Picked up this Gary Fisher Advance for $20. Came with Alivio/STX. The only things salvageable were the frame/fork, front wheel, seat post, bars, and derailleurs. The elastomers in the fork were surprisingly ok. All I needed to get was a bottom bracket, and Microshift Mezzo shifters for $30 total. I used parts bin stuff for the rest. Shimano Exage wheelset, and Exage derailleurs. Suntour crankset with Bionic chainrings, and no name V-brakes.
I love the color. Gary Fisher paint isn’t the flashiest, but up close its sparkles. I need a stem with way less rise for me to ride it long term. The chainstays are so short I was almost popping wheelies while climbing. Debating whether to sell or not. Either way I put some parts that have been sitting for years to good use. I thought I’d have that 1 1/8 threaded stem forever.
Same sparkle in the Saracen - it’s not this one but it’s the same model https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/saracen-andes-upgrade-conundrum.446658/