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The Wilde Rambler SL Is an Affordable New ‘All-Arounder’ Steel Gravel Bike

Wilde Bikes Rambler SL close up front sidePhoto c. Wilde Bicycle Co.
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It’s Spring in Minnesota (I think) and Wilde Bicycle Co. is celebrating by announcing the new Wilde Rambler SL (Super Light), a drop bar “all-arounder” that comes as a frameset or as a complete bike, whichever suits your fancy. Both the framesets and the complete bikes are ready for purchase and are shipping immediately.

Rumor has it, that there will be a steel fork version (non-SL) of the Rambler SL coming soon… like maybe near the end of May. Shhh!

So, what’s the difference between the Rambler SL and the Earth Ship? Well, the Earth Ship is Wilde’s top-o’-the-line USA-made gravel bike. The Rambler SL has a slightly different geometry and is made in Taiwan in batches of 150 bikes. Wilde is partnered with Taiwan’s legendary Maxway factory, to help bring the Rambler SL to you at a more affordable price.

Wilde Bikes Rambler SL hero side shot
Photo c. Wilde Bicycle Co.

The Rambler SL uses Wilde’s TLC steel tube set in its construction, with the frame sporting three-pack mounts on the top and bottom of the down tube, adding to its versatile “drop bar all-arounder” status.

The Rambler SL is more than capable on any gravel ride you throw at it… a dirt century, a paved road ride with your pals, that B-road on the way to and home from work (yes it has fender mounts), or even light touring.

When riding the Rambler SL, you have disc brakes, thru-axles, and tire clearance of 700c x 2.1″ or 650b x 2.3″, all of which will open up a lot of possibilities to explore. Plus it comes with all of the mounts you could want.

Wilde Bikes Rambler SL dusty riding

Wilde says it’s got geometry that makes the bike “quick and fun while still being comfortable for long days in the saddle.” The Rambler SL will be available in four different sizes and is paired with Wilde’s straight steerer Wayfinder carbon fork.

Wilde Bikes Rambler SL TLC tubing

Wilde uses their own proprietary, double-butted chromoly tube set they call “TLC” (Tough, Light, Compliant) for frame construction. They use the optimum choices for tube diameter, wall thickness, and butting profiles between the different frame sizes. This ensures that the frame is both built to last and as light and practical as it could be for the rider while offering a similar ride quality across sizes.

Wilde Bikes Rambler SL riding

Rambler SL Features

Frame Finish:

  • Phosphate dipped and E.D. Coated for corrosion resistance and durability.
  • Wet paint finish.
  • Color – Copper Metallic

Frame Features

  • Three-pack mounts on top and bottom of the down tube, bottle bosses on the seat tube
  • Top tube feedbag mount
  • Fender mounts
  • Rack Mounts
  • Compatible with 2x and 1x drivetrains

Frame Spec

  • Clearance for up to 700c X 50mm or 650b X 2.2″ tires
  • Traditional straight 1 1/8″ headtube
  • 68mm bottom bracket shell
  • Flat mount brake
  • 142mm rear spacing
  • Seatpost: 27.2mm
  • Seat Collar: 30.0
  • Cable Guides: Modular guides under the downtube, and full loop braze-ons on the stays (No Zip Ties)
  • 12mm Thru Axle – 1.5 x 172mm

Fork

  • Three pack mounts
  • Internal brake routing
  • Internal dynamo routing (kudos Wilde)
  • Fender mounts
  • Fully threaded center mount
  • Tire clearance 700c X 2.1″ or 650b X 2.3″

Fork Spec

  • Flat Mount
  • 100mm spacing
  • 12mm Thru Axle – 1.5 x 130mm

Rambler SL Geometry

Wilde Bikes Rambler SL Geo Chart
Wilde Bikes Rambler SL close up front side
Photo c. Wilde Bicycle Co.

Builds Options and Retail

Wilde are offering two stock builds for the Rambler SL, SRAM Rival AXS and one with a mix of Shimano GRX.

