Sure the machines are getting smarter and better, and it’s only a matter of time before we all live in The Matrix…but for now that special appeal still exists for hand-made products, especially when it comes to bikes. Seattle’s Traitor Cycles certainly thinks so as their entire lineup of commuters, touring bikes and cyclocross racers is hand-crafted from prominent Taiwanese manufacturer Founderland’s seamless 4130 chromoly tubing.
Bikerumor first checked in on Traitor’s Ruben in 2012, and the following year we checked out the revamped Crusade Disc CX bike. As for current affairs, Traitor has a few new models in this year’s lineup. There’s the entirely new Wander aimed at long distance riders who love the feel of real steel, and their existing Ruben commuter now has a single-speed convertible dropout and comes in either drop bar or flat bar models…
The Wander:
The new Wander model is a road touring machine that offers enough versatility to tackle city commutes or even gravel rides. The frame utilizes Traitor’s relaxed, compact geometry for a comfortable fit and ride.
The Wander’s frame is made from double butted chromoly tubing, and it features a 1-1/8th head tube, 27.2mm seat tube, 135mm rear spacing and a 68mm BB shell. With versatility in mind, Traitor has included braze-ons for front and rear carrier racks, full fenders and two bottle cages. The Wander comes with Traitor’s Wander Disc fork, and the bike can accommodate tire widths up to 40c (or 35c with full fenders in place). The Wander comes stock with puncture-resistant 700x32c Kenda Kwick Roller Sport tires.
The drivetrain is a full-range 3×9 setup with Shimano Sora front/Alivio rear derailleurs controlled by Microshift bar end shifters. Promax’s Render R mechanical disc brakes on 160mm rotors should bring you to a quick stop in any conditions, and other notable components include a Brooks B17 saddle, and a headset, BB and Tempo cranks from FSA.
| GEOMETRY: | XS | SM | MD | LG | XL |
| Top Tube Effective (Center of headtube to seatpost intersection) | 530 | 540 | 555 | 580 | 600 |
| Seat Tube (center of BB to top of top tube) | 453 | 479 | 492 | 518 | 540 |
| Stack | 573 | 586 | 601 | 614 | 630 |
| Reach | 367 | 371 | 381 | 391 | 407 |
| Standover Height | 732 | 769 | 777 | 801 | 818 |
| Head Tube Angle | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74 | 74 | 74 | 73 | 73 |
| ChainStay Length | 445 | ||||
| Bottom Bracket Drop | 70 | ||||
| Head Tube Length | 140 | 155 | 170 | 185 | 200 |
The Wander normally sells complete for $1299 USD, or as a frame/fork combo for $499 but right now they’re on sale, going for $974 complete or $349 for the frame/fork. Sizes XS-XL are available in Blue Steel or Limeade colors.
The Rubens:
Traitor’s Ruben Drop Bar has had its frame updated to include a clever new swinging dropout which allows for an easy single speed conversion, and includes built-in chain tensioners. Like the Warden, the Ruben is built from double butted chromoly tubing with a 1-1/8” head tube, 135mm rear spacing and a 68mm BB shell. Braze-on mounts for two bottle cages, full fenders and a rear carrier rack are included.
As a commuting-focused bike, the Ruben uses a narrower 26.6mm seat tube and fits skinnier tires with a max width of 35c, or 30c with fenders. However, the frame’s geometry is similar to a traditional cyclocross bike, so tackling a weekend CX race is not out of the question.
The Ruben Drop Bar is matched with Traitor’s chromoly Ruben Disc fork, and features a 2×9 Shimano Sora drivetrain, 28c Kenda Tendril tires, Traitor’s Diamond Race saddle, Promax Render R disc brakes and FSA Tempo cranks, BB and headset. Promax also supplies the handlebar, stem and seatpost.
| GEOMETRY: | SM | MD | LG | XL |
| Top Tube Effective (Center of headtube to seatpost intersection) | 535 | 550 | 570 | 600 |
| Seat Tube (center of BB to top of top tube) | 480 | 512 | 543 | 574 |
| Stack | 548 | 555 | 574 | 608 |
| Reach | 378 | 383 | 394 | 408 |
| Standover Height | 750 | 772 | 800 | 829 |
| Head Tube Angle | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74 | 73 | 73 | 72.5 |
| ChainStay Length | 426 (Adjustable) | |||
| Bottom Bracket Drop | 68 | |||
| Head Tube Length | 112 | 120 | 140 | 175 |
The Ruben Drop Bar sells for $1399 complete or $549 for the frameset. Frames come in S-XL sizes, and color choices are Satin Black or Surgical Scrub Green.
Traitor is now producing the Ruben with a Flat Bar as well. While the build is a bit more basic, the double butted chromoly frame is the same as the drop bar model. It boasts identical geometry and key measurements as well as the swinging dropout, fender, rear rack and bottle cage mounts.
Many of this model’s components are shared also, except for the flat Promax handlebar and flat bar appropriate brake levers and shifters. The drivetrain is a bit of a down-spec from the Drop Bar model- It’s a 3×9 Shimano setup with an M361 crank and rapidfire shifters triggering Acera rear and M310 front derailleurs. The Ruben Flat Bar still comes with Traitor’s Ruben Disc fork, Diamond race saddle, Kenda Tendril 28c tires and Promax Render R disc brakes.
The Ruben Flat Bar sells for $999 complete or $549 as a frameset. It comes in Satin Black or Surgical Scrub Green colors, in sizes S-XL.
