Novara road bikes
 

I'm thinking about buying a new road bike in the $1000-$1200 range, and I noticed that REI is having a 20% off sale this month! One of the bikes I am looking at is the Novara Strada. Has anyone had experience with Novara products and REI service? Please tell me if buying a Novara would be a good choice or not. Thanks!

I never really liked the Novara line. Kind of seemed like they skimped off a little.

I 'sell' the damn things not that anyone buys them in New England. What year model you looking at 04 or 05? Both are pretty decent frames, nothing spectacular. The best thing about them is the full 105 group with no switch outs (not that it matters that much). If your local REI sells Cannondales you should be able to buy an Cannondale R700 for maybe 100 more (much better frame, weaker groupo).
Riding and build wise, Novara's fall in the middle of the mass-produced market, especially the general stuff. I prefer them to the K2's I sell and assemble (garbage) but I like the ride of the Cannondales more. The biggest problem they have is no name recognition-no one gets excited seeing a Novara, even though their high end stuff (Team Trionfo and Rivet) are sweet bikes and ride well enough to compete against other high road and cross frames.

I'm looking at the '05 Strada. Unfortunately, my local REI doesn't sell Cannondales, and the fine print on their "sale" excludes other brands except Novara and K2 anyway. By the way, I was also looking at the Lemond Tourmalet, any thoughts on that?

For 1,200$ you could get a Lemond Croix De Fer with a True Temper 0 X steel frame, with pedals, 105 components and an Ultegra rear derailleur.

Tourmalet has more Ultegra components, but the Croix has a better frame and clipless pedals.

Take a test ride and see which one you like.

Tourmalet will ride about as well as the Strada, probably feel a bit more relaxed, the Ultegra deraillers will shift better (I'm sure someone will disagree with that), though I'm not a fan of those wheels. Good bike if the prices are close, though I'm not sure you'd find it worth the extra money if you can't get the discount.

Thanks a lot. I'm planning on test riding some Lemonds as soon as the weather warms up. Are there any other bikes in this price range that you would recommend?

You might still find a marked down Torelli Brianza or Gran Sasso for $1200, most had Mirage but some came with Daytona (Centaur) for the same $. Really nice paint & finish on these bikes. Don

The really nice thing about buying a bike from REI is their 100% satisfaction guarantee. I bought a flat bar road bike there last month, put on 200 miles and returned it tonight to take advantage of the 20% sale. They took the bike back, no questions asked. I guess it helped that I cleaned it really well so it looked new even though I'd ridden it in the rain and got some mud on it.

I bought an '04 Novara Trionfo for a hefty discount plus another $100 off due to a light scratch on the paint. Ultegra gears front and back, carbon fiber where it counts, pretty sweet and lightweight bike. Great deal, I'd say. And, if I end up not liking it, they'll take it back!

I just bought the Triompho (awful name) and I like it alot. I test road the Strada and i found it sluggish on turns and accelerations, also a slow climber. Plus, the REI guy said he had one and was looking to upgrade. What's the point of buying a high end bike and then having to upgrade it? The triompho is zippy and smooth. It doesn't turn as quiclk as my steel bike.

I agree with this post.This bike is very ZIPPY! The ultegra gruppo is very nice and so are the Carbon fiber seat stays and fork. This 62CM Novara packs a punch. It is not quite as colorfull as other bike frames but I will make sure when I pass someone THEY RECONGNIZE THE BRAND NAME! That is what is lacking with Novara. Who knows about the bike, how much they are, and what the bikes include..................not many people as they think about Cannondale and Specialized as I did.

Nice Bike, I just think I will upgrade the seat post to Carbon as well.

BY the way this is a 2002 Model that I bought for 650.00. I hope that was a decent buy?

I've got a Novara. I think it's an excellent value. This was a couple of years ago now ('99) and I was comparing it against a Trek 1500 and a Bianchi Brava.

Plus you can't beat REI's customer service.

I personally plan on racing Novaras for the road season and cyclo-cross and think they are "sleeper" bikes being the fact that they are different than what everyone else is riding! The money I save can go towards either racing equipment, fees or travel expenses. Their quality is good and are backed up by good service. I'd advise you to make sure whatever you choose fits you the best.

Good luck and have fun!

Hi,
I liked a deal from REI. Last year bought hybrid to see if I will like to commute. So today trade in for full price and I got 08' Novara Divano. By the way I like more then Xepress line. Tested them both and in the end Divano feels faster, although looks like have same frame. Any thoughts or experience with Divano or Xepress .

Thanks for output.

Here is my choice at the $1000. mark...http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...05+Kit+07.aspx

Love the Bianchi's!

wow thats an awasome deal... Wish I'd seen that when i bought.