<\/p>\nI feel it right to mention I haven\u2019t been able to tackle a monster ride or event on the Sarana, which seemed in keeping with what it’s about. I had hoped to find the right event to really put it and myself to the test, but nothing materialised that worked in the time I had with the bike. Instead, I have ridden it at home on varied terrain that I test every gravel bike I review on.<\/p>\n
I’ll talk about what I see as what may be the key strength of the Sarana first: its capability when things get rough and technical. The bike has felt very composed and stable on technical descents and rougher terrain. I have an mtb descent that regularly makes me nervous and that I\u2019ve even had a couple of small crashes on when I’ve gotten it wrong. I take every gravel bike down it. The top is narrow, fast, rocky and rutted, and the Sarana just danced down it. I’ve had great fun in these kinds of sections, and the bike let me carry speed and remain composed.<\/p>\n
This composure in the rough stuff has been a standout strength. The Rudy fork up front and big tyres do a lot of the heavy lifting, but the bike\u2019s geometry, wheelbase and overall frame angles all help when tackling technical terrain and pushing it.<\/p>\n
If rougher terrain and testing yourself off-road is something you go after in your gravel riding, the Sarana will have you covered, and I\u2019d imagine if you’re 10+ hours into a ride and are faced with technical terrain when you’re in a bit of a state, it should look after you more than a rigid bike.<\/p>\n
A topic that needs mentioning when it comes to the Sarana is the bike’s overall weight; on my own scales, my test machine (pictured) came out at 9.87kg for a size 52; that\u2019s heavy for a gravel bike, and I have noticed the weight of the bike at times.<\/p>\n
It feels sluggish on steeper climbs, and when accelerating at slower speeds, a heavier overall weight will also affect rolling resistance, a more pressing matter when riding gravel.<\/p>\n
In these departments, a little less heft would be desirable. That 44 tooth front ring also means I\u2019m grinding a bit on the steep stuff at times, and coupled with the weight, contributes to things feeling a little slower.<\/p>\n
On that 44 tooth chainring, it\u2019s going to depend on the rider and course, but I would want a 42 or even a 40 if I was taking on a big, tough ride with a lot of climbing. If I was on my knees and facing a wall, an easier gear would help. Changing chainrings for the demands of a course is nothing new. It might be worth considering some chainring options if you do invest.<\/p>\n
I asked Factor about overall weights for bikes as there aren’t any published numbers to be found for the Sarana. The brand told me ‘the general goal is 1200g for the mid-range sizes’ and that ‘a more robust, lower modulus layup’ was used to add protection in certain areas. So I think from that it’s safe to say you can look at around the 1200 gram mark for a mid-sized frame.<\/p>\n
The uncut rigid Sarana fork weighs 550 grams according to Factor, and the RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork (with starnut) fitted on my test bike comes in at 1.26kg on my scales.<\/p>\n
On a side note, dropping the fork out of the bike to weigh it put a smile on my face; due to the external front brake hose, it was so easy, taking mere minutes, and made for a refreshing change from fully integrated front ends.<\/p>\n
We’re looking at a 476-gram weight saving if you were to swap to a rigid fork (not factoring the fork expander bung and cutting it to length); It’s also worth noting, whilst I’m in weight weenie mode, that the SRAM Red XPLR-equipped bike will save a few hundred grams over the Force model.<\/p>\n
By my maths, that still leaves us with a bike weighing over nine kilos, and whilst weight certainly isn’t everything, it may be a consideration for some riders.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Image 1 of 5<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
I really like the Factor integrated handlebar<\/span>(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
The down tube storage hatch has a neat airtag holder on the inside <\/span>(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
Standard seatpost clamp, rejoice! <\/span>(Image credit: Tom Wieckowski )<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n