ddgunter

I know weight is not a primary factor for touring bikes but I did notice that the safari (29.9 lbs) is heavier than the randonee (28.1 lbs), and that the most mentioned con is "heavy". Both come with rear racks which I assume is included in the weights. Just wondering if in the big picture it really made much difference. I assume the safari is heavier because it simply has a longer frame for the same given size in order to accommodate the closer hand position of the butterfly bars.

twerney

Hi, I went with the safari, Not many here seem to have that experience. I guess because of the the odd ball aspect. I am going x country next spring. I have about 600 mi on it this summer. I am not tall 5'10" and have the large. You should try it on for size. REI is an excellent company to work with. I went with it because they switched to steel frame and left out the disc brakes.(although they left the attaching hardware for upgrade) I ike that I can go down a dirt road(not a mountainbike) or gravel and feel confident. I plan on being heavythis tour, and want stability. My Fuji tri carbon fiber is 13lbs lighter. I had a warm shower guest last week traveling from maine to VA and he sported the Randonnee, a sweet bike.I Like navarro products and after seeing his bike feel that might be a good choice also. I know everyone loves SLT and before I hang it up I will try one. I tend to try products that are proven but less popular. The Safari is a tank, sturdy low geared comfortable position but heavyand kind of slow. I like the handlebars and feel it shifts very well. I know I can load this sucker to the gills and not worry. I just am not use to the 10 mi an hour slower pace of around 13 mph I average. but it is the journey in touring not the finish line. I am not that finicky, I got this bike and am enjoying it.

whatbrakes

Glad to hear you're liking the safari. I like others, have been looking at the safari for 5 to 6 yrs now and I really like how they went to steel and the (option) for disc brakes as I'm not sure I would put them on. On a down note, I see they raised the price of the safari.

stevel610 

I bought a Safari this year. Like others I've been looking at one for @ 5 years. I finally got it because they went back to steel and away from discs, though it still has the mounts so you can put discs on if you want. The neatest feature (I know this will sound stupid) is the reinforcing lug on the downtube at the head tube. Just speaks "expedition" to me. I also flipped the bars so they were a little higher which now is perfect. One could easily fit mountain bike style bars if desired. I have done grocery shopping with heavy loads and it is stable and sure feeling. The stock tires I've grown to like though when they need replacing I will go with a tire that has a knobbed edge for better dirt road traction. Not a biggie. It's a great bike. If you call customer service they might be able to find a 2011 in a store for you. Might save a few bucks.

Ray Lovinggood

I have a 2011 Fuji Touring and REALLY like it. No, I haven't toured on it. Yet. I bought it to use as my commuter, not because it's a "touring" bike, but because it has provisions for a rack. The 2011 came with a rear rack. It also came with bar end shifters, but I don't know if they are Dura Ace or not. I don't see "Dura Ace" listed anywhere on the shifters.

Gearing: Cassette is 9 speed, 11-34 Crank is a triple ring: 30/39/50.

My frame size is 56 cm and weighed on the bike shop scales (probably not calibrated since dirt was invented), it was 29.5 lbs, I think. This did include the rack.

I ride it just about every day to work and have taken it on a road ride or two, the longest being 50 miles. For me (5'-9"), the geometry is relaxed and very comfortable with the drop bars. Of course, the drop bars gives me at least three positions for my hands, just to move around a bit.

For my commuting needs, I purchased a "Lone Peak" trunk bag from thetouringstore.com and for grocery-fetching, I received a couple of "huge" baskets yesterday. They are "Basil Cardiff" baskets
https://www.amazon.com/Basil-Cardiff-.../dp/B000YO7LTK

The baskets are really big and will come in handy for the trips to the store. I used them this morning for my short trip to the local Farmer's Market. I picked up a medium-sized watermelon and easily put it into one basket, with meat and veggies in the other basket.

I never even considered "touring" until I got this bike, that was supposed to my commuter. But the damned thing rides so nicely that I'm going to get me a set of panniers and hit the road one of these days.

I would love to tour the Blue Ridge Parkway. I've done it on a motorcycle (way back in the previous century....) and would love to do it on the bike.

It would be fun to compare it to the Surly LHT and the Novara Safari, but we no longer have a local Surly dealer (that I know of).

Hope you enjoy whatever you end up riding.

Ray