Novara 2001 Randonee

Price Paid:  $700.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
kal-Haven Trail (Short and Sweet)

Bike Setup:
Brooks Saddle
Shimano Clipless Pedals

Summary:
I have really enjoyed owning the Randonee. It is simple not too complicated and I have started to enjoy the ease of the STI shifters.

I bought it on a sale at REI and I have the Novara side bags, etc. Great value!

I have not had any problems with the rear wheel spokes yet, but I am ready to replace it, if that were to happen!

Strengths:
Great Value
Simple to use and take care of
Very reliable
Predictable
Very comfortable

Weaknesses:
Little slow
sometimes sluggish
Sometimes feels heavy

Similar Products Used:
Surly Steamroller

Price Paid:  $500.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
To and from work

Bike Setup:
Stock bike was
Reynolds 520 touring frame set.
Ritchey Logic headset
Tiagra hubs
Mavic T215 rims
Ritchey Branded Nitto Crystal Fellow seat post
Ritchey Logic stem and bars
Sora 8 speed shifters
Tiagra drive train

Upgrade parts are
Brooks B-17 Champion Special
Panaracer Pasela folding tires
Planet Bike fenders With mud-flaps
Rack from my dads '02 Fuji Touring
Shimano clipless pedals
Ortlieb Panniers and handle bar bag
And a Delta Stem riser

Summary:
I bought the bike in Jan. of 2003. on clearance. I was 13 at the time and planned to do some tours with my dad. I have only put about 900 miles on it though, on the only tour I tried I was just killed by the hill (Live in a flat area and can't spin for the life of me.)

When I got my first job it became my commuter, as I acquired a beater it became my rain bike, and will soon be replaced by a larger 2006 Fuji Touring.

Like others I too had problems with the spokes in the rear wheel breaking. I had replaced at least ten spokes when I got tired and just rebuilt it with Ritchey branded DT Swiss DB spokes, but haven't really ridden it since as I've had good luck with the weather.

I actually prefer the Sora STI levers it comes with to my dads Tiagra's since I spend more time on the hoods than anything else. I've also noticed they don't jam when both levers are pushed like the Tiagra's.

Strengths:
Reynolds 520 tubing (Not really made by them, but to their specs.) Square taper Tiagra BB and Crank, one of the last years they made them in ST I believe.

Weaknesses:
Threadless stem. Cheap seat post binder bolt. Poorly built rear wheel, but no problems with the front.

Price Paid:  $650.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
Cascades in Central Oregon

Bike Setup:
Front lowrider rack, rear rack, zrfal fenders, nightsun team issue light, terry liberator saddle, shimano 525 spd pedals.

Summary:
I have a 1999 Randonee. I have done several 500 mile tours on it and regularly commute in it. I love the bike, great deal for the money. Steel is real. I would rather ride a Bruce Gordon but for the money.

Strengths:
Durable, Steel, good for carrying 40+ pounds in panniers. RSX components work very well. STI shifters.

Weaknesses:
Rear Wheel is susbstandard. I built up a Mavic T517 (bullit proof).

Price Paid:  $450.00 at REI

Summary:
Overall I am very pleased with the Randonee for the purpose of commuting. It is the pickup truck of bikes. It is comfortable and responsive in traffic. I put at least 20 miles a day on it. My only complaint is that I've had to replace 4 spokes on the real wheel already. I have never had to replace taht many spokes on all my other bikes combined in the last 10 years.

Strengths:
Comfort on the long haul.

Weaknesses:
Breaking spokes way too soon in it's life.

Similar Products Used:
GT Tachyon