Splurged on a new ride...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 406
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Splurged on a new ride...
I know it's not C&V, but in doing the MS150 ride this year, we decided to get my Fiancee a new bike. Price was a huge issue for us, after comparing Giant, Trek, and Specialized, we ended up at REI, and picked up a 2009 Novara Carema....Since we are REI members, we got an additional 20% off (a one time discount) plus our dividends from the past 2 years. It ended up being $665 out the door, with taxes and all.
https://www.rei.com/product/775743
Novara Carema Women's Bike - 2009 Specs
Specification
Description
Frame 6061 aluminum
Fork Evo carbon fiber
Crankset FSA Vero Triple, 53/39/30
Shifters Shimano Tiagra
Brakes Tektro long-reach
Brake levers Shimano Tiagra
Front derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Headset Integrated semicartridge
Bottom bracket FSA Powerdrive
Rear cogs Shimano Tiagra 12/25 9-speed
Front hub Alex ALX 200
Rear hub Alex ALX 200
Rims Alex ALX 200
Tires Vittoria Zaffiro 700x25
Stem ATS adjustable
Handlebar Ritchey Biomax OE
Seat post Kalloy
Saddle San Marco Ischia
Pedals Platform with toeclips
Chain Shimano HG53
https://www.rei.com/product/775743
Novara Carema Women's Bike - 2009 Specs
Specification
Description
Frame 6061 aluminum
Fork Evo carbon fiber
Crankset FSA Vero Triple, 53/39/30
Shifters Shimano Tiagra
Brakes Tektro long-reach
Brake levers Shimano Tiagra
Front derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Headset Integrated semicartridge
Bottom bracket FSA Powerdrive
Rear cogs Shimano Tiagra 12/25 9-speed
Front hub Alex ALX 200
Rear hub Alex ALX 200
Rims Alex ALX 200
Tires Vittoria Zaffiro 700x25
Stem ATS adjustable
Handlebar Ritchey Biomax OE
Seat post Kalloy
Saddle San Marco Ischia
Pedals Platform with toeclips
Chain Shimano HG53
#2
Chrome Freak
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kuna, ID
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 71 Chrome Paramount P13-9, 73 Opaque Blue Paramount P15, 74 Blue Mink Raleigh Pro, 91 Waterford Paramount, Holland Titanium x2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
14 Posts
I love the REI discount, though I have never used it on anything that big.
The bike looks a bit like a recent Specialized Sequoia, something I have been interested in buying, if one presents itself at the right price.
The bike looks a bit like a recent Specialized Sequoia, something I have been interested in buying, if one presents itself at the right price.
__________________
1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
1991 Waterford Paramount
Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
1971 Paramount P-13 Chrome
1973 Paramount P-15 Opaque Blue
1974 Raleigh Professional Blue Mink
1991 Waterford Paramount
Holland Titanium Dura Ace Group
Holland Titanium Ultegra Triple Group
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 406
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, the guys in the Roadie forum didn't really have anything good to say, probably because it's not a $4,000 roadie...but I'm sure it's plenty decent for a recreational cyclist, and more than adequate to do the 2 day 150 mile ride. Plus REI's lifetime satisfaction guarantee is a plus...
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
It also looks a lot like a Giant Avail which has a really nice frame this year. You should know also that Gaint builds most of the low end road bikes on the market... in other words many of the off shore low end treks and specialized are made by Giant.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
#5
Spin Forest! Spin!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Arrid Zone-a
Posts: 5,956
Bikes: I used to have many. And I Will again.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
I'd ignore the guys in the Road Forum. Most are there for a perpetual pissing contest.
A very nice bike! The only thing I'd keep an eye on is the FSA Powerdrive, another proprietary spline drive BB.
A very nice bike! The only thing I'd keep an eye on is the FSA Powerdrive, another proprietary spline drive BB.
#6
Bicycle Adventurer
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 1,514
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Nice bike, although I genuinely don't understand the purpose of sloping top tubes.
I mean, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I really don't understand why they make 'em that way!
But it looks like a fun ride.
I mean, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I really don't understand why they make 'em that way!
But it looks like a fun ride.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 406
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,544
Bikes: Focus trash find commuter, Eddy Merckx Corsa, BP Stealth TT bike, Leader 720 TT bike, Boardman Comp Hybrid drop bar conversion, Quantec CX budget cyclocross build, SerottaNOS frameset ready to build up!
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 128 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times
in
69 Posts
Looks like a lovely bike, I hope she enjoys it.
I'm just finishing up building something similar for my wife - having posted pictures in Catch of the Day of the frame. Just the brakes to go.
As far as there being no vintage content, that doesn't seem to bother anyone on this section of the forum, in fact the variety of stuff that gets posted up is one of the things that makes it such a mellow place (that and the positive attitude of the people on here)
I'm just finishing up building something similar for my wife - having posted pictures in Catch of the Day of the frame. Just the brakes to go.
As far as there being no vintage content, that doesn't seem to bother anyone on this section of the forum, in fact the variety of stuff that gets posted up is one of the things that makes it such a mellow place (that and the positive attitude of the people on here)
#13
.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,763
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
13 Posts
You need to make fewer sizes to fit everyone. Stiffer frame, lighter weight.
#14
No lugs? No hugs.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 1,115
Bikes: '85 Miyata 310, '06 GT Performer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Is it actually for your fiancee, or are you just saying that to justify that woosie triple crank?
Haha seriously though, nice looking bike for the price. Foot retention included on a new bike is a bonus, too.
Haha seriously though, nice looking bike for the price. Foot retention included on a new bike is a bonus, too.