ROAD TEST

Road Test Novara Randonee REI produces another fine machine for bicycle travelers by Charles F. Pelkey

It’s not much of a confession (especially in this crowd) to say that I love bikes. More than that, I love the very idea of the bicycle. It’s a lightweight machine that transforms a small amount of human energy into forward motion and allows us to travel faster, farther, and cheaper than anyone could ever hope to do on a horse. The bike is obviously far more effi- cient than those poison-spewing machines that now dominate U.S. roads and it allows us to move in a way that enhances then to carbon. Price was secondary and ble of handling the rigors of even the the very meaning of travel. To me, the manufacturers responded, with high-end worst roads you’d encounter, it would be bicycle, in almost any form, represents racing bikes bumping dangerously past a bargain at twice the price. the very epitome of human ingenuity. the five-figure mark as of late. From its tour-friendly geometry to the The bike is elegant simplicity in its It took a recent offer to review the inclusion of useful and well-placed braze- purest form. And, somehow over the 2012 Novara Randonee to remind me ons to a smart selection of components, years, I’d lost track of that. that there is more to relishing a bike ride the Randonee represents a thoughtful A look back at my love affair with than competition … and utilitarian approach to the bicycle explains why, too. Nearly and stupid bike spec and design. 35 years ago, my first ride of more than Probably the first 100 miles came on the first day of what thing I noticed was a turned into a rambling and goal-less major shift in geometry tour across the U.S. It was accomplished when I compared it to my astride a cheap $150 machine that served usual ride. I was sud- its purpose and opened up new denly riding in a far more worlds to me. upright position. The But soon after I Randonee didn’t throw finished that trip, me into that speedy, aero my interest turned position I’d adopted over to speed. I became a the years. It took some bike racer … and a getting used to, but my bike snob. I gradually 53-year-old body soon drifted away from appreciated the position touring and its slow, and I began to enjoy the steady, and medita- comfort of riding in a way I tive pace and shifted hadn’t done for years. my focus to rigorous I soon found myself taking the training, on getting amounts of cash. long way to work, opting for dirt roads, up a hill, or knock- Yeah, Novara. It’s rough pavement, and even an abandoned ing off a time trial the house brand of the railroad bed, just to see how much abuse faster than anyone else outdoor retailer REI, the I could heap on the thing. The Randonee around me. Mechanically, same brand upon which I had never disappointed and I’ve since con- my interests shifted from the haughtily looked down my nose cluded it’s close to bombproof. utilitarian to handmade Italian bikes, during all of those years as a bike snob. At 28.1 pounds (closer to 30 in my with an attempt to trim weight and to Sure, at $1,200, the Randonee still size), it’s not light by contemporary enhance aerodynamics. Columbus tub- represents something of an investment. standards. I have to concede, though, ing soon lost its place to titanium and But for a full-on touring machine, capa- that as I wasn’t too concerned about rac-

