Lugged, Loaded, and Lovely: The Wilde Bikes Sugar Foot Frameset Redefines the All-Arounder

In an era saturated with lightweight carbon fibre and aggressively shaped tubing, the Wilde Bikes Sugar Foot Frameset emerges as a welcome, soulful contradiction. It doesn’t claim to be the lightest machine on the market, nor the fastest in a straight line, but it possesses a far more valuable set of characteristics: a profound sense of honesty, unadulterated beauty, and a quiet, unassuming capability that only comes from true craftsmanship.

This is a machine built for people who appreciate a life lived at a slightly slower, more considered pace, offering a wonderful counterpoint to the often-frenetic nature of modern cycling technology.

The Sugar Foot is, at its heart, a classic All-Arounder, expertly updated for the 21st-century rider without sacrificing an ounce of its vintage aesthetic appeal. It exists for those discerning enthusiasts who simply dig the look, simplicity, and style of rim brakes and lugs, yet refuse to compromise on modern performance and handling.

This is not a wall hanger; its geometry leans toward a sporty, playful ride, making it a delight under spirited efforts despite its traditional construction. It is an ultra-comfortable, elegant, and capable 650b racer, perfect for stretching out those long days and big dreams, whether the surface beneath the chunky tyres is loose dirt or pristine pavement.

The frameset’s magnificent pedigree is immediately evident in its construction. Wilde has leveraged a masterclass of componentry and fabrication to bring this vision to life. The frame features a renowned Richard Sachs designed lugset, a name synonymous with the pinnacle of traditional steel frame building, whose work represents a deep-seated belief that lugs are the most rational way to achieve superb frame quality and longevity.

The frame itself utilises a lightweight blend of Columbus Life and Zona tubing in the main triangle—steel known for its superior ride quality and durability—paired with Columbus Zona chain and seat stays on all sizes. Even the smallest details are top-tier, including the Pacenti fork crown and Paragon Machine Works frame parts.

Once pieced together, the shell is treated to a simply gorgeous Imron paint job, masterfully applied by Rick over at D&D Cycles, guaranteeing a deep, resilient finish that elevates the whole affair to an art form.

While the aesthetics are a throwback, the practicality is entirely modern and versatile. The steel fork is a beast of utility, featuring internal dynamo routing, fender mounts, mid-blade rack mounts, and double eyelets on the fork blade. The frame itself boasts three sets of bottle bosses, fender and rack mounts, and cleverly incorporates internal rear brake cable routing to keep the clean lines intact.

An interesting feature for the opinionated wheel-builder is the rear spacing, set at 132.5mm to allow quick-release compatibility with both 135mm MTB hubs and 130mm road hubs—a simple, elegant solution for running your favourite setup without any discernible downside.

It also allows for clearance of up to 650b x 2.2″ tires on the frame, and a whopping 650b x 2.4″ on the fork, proving it’s ready for some serious rough stuff. It’s built to accommodate minimalist loads—Wilde suggests keeping the total weight under 25lbs for the best results—making it the ideal partner for fast-paced, unencumbered bikepacking trips.

Available as a frameset with fork, the Wilde Bikes Sugar Foot Frameset carries a price tag of £3006. This investment not only buys you a beautifully styled, high-performance machine but also an enduring piece of cycling heritage, with the option for custom geometry, custom paint, and wireless dynamo fork end upgrades for those looking to truly create their forever bike. It’s a timeless machine that invites you to enjoy the ride, the scenery, and the knowledge that you are piloting something genuinely special.

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