We are excited to announce the arrival of the new Rambler and Rambler SL frames from WILDE BICYCLE CO (WILDE)! The brand was born out of a partnership between Jeff Frane, formerly of ALLCITY, and Joshua Klauck, owner of the Minneapolis-based composite bike shop ANGRY CATFISH BICYCLE, which is located in a city world-renowned as the home of SURLY.
Remind us: What kind of brand is WILDE?
You can't talk about WILDE without talking about Jeff. As mentioned, he spent 11 years as the founder of ALLCITY.
Before starting ALLCITY, he was already an essential figure in the Minneapolis cycling culture, organizing alleycats and grassroots cyclocross races under the name "BIKE JERKS."
Jeff loves cycling because it is fast, innovative, honest, and versatile. He believes in the life-changing power of the bicycle. WILDE was born from his desire to pour all his experience, knowledge, and passion into his own brand—in many ways, WILDE is Jeff’s love letter to cycling.
We recently received the news that ALLCITY will stop developing new products after 2024 and close the brand in a few years. As a shop that has carried ALLCITY since its inception, we were shocked, but we are confident that the brand Jeff creates will carry on the DNA that defined ALLCITY. As a self-proclaimed bike geek, Jeff is pouring his soul into creating bikes that bridge tradition and modern elements—a brand definitely worth watching.
WILDE's production line, based on the Earth Ship, made accessible to everyone
The Rambler and Rambler SL are based on the Earth Ship, the handmade stock frame from WILDE that we introduced previously. Jeff created these as production models in Taiwan to bring his vision of the ultimate all-rounder gravel steel frame to a price point accessible to more people.
While WILDE continues to offer handmade frames in the US, moving to Taiwan production to provide more options is a journey similar to when Adam from SKLAR BIKES created the Super Something.
Two choices: Steel fork or Carbon fork
With tire clearance up to 700 x 50c / 650b x 2.2″, just like the Earth Ship, they are ready for any terrain.
The Rambler comes with a segmented-style original steel fork, while the Rambler SL comes standard with the carbon fork mentioned below. Since the base frame is the same, you can choose the fork that fits your intended use. At Circles, we are focusing primarily on the carbon-fork-equipped Rambler SL.
The Wayfinder Carbon Fork is also available for purchase separately.
This fork is compatible with the 1-1/8″ standard head tube, which is rare for a gravel carbon fork. Please keep this in mind if you are looking to upgrade your Rambler to a carbon fork in the future, or if you want to install it on a SURLY (like the Straggler or Midnight Special) or an ALLCITY (like the Space Horse).
TLC Original Tubing
The frames utilize WILDE’s proprietary TLC tubing. Jeff’s "Tough, Light, and Compliant" philosophy is built into this original double-butted chromoly tubeset. By optimizing the tube diameter, wall thickness, and butt positioning for each model and size, they achieve a perfect balance of durability for long-term use, practical weight, and a comfortable ride. These details are a testament to Jeff’s wealth of knowledge from his time at ALLCITY.
We’ve already built three bikes
We’ve already finished building three, including some for our customers and staff.
The first-ever WILDE built here was for a customer who ordered it as soon as we announced it: a Rambler SL.
Since the customer is tall, we chose 700c wheels.
It’s set up to handle anything from speedy rides to challenging gravel routes by adjusting the tire choice depending on the terrain.
Next is the build by our own resident foodie, Taisei.
Fittingly for a foodie, he’s set up his Rambler SL with maximum 700x50c clearance tires, creating a "heavy tank" style that doesn't care what the road looks like.
Finally, here is the Rambler built by our lead mechanic, Tacky. This one features the rigid steel fork.
As one of the biggest bike geeks at Circles, he brought in his own Ultegra parts to assemble a triple-crank build.
Jeff also built his own prototype Rambler with an XTR triple setup, so this build is a perfect homage to that.
While front-single drivetrains are popular nowadays, this kind of setup is definitely still a great option.
Compared to typical gravel bike geometry, the Rambler series features a higher stack height—meaning higher handlebar placement—which prioritizes stability for long hours on rough roads and high-speed descents.
Whether you want to enjoy gravel rides or go bike-packing and touring, this bike is versatile enough for any adventure. It embodies Jeff’s idea that "comfort is the secret to speed." How would you build yours?
Tell us your vision for how you want to use it and what kind of adventures you have in mind, and Circles will help you build the perfect bike. Please feel free to consult with us!
【WILDE BICYCLE】 Rambler SL
Color: Copper Metallic
Sizes: S / M / L
【WILDE BICYCLE】 Rambler
Color: Ocean Sparkle
Sizes: S / M / L
【WILDE BICYCLE】 Wayfinder Carbon Fork
Material: Carbon
Weight: 470g (uncut steerer, excluding axle)
Steerer Type: 1 1/8″ Straight
Steerer Length: 350mm
Axle-to-Crown: 398mm
Axle: 100x12mm Thru-Axle
Offset: 49mm
Tire Clearance: 700 x 2.1″ / 27.5 x 2.3″
Brake Specification: Flat Mount Disc Brake
*Due to limited stock of Wilde Bicycles Co. products, we are, unfortunately, only selling these items in-store. We appreciate your understanding.