Novara bikes
03-27-15 | 08:31 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC area
Bikes: Novara Strada 5D (road/touring); Fuji Cross 3.0 (trail/cyclocross); SE Stout 29er (mountain, single speed)
Novara bikes
Hi everyone,
Does anyone have any experience or knowledge regarding the Novara bikes? These are the REI brand bikes. They look very nicely spec'd and I am seriously considering getting one - time to spend the dividend
I am trying to decide between the Strada 5 and 5D. The only difference is the brakes: Tektro R539 Dual Pivot on the 5 (rim brakes), and TRP Spyre mechanical disc on the 5D. I tried them both today and I like them. The 5D felt a little more solid, and I wonder if the thru-axle on the front has a stabilizing effect. Stopping felt great. But, the 5 is noticeably lighter, and $100 cheaper. Braking felt mushy though, worse so than on my cantilever cyclocross bike. It could be an adjustment issue though.
So, bottom line: I would really like the lighter weight of the 5, but I wonder if the disc brake set-up might be a bit better. Any thoughts or experience from anyone here? The two bikes are very similar otherwise, decent-feeling aluminum frame with full Shimano 105 component set.
Thank you
Does anyone have any experience or knowledge regarding the Novara bikes? These are the REI brand bikes. They look very nicely spec'd and I am seriously considering getting one - time to spend the dividend
I am trying to decide between the Strada 5 and 5D. The only difference is the brakes: Tektro R539 Dual Pivot on the 5 (rim brakes), and TRP Spyre mechanical disc on the 5D. I tried them both today and I like them. The 5D felt a little more solid, and I wonder if the thru-axle on the front has a stabilizing effect. Stopping felt great. But, the 5 is noticeably lighter, and $100 cheaper. Braking felt mushy though, worse so than on my cantilever cyclocross bike. It could be an adjustment issue though.So, bottom line: I would really like the lighter weight of the 5, but I wonder if the disc brake set-up might be a bit better. Any thoughts or experience from anyone here? The two bikes are very similar otherwise, decent-feeling aluminum frame with full Shimano 105 component set.
Thank you
03-27-15 | 08:44 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Edmonds Wa
Bikes: 2014 Felt F2 2015 Specialized Tarmac Sport
That 5D looks like a great bike and priced really nice as well. I can't say much about the wheels but it looks like a solid bike. Considering one for a rain/winter bike. Pretty good price also.
03-27-15 | 09:48 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 33
From: Silicon Valley, CA
That's a great looking 105 bike and with dividend and 20% off coupon, you can't go wrong. Disc brakes are better in wet. I don't think the one pound difference in weight isn't going to be that noticeable.
03-28-15 | 02:40 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 0
From: Go Ducks!
I have a 105 Strada from last year. It's a good bike and at $875 was a great deal. I like the frame clearance and long-reach Shimano brakes on mine; I can run big tires, and/or fenders, easily. Mine is currently configured as a rain bike with fenders. This summer I'm planning on putting the fat tires back on. My bud and I have a notion about some logging roads.......
03-28-15 | 06:23 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 510
Likes: 16
Hi everyone,
Does anyone have any experience or knowledge regarding the Novara bikes? These are the REI brand bikes. They look very nicely spec'd and I am seriously considering getting one - time to spend the dividend I am trying to decide between the Strada 5 and 5D. The only difference is the brakes: Tektro R539 Dual Pivot on the 5 (rim brakes), and TRP Spyre mechanical disc on the 5D. I tried them both today and I like them. The 5D felt a little more solid, and I wonder if the thru-axle on the front has a stabilizing effect. Stopping felt great. But, the 5 is noticeably lighter, and $100 cheaper. Braking felt mushy though, worse so than on my cantilever cyclocross bike. It could be an adjustment issue though.
So, bottom line: I would really like the lighter weight of the 5, but I wonder if the disc brake set-up might be a bit better. Any thoughts or experience from anyone here? The two bikes are very similar otherwise, decent-feeling aluminum frame with full Shimano 105 component set.
Thank you
Does anyone have any experience or knowledge regarding the Novara bikes? These are the REI brand bikes. They look very nicely spec'd and I am seriously considering getting one - time to spend the dividend
I am trying to decide between the Strada 5 and 5D. The only difference is the brakes: Tektro R539 Dual Pivot on the 5 (rim brakes), and TRP Spyre mechanical disc on the 5D. I tried them both today and I like them. The 5D felt a little more solid, and I wonder if the thru-axle on the front has a stabilizing effect. Stopping felt great. But, the 5 is noticeably lighter, and $100 cheaper. Braking felt mushy though, worse so than on my cantilever cyclocross bike. It could be an adjustment issue though.So, bottom line: I would really like the lighter weight of the 5, but I wonder if the disc brake set-up might be a bit better. Any thoughts or experience from anyone here? The two bikes are very similar otherwise, decent-feeling aluminum frame with full Shimano 105 component set.
Thank you
03-29-15 | 05:49 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC area
Bikes: Novara Strada 5D (road/touring); Fuji Cross 3.0 (trail/cyclocross); SE Stout 29er (mountain, single speed)
Thanks all. Sidney Porter, the brakes aren't 105, I mentioned that in the original post. I guess it would be different if they were. It sounds like the disc brake version is a better option. I'll probably pull the trigger on that. If anyone has any other experiences, please do share. Thanks again
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