Saracen Kili Flyer Elite

£3,499.99 ‘Longer and lighter’ evolution improves UK all-dayer

Saracen’s Kili Flyer Elite is light and well-shaped for fast and far riding all year round, but its sticky suspension and frame flex are obvious in technical sections.

The frame

The full-carbon frame’s layout hasn’t changed for 2018 but Saracen have modified the mould to let them stretch the front end. That means the medium is as long as last year’s large. The back end is now Boost width, with a bolted axle and direct mount mech for stiffer shifting and tracking, and the head angle is a degree slacker. Saracen have also specced a lighter compression tune on the shock. The 30mm main pivot, ISCG-05 tabs and optional front mech mount stay the same. There’s a lot of stiction in the linkage bushings,which makes swing arm movement notchy even with the shock removed.

The kit