Genesis and Saracen 2013 bikes break cover with new 650B and 29er models

7 comments 11:07AM Fri, 10th August 2012

Genesis and Saracen bikes, in-house brands of UK distribution giant Madison have launched a bunch of new models at their dealer open house which started Monday and goes on for the next month or so.

Genesis highlights include a full suspension model, the Grapil; a range of Genesis 29er hardtails dubbed Mantle, derived from the Genesis Core aluminium hardtails, and three steep 29ers, the High Latitude range.

On the Saracen side, the Zen trail hardtail ggets 650B wheels, the intermediate wheel size that’s currently making waves and might well be where the industry settles for longer-travel and all-purpose bikes that need to be a bit more nimble.

Among suspension Saracens, the biggest news is that after months of supply problems, the highly-regarded Ariel trail bikes will actually be available at last after months of factory supply issues.

Here are some of the highlights, and you can see lots more detail in the gallery.

Saracen Zen

Understated and stylish, the new Zen takes the old machine’s hardcore hardtail credentials up a wheel size to 650B. The complete bike, as seen here, will retail for £1599.99.

Saracen Kili Elite

The Saracen Kili series goes big wheel with a move up to 29er rubber. This is the top model Kili Elite at £1449.99, with a custom-butted 6066 aluminium frame, RockShox Recon fork and Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres.
One of the oldest model names in mountain biking, Kili refers to Kilimanjaro, the mountain Richard and Nicholas Crane rode up on Saracen bikes way back in 1985.

Saracen Ariel 143

With 140mm of travel, the Saracen Ariel trail bikes have been well-received – by riders who could actually get one. Supply problems should be sorted for 2013. This is the £3249.99 Ariel 143 with Fox shock, Shimano SLX gears and brakes and a bold new colour scheme.

Saracen Mantle

Mantle is the new Genesis range of aluminium-framed 29er hardtails that share DNA with the Core range of 26ers. This is the £1,299.99 Mantle 30 with triple-butted 6069 aluminium frame, RockShox Recon fork and Continental X-King tyres.

Genesis Grapil

Genesis adds a cross-country suspension bike to the range with the new Grapil. With 120mm of travel and geometry for a 140mm fork, the Grapil is intended to be a simple, versatile single pivot trail bike. Price TBA.

Genesis High Latitude

The top model of another new line of 29ers, this is the £1,549.99 Genesis High Latitude 2×10 in Reynolds 520 chromoly.

Genesis Vapour Disc

Fancy a bit of modern cyclo-cross action? Of course you do! Here’s the new Genesis Vapour Disc with a fat 44mm head tube, race geometry, carbon fork and, of course, Avid BB5 cable discs.
While Genesis has designed this as a raceable crosser, Dom Thomas realises people uses crossers as super-commuters and has kept it versatile with rack and mudguard eyes.

Want to see a whole lot more detail? Check out the full gallery, below

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Understated and stylish, the new Zen takes the old machine's hardcore hardtail credentials up a wheel size to 650B. The complete bike, as seen here, will retail for £1599.99

Just in case you don't notice, the Zen's Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres are clearly labelled with the new size.

A KS dropper post signals the Zen's intention. This is a hardtail for steep terrain, not a groomed-trail blaster.

The Saracen Zen gets a mix of FSA chainset and Shimano SLX gears.

A bit of reinforcement supports the Saracen Zen seat cluster.

Shimano brakes provide the Zen's stopping power with a 180mm rotor up front

A chainstay yoke sorts out clearance issues while keeping the back end tight

The Saracen Kili series goes big wheel with a move up to 29er rubber. This is the top model Kili Elite, with a custom-butted 6066 aluminium frame, RockShox Recon fork and Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres.
One of the oldest model names in mountain biking, Kili refers to Kilimanjaro, the mountain Richard and Nicholas Crane rode up on Saracen bikes way back in 1985.

Custom tubing keeps the Kili Elite light, as befits a go-faster hardtail

Flattened seatstays are intended to take out a bit of back-end sting. Ooo-er missus. In my day we just put an exercise book down our shorts.

Saracen Kili Elite transmission mixes Shimano derailleurs and FSA chainset.

Direct-mount front derailleur because you can't have too stiff an anchor point for the front mech.

