Cheap Bike Build-Off 2025: Can We Build a Ride for Under $150? | 90s Saracen |

Hey from future-me 👋 Halfway through this restore I realized the Cheap Bike Build-Off 2025 was on budget is $150 all-in (bike + parts). Perfect excuse to rescue this gloriously green 90s Saracen and give it a budget refresh, not a concours resto.

In this episode: full wheels-off clean, seized/gummed controls, headset service, and a sealed bottom bracket I refuse to throw away so I pick the seals, pack it with grease, and bring it back. The frame color absolutely pops; with new cables and a few smart swaps, this’ll be a killer budget build for Part 2.

If the color blinded you (in a good way), drop a like/comment it really helps a tiny channel like mine keep going. 🙏

Chapters

00:00 — Music + intro
00:09 — Future-Ricc explains the 2025 Cheap Bike Build-Off ($150 total) & plan
01:32 — Meet the bike: neon-green Saracen, sun fade, but solid bones
03:41 — Handicam tour: crossbar, gummed shifters, new tires, patina & decals
05:34 — Wheels-off restoration begins
06:10 — Brake release & wheel removal
06:19 — Degrease washdown (pre-polish clean)
06:36 — Cable cleanup: corroded ends, noodles, and housings triage
07:40 — Cable de-slot & removal tricks
08:03 — Grips off (compressed-air chaos)
08:51 — Notchy headset spotted → forks coming out
09:15 — Headset strip & inspection
10:19 — Cups/races out; corrosion cleanup
11:00 — Over-tightened headset theory; re-grease plan
12:21 — Head tube scrub & cup reinstall
14:09 — Fresh grease, anti-corrosion touches
15:13 — Reassembly mock-up (waiting on thin headset spanners)
15:34 — Frame wipe-down; bottle cage off
16:40 — Chain wear check (life left)
17:18 — Derailleur & front mech off; note correct 2.5 mm height
18:53 — Pedals off; knuckle sacrifice
21:00 — Bottom bracket feels tight (sealed unit)
22:50 — “Sealed”… so I unseal it: pick shields, pack grease
24:59 — Shields back in; BB spins night-and-day better
25:16 — BB back in; tools via snail mail; project on track
26:06 — Wrap for Part 1: salvage wins, budget intact

What’s next (Part 2)

New cables/housings & shifter rehab
Full brake service and pad swap
Polish & paint touch-call (save or respray accents?)
Drivetrain refit & test ride within budget

#CheapBikeBuildOff #VintageMTB #BikeRestoration #Saracen #BudgetBuild #VBrakes #HeadsetService #BottomBracket #GreaseRepack #GarageBuild