Novara Randonee Touring Bike

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I bought the Randonee as a commuter bike. I was immediately in love with it when I tested it at the store. However, as I ride it in the "real world" I realize that it has some annoying cons. I own 12 bikes and the seatpost on this bike is probably one of the worse I've ever had(the saddle kept tilting no matter how many times I adjusted it)But the worst issue of all is the brakes, they don't seem to have enough stopping power, specially for riding in traffic. I can't imagine touring on this bike and trying to stop with it fully loaded. The gearing is excellent and even though is a heavy bike (after all, this is a steel bike) it can go pretty fast. The cons are things that can be fixed but it's pretty disappointing to have issues from the start. I am thinking about returning the bike.

Service and delivery comments:

Service at REI is always excellent, no complaints there at all.

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I was really excited about this bike, but I ended up returning it after one day.I needed an inexpensive solid touring bike, which this is. But it just didn't fit me correctly. We ladies typically have shorter torsos than men, and this bike does not take that into account, even on the XS size. I felt too stretched out on it. REI told me the stem on this bike is not easily swapped for a shorter one and does not have variable angles to fix the length.The bike is also somewhat back-heavy, causing some squirrely handling.I would also make sure it is put together correctly. [...].Things I really like about the bike were the touring specific considerations. The rack is very high quality and is vertically adjustable. The handlebars that came with it were super comfortable. The tires are Randonee tires with reflective sidewalls. Pretty great looking. I wish this bike had worked for me, but it just didn't.What

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I have a 2008 model Randonee but I'd like to comment on another reviewer who complained about the stem. While this bike changes little from year to year, REI has taken a gamble on the new stem offered for 2009. First, let me confirm what everyone else says about this bike: It's sturdy, comfortable and can handle heavy loads with ease. I love my 2008 model. But while at REI today I checked out the 2009 and the stem is indeed weird. I checked the stem mfrs. website and, while I appreciate the benefits of this "sliding" stem design, the problem is this: Any purchaser of this bike who wants to swap out stems due to angle or length issues is stuck, more or less, with what the mfr. NVO has to offer which, I might add, is rather limited and hard to find. Of course, a buyer could remove the whole stem assembly completely and opt for the more traditional spacers/washers found on virtually ALL other stem assemblies but, to a novice rider like the one who commented earlier, this is a PAIN! This same reviewer wound up returning the bike to REI because the forward reach was too long for her, a problem easily solved (usually) by swapping the stem for a shorter model. Overall, this is a minor issue that REI or your local bike shop can help you solve, but expect to spend between $50 and $100 getting the bike to fit right if the stock stem doesn't work for you. As any experienced rider will tell you, FIT is KEY to riding comfort and I'm afraid REI just made that harder to dial in. Other than this, the bike is quite heavy but rolls great once you get it moving. Take away these two complaints and I'd give it five stars.

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

first this is a great bike - there are many great aspects to this bike - but i will focus on the less apparent aspects of how this could be a better bike so your aware of some of its drawbacks before so you can fully consider it, and hopefully so it can be refined for future models

The randonee is a "sport" touring bike as such is it built around a geometry and component philosophy that it should be a road bike styled touring bike - over a mountain/road bike cross

by this i mean that all the components are from shimano's (or equivilant)road bike category - tiagra and 105 components

the geometry is closer to a road bike than it is closer to a true touring bike like the surly long haul trucker. The top tube length and rear chainstay length are relatively shorter than other recognized cross the continent touring bikes (this impacts the max size of tire you can run especially if you are using fenders) - this gives it a very maneuverable feeling and makes it more a "sport" tourer than a rock solid relaxed ride - that said it is a pleasure to ride for its performance characteristics and its sports car speed

a few things i should point out that are drawbacks to this bike:

--it comes with a road style rear cassette - 11-28 (granted this is the largest road cassette you can find)- matched to a front ring of 28 this is the highest gear (easiest to peddle up hill). This is not enough for a loaded bike heading up bigger hills. acceptable however if you've not got to much stuff

--the other thing is the 105 rear derailleur won't accept anything bigger than the 11-28 rear cassette (if you were wanting an 12-32or34 mountain bike cassette)so you will have to get a new derailleur as well as a new cassette if you want a really high gear. Outside of that conundrum you can get 20 tooth front chain ring from blackspire that would give you a bit of a higher gear but there may be issues with the front derailleur - i don't know

--you will need to get a new seat post as the one shipped with the bike sucks and cannot hold a position. as you sit it will tilt the seat back. If you try to tighten it to stop this it will destroy the rails on your seat

--the rack attachment points on the front fork seem to be in the wrong place for the majority of rack systems out there (at least on my bike - perhaps it was a manufacturing screw up?) - they are about 1" higher than every other bike I've seen with front rack attachment bolts. This makes it necessary when fitting front racks to use a clamp system as you cant use the bolts

--if the front stem shipped with the bike is too long or two short for you you will need to acquire a bunch of 1 1/8"spacers and a standard stem as there doesn't seem to be any Novara stems of other sizes that work with their sliding adjustment system.

