Bike models › Gravel
Novara Randonee: specs, upgrades and what fits
REI's long-running steel touring bike: Reynolds 520 chromoly frame, Shimano Tiagra 3x9 STI with a 105 long-cage rear derailleur, Tektro cantilever brakes, Mavic A319 rims and an included rear rack. Original US price $1,049; the 2008-2011 Randonees were very similar, but later ones changed parts. The Deore crank uses an Octalink (splined) bottom bracket. Best for: Loaded touring and long commutes.
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My take, from the specs
A proper steel touring bike for loaded trips and long commutes, with a Reynolds 520 frame, rack and fender mounts, cantilever brakes and a low 26x28 gear. Its parts are older standards (3x9 Tiagra STI, an Octalink crank and a 130mm QR rear hub), so check part compatibility before you replace anything. On a used one, look for rust inside the frame tubes, worn cantilever pads and rim walls, and sticky STI shifting.
Sizes: 55cm (md): 5′8″–5′11″ (172–180 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Gravel |
|---|---|
| Year | 2009 |
| Price when new | $1049 |
| Sold at | REI (discontinued; common used) |
| Wheels | 700c × 32 mm tires |
| Gears | 3×9 · 48/36/26T · 11–28T |
| Brakes | Tektro Cantilever |
| Fork | Novara Chromoly, lugged crown |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano 105, long cage |
| Shifter | Shimano Tiagra 3x9 STI |
| Crank | Two-piece crank (Hollowtech II style) |
| Bottom bracket | External-cup BB (BSA) |
| Axles | Quick release |
| Sizes | 47cm, 52cm, 55cm, 57cm, 59cm |
| Stock colors | Moss / Gray |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 32 mm | Unknown until measured. Your 23 mm internal rims suit roughly 34–60 mm tires. |
| Other wheel sizes | 700c only | Rim brakes are set to the rim height, so the wheel size cannot change. |
| Tubeless | Not recommended | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Unknown | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Quick release · 100/130 mm | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Brake pads (rim) | Smooth-post pads (cantilever) | Rim brake pads are sorted by how they mount, which depends on the brake: threaded post with a nut (V-brakes, U-brakes), smooth post in an eye bolt (cantilevers), road cartridges (dual-pivot calipers) or short threaded pads (side-pull calipers). Any compound… |
| Front gears | 3x (48/36/26T) · needs 39T capacity | A 3x drivetrain needs a front derailleur and left shifter. Your rear derailleur must take up (biggest − smallest ring) + (biggest − smallest cog) = 39T. Going 1x drops the front derailleur: simpler and quieter, with a slightly smaller range. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 48T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | 9-speed (HG body) | Shimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,… |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | External-cup BB (BSA) | Match crank spindle to BB type. |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Stems & bars | 1-1/8 steerer · ? mm bar clamp | Any stem for a 1-1/8 steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Seatposts | ? mm | Buy posts in exactly this diameter. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | Rack ✓ · Fender ✓ · 0 bottle · Fork cargo ✓ | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | Unknown | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the Novara Randonee as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Tubes
- Thorn-resistant tubes 700x35-43 (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches
Brakes
- Smooth-post cantilever pads, salmon (2 pairs), $$. smooth post pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Kool-Stop Eagle 2 cantilever pads, black, smooth post (2 pairs), $. smooth post pads ↔ your rim brakes
Comfort
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Cinelli Cork Ribbon bar tape, $. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 2.5 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
- Lizard Skins DSP V2 bar tape 4.6 mm, $$. Made for drop bars ↔ your drop bar
Control
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
Utility
- Topeak Explorer rear rack (disc mount), $$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
- Topeak Super Tourist DX Tubular rear rack (disc), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- Tubus Disco steel rear rack for disc brakes (26" or 28"/700c), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
Drivetrain
- KMC X9 9-speed chain with Missing Link, $$. 9-speed chain ↔ your 9-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-HG53 9-speed chain (116 links), $. 9-speed chain ↔ your 9-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-HG93 9-speed chain (XT/Ultegra level, 116 links), $$. 9-speed chain ↔ your 9-speed drivetrain
Wheels
- Shimano WH-RS100 700c rim-brake wheelset, QR 100/130, 8–11 speed, $$$. 700c wheel size matches · 100/130 mm hubs ↔ your frame
Fits with small changes (9)
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 23 mm rims (34–60 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x28 folding (pair), $$. Outside the ideal range for your 23 mm rims (34–60 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Michelin Power Cup 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 23 mm rims (34–60 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Panaracer Pasela 700x32 wire (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 23 mm rims (34–60 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x32 (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 23 mm rims (34–60 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x32 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 23 mm rims (34–60 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($1049), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | Today (2009 model) |
|---|---|
| Like new | $265–$350 |
| Good | $235–$310 |
| Fair | $195–$255 |
| Needs work | $145–$195 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size 55cm (md))
| Head angle | 72° |
|---|---|
| Seat angle | 72° |
| Chainstay | 435° |
| Wheelbase | 1030 mm |
| Seat tube | 550 mm |
| Standover | 838° |
Compare with
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- Giant Revolt 2 · compare frames side by side
- Cannondale Topstone 4 · compare frames side by side
Sources: REI (archived): Novara Randonee Touring Bike - 2009 (item 776887) price, sizes, specs · REI (archived): Novara Randonee Touring Bike page (2009 specs, owner reviews) · Bike Insights: 2009 Novara Randonee M geometry