2016 Novara Randonee any good?
 

Would a 2016 Novara Randonee be any good for a 3000mi (4500km) tour, mostly on sealed roads.

IMHO the Randonee has improved steadily over the last 4-5 years into a pretty darn good touring bike...so yes.

Brad

Sure, it's been a popular choice for its type for quite some time. Good combination of price and components. It's going to feel like a tank compared to your carbon Di2 bike but it should be a fraction of the price and be purpose-built to take some abuse.

Is there something about it that concerns you, or do you have other bike choices?

Definitely! If it couldn't make it I'd return it.

Each time I walk into REI, I drift past the Randonee and Mazama.
The Randonee is, for me, a really well spec'd bike for the price. I think they nailed the goal of getting good components at a certain price point.

Its a bike made for fully loaded riding, so it isnt quick, but its what its supposed to be- solid.

+ 1. This is a really nicely spec'd bike with quality rims (mavic A319) and quality tires (schwalbe) as well as good components generally. Manufacturers often cheap out on wheels and tires; this bike is ready to tour right out of the store.

Absolutely agree! I think for the price point and REI discounts that are found practically every where, you would have a great bike on your hands. Between it and the Fuji Touring you're looking at 2 nice, sub $1000 bikes. Personally, I'd go with the Safari over the Randonee.

Parts pick OK? , if you differ in preferences , change that part.

overhaul and reassemble it completely, so your built is up to your expectations.

I would place the Randonee in the same class as Surly's Long Haul Trucker. If you look at the forks of both bikes, you might suspect, as I do, that they were made in the same plant.

It is a nice bike backed up by REI's 1-year return policy.

Not V. Dyad rims = pfffft

Its not for me. I just go asked if it was any good, but other than the specs, I know nothing about them.

Very good. I have one and I love it!

It aint custom carbon, it that is your minimum level where any thing less than $4000 is not satisfactory

think long grey scale , variant gradients rather than black or white.

I have a 2014 and have put about 3,000 miles on it so far, about 1,000 of those with loaded panniers. Haven't had a problem with the bike. Did swap out the wheelset after a local LBS over tensioned the some spoke on my front wheel when doing a wheel tune for me, causing the rim to crack where the spokes butt the rim in several places. The only complaint I really with the bike, and it's a minor complaint is that the biggest tires I can fit it with fenders is 35mm, but honestly 35mm tires are plenty wide enough. I'm very happy with the bike, I'm taking off 3rd weekend of July to tour Seattle to San Francisco. Don't be afraid to buy one.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=523232

True I do buy quite expensive bikes, and I will continue to do so. As I will not be buying this bike, I was ask asked about it the bike, and knew nothing about it so I decided to ask.

Anything to say about the brakes? For the price it looks good. And don't forget the 10% member discount.

Picking at nits here, but that's a 10% member dividend, and not a discount (i.e. cash back in the spring for REI purchases, as opposed to a discount on the spot). In any case, Novaras are all currently 15% off during the REI anniversary sale, May 20-30.

Its a Tektro linear brake mated to a Tektro RL520 lever. It works and has all the benefits and downsides of linear brakes.

Tektro linear pull brakes are fine on my Randonee, plenty of stopping power when loaded and modulate well. I like them well enough that I bought a pair that I'm going to install on a '93 Trek 520 frame that I'm building up.

My old 2004 Rando had fairly quick handling & confident descending, fun to ride & comfy over good roads. Current Rando seems to be a similar style & great value.

The dividend is only for full price items. Those damn nits!!

Now I'm curious (given that I'm only in the market for used bikes). What has changed over the last 4-5 years?

Only if the rider knows how to keep the tires pumped up.

Randonee used to have cantilever brakes & brifters & level top-tube, now has V-brakes & bar-end shifters & sloping top tube. I've read some posts lately that say used trad-type touring bikes have gone up in price, kinda surprising to me.