Novara Buzz '08?
 

Hey all, new member here.
I had an older 2001 Novara Buzz for years up until a roommate took it out, left it unlocked in San Francisco, and got it stolen (then moved out without replacing the bike or paying me for it). My road bike is out of commission for a few days until I can get a replacement rim and spokes, so it's been some long bus rides to work.

I'm mostly looking for a rock solid commuter I can take in the rain if need be, attach panniers, and also possibly the Burley Nomad trailer. I was hoping on getting a bike also that I can take on biking vacations. Would the newer Novara Buzz be a good option for this? I know it'd be a sweet city bike, but if I threw some all conditions tires on it would it be well-suited for touring/vacationing?

The biggest concerns I have so far is that the eyelets for attaching a rack are poorly placed and make it hard to attach panniers. The other concern is that it just wouldn't be comfortable for riding on for a week (aluminum frame).

Your thoughts? Much appreciated :)

sounds like a perfect description for a surly crosscheck

Why cantilever brakes, though? Wouldn't disc brakes be a better choice for touring?

Check out the Novara Safari touring bike? Still aluminum, but it has disc brakes and comes with a rear rack.

I looked at the Safari, but for $250 more it looks like all I'm getting is the rack and a triple in the front. Still a nice bike and it's definitely something I'd consider. Thanks!

I'd be hunting that dude down...for sure...

Anyway...I was looking at the Buzz bikes and they seemed BAD ASS but, unfortunately there isn't anywhere within 3 hrs of me that sells them. I ended up getting a Marin Novato (had to drive a half hr even for this). It has eylets for racks and all that, it can take fenders and it has the clearance for wider tires. The tires that come on it are awesome for commuting (even in the rain) and, with the disk brakes, I never worry about stopping power. And, like you, I plan on taking it with me on vacation for some mountain biking when I slap some knobbies on it and even using it when it snows with some studded tires. I'm sure it'd be awesome for this with the low gearing. I was even riding around some steep hills by my apt the other night with the slick street tires on it and didn't have a problem other than slipping in the wet grass.

It may have an aluminum frame but I've never ridden a steel frame bike so I really can't say anything in comparison as far as that goes but I can say that the thing's plenty comfortable to me. However...the seat SUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS...I'm starting to get used to it now (after over a HUNDRED MILES!!!) but that's easy to change.

For me, all I'd change about it is

- The seat (and maybe a thudbuster seat post)
- I wanna get a set of knobbies and studded tires
- I am looking into adding some form of drop bar or something for more versatility position wise.
- I might look into putting a taller top gear on it because there are times that I could pedal it faster.

That's what I chose after lots of shopping around and research and it's what I'd recommend. Just my 2 cents though.

Oh...and, "what'd you pay for the Marin" you're asking? $485...out the door...





...with a cycloputer...:-D

I own a Buzz and a Safari. The Safari is the awsomest. Only down side is it's a little heavy,but I deal with that. It's been through all weather,hauled loads,and survived polo. Takes a wide range of tires,full fenders go straight on,and the trekking bar/adj stem combo are the bees knees.

My Buzz is a 'round town toy. I can run the 38/11 combo out on most hills,and upgrading to a proper triple would be too much of a pain. For some reason,they didn't give the bike alot of spacing in the rear triangle,so you can't go much wider than the stock 1.75" tires,and ATB-size fenders won't fit. If memory serves,the new models don't even have eyelets on the redesigned fork. It handles great,and is a comfy ride,but until they spread the rear triangle,add some eyelets,and either give it a triple or better double,it'll just be a run around on bike. rmp5s's(and my) Novato makes a better choice for a commuter.

Sweet! Another Novato owner! How long have you had it? Have any trouble or anything with it? It's ironic that you not only have the same bike as I do but it seems that you have pretty much EVERY OTHER bike I looked into, also...lol

But yea...the Novato is great. I highly recommend it.

Only a little over a month. Haven't ridden it much,I bought it with my Dubbya Fun Bux to basically be a Pt Reyes that I wouldn't sweat locking up down town. My Pt Reyes is an '04,so it's got the Hayes hydros,LX/XT groupo,and Mavic wheels;little too nice to leave laying around Adams Morgan. The Novato is lower spec,and it was 'free',s