Here’s some exciting news from one bike nerd to another: Wilde Bicycles is releasing a cool new production, fillet-brazed randonneuring bike. It’s called the Spelljammer, and it’s beautiful.
They are planning to make 75 frames, with a size run of S, M, L, XL, and XXL – with a minimum of 15 frames of each size. Wilde noted in their press release that the XXL will not be ordered if they don’t have some pre-book commitments and interest. They need to feel good about ordering the 15-frame minimum. So, if you are a tall human, get your order in to ensure you get a properly sized frame for yourself, because Wilde says this is your only chance.
The pre-book is open now, with the first orders placed at the end of August. Wilde states that it will take “about eight months to fill the order,” and frames are expected to ship by early next Summer.
What’s a Randonneur Bike?
The sport of Randonneuring has been around since 1897, with the first recorded event called an Audax. Audax is Latin for “bold” or “daring”– something a rider needed to be in those days to ride long distances.
Randonneuring bicycles got their start as custom bicycles that were built by frame builders in France in the mid-20th century. These boutique builders and their creations are commonly known as the French Constructeurs. I’ve read that thes custom steeds were most popular from 1940 through 1975-ish.
Anywho, these bikes had fatter tires as they were doing these events of the early days on dirt and gravel roads because paved roads were, well… not easily found. In this non-competitive sport, the cyclists ride courses that are 200 km or more with predetermined checkpoints every few tens of kilometers.
The cyclists try to complete the course within specified time limits. Once finished, they receive equal recognition. Their finishing order does not come into play. The randonneuring event is called a randonnée or brevet, and a rider who has completed a 200 km event is called a randonneur. These cyclists can take part in the event as a solo cyclist or as a group, but regardless, they are to be completely self-sufficient.
Ok, let’s get to the reason we’re here, to talk about the new Wilde Spelljammer.
Classic Aesthetics & Rim Brakes
Wilde says that they made this bike simply because they could. Plus, they mention it was the bike that they all wanted in their own fleet.
“We took a bit of inspiration from Jeff’s beloved classic canti Space Horse, the versatility of the iconic Cross Check, and current developments in gravel, to create our own interpretation of a classic randonneuring bike.”
Rando bikes are arguably the OG all-road bikes. My Masi Speciale Randonneur Elite is an amazingly comfortable, all-around, multi-surface bicycle that’s also super versatile.
Wildes’s interpretation of a randonneuring bike is a modern take on a classic style, but leaning less on the classic style of the French bikes and pushing more in the modern direction.
For instance, there are 3-pack mounts on the fork and a threadless headset. Wilde says they wanted the frame to be of heirloom quality, using filed fillets and lugs, just like the frames built in Minneapolis. So, they chose a specialty brazing shop in Taiwan to do the work. The result is a frame that is less than half the price of Wilde’s Minneapolis-made, fillet-brazed, custom frames.
Why rim brakes?
The Spelljammer is a production bike, and like all of the production bikes at Wilde, it’s subject to the most stringent ISO standards for the category. To pass that kind of testing, a disc brake bike needs thicker and heavier fork legs and chainstays than a rim brake bike.
By using rim brakes on the Spelljammer, Wilde could build the frame using lighter tubsets, which means a more compliant and smoother ride. Not to mention their collection of bikes includes many more-than-capable disc brake-equipped bikes in their line-up. Plus, who doesn’t love the timeless aesthetics of a skinny-tubed, elegant steel bike?
What About Those Dropouts?
Earlier in this article, Wilde mentioned that the new Spelljammer was inspired by Jeff Frane’s own All-City canti Space Horse. And the Spelljammer’s dropout is a direct homage to the Space Horse dropout designed by Anna Schwinn.
The Spelljammer’s dropouts have all of the benefits of a semi-horizontal dropout, like single-speed capabilities, the ability to adjust your wheelbase, while still keeping the ability to run fenders.
Plus, there is a lil’ nub at the front of the dropout, making it more like a vertical dropout. Those lil nubbers perfectly orient the hanger with the axle. It also helps keep the wheel in place when using lightweight axles and skewers. Meaning you can’t pull the wheel out when you need to put the hammer down.
TLC Tubing
The Wilde TLC tubset – Tough, Light, and Compliant.
This is Wilde’s own proprietary, double-butted, chromoly tubset. Wilde selects the right blend of tubing diameters, wall thickness, and butting profiles for each individual size and model. The result is a bike frame that is built to last, be as light as practical, and still be comfy for the rider.
Spelljammer Geometry
Retail, Frame & Fork Spec
Retail: $1,600 Frameset (pre-book window is live NOW)
Frame Features:
- Smooth filed large fillets
- Uses the “Space Horse” dropout designed by Anna Schwinn
- Tire clearance 700c X 45mm
- Bottle mount on top of downtube and seat tube with three pack mount under downtube
- Fender mounts
- Rack mounts
- Pump Peg
- Frame weight: 4lbs 14oz (medium)
Frame Spec:
- Traditional straight headtube for EC34/34 headsets
- 68mm English threaded bottom bracket shell
- Cantilever Brake Mount
- 132.5 mm rear spacing, so you can use 130 or 135 hubs
- Seatpost: 27.2mm
- Cable Guides: Modular guides under the downtube, internal routing for rear brake, and full loop braze-ons on the stays (No Zip Ties)
Fork Features:
- Pacenti PBP fork crown
- Fender mounts
- Double eyelet on fork ends
- Mid-Blade mount
- Three-pack mounts
- Internal dynamo routing
- Tire clearance 700c X 45mm
- Underside fender mounts for clean metal fender installation
Fork Spec:
- Cantilever Brake Mount
- 100mm spacing
