I'm on the eve of replacing my current commuting bike (an $80 mountain bike) with something more serious that will last a good # of years. Because I would like to leave the window open to touring, I'm looking at touring bikes. This will be my entry bike into touring, and the first time I've ever spent a decent amount of dough on a bike.
The two bikes I'm looking at are Novara brand because I get a 15% REI discount for being a new member. I'm having a hard time deciding between the Mazama--Novara's first gen adventure touring bike--and the Randonee.
Novara Mazama - $934 after discount
Novara Mazama Bike - 2015 - REI.com
Pros: lighter weigh, love the paint finish/look, has an off-road option, same frame as famous randonee, disc brakes
Cons: weird handlebars, few reviews available online, first generation product, jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none?
Novara Randonee - $1019 after discount
Novara Randonee Bike - 2015 - REI.com
Pros: The most famous/well-reputed Novara bike, comes with rear rack, love the look, great reviews all over the internet
Cons: more expensive, heavier, no disc brakes
My main concern with the Mazama is that as a cyclocross bike, is it too much of a compromise in road performance just so that I can get wider tires? I see posts on Bike Forum and elsewhere saying to beware of a bike that isn't very good at any one particular thing.
Also, does anyone know off hand how much it would cost to get a rear-rack installed at REI?
Thanks!