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Something new is usually created by taking something familiar apart and then reassembling it. If you look at the result, you are often surprised to recognise a common thread, a different concept in the new combination of familiar components: something new has been created. This applies, for example, to cookery recipes, rock and pop music and politics.
But also in the bicycle industry. We had noticed that more and more bike manufacturers were adding mudguards, lights and pannier racks to their current gravel bikes, which are designed purely as sports equipment, and marketing these all-round randonneurs as versatile sports, touring and commuter bikes. So we asked a few manufacturers of these promising models and came up with five interesting representatives of a new generation of randonneurs.
It's all in the mix
The test bikes combine familiar elements from road bikes, crossers, trekking bikes and mountain bikes. The most striking feature is the contrast between the racing handlebars and the voluminous tread tyres, which are more familiar from trekking bikes. This means that the bikes roll equally fast, quietly and safely on and off the tarmac. The larger air volume compared to a crosser or road bike allows low tyre pressures from 3 bar upwards, so that you can ride comfortably and with plenty of grip even on poor roads.
The derailleur gears in the test field work with double chainrings and wide-stepped 10 or 11-speed sprocket sets, which are derived from trekking and MTB groupsets. Ergonomically shaped road bike shifters control the gears and the wet-safe, sensitive disc brakes. Standard road bike flat-mount brake callipers transfer the braking forces to the frame and fork via their large contact surface and offer adequate stability with 160 mm discs. Thru axles on the fork and rear triangle increase the rigidity of the chassis and ensure that the wheels and their brake discs are always mounted in a stable, consistent position. Mudguards, lights and pannier racks are further ingredients that make the bikes rideable during the day, at night and in bad weather. The mudguards on all test bikes are long and wide enough to reliably repel spray and dirt.
Sit more comfortably
Randonneurs offer a sporty but much more relaxed riding position than road bikes. The versatile curved racing handlebars offer a variety of grip positions and good power transfer from the torso via the arms and legs to the pedals. The special seating position reduces the frontal area of the bike and rider and lowers air resistance - this saves energy over long distances. Overall, you sit more comfortably on the randonneur, the bike runs more smoothly and safely in a straight line and is slightly less agile than a road racer.
- The wheelbase is a few centimetres longer. This emphasises the smooth ride and creates space for mudguards and legroom for luggage.
- The head tube is longer and/or ends higher. This means that the cockpit is also higher and the riding position is more relaxed.
- The fork and rear triangle offer more space for larger tyres, tread pattern and mudguards.
- The bottom bracket is a few millimetres higher for more ground clearance on uneven surfaces.
- Frame and fork threads allow the mounting of pannier rack, mudguard, lighting and parking support.
- The stem is shorter, the steering behaviour is more agile, less power-intensive and more sensitive.
- The handlebar ends are slightly flared at the sides. This gives you a wider grip on the lower handlebars and better control on difficult surfaces.
- The top tube is shorter. You sit less stretched, generally more upright, more relaxed and with a better overview.
You can download the complete comparison test of the randonneurs, including all test judgements and individual ratings, as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in MYBIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, thousands of euros every year.
