If you're serious about taking on big trails in big mountains, you're going to need a bike that's up to the job. With 170mm Rock Shox Yari forks floating you though the biggest of rocks and drops, backed up by a well-proportioned 165mm travel frame, the Ariel Elite is just such a machine.
Saracen has been on the mountain bike scene since the beginning in the UK, so it's great to see them keeping their head above the water with a very capable and well specced machine that would be capable of dropping straight onto the enduro racing scene with minimal tweaks to the original build.
The SLX drivetrain is a solid, good value option, without sacrificing dependability or function, and is our go-to level in the Shimano range. It just works, and works well without breaking the bank. The same goes for the Shimano 501 brakes hauling it all to a stop with minimum fuss and hassle but still with great performance.
The Yari forks are balanced out by a Fox DPX2 rear shock which has a remote 'piggyback' oil reservoir to help manage heat and improve oil flow through the damper - all fairly meaty technology to back up the big riding claims of the Ariel. An aluminium front triangle is linked to a carbon rear end, reducing the unsprung weight and increasing performance too.
Verdict: A big enough bike to out ride most of us.
