Well maybe not, but man am I ever glad to see this bike coming out from MASI. Should hit stores in the US beginning to mid November. I was previously eyeing up a MASI Cyclocross bike to set up for long distance commuting, but I think this Randonneur would fit the bill even better.
The Speciale CX from MASI would be a great candidate for long distance commuting but the first thing I would be doing would be changing out the STIs for bar-ends. No need with the Randonneur, it comes with bar ends! Top all that with a MASI leather saddle (looks great anyway, but a Brooks would still probably beat it) and the gorgeous paint, and this is a bike I want.
With a MSRP of only $1,145.00 and they have the LHT close to beat in my mind. I guess the LHT is still probably a better rig for major long haul touring, but I do like to see more bikes like this enter the market at an affordable price. Other than custom or semi-custom, it's hard to find bikes like this. The more that come out, the better for us, the cycling consumers.
Boy, that Volae is living in dangerous times…..
