Wilde builds bikes for riders who want something real — steel that rides right, geometry that makes sense, and frames designed by people who actually put in miles. At Comrade, we take those frames and turn them into purpose-built bikes. If you’re looking for something unique and built for you, not a cookie cutter bike designed and optimized for hitting a price point, Wilde gives you the canvas on which you can paint your masterpiece.
Three Wilde platforms we build most often:
- Rambler – all-road and gravel, fast enough for long days, tough enough for rough ones
- Rambler SL – a lighter, quicker Rambler for riders who want snap without losing versatility or want a bit lighter bike
- Supertramp – the loaded-touring and bikepacking workhorse or ’round town head turner
Why Wilde at Comrade?
Bikes built for you, not for a catalog
Most stock bikes are build for the middle of the bell curve. We turn out custom Wilde builds for riders who want something sharper, more intentional — and we finish the job by speccing the bike around your routes, your gear, and your riding style.
Chicago-tested, anywhere approved
Our builds live in the same world you do: potholes, winter salt, lakefront wind, and long mixed-surface rides out of the city and beyond. Maybe you’re planning a trip around the Lake Michigan Circle Tour or a tour across the entire country, we can make sure you’ll have a bike that you’ll want to keep riding after the trip is over. We know bikes see more than just one adventure and we want you to see your bike as a versatile part of your daily routine in addition to being ready to hit the trail at a moment’s notice.
Unique, not Cookie cutter
A Wilde build by Comrade isn’t a stock SKU. It’s a bike with a point of view, and you don’t have to be an expert to get something unique. Bring in your parts bin bits if that’s your jam, or just give us a vibe and we’ll help you fill in the blanks. We aim to be stress free when building up a bike and have the expertise and experience to help guide you through the process.
Which Wilde is right for you?
Quick overview
- Rambler: One bike for pavement, gravel, and light bikepacking
- Rambler SL: A lighter, livelier Rambler for fast all-road riding
- Supertramp: The stable, load-ready touring and bikepacking platform
Wilde Rambler
The Rambler is the all-road/gravel sweet spot: quick on pavement, confident on dirt, and ready for overnighters without feeling like a sluggish touring bike.
What it’s good at
- Long mixed-surface rides
- Commuting with room for fenders and bags
- Bikepacking and overnighters
How we like to build it
- Tires: 38–45 mm, tubeless
- Drivetrain: 1x or 2x depending on whether you lean more “road” or “gravel”
- Cargo: Soft bags or a small front rack
Why not just buy a stock gravel bike?
We sell a lot of awesome stock bikes! The Kona Rove, Surly Midnight Special, Kona Sutra, Specialized Diverge, and other bikes we keep in stock are all great bikes (we wouldn’t stock them if they weren’t!), but because stock gravel bikes can be built to hit a price point, not necessarily to match how you actually ride, some people are better served by a custom build. A Rambler build lets us choose gearing that fits Chicago terrain, tires that match your surfaces, and an aesthetic that matches your own — not whatever the factory spec sheet dictated.
Wilde Rambler SL
The Rambler SL trims weight and adds responsiveness. It’s the Rambler’s quicker sibling — same versatility, more snap.
What it’s good at
- All-road and gravel events
- Fast group rides
- Minimalist overnighters
How we like to build it
- Tires: 35–42 mm
- Drivetrain: 1x or 2x with tighter gear jumps
- Cargo: Soft bags only or rear rack and front everything cargo mounted fork carriers
Why go SL?
If you want a bike that feels lively when you stand up and sprint, but still handles dirt and rough pavement, the SL hits that balance. It’s the “I want fast, but I still want steel” option.
Wilde Supertramp
The Supertramp is the one you pick when you’re loading up for off grid trips. Stable, predictable, and built to carry weight without getting twitchy.
What it’s good at
- Loaded touring
- Dirt-heavy bikepacking
- Rough roads, forest roads, and “is this still a trail?” moments
How we like to build it
- Tires: 2.0–2.4″
- Drivetrain: Wide-range 1x for bike packing or tighter range 1x for city riding
- Cockpit: Multiple hand positions for long days, or upright bars for around town
- Cargo: Full racks, cages, and bags or slim it down to essentials for a townie
Rambler vs Rambler SL vs Supertramp
Mostly pavement with some gravel
- Rambler or Rambler SL
- Choose SL if you want more speed
- Choose Rambler if you want more mounts and utility
How a custom build works at Comrade
1. Conversation
We start with how you ride, what you carry, and what you want the bike to feel like.
2. Frame choice
Start with a frame — Wilde, Crust, Surly, Kona, Velo Orange, BYO — plus size, color, and fit considerations.
3. Parts spec
We build a parts list that matches your riding and suits your budget.
- Drivetrain range that fits Chicago or wherever you’re planning on adventuring
- Wheels that survive real riding
- Tires that match your surfaces
- Bars, saddle, and position that fit your body
- Cargo setup that works for your needs
4. Build + handoff
We assemble it in-house, build every custom bike with care, and set it up for your first rides. You leave with a bike that’s dialed.
Ready to talk Wilde?
If you’re deciding between the Rambler, Rambler SL, Supertramp, or another of their models and you want to start a custom build, swing by the shop or get in touch. Bring your routes, your gear, and your questions — we’ll help you land on the right frame and build it into something that feels like yours from day one.