Kili Elite has a tapered head tube and that tidy head badge

A reinforcing strut provides bracing for the rear brake.

Some careful shaping and a drive-side plate chainstay keeps the tyre clearance UK-friendly

With 140mm of travel, the Saracen Ariel trail bikes have been well-received - by riders who could actually get one. Supply problems should be sorted for 2013. This is the £3,249.99 Ariel 143 with Fox shock, Shimano SLX gears and brakes and a bold new colour scheme.

Saracen Ariel 143 transmission with Shimano SLX mechs and chainset.

Ariel suspension uses a single pivot with a linkage to actuate the Fox Float-A Kashima shock

The Fox Float-A Factory CTD Kashima shock has three settings for on-the-fly trail adjustment.

KS dropper post gets the saddle well out of the way when teh going gets steep

Handlebar control for the Fox shock's CTD functions. The TLA stands for Climb, Trail, Descend and gives you a setting for each situation: locked for climbing, controlled for pedalling on the trail and open for descending.

Handlebar switch for the KS dropper post

Another one of them nifty Saracen embossed head tubes on the Ariel

Genesis adds a cross-country suspension bike to the range with the new Grapil. With 120mm of travel and geometry for a 140mm fork, the Grapil is intended to be a simple, versatile single pivot trail bike. Price TBA.

Mantle is the new Genesis range of aluminium-framed 29er hardtails that share DNA with the Core range of 26ers. This is the £1,299.99 Mantle 30 with triple-butted 6069 aluminium frame, RockShox Recon fork and Continental X-King tyres.

Genesis mantle 30 transmission mixes a Deore chainset and SLX mechs

The Mantle's wishbone rear end echoes the design of the Core 26ers

Gusseted tubes beef up the Mantle front end

This test build of the Grapil used Shimano SLX components. Final specs and prices are still to be decided.

RockShox Monarch shock on the Grapil. The low leverage ratio suspension provides the option of switching to a 55mm stroke shock for 135mm for suspension travel versus the stock 51mm/120mm set-up.

Grapil suspension design is all about keeping it simple

There's been buzz around about this bike since Genesis first mentioned it 10 months ago; it's finally happening.

Genesis designer Dom Thomas sweated over the cable routing on the Grapil to keep it well out of the way and tidy.

Dual clamps route the Grapil's cables under the down tube.

The top model of another new line of 29ers, this is the £1,549.99 Genesis High Latitude 2x10 in Reynolds 520 chromoly.

Genesis High Latitude 2x10 drives its double-banger transmission with Shimano SLX components

Shimano SLX rear mech on the Genesis High Latitude 2x10

A gentle curve to the seat tube increases tyre clearance on the Genesis High Latitude 2x10

Call us old school, but we still like to see a Reynolds tube sticker.

The Genesis High Latitude 2x10 uses a plate to connect the drive-side chainstay and provide mud clearance.

Up close and personal with the Genesis High Latitude 2x10's chainstays

Fancy a bit of modern cyclo-cross action? Of course you do! Here's the new Genesis Vapour Disc with a fat 44mm head tube, race geometry, carbon fork and, of course, Avid BB5 cable discs.
While Genesis has designed this as a raceable crosser, Dom Thomas realises people uses crossers as super-commuters and has kept it versatile with rack and mudguard eyes.

The bike version of 'party till you puke'.

The Genesis Vapour Disc states its intent with a 46/36 chainset, the favoured spec for racing.

A photographer's nightmare, the pearlescent finish looks lovely in sunshine.

All the Genesis Vapour Disc's cable are routed along the top tube

A threaded eye on the chainstay bridge for fitting a mudguard.

Understated and stylish, the new Zen takes the old machine's hardcore hardtail credentials up a wheel size to 650B. The complete bike, as seen here, will retail for £1599.99

Just in case you don't notice, the Zen's Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres are clearly labelled with the new size.

The Zen boasts a tapered head tube with the trademark Saracen embossed logo.

A KS dropper post signals the Zen's intention. This is a hardtail for steep terrain, not a groomed-trail blaster.

The Saracen Zen gets a mix of FSA chainset and Shimano SLX gears.

A bit of reinforcement supports the Saracen Zen seat cluster.

