Novara 2001 Randonne

Price Paid:  $529.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
American River Bike Trail

Bike Setup:
Stock which means: Tiagra crankset,derailers (front and reat) Sora Sti shifters ( compromising), mav

Summary:
My commute traverses a variety of terrain. From back streets, 1/2 mile steep avenue climbe, dirt trail to paved bike trail, my ride to and fro work can challenge the Navarone. I can not boast of being a serious road hog for commuting as my trip takes me less then 6 miles one way. But,based on my experience and the variety of terrain the Navarone is an excellent choice for a commuter. The base gear setup (Tiagra and Mavic,brazed on plugs for racks and price make it an excellent value for piece of mind. I searched far and wide before settling on this bike because of versatility and quality components at the price.

Strengths:
Versatile and good value for the price.

Weaknesses:
Gear ratio is not convincing for the terrain I travel on.

Similar Products Used:
Nishiki Super Sport (1990)

Price Paid:  $633.00 at REI Bailey's Crossroad, Arlington, VA

Favorite Ride:
Carrol County Pancake rides

Bike Setup:
I have modified my bike to be more like a touring/hybrid bike such as the Bianchi Volpe. I replaced the Taigra cranks with Shimano Deore (44/32/22) to let the bike ride as a touring bike, Zoom stem I have long legs with a short reach), speedplay (frog) pedals, blackburn expedition rack.

Summary:
Excellent value. The better Touring bikes usually go for over $1000. I am quite satisfied with the bike's performance on club rides in urban settings and on riding it on the C & O canal. An all-purpose bike that excels on rough roads and city streets. A much better choice than a hybrid when speed is more important than jumping curbs or riding on serious off the road trails. The REI service staff is friendly and quite competent and ready to ensure that the bike meets your satisfaction and charges a reasonable price when making adjustments (such as replacing cranksets).

Strengths:
Fast, responsive, comfortable reasonably priced, with a great feel of the road Touring bike. Great for Touring or commuting in urban settings. Excellent for riding on gravel roads and very good on the road. The Sora STI shifters/break levers are fun when adjusted properly and a comfortable seat (what a treat).

Weaknesses:
Ridiculous gear ratios. Bike comes with Tiagra crankset of 52/42/30 with a cassette of 11 - 30. A 52 / 11 combination which could become a death trap with lock in pedals. Since this is a touring bike, it should not come with high-end gear ratios of 128 and 118. The Mavic T-221 rims with the Avocet Cross-K 700x32cc make it a Herculean task to fix flats.

Similar Products Used:
Treks 750 (1990 and 1995), 1965? Frejus, 1975 Dicomple Sprint, 1981 Fuji Royale and 1990 Trek 1420

Price Paid:  $449.00 at REI

Bike Setup:
Suntour Sprint friction DT shifters on bar-end mounts, Brooks B.17 saddle, Nitto Technomic Deluxe stem (all from Rivendell). Otherwise, the generally fine RSX and Ritchey stuff it came with.

Summary:
I actually own the '98 model (if I remember right), which I bought on sale. Even at full retail, the spec on this bike is a real value. The frame is nothing particularly exciting, but it's solid and has everything you need. I was always suspicious of the STI shifter/brake levers, which worked great until the rear gave out many miles from home. I have no such fears with the Suntour friction levers.

I haven't toured on this bike, but I've used it for transportation both loaded down and unloaded, on pavement, dirt roads, and trails, and sometimes with a trailer. I've been really happy with it.

Strengths:
Excellent componentry for the price. Lots of brazings for racks, fenders, bottle cages, even spare spokes! Feels very sturdy

Weaknesses:
The frame feels a little bigger than its advertised size, so get a good test ride. The RSX STI shifters pooped out on me.

Similar Products Used:
None really, unless you count my old Rockhopper outfitted for commuting.

Price Paid:  $575.00 at REI

Bike Setup:
Stock setup except for a Nitto Technomic stem and Salsa shallow-drop bars, and a Selle Italia Max Flite Trans Am saddle. I added racks front and rear.

Summary:
The correct list price for the 2001 model is $750, and it comes with the Tiagra groupset (except with Sora levers). Mine is a 2000, which is essentially similar to the 2001. I paid $575 for mine on sale.

I've put almost 3000 miles on my Randonee since August; it's my primary commuter bike. The wheel problems were the only issues with it. The components are great for a bike at this price point: all Tiagra, even the hubs, except for a Suntour cassette and Sora levers; Ritchey build kit; Mavic 221 rims with Avocet Cross K tires.

The frame is a classic steel touring frame: springy and comfortable, with a long wheelbase, low center of gravity, brazed and eyeleted for fenders, racks front and rear, three bottle cages, and even spare spokes!

Classic touring bikes like this are underappreciated in the US. These "all rounders" are great for commuting, charity rides, centuries, and even cyclocross. I think a lot of people who buy hybrids would have their eyes opened if shops had touring bikes like this one, the Trek 520, the Fuju Touring, etc. to show them and to test ride.

REI stores do usually have a fully equipped bike shop inside, supposedly with Barnett-trained mechanics. Nevertheless, my experience indicates that a close inspection of a bike purchased there would be a good idea.

The 2001 model has upgraded handlebars and a different cassette with a 30-tooth low gear, still too high for a touring bike -- but plenty for a commuter or sport bike.

Strengths:
Mine is a 2000 model. Unusually high-level components for the price. Comfy steel ride. Fully brazed for loaded touring.

Weaknesses:
My sample's wheels were not properly pre-stressed, were built with no-name spokes, and there was no rim tape installed. So I had a lot of flats and broken spokes until things got sorted out. And like many stock touring bikes, the gearing is a bit high for getting loads up steep grades.

Similar Products Used:
Trek hybrid, Trek 520 (tested), lots of old Peugot and Gitane and Raleigh sport-touring bikes from the 60's and 70's.