Stooge Rambler

Hi,

I’m looking for info or experiences with the Stooge Rambler – in lieu of the upcoming preorder opening. Reviews seem scarce.

Currently have a Genesis Vagabond – 2019 QR model.  Was a hack for local mild off reading but I’ve been bitten by the bikepacking bug (maybe offroad camping by bike would be a better term) after a couple of overnighters this year.

I could spend some money upgrading to better/lighter camping gear or I could spend some money on a new rig.

Would be looking to buy a frame and transer over as much as i can but know ill be in for a fair few new parts along the way.

Anyone ridden the rambler in the wild?  What are your thoughts?   Does it ride well for general off road use? (I’m thinking general scottish off road XC/gravel/forest) Is it a good bikepacking rig?  A much better ride than the Vagabond?  Anyone using it in 2x guise?

Your thoughts are welcomed

Not owned a Rambler but have had a Speedball and a Dirtbomb. Really regret selling both so that should hopefully give an indication of my thoughts on the bikes. I’d have one again in a heartbeat and keep it this time!

Pop over onto the owners group on facebook and you can ask as many questions as you want. Ive had one of the 2 prototype ramblers, great bike, works best with 27.5 x 2.5 ish super comfy for all day stuff, nounting points all over for bikepacking duties and still more than capable of ragging through singltrack and over jumps and berms as a drop bar mtb.

You currently can’t buy one. A new one is promised with an EBB

They look great

Currently I own both a Stooge (Mk4) and a Vagabond, I’d personally spend the money on upgrading the Vagabond and other gear.

The Vagabond is a really capable bike, and I’ve done some pretty big gravel and bike-packing rides on it – many 100+km one day rides and 400ish km over 3 days recently.

Upgrades I’ve made are lighter/better wheels, bigger front ring, lighter seatpost, comfier (for me) saddle and I think that’s it.

It maybe doesn’t have as many mount points, but with a saddle/seatpost harness/bag, front harness/bag and frame bag it’s been spot on.

Though, don’t let me stop you from N+1 😁 Stooges are great bikes, and I defo recommend having one!

Thanks good peeps of STW.

I’ll head over to the FB page – hadn’t occurred to me there’d be a group for them.

This wouldn’t be an N+1 sadly.  The Rambler and the Vagabond are too similar to make it worthwhile keeping them both.  Keeping the Vagabond is probably the sensible thing to do.  I do fancy a stooge tho 🙂 

Go for a different Stooge then – Mk6 or Speedbomb are both in stock 😉

Not my kind of rides these days… as good as they look!  I’m an mild off road pootler who enjoys the odd adventure.

Tho those new trails at glentress do look dirtbomb tempting!

I’m a bit out of the Stooge loop as my last one was a MK3.

I’ve not seen a published weight for the Rambler but I know my MK3 frame and fork were over 8lbs. It didn’t feel a heavy bike to ride but something to bear in mind if overall weight is a concern.

Just but one. I’m sure you’ll love it. My Stooge Mark 2 is not like any other bike I’ve ridden. It’s such good fun. 

Stooge bikes are great, fact 🤓👍