Reader’s Rig: Sebastien’s Stooge Rambler

Words and photos by Sébastien Arrighi (@tender.rides)

Hi, my name is Sébastien Arrighi. I’m 30 years old, and I’m a fine arts graduate. I make books and exhibitions and I organize a micro photography festival on my native island, Corsica, where I invite artists from all over the world to present their work, meet the locals, and discover the island.

I’ve been cycling all my life. First mountain biking, then road cycling (which I didn’t like for many reasons), then I discovered gravel, which I love! I am rather solitary, and most of my outings are done alone, around my home in Corsica or in Aix-en-Provence. I like to take my time. I am not a competitor but rather a dreamer. Sometimes my wife accompanies me with her old mountain bike to have lunch in the woods. Sometimes I also follow my cycling friends on longer rides.

In general, I only photograph landscapes and human beings for my artworks. When I am on my bike, I use my phone as a notebook. On this occasion, I carried my medium format photographic equipment on my new Stooge Rambler. It was a challenge because of the weight, but I’d like to buy a small camera to document my travels, around my home or in faraway places and maybe one day collaborate with the bike world. I dream of visiting Spain by bike, and Morocco, and also the American West, which is full of references for me as landscape photographer.

My Stooge Rambler is fresh. I ordered it almost a year ago, but the production was delayed because of the pandemic and the hectic bike industry. I spent the year looking at the boxes containing the parts without being able to build the bike. When it arrived, I assembled it in one day to try it as soon as possible! This is my second Stooge and my second time assembling a bike. I love this step, as it allows me to understand how it works and to manage its maintenance and repairs.

• Frame/Fork Stooge Rambler
• Rims Crankbrothers Iodine 2 (27.5″)
• Hubs Crankbrothers Iodine
• Tires Maxxis Rekon 2.4″ (front) / Maxxis Ikon 2.2″ (rear)
• Handlebars Ritchey Beacon XL
• Headset Ritchey Classic
• Crankset Shimano Deore 32T
• Pedals DMR V12
• Cassette Shimano Deore 11-46
• Derailleur Shimano Deore RD+
• Brakes SRAM Avid BB7 MTN
• Shifter(s) Microshift BS-M10-R
• Saddle Brooks Cambium C17
• Seatpost Ritchey Comp 2-Bolt
• Stem Ritchey Classic Toyon
• Front bags Big Buffalo Canvas Medium
• Accessory bags Revelate Designs Mag-Tank

I discovered the Stooge brand on the Gear Index of 29+ bikes here on BIKEPACKING.com. When I saw the Speedball, I immediately contacted Andrew to order one. I fell to the ground when he told me that this bike was no longer available, but reassured me by showing me the plans of a future bike, the Dirt Bomb. So, I sold my VTT to buy the frame and the parts. It was love at first sight, a real rock bulldozer. When the Rambler was presented, I didn’t hesitate one second. I sold my gravel bike and reserved this new dust eater.

I am very happy to be able to acquire such beautiful and high-performing bikes thanks to Andrew. I like his vision of a bike in small quantities, sometimes available in one size, and if there are none left (as was the case for my Speedbomb craving), well too bad, it’s over. If I lived in the US, I would love to own a Mone and a Jones too.

You can find more from Sébastien on Instagram @tender.rides.

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