Shimano brakes provide the Zen's stopping power with a 180mm rotor up front

A chainstay yoke sorts out clearance issues while keeping the back end tight

Kind Shock dropper post

The Saracen Kili series goes big wheel with a move up to 29er rubber. This is the top model Kili Elite, with a custom-butted 6066 aluminium frame, RockShox Recon fork and Schwalbe Rocket Ron tyres. One of the oldest model names in mountain biking, Kili refers to Kilimanjaro, the mountain Richard and Nicholas Crane rode up on Saracen bikes way back in 1985.

Custom tubing keeps the Kili Elite light, as befits a go-faster hardtail

Flattened seatstays are intended to take out a bit of back-end sting. Ooo-er missus. In my day we just put an exercise book down our shorts.

Saracen Kili Elite transmission mixes Shimano derailleurs and FSA chainset.

Direct-mount front derailleur because you can't have too stiff an anchor point for the front mech.

Saracen Kili Elite gets 720mm bars

Kili Elite has a tapered head tube and that tidy head badge

A reinforcing strut provides bracing for the rear brake.

Some careful shaping and a drive-side plate chainstay keeps the tyre clearance UK-friendly

With 140mm of travel, the Saracen Ariel trail bikes have been well-received - by riders who could actually get one. Supply problems should be sorted for 2013. This is the £3,249.99 Ariel 143 with Fox shock, Shimano SLX gears and brakes and a bold new colour scheme.

Saracen Ariel 143 transmission with Shimano SLX mechs and chainset.

Ariel suspension uses a single pivot with a linkage to actuate the Fox Float-A Kashima shock

The Fox Float-A Factory CTD Kashima shock has three settings for on-the-fly trail adjustment.

KS dropper post gets the saddle well out of the way when teh going gets steep

Handlebar control for the Fox shock's CTD functions. The TLA stands for Climb, Trail, Descend and gives you a setting for each situation: locked for climbing, controlled for pedalling on the trail and open for descending.

Handlebar switch for the KS dropper post

Another one of them nifty Saracen embossed head tubes on the Ariel

Genesis mantle 30 transmission mixes a Deore chainset and SLX mechs

The Mantle's wishbone rear end echoes the design of the Core 26ers

Gusseted tubes beef up the Mantle front end

This test build of the Grapil used Shimano SLX components. Final specs and prices are still to be decided.

RockShox Monarch shock on the Grapil. The low leverage ratio suspension provides the option of switching to a 55mm stroke shock for 135mm for suspension travel versus the stock 51mm/120mm set-up.

Grapil suspension design is all about keeping it simple "for people who value their riding over the latest trendy marketing fad"

There's been buzz around about this bike since Genesis first mentioned it 10 months ago; it's finally happening.

Genesis headbadge. Oooh! Shiny!

Genesis designer Dom Thomas sweated over the cable routing on the Grapil to keep it well out of the way and tidy.

Dual clamps route the Grapil's cables under the down tube.

The top model of another new line of 29ers, this is the £1,549.99 Genesis High Latitude 2x10 in Reynolds 520 chromoly.

Genesis High Latitude 2x10 drives its double-banger transmission with Shimano SLX components

Shimano SLX rear mech on the Genesis High Latitude 2x10

A gentle curve to the seat tube increases tyre clearance on the Genesis High Latitude 2x10

Call us old school, but we still like to see a Reynolds tube sticker.

The Genesis High Latitude 2x10 uses a plate to connect the drive-side chainstay and provide mud clearance.

Up close and personal with the Genesis High Latitude 2x10's chainstays

Phwoar look at the gussets on that.

Fancy a bit of modern cyclo-cross action? Of course you do! Here's the new Genesis Vapour Disc with a fat 44mm head tube, race geometry, carbon fork and, of course, Avid BB5 cable discs. While Genesis has designed this as a raceable crosser, Dom Thomas realises people uses crossers as super-commuters and has kept it versatile with rack and mudguard eyes.

The bike version of 'party till you puke'.

The Genesis Vapour Disc states its intent with a 46/36 chainset, the favoured spec for racing.

A photographer's nightmare, the pearlescent finish looks lovely in sunshine.

All the Genesis Vapour Disc's cable are routed along the top tube

A threaded eye on the chainstay bridge for fitting a mudguard.

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