I think we can all agree that the early days of mountain biking are pretty cool. I’ve often played around with the idea of finding an old, early 80’s production MTB and restoring it. You know, pay homage to the early days. And then have a blast riding it on your current fave trails. Well, I think that’s the kind of fun Jeff Frane of Wilde Bicycle Co. was thinking about when they announced the Moto Cruiser.
The new Moto Cruiser is by order only and will come as a frame set, which will include the frame, fork, and handlebars. Or if you would rather, Wilde can build up a complete one for you, as well. Plus, you can get it geared or set up as a single speed.
The Moto-Cruiser name pays homage to Sweetheart Cycles (later renamed Yeti Cycles), which made an original Moto Cruiser model in the early-to-mid 1980s. The original Moto-Cruiser pulled direct influence from the Mongoose BMX Koz Kruzer. Nowadays, the originals are hard to find and quite rare.
The Wilde Moto-Cruiser
Jeff Frane expresses his thought process behind this project:
“I’ve been dreaming of this one for a long time. It’s a nod to so many things I love…. The klunkers of the MTB pioneers, the untouchable cool of a Cook 3 Bar cruiser, and, of course, my own beloved 1×1, which has been my main city bike for over a decade. This was a project from the heart.“
This bike aims to recapture that childhood feeling of carefree cycling. One rider described it as making him “feel like I have to be home in time for dinner”. The Wilde Moto-Cruiser captures that nostalgic sense of adventure and freedom.
The new Wilde Moto-Cruiser is a 26-inch wheeled bike designed around the simple concept of having fun while riding. That means everything from running errands around town, tackling some local singletrack, hitting a fun local pump track, or just plain cruising through the neighborhood.
The crew at Wilde designed the Moto-Cruiser to prioritize compatibility and ease of building. It works with rim brakes and accepts both quick-release and bolt-on 26-inch wheels. Plus, it can be set up as either a geared or a single-speed drivetrain, depending on your jam.
The frame features horizontal dropouts that can accommodate derailleurs and has generous tire clearance. The frame even includes stealth dropper post routing for those who want that option.
Wilde hopes that this kind of compatibility means you’ll more than likely build one using parts from your garage’s parts bin, local bike co-op, or community parts stashes. Bingo!
Klunker Origins
The Moto-Cruiser also draws inspiration from mountain biking’s “klunker” origins and classic cruiser aesthetics, but with added modern geometry tweaks for enhanced playfulness. The looptail design and classic silhouette give it a timeless look, while the updated geometry keeps the ride engaging.
Wilde has included the handlebars in the frameset package because the tall handlebars are considered essential to the riding experience.
Moto-Cruiser Geometry
Retail & Detail
Retail: $900 (frame, fork, handlebars)
Complete: $1,800
Frame Features:
- Classic “3-bar” silhouette
- Looptail design
- Canti studs
- Bottle mount on down tube (Small & Med) and bottle mount on seat tube (L & XL)
- Three pack mounts under the down tube
- Stealth dropper post routing
- Modular cable guides
- Clearance for up to 26 x 2.5″ tires
Fork Features:
- 420mm axle to crown (suspension corrected for 80mm fork)
- Mid-blade rack mount
- Tire clearance 26 x 2.5″
Handlebar Features:
- 90mm Rise
- 15° Back Sweep
- 7 ° Up Sweep
- 830mm Wide
- 22mm Clamp
- 100% Butted 4130 Chromoly steel
Frame & Fork Spec
The tubset that Wilde uses for the Moto-Cruiser is called Double Tuff. It uses the same high-quality 4130 butted CrMo steel as their TLC frames. But, it’s “neither particularly light, nor particularly compliant.” Wilde says it’s “robust and fairly stiff. It’s a full-strength MTB, and the tubing is appropriate for the use case.”
Frame Spec:
- Clearance for 26 x 2.5″ tires
- Headset: EC 34/34
- 73mm English threaded bottom bracket shell
- Canti Studs
- 135mm Spacing
- Seatpost: 31.6mm
- Seat Collar: 35.0
- Cable Guides: Modular guides under the down tube
- Wet paint finish. Color: Purple Pizazz
**Phosphate dipped and E.D. Coated for corrosion resistance and durability**
Fork Spec:
- Canti Studs
- 100mm Spacing
- 420mm Axle To Crown
- 1 1/8″ Steerer
For riders seeking a straightforward, versatile bike that encourages fun over performance mumbo-jumbo, the Moto-Cruiser offers a back-to-basics approach to cycling. Check out more details and all of the beautiful bikes that Wilde has to offer at the link below.
