The REI Randonee and Safari Bicycles

REI sells two touring bicycles, the Novara Randonee and the Safari.  They seem to share the same steel chromemoly frame with different handlebar setups and different components.

REI Novara Randonee Touring Bicycle

The Randonee model has been around for years and started its life in the 1980's at REI as a mountain bike with drop-style road bike handlebars.  Over the years it varied in design somewhat until about 15 years ago when the design changed to a steel road-style frame and wheels like it has today.  After umpteen variations, I think REI has landed on a good design and I hope they keep it for some time.
The frame is made of Reynolds 520 chromoly steel.  There's much online about 520 versus 4130 steel, both made of a mix/blend of manganese chromium molybdenum, other metals and heat treatment.  My experience with it is that it rides well, it welds well (very important), it is compliant and it eats up road vibration.  Just what you need for long road trips.
The component mix of SRAM and Deore LX works well for shifting the wide range crankset of 44/32/22 with a 10-speed 11-32 freewheel.  Tektro brakes stop the bike well and the bar-end shifters and brake handles are logically laid out.   The 700c wheels are not hand-made, but they have reportedly worked well on tours around the world.  The 700 x 32 Continental Touring Plus Reflex tires should last for at least a cross American tour and maybe for several years of local rides and touring.  They have reflective sidewalls and are puncture resistant too.
The drop handle bars are mounted on a modern-style adjustable stem for an easy fit.  The leather-look handle bar tape matches the riveted leather-look saddle.  The bike does not come with pedals, so set aside some funds to cover that.
Frame-wise you can almost get your fist between the rear tire and the seat post tube, my simple way for judging a well-designed touring frame.  There are braze-ons for front and rear (included) racks, 2 water bottles (I have seen 3 bottle bosses on some earlier Randonees), drive-side chain stay spoke holders and a front fork cable guide for a dynamo hub (for lighting).  Pinon green is a fine color for bicycles in the outdoors and it fits well with the brown leather handle bar tape and seat.
I like the Randonee and have test ridden them over the years, including the recent model.  A fellow bicyclist on the 2001 Ride The Rockies tour enjoyed travelling almost 100 miles daily on his Randonee, and had no issue keeping up with the other riders on their fast and light bicycles.   With a set of front panniers on the rear, and a handle bar bag on the front, I would be set for lightweight bicycle touring.  The $1199 price is a couple hundred dollars less than other popular models.

REI Novara Safari Bicycle

At $899 the Safari Adventure bicycle is a great price.  The Chromoly frame seems to be the same as the Randonee model with a different fork and disk brake mounts.  It has a 27 speed mixed Shimano and SRAM drivetrain, with Weinmann XTB-26 rims and Continental Town Ride 700 x 42 tires (small size frame has 26 inch x 1.75 wheels) and a moustache handlebar with SRAM twist-shifters.  I like the moustache bar with all the possible hand positions available.  It is geared slightly higher than the Randonee with a 48/36/26 crankset, and I'm sure it would be fine on both gravel and paved surfaces.  I plan to test ride one in the near future.

The frame is painted bown and pedals with toe clips are included, along with a rear rack.  

I can see myself touring on one of these bicycles too.  Here I come Bike Centennial, er, Adventure Cycling.  Decisions, decisions.

Both the Randonee and the Safari are excellent touring bicycles.  

REI also carries a commuting bicycle called the Gotham, made of 4130 Chromoly tubing with 700C wheels, a rear rack, fenders, disk brakes, internal NuVinci N360 rear hub, carbon belt (no more greasy chain!), and integrated lights.  While not my first choice for a touring bicycle, I can see where it could be a nice mode of travel for the urban commuter.  REI has spent some real time and thought working on these bicycles and it shows.