Price: $1199 from REI
Specs: Double butted steel frame, Mavic rims, Shimano Deore cranks, hubs and bottom bracket. Cantilever brakes. 700 cc wheels. Vittoria Randonneur tires.
Who has used it: A Midnight Rider, Karl (Also, read this Bike Forums thread on the Novara Randonee)
Upsides: For just $150 more than the REI Novara Safari, you get a steel frame and slightly better components. REI is known for great customer service.
Downsides: Like the Novara Safari, you’ll have to replace some parts (like the racks) if you want to do heavily loaded touring.
For more information: REI Website