I think we can all agree that the early days of mountain biking are pretty cool. Ive often played around with the idea of finding an old, early 80s production MTB and restoring it. You know, pay homage to the early days. And then have a blast riding it on your current fave trails. Well, I think thats the kind of fun Jeff Frane of Wilde Bicycle Co. was thinking about when they announced the Moto Cruiser.(Photos / Wilde Bicycle Co.)The new Moto Cruiser is by order only and will come as a frame set, which will include the frame, fork, and handlebars. Or if you would rather, Wilde can build up a complete one for you, as well. Plus, you can get it geared or set up as a single speed. The Moto-Cruiser name pays homage to Sweetheart Cycles (later renamed Yeti Cycles), which made an original Moto Cruiser model in the early-to-mid 1980s. The original Moto-Cruiser pulled direct influence from the Mongoose BMX Koz Kruzer. Nowadays, the originals are hard to find and quite rare.The Wilde Moto-CruiserJeff Frane expresses his thought process behind this project: Ive been dreaming of this one for a long time. Its a nod to so many things I love. The klunkers of the MTB pioneers, the untouchable cool of a Cook 3 Bar cruiser, and, of course, my own beloved 11, which has been my main city bike for over a decade. This was a project from the heart.This bike aims to recapture that childhood feeling of carefree cycling. One rider described it as making him feel like I have to be home in time for dinner. The Wilde Moto-Cruiser captures that nostalgic sense of adventure and freedom.The new Wilde Moto-Cruiser is a 26-inch wheeled bike designed around the simple concept of having fun while riding. That means everything from running errands around town, tackling some local singletrack, hitting a fun local pump track, or just plain cruising through the neighborhood. The crew at Wilde designed the Moto-Cruiser to prioritize compatibility and ease of building. It works with rim brakes and accepts both quick-release and bolt-on 26-inch wheels. Plus, it can be set up as either a geared or a single-speed drivetrain, depending on your jam.The frame features horizontal dropouts that can accommodate derailleurs and has generous tire clearance. The frame even includes stealth dropper post routing for those who want that option.Wilde hopes that this kind of compatibility means youll more than likely build one using parts from your garages parts bin, local bike co-op, or community parts stashes. Bingo!Klunker OriginsThe Moto-Cruiser also draws inspiration from mountain bikings klunker origins and classic cruiser aesthetics, but with added modern geometry tweaks for enhanced playfulness. The looptail design and classic silhouette give it a timeless look, while the updated geometry keeps the ride engaging.Wilde has included the handlebars in the frameset package because the tall handlebars are considered essential to the riding experience. Moto-Cruiser GeometryRetail & DetailRetail: $900 (frame, fork, handlebars)Complete: $1,800Frame Features:Classic 3-bar silhouetteLooptail designCanti studsBottle mount on down tube (Small & Med) and bottle mount on seat tube (L & XL)Three pack mounts under the down tubeStealth dropper post routingModular cable guidesClearance for up to 26 x 2.5 tiresFork Features: 420mm axle to crown (suspension corrected for 80mm fork)Mid-blade rack mountTire clearance 26 x 2.5Handlebar Features:90mm Rise15 Back Sweep7 Up Sweep830mm Wide22mm Clamp100% Butted 4130 Chromoly steelFrame & Fork SpecThe tubset that Wilde uses for the Moto-Cruiser is called Double Tuff. It uses the same high-quality 4130 butted CrMo steel as their TLC frames. But, its neither particularly light, nor particularly compliant. Wilde says its robust and fairly stiff. Its a full-strength MTB, and the tubing is appropriate for the use case.Frame Spec: Clearance for 26 x 2.5 tiresHeadset: EC 34/3473mm English threaded bottom bracket shellCanti Studs135mm SpacingSeatpost: 31.6mmSeat Collar: 35.0Cable Guides: Modular guides under the down tubeWet paint finish. Color: Purple Pizazz**Phosphate dipped and E.D. Coated for corrosion resistance and durability** Fork Spec: Canti Studs100mm Spacing420mm Axle To Crown1 1/8 SteererFor riders seeking a straightforward, versatile bike that encourages fun over performance metrics, the Moto-Cruiser offers a back-to-basics approach to cycling. Check out more details and all of the beautiful bikes that Wilde has to offer at the link below.wildebikes.comThe post Put Those Old 26 Wheels to Use with the New Wilde Moto Cruiser appeared first on Bikerumor.