Saracen Helix? should I work on it?

[anweledig]

I have a Gary Fisher Tiburon at the moment and it's served me quite well. I try to do about 250 miles a month, go out about 3 times a week and am aiming to do a few audax rides during 2009 (probably only the 100 km ones though - my longest ride this year was just over that on moderate terrain). I'm not fast (average about 12-14mph depending on terrain) but suspect that's the engine not the bike - I would like to get up at least a 15mph average.

I've been thinking about an upgrade next spring and was looking at either a Dawes (probably one of their Galaxy or Audax bikes) or a Specialized Tricross Sport (very tempted). My son-in-law has just given me another bike to try, a Saracen Helix, a flat bar road bike which needs a bit of TLC to get it going (it'll need the brakes sorting, and some mudguards and lights fitting to make it useful at this time of year).

Before I start working on it, I'd like to get a few opinions on the bike's overall quality and if it is worth spending a lot of time on. It's certainly a lot lighter than the Gary Fisher bike.

 

[PpPete]

Saracen Helix ? This one ?

I would say definitely worth working on, but it doesnt have the clearance for mudguards.

You should find it a LOT quicker than the Tiburon.

 

[ed_o_brain]

Just give the frame a careful check over for any signs of cracking or fracturing.

If no clearance for mudguards, then raceblades will probably do the trick.

 

[anweledig]

Looks like a visit to my LBS then tomorrow for a few bits and then a run out over the weekend. It looks like an earlier model of the one you put the link up for, thanks for that.

It should be a fun weekend