We often hear that a gravel bike is just a nineties mountain bike, so it was about time for one of the most popular brands from back in the day (in the UK) to make one. The now direct-to-consumer brand Saracen has a long history of making affordable fun off-road bikes, and the latest Levarg range looks to continue that trend.
The gravel bike can take many forms, as you can see in our best gravel bikes and gravel bike geometry features, and the three-bike Levarg range is aimed squarely at pure off-road use with all models using aggressive mountain bike style geometry, wide tubeless-ready Maxxis Rambler 47c tires, and there's even a flat bar variant to really blur the lines between a gravel bike and 29er.
The Levarg is a play on the word gravel, but the bikes are far from backward. All three models use a custom butted and hydroformed 6061 alloy frame with carbon forks and 12mm bolt thru-axles front and rear, and a standard BSA threaded bottom bracket. The frame is a clean-looking affair with various bottle cages and storage mounting options to make sure you can carry whatever you need should you get the bikepacking urge.
The range consists of three different models, the Levarg, Levarg SL, and Levarg FB. The FB is the first and possibly most interesting model in the range. It's a flat bar gravel bike and should be great for fast flowy smooth trails. Spec-wise, it uses a 10-speed Shimano Deore in a 1x guise with an 11-42 tooth cassette and a 42 tooth chainring, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.
The next model is the Levarg which uses a cleverly mixed spec of Tiagra and GRX 10 speed 2x to offer a very wide gear range and TRP cable disc brakes. That doesn't sound amazing on paper, but when combined with mountain bike geo and proper rubber, it could be the perfect bike for flying around the woods on a budget. The SL is the most expensive bike in the range and has Shimano GRX600 shifters, 810 rear mech, and hydraulic brakes.
Saracen Levarg specifications and pricing
Saracen will sell the Levarg in the three builds mentioned and are available now with more information at Saracen.co.uk. UK pricing ranges from £999 for the Levarg FB, £1,299 for the Levarg, and £1,699 for the Levarg SL. US and European pricing at time of writing is still to be confirmed.
Saracen Levarg SL
- Frame: Hydroformed alloy
- Fork: All-carbon with bag mounts
- Groupset: Shimano GRX-600/GRX-810 rear derailleur
- Gear ratios: 46-30t crankset, 11-34t cassette
- Wheels: Jalco XCD22 alloy rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler Silkshield 650b x 47mm 60 TPI
- Brakes: Shimano GRX BR-RX400 hydraulic disc
- Bars: Saracen Flare Alloy 31.8mm 16-degree
- Stem: Saracen Alloy 31.8mm, 70mm
- Saddle: Saracen Custom Crmo
- Seatpost: Saracen Alloy, 30.9mm
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Colours: Cream
- Price: $TBC / £1,699 / €TBC
Saracen Levarg
- Frame: Hydroformed alloy
- Fork: All-carbon with bag mounts
- Groupset: Shimano GRX-400
- Gear ratios: 46-30t crankset, 11-34t cassette
- Wheels: Jalco XCD22 alloy rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler Silkshield 650b x 47mm 60 TPI
- Brakes: TRP Spyre C mechanical disc
- Bars: Saracen Flare Alloy 31.8mm, 16-degree
- Stem: Saracen Alloy 31.8mm, 70mm
- Saddle: Saracen Custom Crmo
- Seatpost: Saracen Alloy, 30.9mm
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Colours: Green
- Price: $TBC / £1,299 / €TBC
Saracen Levarg FB
- Frame: Hydroformed alloy
- Fork: All-carbon with bag mounts
- Groupset: Shimano Deore M6000, Prowheel crankset
- Gear ratios: 46-30t crankset, 11-34t cassette
- Wheels: Jalco XCD22 alloy rims on Formula hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Rambler Silkshield 650b x 47mm 60 TPI
- Brakes: Shimano MT-200 hydraulic disc
- Bars: Raceface Ride Flat 31.8mm, 710mm
- Stem: Saracen Alloy 31.8mm, 70mm
- Saddle: Saracen Custom Crmo
- Seatpost: Saracen Alloy, 30.9mm
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Colours: Black
- Price: $TBC / £999 / €TBC
