Anyone with experience with a Novara Mazama?

[planeguy5]

Hi folks,

I'm finally starting to narrow-down what I want in a touring bike, and one bike that is really starting to fit the bill is the Novara Mazama (http://www.rei.com/product/875003/novara-mazama-bike-2016). It seems to be the ideal blend of a road and adventure bike (brazeons, disc brakes, bar-end shifters, etc), and the price is unbeatable. I read the ACA's review of it, and overall it sounds like an awesome all-round bike. I'm going to REI next week to test ride one in my size.

That being said, does anyone here have any thoughts or personal experience with the Mazama, or know of anyone that does? I am riding the TransAm this summer and will be using it for that trip, so I am particularly interested to hear how it is when fully-loaded.

On a separate note, the weather in Walla Walla, Washington has been really great, so I'm finally getting in some training miles. Yay!

Best,
Jeremy

[RussSeaton]

Looks like a fine bike.  I have a friend with the REI Novara Randonnee touring bike.  Very similar to all the other $700-1500 touring bikes out there.  Change the inner chainring on the crankset to a 22 tooth.  64mm bcd.  Nashbar sells one from Vuelta for $16.

[BikePacker]

I'd buy it - based upon my 15 years of touring with a Novara predecessor model ... not specifically the Mazama.
The rig I have won't wearout/breakdown (wish I could say the same for me :- ).
AND ..... the money I saved going Novara enabled me to have the funds I needed to acquire really, really waterproof panniers ... that I'd otherwise probably not have had the money to buy.

[planeguy5]

I got it! Couldn't be happier. It rides smoothly, and I love the flared handlebars. Thanks for the help!

Best,
Jeremy