asromzek

I've been reading a lot lately about the various touring bicycles and have my eyes set on a Novara Randonee. In fact, I've got my eye on a pair since my girlfriend seems to be as interested as I am in touring. I was in an REI store last weekend and had a chance to look at one up close. Since we were on a tight schedule I didn't have time to take one for a test ride. I plan on going back soon to get one sized up, but I have a few things that I need to clear up first.

1) The appeal of the Randonee is the fact that you can use a 20% off coupon if you're an REI member. I assume that I can sign up for a membership, and my girlfriend can do the same to get a discount on both bikes. Do their sales happen during certain times of the year, or is that something I could take advantage of soon? Spring is a long time to wait for a sale to come along and I'm still not clear on how REI's sales work.

2) After getting the bikes sized up and taking the plunge, I'm sure I'll have to upgrade a few things. The first thing is the saddle, I've read nothing but good things about Brooks. Also, I wasn't too sure about the shifters (since I didn't get to ride it) but I've also read that bar end shifters are preferred. Anyone familiar with the shifters that the Randonee currently has? I might also look into clipless pedals. Other than that I didn't see anything that needed to be modified. Gearing appears to be good. Am I missing anything?

3) Assuming that I purchase a pair of bikes, how reliable is REI as far as setting them up? Should I take the bikes to the reliable LBS to have them tuned so that they fit, or can I rely on REI to make sure the bikes are sized correctly? I know that getting the bikes sized right is important, and since I'm somewhat new to this, it's one of the fuzzier areas that I'd like to get some advice on. I can only imagine how pleased the bike shop would be when I bring in two brand new bikes that I didn't buy from them, especially after asking extensive questions about the Trek 520. REI is over an hour and a half away, so most, if not all, of my service will have to be done at the LBS.

4) All the gear that is required for touring will have to then be purchased. The goal is to buy the bikes, ride them this fall to get used to them / break them in. Build up the necessary equipment over late fall/winter/spring and then go on some longer tours next year. I'll start with shorter tours, maybe some weekend trips, but all self supported from the start. As I get more comfortable with my abilities then I'll move to longer trips. Since REI seems to have a lot of nice gear, that's where I intend to start looking for equipment. Any recommendations on other places / companies to look would be helpful.

And, that's about it. Sound like a solid plan?

fthomas

You will really like the Randonee as is. At the price it is really tough to beat!

BengeBoy 

Agreed. I now know a number of Randonee riders; they like them. Anything "wrong" with them is really personal preference -- personally I think your overall plan above looks good and I would recommend you just get the bikes, ride them, and change what you don't like -- pedals, saddle, etc., all pretty easy to change once you *really* know what you like/don't like after some miles.

As for sales, I think REI has 3 great bike sales each year -- a Spring 20% off event, an Anniversary event (May?), and a Fall 20% off event (September? October?). The problem with waiting for the Fall event is they may be out of Randonees when it gets here.

As for set-up -- the REI shops I know do a great job. I took a Park Tool School class (8 full hours of instruction) at the Seattle REI flagship and came away pretty impressed with their training, shop, tools, etc. They can be pretty busy on a Saturday but their mechanics are good at basic set-up, IMHO.

As for equipment - there are tons of specialized places to get racks, equipment, etc. Though I have to say I find myself buying more and more stuff at REI because of good pricing, good sales (check their outlet section online) and their *fantastic* return policy (I recently returned two pieces of 5-year-old luggage because the handles broke...).

I sound like an REI shill, don't I?

asromzek

I'm heading down tomorrow to take a look at the Randonees they had on the shelf. They had 2 of them, 52cm (I think) and 55cm. I'm about 5' 11" and 180lbs so we'll see if one of them fits. There are actually two REI locations that I know of in the area (Detroit-ish) so I may call to see what they both have in stock. It's too bad they don't have sale going on now, I'd pick one up tomorrow.

asromzek

Also, if I find the size I want, I would imagine you could order one in during a sale?

BigBlueToe

Yesterday I got an REI Labor Day Sale flyer in the mail. The sale goes from August 22-September 1. (There's a note on the back that says, "Postal Carrier: Please deliver Aubust 18-20", so maybe my postal carrier jumped the gun and I got mine early.) Anyway, it says, "15-20% off selected bikes" and lists "Novara, K2, Marin, Cannondale, and more!" There are some specific items on sale, but also several general statements, like, "25% OFF All Novara Bags" with a picture of some panniers.

Maybe you should wait until the 22nd.

Regarding REI panniers, I bought a set in 1992, complete with matching handlebar bag. Those panniers were great! Nothing ever failed on them until this year when I put them on my new Tubus racks. The Tubus have larger diameter tubing, so the hooks on the panniers were really "snug". When I pulled the strap to pull one of the panniers off the rack, the rivet that held the strap to the pannier popped. I think that was more my fault than the fault of the panniers. I gave those panniers to my nephew who will be taking his first big tour in September (and has limited funds, so all the donated stuff I can give him will help.)

If the "modern-day" REI panniers are anywhere as good as those old antiques, I'd endorse them.

