken... wait many more aluminium bikes have broken so you're argument isn't very good, also if you think it's marketing bullshit then it is safe to assume you're not well informed in terms of engineering and also have no clue what you're talking about

carfreak2000 (Sep 16, 2015 at 23:41)

I hear more stories about Aluminum Trek Slash frames breaking than most Carbon frames failing recently

3 14

fredro (Sep 9, 2015 at 7:55)

At first glance, down tube looks like a transition.

4 15

Turqoise (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:01)

It's like a gt that actually works

newschooler (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:50)

I dont get it. Do GT's have a bad rep?

Selgovae (Sep 9, 2015 at 20:51)

Yeah, GT's have never won a world cup didn't you know?

Medacus (Sep 9, 2015 at 21:57)

Or a World Champs and was Kyle Strait not on a GT when he won Rampage

3 16

Morebike (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:02)

Looks like a session

13 1

bigtim FL (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:12)

Your mum look like a session.

37 0

AllMountin (Sep 9, 2015 at 8:16)

Your mum likes to be sessioned.