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ing uphill, weight really wasn’t a factor. Strength, stability, and durability proved Specifications: Novara Randonee to be far more important. Price: $1,199.00 Crank: Shimano Deore LX, 175mm, The Randonee features a Reynolds 520 Sizes available: Small, medium, large, 44/32/22 chainrings chromoly frame, with ample room for extra large Front derailleur: Shimano Deore LX fenders and braze-ons to accommodate Size tested: Extra large Rear derailleur: SRAM X7 three water bottle cages, a front rack and Weight: 29.3 pounds without pedals Shifters: SRAM TT500 bar end a delightful touch: a right-rear chainstay Brake levers: Tektro RL520 that uses spare spokes to protect the fin- TEST BIKE MEASUREMENTS Brakes: Tektro RX6 ish from chain slap. Seat tube: 59cm, center to top Pedals: None Components include an affordable, Top tube: 57.5 effective Stem: Kalloy effective combination that offers up a Head tube: 6.5 inches Saddle: Velo VL-1221 Head tube angle: 73° Seat post: Kalloy 30-speed drive train with an 11-32 rear Seat tube angle: 73° Handlebar: FSA Wing Compact cog and a 44/32/22 Shimano Deore LX Chainstays: 17 3/8 Accessories: Unbranded, beefy, black crankset. The SRAM bar-end shifters Crank spindle height above ground: 11 anodized alloy rear rack. work beautifully as they run through the inches Cog cassette: SRAM PG-1050, 11-12- full range on the SRAM X7 rear derailler Fork rake: 50mm 13-15-17-19-22-25-28-32 10-speed and the Shimano Deore LX front. I’ve Wheelbase: 106.8mm Chain: SRAM PC 1031 always had a preference for bar-ends, Standover height: 87.63cm (34.5 inches) Gearing in inches: especially when you have to rely on them Frame and fork: Reynolds 520 seamless out in the boonies, where your own skills butted tubing. Semi-sloping lugged chro- 22 32 44 as a mechanic are usually the only option moly fork with low-rider braze-ons, forged 11 54.0 78.5 108.0 in the event something goes wrong. dropouts with double eyelets and cable 12 49.5 72.0 99.0 guide braze-on for easy upgrading to a 13 45.7 66.5 91.4 Having gotten comfortable with the dynamo front hub. Threaded bosses for 15 39.6 57.6 79.2 Randonee while commuting, I loaded the three water bottle cages and spare spoke 17 34.9 50.8 69.9 little beast up with 53 pounds of gear on holders on the drive-side chainstay. 19 31.3 45.5 62.5 a nice fall morning. I installed my own Headset: FSA Orbit, 1 1/8 inch 22 27.0 39.3 54.0 front rack and took advantage of the Rims: Mavic A319S, 36-hole 25 23.8 34.6 47.5 beefy rear rack that comes standard on Spokes: DT Champion 14g stainless, 28 21.2 30.9 42.5 the Randonee. I added three bottle cages cross three 32 18.6 27.0 37.1 — on the seat tube and on both sides of Hubs: Shimano Deore LX, 36h the down tube — and hit the road to our Tires: Vittoria Randonneur Pro, folding, Contact: rei.com, (800) 426-4840 family’s cabin 27 miles south of Laramie. 700x32 Highway 287 south of town is an often-frightening road, in that it’s nar- ing. The 36-hole Mavic A319S rims, the Randonee doesn’t feature front or row, has a small shoulder, and offers a spec’ed with Deore LX hubs and 32mm rear suspension, but its relaxed geometry, steady stream of truck traffic. It’s the Vittoria Randonneur tires, handled the wide FSA Wing drop bars and beefy tires sort of road one invariably finds oneself transition nicely. made even the rough spots quite toler- riding on a long tour, not by choice, but After 17 miles of pavement, my trip able. With a heavy load (both in cargo by necessity. Not a fan of traffic, I found took me off 287 and onto 10 miles of and a beefier-than-I want-to-be rider), myself hugging the far side of the shoul- rough dirt with long stretches of wash- the Randonee handled the trip nicely. der, often drifting into the dirt when I boarding one sees on roads that haven’t I spent the night at the cabin with heard a particularly loud semi approach- been graded for a few years. Obviously, continued on page 61

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Make sure drivers see you. friends and family (who still couldn’t figure out why I was hauling all of that unnecessary gear) and set off the next morning for the mostly uphill return With sizes from XS to 4X, styles from trip. It was on those steep stretches of sleek to baggy, and colors and prints bumpy dirt road that I really appreciated that would make even a rainbow having a low gear that took me down to jealous; we have what it takes to help 22 x 32. you ride in comfort and style! My only real gripe about the Just a few of the many brands we stock: Randonee is that its Tektro RX6 V-brakes Castelli Icebreaker SIDI Cannondale Louis Garneau Skirt Sports ® ™  Pearl Izumi Sporthill With see me wear they will. Giro Primal Wear Sugoi • Fluorescent colors increase the distance Gore Bike Wear Sheila Moon Terry a driver sees you 5 ½ times! Ibex Shimano Zoot Sports (Bicycling, December 2010 pg. 34) • See the demo at our website. www.TeamEstrogen.com • Made in USA. Colors won’t fade. • 100% poly for maximum wicking. Invisible ½ zipper, 3 back pockets. • Long sleeve and windbreaker also available.

Windbreaker www.seemewear.com/cyclist

seem designed for a moderately priced mountain bike and not necessarily for a fully-loaded touring rig. It might add to the cost and maybe the complexity of an otherwise simple and utilitarian ride, but the Randonee would really benefit from the inclusion of disc brakes … perhaps a cable-actuated system that could be eas- ily serviced on the road. Includes meals and hotel lodging! My bottom line, though, is that I like Flavors of Wisconsin July 9-14, 2012 the bike enough to consider buying one Eat Cheese • Taste Microbrews Northern Woods & Waters for my post-illness road trip this spring August 20-25, 2012 Ride Paved Forest Roads (I’d been diagnosed with cancer midway Relax in Historic Waterfront Inns Enjoy Optional Water Activities through 2011). I hope to hit the road www.aroundwisbike.com when the weather turns and enjoy an extended tour as a way of celebrating a new year. I frankly can’t think of a bet- ter, more-affordable option than REI’s Novara Randonee.

Charles Pelkey has held a number of editorial positions at VeloNews including Senior Editor of VeloNews.com. Pelkey earned a JD degree from the University of College of Law and lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with Diana, his wife of 25 years, and their two children.

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