The other thing is I am 6' 4 1/2" and the XL size that i have been riding for a week is turning out to be too small for me - i will be bringing it back and likely ordering a long haul trucker as I think it will be a more suitable bike for my riding and they come in larger frame sizes. id say the XL randonee should fit people (with good touring body position) up to no more than about 6'3"

and as a side note if you have MEC or Serratus pannier you will need to get larger pannier attachment clips to fit the rear rack on this bike (MEC sells them for like $6)

but all that aside this is a great bike - and a pretty good deal. If you think a "sport" touring bike will work for you then i dont think you will find a better componented one for the price (aside from the seat post)

hope this helps

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

Ride errands around no more than 10 miles and then go on several 20+ rides a week. Rack is sturdy/adjustable. The bike is smooth, comfortable, fast enough w/ low enough gearing too. Only minor problems I've had is the front derailer sometimes drops from large sprocket to smallest when trying to drop only one gear (that can kill a climb sometimes) and the handlebar tape has slipped and bunched up after only a couple hundred miles. I'm doing a fully loaded tour from TX to Toronto, CA in a month and I have full confidence in this bike.

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I have several bikes and I think this is my favorite, at least it's the one I get on the most, and that includes my fast carbon-fiber road bike. I use it for casual evening rides, errands, long weekend day rides and have taken it on a couple of short overnighters. It does it all well. It is a bit heavy due to the steel frame, but the wheels and other components are of high quality and the ride is very comfortable. Mine is a 2008 - dark brown with cream panels - and I added a tan Brooks saddle. It looks great and overall I am very pleased with this bike.

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I use this bike to commute to work every day. I've ridden 4000 miles in the year I've owned it and I love it. I'm planning a couple of 300 mile self supported tours and I am very confident this bike will take me there. I'm a 56 year old curmudgeon that views a bike as a tool and this one is a good one. I carry a lot of gear in my panniers and this bike carries it effortlessly. The stock seat and pedals suck. I replaced the seat with a Brooks and the pedals with some decent clips. I also replaced the handlebar tape with leather Brooks tape, added some good lights and bottle cages and I have the sexiest bike in town! [...] I go to my favorite bike shop and apologize for not buying my bike from them and they are cool. Can't beat this bike for the price.

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I bought this bike mainly to commute to work a few times a week for exercise, 9 miles each way through Baltimore traffic. I also use it for less that a mile trips to the, local pool, grocery store, video store, etc... Perhaps someday I'll even use it for it's intended purpose, an overnighter or three road tour. I am not a fast rider and, although it's a heavy set up, with rear panniers, holding lunch & dinner for work plus change of cloths, or filled with groceries, it's not a slow bike. Geared low for easy climbing with loaded bike. Very sturdy rear rack comes with the bike and I added the Novara 'Round Town Panniers (also satisfied). I have no qualms with the brakes like one other reviewer, and the fit (5'7"/177lbs/52cm) is very comfortable. My only gripe is the seat post needs regular adjustment for height. No matter how hard I crank the hoo haa out of it, it still seems to slowly go down.

Service and delivery comments:

I ended up buying this over the phone out of the Buford GA store and having them ship it to my local store, Timonium MD. Pretty fast and they had it assembled the same day it arrived. Everyone was great!

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

This bike was purchased for annual summer touring. It performed exceptionally well on the Erie Canal tour of 2008.

I own a bike for commuting and a road bike that I also use for the daily commute. Touring season is approaching and I took the Novara for todays commute. The bike immediately got my attention because of how smooth it road. I was not anticipating that and was very pleasantly surprised. Being a steel bike, it also takes most of the "bumps" off the ride. Granted it's a little heavy, but since I don't race, that's a moot subject.

I very highly recommed this bike especially for touring, but it's a really nice commuter also.

Comments about Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009:

I've been riding my '08 model for about 18 months. Mostly casual bike rides and the occassional commute to/from work(9 miles each way.) So far, the bike has been reliable and solid... pretty fast for a heavy bike. I recently rode a segment of the C&O Towpath starting near Cumberland, Maryland. A great ride with no hiccups.

I've had no problems with the bike so far. The stock equipment has been working flawlessly. I did replace the original seat with a Brooks B-17 saddle. (I would recommend that saddle to any rider!) I love the bike. I would definitely recommend this.