[WILDE BICYCLE Rambler SL] A Bike for Setting Out to Ride Together as a Couple

“We want to go cycling together as a couple.”

This WILDE BICYCLE Rambler SL Frame Set build was born from that request: a bike for the wife.

The two of them already love mountain climbing, hiking and traveling.

They’re also into clothes, and both are very stylish.

Neither had ridden what you’d call a sports bike before, but they wanted something for exploring their neighborhood when time is short, heading out to a restaurant a little farther away, escaping the city on days off to ride along the riverbank, and rolling with confidence over the occasional unpaved stretch.

Time together, of course, but also all kinds of experiences on her own.

Not chasing speed, but still wanting a good dose of exhilaration and a sense of accomplishment.

This WILDE BICYCLE Rambler SL is packed with all of those wishes.

Main components: SHIMANO CUES CUES Polish Silver Edition

For the components, we built around the SHIMANO CUES CUES Polish Silver Edition, the (somewhat?) talked-about lineup of parts finished in silver.

Pairing a 40T front chainring with an 11-48T (10-speed) rear cassette covers a wide range, from hilly city riding to one-day tours, slightly longer fast touring, and even gravel rides.

Hydraulic brakes were an option, but since her husband enjoys tinkering with mechanical things, we chose cable-actuated mechanical brakes that are easy to maintain.

The TRP Spyre Flat Mount Mechanical Brake we picked strikes a great balance between price and performance.

Its black and silver finish also goes nicely with the rest of the parts.

The eye-catching WHITE INDUSTRIES G30 Crank

The first thing that catches your eye is the crank: the polished finish of the WHITE INDUSTRIES G30 Crank.

She didn’t know anything about it beforehand, but it was love at first sight when she saw it on display in the store, so on it went.

WHITE INDUSTRIES products really do give off an aura that grabs you by the heart.

Built around silver parts

The other parts are mostly silver as well.

For the stem we used the SIMWORKS Rhonda Dull Bright, for the seatpost the SIMWORKS Beatnik Post in silver, and for the handlebar the RITCHEY Classic NeoClassic Handle 400mm.

This aluminum road bar has a classic design that suits chromoly bikes, and with a short 73mm reach it’s easy to get along with for drop-bar beginners and smaller riders.

We chose bar tape and a saddle that are as close in color as possible.

Natural cork meets leather

For the bar tape we went with BTP Cork Bartape Deco. BTP’s cork bar tapes start from natural cork and add unique patterns and colors. Look closely at the Deco and you’ll see accents of red, blue, yellow and more, a model that blends classic and pop really well.

The saddle is a SELLA ITALIA Milano Flite Racer. There are plenty of leather saddles out there, from BROOKS to SELLE ANATOMICA, but a color like this is hard to find anywhere else. It’s something only this series offers.

The leather has a lovely feel, and we’re looking forward to seeing how its character changes with use.

For the wheels, we chose 650B for stability and go-anywhere capability.

650B for stability and exhilaration

The rims are SIMWORKS Standalone 001, and the tires are ULTRADYNAMICO Cava Race 650b x 48b.

It’s set up not only to take you all sorts of places with peace of mind, but also to deliver a ride that feels exhilarating.

The SIMWORKS shift outer cable, matched to the frame color, adds a nice accent too.

It may be her first sports bike, but it has the performance and charm to stay with her for many years to come.

Rides together as a couple, of course, and small solo adventures too. We’re sure this Rambler SL will carry her to plenty of new views and experiences.

Assembly Details

Since picking it up, she’s been using it to get around town and for rides along the riverbank. We’re looking forward to hearing all about it next time.

By the way, the bike her husband chose is the SKLAR Super Something. We’ll introduce that one another time.