2016 Novara Randonee any good?
05-26-16 | 05:19 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 6
From: Pearland, Texas
Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana
05-26-16 | 07:09 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,921
Likes: 1,243
From: Montreal Canada
looks like a very good touring bike for that price, really good value for money when you look at the parts, and as mentioned, ready right out of the store to go touring with the gearing, wheels and tires.
You Americans get some pretty good prices for things, that sale of $1019 is rather exceptional. I'd buy one if thats the sort of bike I wanted or recommend friends to buy one in an instant.
You Americans get some pretty good prices for things, that sale of $1019 is rather exceptional. I'd buy one if thats the sort of bike I wanted or recommend friends to buy one in an instant.
05-26-16 | 07:54 AM
#28
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,744
Likes: 10,299
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
The 2010 Randonee was spec'd with a road triple and Tiagra STI shifting. This meant gearing that may have not been low enough for many.
...It did however use Reynolds branded tubing. It was Reynolds' stock 4130 chromoly, so really not inherently better than what they use now, but it would have had that coveted Reynolds sticker on the frame.
Overall, a nicely spec'd bike for long day riding and light touring. But it fell short in the way that a lot of current new touring bikes fall short- road triple gearing.
06-01-16 | 06:20 AM
#29
1eanda
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie, MD
Bikes: 2018 All-City Macho Man Flatbar, 2016 Surly Ogre, 2018 Cannondale Cujo 2, 2017 Fairdale Weekender Drop, 2016 Trek 520 Disc, 2016 Fuji Sportif 1.0 LE, 2015 Novara Randonee, 2015 Trek 7.3 FX, 2015 Trek 8.3 DS, 2008 Trek Su2
I purchased my 2015 Novara Randonee in May of 2015 and really enjoy everything about it. Great Bike and very good value
06-01-16 | 05:35 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 745
Likes: 3
The 2010 Randonee was spec'd with a road triple and Tiagra STI shifting. This meant gearing that may have not been low enough for many.
...It did however use Reynolds branded tubing. It was Reynolds' stock 4130 chromoly, so really not inherently better than what they use now, but it would have had that coveted Reynolds sticker on the frame.
Overall, a nicely spec'd bike for long day riding and light touring. But it fell short in the way that a lot of current new touring bikes fall short- road triple gearing.
...It did however use Reynolds branded tubing. It was Reynolds' stock 4130 chromoly, so really not inherently better than what they use now, but it would have had that coveted Reynolds sticker on the frame.
Overall, a nicely spec'd bike for long day riding and light touring. But it fell short in the way that a lot of current new touring bikes fall short- road triple gearing.
Agreed. If I were looking for a traditional touring bike again the Randonee would still be at the top of my list. Mine has been through everything and has never given me a problem.
06-10-16 | 07:53 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 13
From: West Kentucky
Bikes: TREK Stache 5, 2013 Cannonade Carbon 1, DaVinci In2Ition tandem, RANS Screamer, Giant Expressway 1, 1975 Crescent Mark XX, Tern Link 7, Montague Paratrooper, Raleigh Talus 29, Trek LIFT, Novara Randonee, Specialized Fatboy
Mine is a 2011 model that I recently bought, very little used. It is a very well built, well equipped touring bike. I would not hesitate to buy a 2016 model new.
06-11-16 | 11:33 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 49
Bikes: 2013 Surly Disc Trucker, 2004 Novara Randonee , old fixie , etc
I looked up prices for used Randonées & they're surprisingly low, $200-$300 w/free shipping. Bad news for sellers but good news for buyers. 2016's have fairly sensible touring gears but one could buy a decent used one & swap out drivetrain saving $$100's. IMO fewer buyers willing to settle for rim brakes now. 2016 doesn't have disc bracket/option which doesn't bode well for resale value.
