In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
Modern randonneurs are adaptive artists
There are bikes that adapt perfectly to the spontaneous wishes and requirements of their riders - without any fuss, lightning fast, sensitive and absolutely convincing. Modern randonneurs are such adaptability artists: the fact that there are currently so many of these lightweight, sportily designed "everyday and all-season racers" has a lot to do with the boom in gravel bikes - a type of bike that has attracted many cyclists to the roads, paths and trails of Germany since the start of the pandemic with its fun-fuelled sportiness. Being able to burn off energy in an uncomplicated way, discover new things in the immediate vicinity and get away from stressful car traffic has also turned many young people into ambitious cyclists. As a result, the casual appearance in a more or less sweaty bike outfit is more accepted in public than ever before.
Increasing popularity of gravel bikes
The new appeal of sporty bikes with curved handlebars can also be seen in the frequency with which bicycle motifs appear in adverts for completely unrelated products such as wristwatches or building society insurance. If, in addition, more and more and longer everyday journeys are being made by pedal power because the bicycle has been recognised by many as the better - or even less contagious - means of local transport, it becomes clear how attractive a fast, quiet everyday bike with sporting appeal is. And if there is one bike that perfectly combines the practical aspect with image enhancement and high leisure benefits, it is the modern gravel bike-based randonneur.
Sporty character paired with high utility value
High versatility, well-tuned technology and agile riding fun are the genetic material of the enormously successful, sporty gravel bike. If these basic competences are complemented with ingredients suitable for everyday use such as effective, permanently mounted mudguards, a reliable dynamo lighting system and a slim luggage rack or at least bikepacking eyelets, then the randonneur, like a chameleon, has an easy time adapting directly and convincingly to the needs of its users.
Jochen Donner, test editor: "A truly convincing randonneur can only be created if the frame designers actively consider the practicalities of everyday cycling. When sporty character is combined with high utility value, the result is an ideal bike."
Light, agile and always ready
In our seven-member test field there are three different frame materials: steel, aluminium and carbon. A simple ranking between the materials cannot be established in this test field either, as the quality of the user experience ultimately always depends on competent, careful realisation. The steel steeds from Contoura, Norwid and Tout Terrain are comparatively heavy. However, their solid frame construction and durable material can be particularly useful in everyday use, where high loads and rough handling of the material are normal.
Technically, they are largely at the same level of construction as the aluminium and carbon frames: the Contoura has a tapered head tube for a thicker, stiffer down tube, and all steel bikes have the standard thru-axle dropouts and mounts for flat-mount disc brakes. This mounting standard originally comes from road bikes and has found its place on the randonneurs in the test via a diversion from gravel bikes. In the flatmount standard, the brake callipers are bolted very flat directly onto the fork leg and chainstay. This elegant mounting refers the manufacturers to corresponding drive groupsets - in the test field they all come from Shimano, with a clear overweight in the GRX gravel groupset in its various quality levels. However, the brake discs are usually limited to 160 millimetres in diameter on the front wheel, in exceptional cases to 180 millimetres. This is acceptable for cyclists weighing less than 100 kilos, but the large discs of other brake systems would make sense for significantly heavier riders.
Gears and stem of the commuter tested
2x11 systems are used throughout, which impress with their sensitive operability, precise function and - with appropriate maintenance - relatively long service life. Their gear ratios are designed in such a way that even longer climbs can be mastered with light luggage in an energy-saving manner (see below). The low operating forces, the fast and precise gear changes and the almost perfect ergonomics that characterise the shift brake levers are very pleasing. However, in view of the tight tolerances of current eleven- and twelve-speed groupsets, it may be necessary to occasionally readjust the cable lengths in favour of smoothness in the gearbox.
Handlebars with comfort
All handlebars are pleasing with their pleasantly grippy, flattened zones at the top, ergonomically favourable curves in the lower handlebars and only a slight lateral projection of the handlebar ends, which results in a narrow silhouette with better aerodynamics and makes it easier to pass through tight spots in city traffic. Stem lengths and handlebar widths are moderate, but the remaining ergonomic differences make extensive seat testing advisable.
Accessories for everyday use - lights and mudguards
The high quality of the lighting systems and mudguards, which make the fast touring bikes reliably usable even in wet conditions or in the dark, is also a reason to be pleased. Most of the mudguards are made of metal, rattle-free and long enough for good splash protection. LED front lights with high or very high luminous efficacy and intense rear lights that are also visible from the side are used throughout. Cube and Stevens even lack an on/off switch - not a problem on such fast bikes, as the earliest possible visibility in traffic often creates a decisive safety cushion.
What is often missing is a rear kickstand
We regretted the lack of practicality on the part of the manufacturers, who did not include the option of mounting a rear kickstand when developing their gravel randonneur. Only with a parking stand can an everyday bike be easily parked and locked without scratching. The kickstand is also missing when loading luggage or parking a loaded bike. It is not possible to mount a kickstand on the Bergamont, which led to points being deducted.
A look into the future of the everyday engraver
But the fast, practical and likeable all-rounders with curved handlebars are only just getting started. The variety of models is growing in parallel with the success of "naked" gravel bikes, as is the spread of price ranges. As a result, specialisation is also likely to increase - towards even more of these nimble, sporty everyday and leisure bikes.
Test summary of the seven gravel bikes
Randonneurs are primarily designed for fast riding on tarmac roads and paved paths. The construction and tyres are therefore significantly firmer, which is reflected in comfort ratings of "only" 2.5 to 3. On the other hand, the quality of riding safety and drive is consistently at a very high level. In practice, the lack of parking supports, racks or shaky mudguards occasionally spoil the rating. The differences in the service grades are due to different warranty conditions.
The bikes in the test - click here for the individual tests
How many gears does the randonneur need?
2x11 derailleur gears such as Shimano's GRX dominate the gravel bike and randonneur segment. But the drivetrain has its own peculiarities.
A derailleur gear system is light and efficient. It offers a wide gear range with a favourable gear gradation. This makes it particularly attractive for sporty cyclists. It was introduced in 1946 by inventor Tullio Campagnolo and has been continuously developed and refined ever since. Most bike manufacturers currently use a 2x11 drivetrain on sporty bikes with racing handlebars, where weight, fine gear steps and a large gear range are important: two chainrings on the crank supply eleven sprockets on the rear wheel. Depending on the chainring and sprocket size, this results in bandwidths of up to 479% (GRX, 48/31 to 11-34 teeth) in the test field. With a wheel circumference of around 2.18 metres (tyre size 40-622), this offers a range of between 1.92 and 9.12 metres per crank revolution. This means that even longer climbs and descents with (light) luggage can be easily mastered on firm ground. You can pedal for a long time downhill and speed is guaranteed on the flat.
However, the more sprockets are grouped together in the limited space on the rear wheel, the sooner the slanted chain tends to grind against the front derailleur cage or the next largest neighbouring sprocket at the rear. Even if the derailleur has been meticulously adjusted so that there is no grinding, minimal movement of the derailleur cables, minor wear and dirt as well as slightly bent derailleur mounts can quickly lead to an annoying background noise. If there are fine trimmers in the cable housings near the handlebars or at the cable stop on the down tube, you can easily stop the cables from rubbing while riding by minimising the cable length. Without a fine trimmer, you have to dismount and work directly on the rear derailleur or front derailleur to finally be able to continue riding in well-deserved peace and quiet.
