Pashley Wildfinder: A Century of British Craft, Reimagined for Modern Adventure
Discover the Pashley Wildfinder, a new "grountain" adventure bike blending Reynolds 853 steel craftsmanship with modern tech for ultimate bikepacking capability.
For nearly a century, Pashley Cycles has been a cornerstone of British manufacturing, hand-building its iconic bicycles in Stratford-upon-Avon since 1926. While other brands moved production overseas, Pashley has remained steadfast, earning a unique identity built on heritage, durability, and classic design. But heritage doesn't mean standing still. Following the successful launch of its modern Roadfinder collection, Pashley is now venturing further off the beaten path with the Wildfinder—a rugged, versatile adventure bike built to tame any terrain.
The Wildfinder is the latest addition to the brand’s burgeoning ‘Finder’ collection, designed as a capable companion for bikepacking expeditions, rugged singletrack, and demanding all-weather journeys.
Andy Smallwood, CEO of Pashley Cycles, frames the new model as an enabler of exploration:
“The Wildfinder is the true expression of a bike designed to facilitate the desire to ride way beyond the everyday. The rugged Wildfinder will take you around the world, into the wilderness or on your own out-of-bounds weekend adventure... It’s the latest example of true British design and craftsmanship, incorporating the best use of Reynolds steel, all created from start to finish by our team of artisans.”
Defining the "Grountain" Bike
So what exactly is the Wildfinder? Pashley's design team has aimed for a sweet spot between two popular genres, creating a machine that defies easy categorization. It’s more than a gravel bike, yet more versatile than a traditional mountain bike.
Mark Lloyd, Pashley's Project Design Lead, has coined a new term for it:
“We have designed the Wildfinder to be a drop-bar mountain bike, blurring the lines between gravel and mountain genres (I like to call it a ‘grountain’ bike) primarily designed to be a capable machine for long distance, multi-day off-road bikepacking expeditions. Even if you aren’t on an epic multi-day expedition, the bike is equally at home exploring the gnarlier end of gravel and even singletrack, inspiring the rider to go beyond the confines of a conventional gravel bike.”
This "grountain" philosophy is baked into its geometry and construction. The frame is meticulously hand-crafted from premium Reynolds 853 DZB tubing, fine-tuned for a balance of efficiency, comfort, and control over long, arduous days in the saddle.
Fusing Heritage Craft with Modern Technology
While the Wildfinder is built with traditional frame-building artistry, it strategically incorporates cutting-edge manufacturing. The most striking example is the use of 3D-printed steel components to solve complex design challenges.
- A 3D-printed seatstay-to-top-tube junction creates a seamless, elegant finish that honors the frame’s clean lines.
- A custom 3D-printed chainstay yoke provides ample clearance for large 29×2.4” tires and chainrings up to 42T, without compromising strength.
- The 3D-printed dropouts are engineered to cleanly accommodate a 180mm rear brake disc, providing essential stopping power for a fully loaded bike on steep descents.
This thoughtful integration of technology shows that Pashley is innovating purposefully, using modern techniques to enhance a traditionally crafted frame.
Built for Durability and the Demands of the Wild
Every detail of the Wildfinder is geared towards reliability and ease of maintenance in the field. The frame is future-proofed with a UDH-compliant derailleur hanger, features a threaded BSA bottom bracket for creak-free serviceability, and uses external cable routing for simple repairs.
Versatility is paramount. The frame and the matching Reynolds 853 rigid fork are equipped with a full suite of mounting points for racks, cages, and frame bags, allowing riders to customize their luggage setup for any adventure. Furthermore, the geometry is suspension-corrected for a 100mm travel fork, giving riders the option to install a RockShox SID SL for more aggressive off-road performance. To ensure a lifetime of service, each frame is e-coated for internal corrosion protection before receiving a durable hand-powder-coated finish.
Build Options, Customization, and Pricing
The Pashley Wildfinder is available in five sizes (XS-XL) and two standard colors, Ember and Tempest. As a made-to-order bicycle, customers can specify custom paint and tailor the frame's cable routing for mechanical, electronic, or wireless groupsets.
Pashley offers three recommended builds:
- Pashley Wildfinder SHIMANO GRX: Starting at £2,995 / $4,495
- Pashley Wildfinder SRAM Rival GX AXS: Starting at £3,995 / $5,995
- Pashley Wildfinder (Flatbar) Shimano SLX: Starting at £2,795 / $4,195
A Frameset (including frame and rigid fork) is also available for £1,695 / $2,595.
Key upgrades can be added to any build:
- Rockshox SID SL 100mm Suspension Fork: +£549 / $795
- Pro Koryak 120mm Dropper Seatpost: +£249 / $379
The Wildfinder is a compelling statement from a heritage brand, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully. It’s a bike built not just to be ridden, but to be trusted on adventures that push beyond the horizon.
