In a normal year, February in Nagoya would be the season of biting winds,
but this year the temperature has been going up and down from week to week,
and both my head and my body are confused about what season it even is.
As if to land a wake-up punch on that hazy mood,
WILDE's four core models,
the Rambler, Rambler SL, SuperTramp and DarkStar,
all arrived at once, earlier than planned!
Maybe it's their way of nudging us, with a pretty strong punch, to stop complaining about the cold and “go ride and feel the season”...
This time, let's take a look at the Rambler, which belongs to the lineage of the “drop-bar all-rounder” handed down through the long history of cycling and touring.
One question we often get in the shop and by email is how it differs from its sibling, the Rambler SL, which pairs the frame with WILDE's own Wayfinder Carbon Fork. Our earlier blog is a great reference on the strengths of each. They seem similar but actually aren't. Comparing them is fun.
It's a small detail, but from things like its BB height,
the Rambler seems to carry the air of a “relaxed touring bike,” and it really embodies WILDE's philosophy: “Comfort is fast.”
It covers modern standards like disc brakes, thru-axles, and generous tire clearance of 650b x 2.2″ and 700c x 50c, while the mounts for racks, cargo cages and bikepacking are well thought out: not overdone, just exactly what you need.
Gravel bikes are often designed with full-length housing (no exposed inner cable along the frame), both so frame-bag straps don't rub directly on the cables and to protect them from mud, sand and grime.
The Rambler is the same, and if you look closely you'll find bolt-on cable guides and looped guides. There are clever touches throughout that make the whole bike feel tidy, the kind of ideas that come from Jeff's perspective as someone who truly loves bikes.
By combining the equipment you need, modern gravel geometry, and a position that keeps you comfortable on long rides, you end up with a bike that has the freedom to go anywhere.
Fast touring with 700c wheels that glide smoothly along the pavement, drop bars and a big front bag is a good way to go, too.
Switch to flat bars and high-volume 650b tires,
and it instantly turns into a dirt-touring setup that takes its off-road capability up another notch.
Most days whistling along, sometimes heading out on a long ride with bags stuffed full of gear and excitement, sometimes lured off down an intriguing side path and into the trees: the steel-fork Rambler takes it all in stride. It's one of Jeff's answers to the question of how to enjoy a bike.
Finally, if you haven't read it yet, now's a great time to check out the Minneapolis travelogue from Shige-san and Kimura-san, who attended the MADE Show last summer.
In the end, what supports bikes and the people who build them is people, and behind that is a powerful local community. Please dig into these too.