Novara Reviews April 2000

Bicycling Magazine

April 2000

Novara X-R

  • PROFILE: Unusual non-Shimano spec.
  • SIZES: 14-20 inches
  • FRAME: TIG-welded 7005 t-6 aluminum alloy
  • FORK: RST 906, 50 millimeters of travel
  • COMPONENT HIGHLIGHTS: 27-Speed SRAM 5.0 derailleurs and 7.0 shifters, Suntour CR350 crankset, SRAM 5.0 derailleurs, Tektro linear-pull brakes and levers.
  • WHAT'S UP WITH THE SPEC? Novara is the bike brand of sporting goods co-op REI. The designers scoured the world looking for the best component deals (got to make the members happy, you know). The result: a bike with only one Shimano part, but chock-full of decent quality stuff, such as SRAM shifters and derailleurs and SR cranks, at a reasonable price. It'll give you something to talk about at the trailhead.

Novara Carema

  • PROFILE: Unusual, light aluminum frame with value-packed component spread.
  • SIZES: 42-45 cm
  • FRAME: TIG-welded 7005-T6 aluminum alloy
  • FORK: Aluminum
  • COMPONENT HIGHLIGHTS: 24-speed Shimano Sora
  • COOL FEATURES: 165-millimeter crank, narrower-than-usual 38-cm handlebar and a compact 80-mm handlebar stem. Wellgo clipless pedals round off the nice spec and ensure you won't get immediately stricken by upgrade fever.
  • HOW TO BUY IT: Novara bikes come from sporting goods co-op REI-they're available only through the company's store, catalog or Web site-not through dealers. So fit can be tricky.

Reviews  |  Novara Homepage

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