Saracen reckons that its Mantra LSL hardtail is one that’s been keeping the hardtail ethos alive in a world where full-suspension bikes rule the roost. The Mantra LSL is the brand’s rowdy, full-aggro hardtail that pushes boundaries and is designed for nothing but fun. For 2023, it gets a fresh update.

The Saracen Mantra LSL, available in three models this year, is built around a hydroformed 6061-aluminium frame and Saracen says that its geometry is designed to ‘make progressive look old school’. 

2023 saracen mantra lsl trail.jpg
2023 saracen mantra lsl trail (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2023 saracen mantra lsl trail.jpg, by Liam Mercer

As for the three models, they come with three different levels of spec with the Mantra Trail rocking a mix of Shimano Deore and SLX drivetrains with Deore M6100 brakes. A RockShox RK35 Silver damps 140mm of travel and there’s a KS Race I 150mm dropper post.

2023 saracen mantra lsl elite.jpg
2023 saracen mantra lsl elite (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2023 saracen mantra lsl elite.jpg, by Liam Mercer

The Elite build gets a mix of SLX and XT shifting with Magura MT5 brakes and a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork. Last but not least, the Mantra Race benefits from a full Shimano XT drivetrain with four-piston XT brakes, a KS Lev Integra dropper and a Fox 36 performance Elite fork.

2023 saracen mantra lsl race.jpg
2023 saracen mantra lsl race (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2023 saracen mantra lsl race.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Prices for Saracen’s latest hardtail start at £1,500 for the Trail LSL, the Elite comes in at £1,900 and the Race will set you back £2,800.

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