I'm probably another REI shill because I really like it and buy my stuff from them when possible. Campmor is usually cheaper, but when you get your dividend check from REI (if you're a member) it comes out about the same.

I grew up in the Seattle area. I remember when there were only two stores - the one on Capitol Hill (that always smelled like mothballs, and had that funky below-street-level parking lot), and the little original store (in the U. District? Ballard? I can't remember.) We called it "The Co-op" then. One of my friend's mothers joined "The Co-op" not long after it started. Her membership number was 42. The cashiers always looked at my friend funny when they asked for his number and he said 42.

robow

Could someone please tell me what the chain stay length is on a 55 cm Randonee? Thanks

markjenn

Your plan appears fine and the Randonee is a nice bike and a great value with the 20% off, but unless you have your heart set on bar-ends, I'd wait and see how it goes on this as it will drive the price up and you may prefer the brifters - many do. And if you really do have your heart set on bar-ends, I'd recommend a different bike which comes standard with them such as a Surly LHT or Trek 520. There's really not a whole lot of difference between these three bikes so preferences about things like shifters and gearing is the reason you buy one over the other.

- Mark

asromzek

Took the test ride and I was sold. I'll be picking the bike up next weekend when my jeep is available to make the trip. (mustangs are a little tight for transporting bicycles...)

asromzek

The bike that I found fits me at 52cm frame size. It was just a little too tall for my girlfriend though and there aren't any smaller frame sizes in stock there, or at any other stores in the area. I would really like to find the same bike if I could since having identical equipment on two bikes makes spare parts handling easier. I guess I'll start with calling REI to see if they can get one shipped in from somewhere else in the country.

asromzek

And my luck keeps getting better. The only 47cm frame they could find was on a shelf only a few miles away at the Troy, MI location. That just made my day!

BengeBoy 

Make sure you post pics of the two bikes when you get them home...sounds like it will be a happy couple of bikes...

capejohn

I recently rode the Erie Canal using the Randonee. I don't think that coupon is good for bikes though. But even without the discount, it's a good touring bike. I highly recommend it.

asromzek

I'll post a pic after I pick both of them up next saturday with the jeep...

The lady friend was worried about how comfortable the bike would be, since she's used to a schwinn with a wide seat, but it was tough to get her off the bike at the end of a very long test ride. Now, to get some helmets. I might also be looking into some pedals/shoes to replace the straps. I've never used clipless pedals so I've got some research to do. Any quick tips?

BengeBoy 

I love clipless pedals, but it can be a hotly debated topic.

I think most people who tour use SPD-type pedals. That allows you to use mountain-bike type shoes or touring sandals that you can walk around in like a civilian when you are off the bike.

One option you might look at is pedals that have SPD clips on one side and a regular platform-type pedal on the other. That way you can jump on your bike for short rides wearing regular shoes (like tennis shoes), while using SPD pedals on the other.

But if you want a pure SPD pedal I think a really good standard pedal is the Shimano A520 ot M520...both have been written about here at BF.

asromzek

After a short search the Shimano A530 pedals have caught my eye. Platform on one side and SPD on the other. Looks like a nice combination.

mwl6464

I'm using the Shimano m324 dual platform.

https://www.rei.com/product/668198?cm...:referralID=NA

asromzek

A530 - 383 grams - $84.00
M324 - 530 grams - $75.00

More money for less weight (0.324 lbs less to be exact)

mwl6464

They can be found for $50 online.

asromzek

I think I may go for the A530 pedals since I can ride with normal shoes until save up enough for some shoes that clip to the other side of the pedal. A friend of mine suggested asking REI if they could replace the stock pedals with the A530s and charge the difference when I pick the bikes up. That would save some time and cost I would imagine.

BengeBoy 

Also, I should have mentioned that the Wellgo WAM D10 pedal is the same as the Shimano -- it's platform on one side, SPD on the other. I have read here on BF that's it's just as good as the Shimano.

I have the Shimano double-sided on one of my bikes and I think I paid $55 online.

cyccommute 

43.5 cm (17.1"). Pretty short for a touring bike. To find the rest of the data, click on the link about half way down the page.

asromzek

Amazon seems to come through sometimes with decent pricing. The A530 is listed twice, apparently from two suppliers, with a slight difference in price...

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-A53...9086289&sr=8-1

and

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-41553-...ef=pd_sbs_sg_1

cyccommute 

Lickton Bikes have them for $54.

Single sided pedals, however, all suffer from the same problem...you have to flip them so that the engaging mechanism is up. This isn't that big of a problem but it's just one more thing you have to do. Two sided pedals (mountain bike pedals) don't require as much fiddling. Shimano M520s are can be had for as low as $35 and are very easy to use. If you need a platform, you can get a reflector kit that makes a platform for about $10 or Insteps for about $30

robow

Thank you cyco. I see they call it rear to center. If I were to buy a new touring bike complete and not build one up from a frame, I would definitely consider this one as I like the sti and the name brand parts list. For my average size nine foot, the chain stays wouldn't be a problem as I've used smaller in the past and present. When you can grab those sale prices, hard to be beat