Combine 1/4 cup warm water, the sugar, and the yeast in a small bowl and set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, butter or spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and oil a bowl for the dough.
In a mixing bowl, stir together the warm water, honey, butter, and salt. Stir in the yeast, then add the whole-wheat flour, oats, and bran. Beat in the bread flour until the dough pulls away from the bowl.
Turn it out onto a lightly floured counter and knead for 5 minutes, adding as much of the remaining flour as it will hold and still be a little tacky. Put the dough in the oiled bowl, turn it once, then cover and set aside until doubled in bulk, about an hour.
Push down the dough, then shape it into a loaf. Roll it into a mixture of bran and oats to coat the top, then set it in a 5- x 9-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise until again doubled, about 35 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F .
Bake for 45 minutes or until the bread pulls slightly away from the sides of the pan.