kingnutterrick

Since I became interested in touring, and reading this forum, I started checking out touring bikes for the future. I came across the Novara Safari Bike on line. I see that REI carried it in the past. Now I go over to the web site, and it does not carry it. Is the Novara Safari Bike gone for good?

Thasiet

08's all gone. 09's coming soon

kuan

It's still around and might have been redesigned for next year. Be wary of the current Safari. Lots of people have reported that only certain racks will fit and the riding position is not all that flexible.

vik 

I've heard that the 2009 Safari might be a 29er/700c bike...anyone seen the spec for the 2009 yet?

nancy sv

My son is riding an '08 Safari and likes it quite well. We've ridden 3600 miles so far and it seems to be holding up well. I've also heard rumors about the redesign for '09, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

NeilGunton

The larger sizes of the 2009 Safari will have 700C wheels, apparently. Here is a thread where two of us actually got the word from the horse's mouth, so to speak:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum...hread_id=78761

Neil

Jtgyk

I haven't seen the Randonee either.....maybe they are trying to combine best aspects of both bikes?

david le

I have the 01 & 07 Randonee and love them both. Comfortable, built strong, rides great, nice components and best of all....absolutely no troubles. Can't wait to see what they did with the 09.

A friend owns the Safari and loves it. He is quite the tourist with some high end touring bikes and said the Safari works great in 3rd world countries with dirt or gravel roads. He still loves his Bruce Gordon's & Rivendells but said the the $$, the safari is a steal.

sa2405

My 18" Safari is for sale.

kingnutterrick

Man, I was hoping to get a 2009 Safari because it had what I wanted; a 26 inch wheel. It was very close to the koga Miyata world traveler, but a lot cheaper. My dream bike for Asia in 2010. When, I came across the Safari, I knew that was my bike. Well back to converting my hybrid, and stop coveting
past greatness. Bye Safari

coweater

Should be able to find a safari discounted in store right now. My local store is out of the safari but I know the older randonees have $200 knocked off.

oldride

Call the nearest REI store to see if they have any. If not ask them to locate one at another store and have it shipped.

JoeMan

My REI Novara Safari 26" is a super bike. It is reliable and extra sturdy. It is a journeyman bike for the road (gravel or pavement) or tooling around town. There is some quibbling about stem height. If it is an issue get a Delta thread less stem riser at REI (of course!). The Tubus Tara front rack works just fine and I have borrowed a Bob trailer to see how it felt and that also was problem no on this bike. I don't know how this bike handles for a large person but for me (145 lbs) it is sweet. I realize there are some really nice touring bikes on the market both custom and stock, however, for the $$ this bike will do it all.

Port

My Safari has been extremely reliable. Since I don't really do any touring yet, it's just my bad terrain, bad weather, or cargo-hauling bike. It's nice to have a fat-tire bike with front and rear racks, ability to take fenders, and a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame.

I must admit though that I'm getting ready to change out the trekking bars, grip shifters, and MTB levers for drops, bar-ends, and aero levers. The shifters (especially the left one) are difficult to twist with sweaty, non-gloved hands. The multiple hand positions, while comfortable, are useless to a rider who prefers to have quick access to brake levers at all times while riding and riding on drop bar hoods is more comfortable to me than the default position on trekking bars.

clayface

How long are the Safari's chainstays? Judging from pics I've seen, they seem to be around the 43cm mark.

gregstandt

I've had a Safari for 4-5 years now and have made a short trip each year on it. I've liked it although I did change the chainwheels to lower the gearing and installed the stem riser to get the bars up(had to recable) to where I can look around without straining my neck. Good solid bike and I've never had a problem with it.
This year I bought a Pocket Llama and rode two weeks in Oregon on it and I like it better than the Safari even if it didn't fold.

LitePacking

Well if they stop producing it with 26" wheel they are basically ruin everything that did that bike so unique.
The ting with the Safari was that it was the only bike the Americans ever have sold that had a mountain bike frame, touring racks and 26" wheel.

I often wonder why americans have this stubbornness against a offroad bike with 26" wheels.
In Europe they sell biks with both 26 and 29" so the customer can find the bike thats right for the job.

joninkrakow

Yeah, but the _one_ thing I can't find on this side of the pond is a 700c wheeled bike with traditional touring geometry (room for fenders and panniers, braze-ons for racks, etc.), cali brakes, and drop bars--and _definitely_ no bar-end shifters--nobody, but nobody sells them. Very frustrating to me...

I just don't get the fascination for tiny bikes with tiny, knobbly tires that suck the energy out of you. Most of these bikes are ridden on paved roads, and never see mud that isn't in a puddle.... Whatever happened to a decent, all-around road bike or touring bike on the Continent?

-Jon

kuan

There's a 14" Novara Safari on the REI Bloomington floor.

robmcl

IMO, the Safari is a dam good bike. Great for combo touring/commuting application. I had it on a couple of tourers this summer. I had it over 40 mph with 50 lbs of wight on it in hill country and it was very solid. Disk brakes are great in hill country. It is great mult-purpose bike. I have over 3000 commuting miles on it and it is plenty sturdy to hold up to the rigors of commuting. It is great on rough roads too. If you put narrower slicks on it, it is not that slow either. I can easily average 15 to 17 mph on it with my commuting gear. 17 to 19 mph if I push it a little bit.

wrk101

+1 the other great advantage of any REI bike is the warranty. If I understand it right, they give their bikes a lifetime, money back guarantee. Incredible!

JRZrider

It appears they just posted the new 2009 Safari. I too have missed out on the 2008 model (wondering where it went!) I noticed the 2009 says the 18" size model comes with 29" wheels? WTF??? Am I wrong in thinking it may be tough finding 29" tires at local shops while on extended tours? Or do ya'll think I'm wrong and this is pretty much a non-issue?

LitePacking

Depends where you are touring, outside USA/CAN and europe its almost impossible in extended areas. But i would say yes its a huge issue to ruin this bike with 29" wheels.
Its a blasphemy against off-road touring, its also a good bike to make more interest in USA for 26" off-road touring bikes.

But anyway this bike can only be bought in "exclusive" REI stores and they have a policy to not ship oversea. So why do i care?

But is it only the 18" that comes with 29"?..

oldride

The two smaller sizes come with 26in wheels the larger sizes have 29s. But aren't 29s the same as a 700c?

roadfix

Yes. I don't know why they call them 29s as they are usually associated with knobbies..