Frameset

Retail: $1500

SRAM Rival AXS 1×12 Option

Retail: $3950

  • SRAM Rival AXS shifters with hydraulic brakes
  • SRAM Rival AXS XPLR rear derailleur
  • SRAM Rival 1x Dub Wide 170mm crankset
  • SRAM XG-1251 cassette, 12 speed, 10-44
  • Wolf Tooth Performance headset
  • Thomson 90mm stem
  • Thomson Elite setback seatpost
  • Salsa Cowbell handlebar
  • Stan’s Crest S2 wheelset
  • Teravail Rutland 700cx42 tires
  • WTB Volt saddle
  • AXS charger
  • SRAM Centerline 160 mm rotors

Shimano GRX 2×11 Option

Retail: $3100

  • Shimano GRX600 shifters with hydraulic brakes
  • Shimano GRX810 derailleurs
  • Shimano GRX600 crankset, 46-30, 170mm
  • Shimano cassette, CS-HG700, 11-34
  • FSA Orbit X headset
  • Zipp Service Course cockpit
  • WTB Volt saddle
  • FSA AGX i25 wheels
  • Teravail Rutland 700cx42 tires

Wilde wants you to know that if you didn’t like the options above, that they can also help you build your dream machine according to your taste and budget.They work with all the major component suppliers, as well as with many small niche makers. Contact them to get started. 

Bikes are in stock and shipping now.

WildeBikes.com

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13 Comments
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Jaap
Jaap
1 year ago

Throughout the article, I thought, “Nice! The world needs more of these affordable steel bikes!”. Until the end where it said $1500 frameset.

Tim
Tim
1 year ago
Reply to  Jaap

Yeah, 1500 bucks for double butted steel. No way.
The way prices like this work is that you only need to find a few dupes to cover your business costs.

Dann
Dann
1 year ago
Reply to  Tim

Eh, it’s not too bad, considering that a Gorilla Monsoon is a $1K frameset, and the Wilde is basically identical, but with a ~$500 carbon fork on it. It’s probably lighter than a GM, too, since a 55cm GM frame is ~6lbs

Der_Kruscher
Der_Kruscher
1 year ago
Reply to  Dann

Agreed. Have folks not noticed how stupidly expensive cycling has gotten? In light of that, $1,500 doesn’t seem completely terrible and I’m not sure why $1,500 for an overseas made bike of any other material should justify that price any more than a steel one. And as a Gorilla Monsoon owner, I can verify that it’s heavy as ?!!?$&@!…the stock build with pedals and bottle cages weighs 32lbs!!! The fork alone weighs about 3.5lbs. I mean, I like the bike but there’s no getting around what a pig it is.

FrictionDi2
FrictionDi2
1 year ago
Reply to  Dann

You can get a Bridge Club frame, Velo Orange Polyvalent or Pass Hunter, Soma Double Cross, Wolverine, or Fog Cutter for under $1000.

Roger Pedacter
Roger Pedacter
1 year ago

90’s cross geo with a little more clearance made in a “legendary” Taiwanese factory for $1500?

Uhhh… ok.

soaklord
soaklord
1 year ago

You can get a Cotic Cascade with full GRX800 for less than the GRX option. And the frameset is about $500 less too. How is this budget?

Samuel Vrooman
Samuel Vrooman
1 year ago

Ah, now $1500 is budget? For a frame? Yeesh.

YeaNah
YeaNah
1 year ago

We seem to have very different definitions of “affordable”.

Dan
Dan
1 year ago

Price point is comparable to Ritchey Outback, Crust Evasion Lite, Fairlight Secan, All City Cosmic Stallion, etc.

BGD
BGD
1 year ago

Heck no. Cycling is becoming a new golf, with these prices.

PS. Fairdale bikes. Same factory frames for $500.

Jeremy
Jeremy
4 months ago
Reply to  BGD

Those Fairdale frames are “100% 4130 chromoly frame and fork”. That’s a totally different ballgame.

FrictionDi2
FrictionDi2
1 year ago

I guess we have different ideas of what is affordable. $3100 isn’t affordable for most people. Nor is $1500 frameset. Affordable would something like Poseidon Redwood or X, Surly Bridge Club, Preamble, or Disc Trucker, or Marin Nicasio Plus.

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