2015 Novara Buzz. Since it comes from REI I assume any level of negotiation or possible discount is forfeited. Does $649 seem like a fair price for the kit?

2015 Novara Buzz

I currently have a Schwinn World Avenue One on which I once commuted, but whose rigid aluminum fork is beating the crap out of my wrists. The brakes are bad in good weather and dangerous in bad. Overall it's just tired and time to replace it. I could upgrade, but it would still beat me up.

It will be used as an urban and city bike, with occasional commuting. I live where there are lot of steep hills and broken pavement, hence my desire for a steel frame and fork and I can't use a single speed. I'm after flat bars as well. Looks like the Buzz probably uses straight gauge chromoly for the frame.

Any thoughts, feedback, or competitors I should look at? Thanks in advance....

This could get confusing!

Provide quality feedback on my inquiry and I will relinquish your inadvertently hijacked user name...

You do know that if you're an REI member,in the Spring you'll get a 20% off coupon that can be used for Novara bikes? If a member you can also apply your dividend.

Interesting....I'm a member and was just in, and was told I'd be getting a 20% off coupon soon but that it didn't apply to bikes.

The derailleurs are Atlus, which is Shimano's lowest component group in the MTB range and a surprising choice for a bike in this price bracket. I suspect a lot of the cost is being funnled into the disc brakes.

It's really a mish-mash of components. Shimano derailleurs, Microshift shifters, SRAM crankset. I'm sure it's a nice bike if your priorities line up with where the cash is going in the components.

Says on the site: "REI Members get back an estimated $64.90 on this item as part of their annual member refund."

I've become a Novara fan. I've put between 4-5000 miles on a Novara Forza. It is a step down from the Big Buzz. I bought it almost two years ago for $480 with the 20% discount. I also bought a used 2012 Novara Safari about 6 months ago and took it on a solo cycling trek from the Bay Area back home to the 310. I only had the bike for three weeks, got it tuned at LBS, and went trekking! It ran flawlessly. Funky bike, but really cool, imho.

You should double check this. My recollection is that the 20% off doesn't apply to bikes EXCEPT the Novara and perhaps one other brand. I remember that last year I seriously was considering a Novara because of the 20% off. Perhaps they are changing the policy but I'd check.

BTW...Badger1 joined BF ten years before you did so who hijacked who's name?

I'm just glad that BadgerTwo hasn't shown up to this discussion yet.

Reading comprehension should also be required............ before 2 gets here!

Wow, tough crowd in here. Of course, I do have a little pang of guilt for not checking for the numerically-appended version of the user name and instead going right to the verbose version under the assumption that surely, this must be unique...but what can I say.

As far as the Buzz, I do agree that the group mix is a bit weird on it. The hydros on a bike like that seems like a solution to a problem that didn't exist, considering the previous version had mechanical discs. And the parts are mostly cheap.

Think I'll wait for the REI coupon. At $650, the value is a bit questionable. If the coupon works for Novara bikes, I'll bite for the $520.

Hmmm ... well, I've had nothing to say about the Novara simply because I know absolutely nothing about them.
Perhaps, though, you might change your user name? That would seem to me a nice gesture -- and good form, really.
Cheers.

While there are many other bikes in that price range, there are very few that are steel, rigid, and wtih mountain-bike geometry.

If thats what you want, this will work. I almost bought one but got a Marin Muirwoods instead. Theyre about the same price range

The coupon works for Novara bikes. I believe it also used to work for K2,but they changed it.

I own/have owned 8 Novaras. Like any other brand,they have their strengths and weaknesses. Quality wise they're pretty much on par with any of the 'brand names'. One other thing;you have a year to return them if you're not satisfied.

Look at the Kona Dew line and Jamis Coda models too.

This advice is spot on, I think either of them would be a better option than the Novara Buzz (at full price).

Just got my dividend notice and coupon today. The coupon now works for Novara and Diamondback.

Dew = no. I'm done with aluminum as I pointed out in my original post, my carcass is getting too old to deal with the ride over the terrible tarmac in my area. It's gotta be steel.

Coda = like them a lot, always have, but want discs or at least disc provisions.

Hence my gravitation towards the Buzz, there aren't many out there like it for a reasonable price.

Good to know on the REI coupon. That would take my cost down to $520 which I think is fair. Now I just have to wait for my coupon to show up in the mail.