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Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013

$679.09
$799.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 15%

(18)

Item # 832566

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Our versatile and agile Novara Big Buzz features powerful hydraulic disc brakes, 27 capable gears and SRAM X5 components for ultimate urban performance.

Sturdy aluminum frame offers a responsive, stable and versatile ride for commuting, 'round-town riding and longer jaunts on the weekend
Flat handlebar design provides an upright riding position for improved comfort and visibility
SRAM triple crankset and 9-speed cassette offer wide-ranging gearing to make easy work of hills and keep you spinning on the descents
Quickly shift through the 27 gears with the SRAM X5 trigger shifters, which guide the X5 derailleurs with snappy precision
Tektro Auriga Pro hydraulic disc brakes provide sure speed management in all weather conditions, from fine-tuning speed to outright, full-power stops
In addition, the Auriga Pro disc brakes use mineral oil in their hydraulic system, which is less toxic than DOT fluid systems and offers lasting performance
Kenda 700c tires offer good all-around performance and feature Kevlar® puncture protection, a versatile tread and reflective sidewalls
No special shoes required—platform pedals accommodate most shoes
Fender and rack mounts let you easily expand the functionality of the Big Buzz (fenders and racks sold separately)
Specs on our Novara Big Buzz bike are subject to change

All bicycles sold at REI include a free warranty tune-up. New bikes go through a normal break-in period, after which readjustment is important for longevity and performance. Bring your new bike in to your local REI for its free tune-up within 20 hours of use or 6 months from purchase, whichever comes first. Contact your nearest REI bike shop to schedule this important service.

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Item 832566

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Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013

4.7

(based on 18 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Stylish (15)
Lightweight (13)
Versatile (10)
Tough (7)
Smooth ride (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Street riding (14)
Commute (3)
Freestyle (3)
Trail (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (7), Commuter (6), Casual/ recreational (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (18)

Reviewed by 18 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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May

2013

4.0

Smooth is the word

By Sandrafra

from St. Paul, MN

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Tough

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding
Trail

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

I wanted a bike I could use as a mode of transportation and the Buzz is great. Fast and smooth, I go from street to trail with ease. I can carry it in and out of my house much easier than my old bike. I'm not a hard core biker but I feel like more of a pro with this bike. I do wish it came with more accessories like fenders, a rack and kick stand which I added, but that adds to the weight as well. I was thinking a wider seat was in order, but I'm getting to like this one now.

Comment on this review

May

2013

5.0

Smooth, Agile, Versatile!

By Taylor510ce

from Portland, OR

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Sleek
Smooth
Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding
Urban commuting

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

This is the most smooth riding, comfortable bike I've ever had the privilege of owning. It's beautiful. In Portland I get comments about how nice it looks, but truth be told, it rides just as nicely, no, better, than it looks. The SRAM is easy to get used to if you've used "quick fire" Shimano in the past. I like it more. Responsive, doesn't give you trouble crisply shifting. The brakes are powerful. They will stop you on a dime. Saddle is nice, too, and doesn't leave my butt all numb. I added These: http://www.rei.com/product/764688/shimano-a530-spd-sport-road-pedals

to the bike, and they look/feel/perform fantastically and compliment the bike well.

I also had these: http://www.rei.com/product/684328/sks-p35-fender-set
put on, which really add some aesthetically pleasing points for the bike. I use my panniers almost every day, too, and the bike holds up well. Still able to ride just as hard with them on there, with plenty of pedal space.

All Around the bike is a solid commuter. I feel powerful, can generate awesome acceleration, and just go fast if I want. Stops hard, handles well. It's an awesome ride. I'd highly recommend it. For the price and the componentry, you cannot go wrong.

**IF YOUR BRAKES MAKE A GARGLY NOISE AT FIRST DON'T FREAK OUT. It's just the discs getting acquainted with the pads.**

Comment on this review

May

2013

4.0

Love it

By tnmnak

from Wasilla, AK

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Smooth ride
Stylish

Cons

Best Uses

Racing
Relaxing Ride
Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

I bought this bike for the upcoming triathlons that I registered for. I have only had the chance to ride it a couple of times around the neighborhood. If spring would ever happen I will ride more. The ride has been smooth and comfortable.

Comment on this review

May

2013

5.0

a lot for the money

By pzachmatt

from north jersey

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Freestyle
Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

great value especially with the 20% off

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Best bike I have ever ridden

By Coldsalmon

from Brooklyn, NY

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to ride
Smooth

Cons

Uncomfortable

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

This is by far the best bike I've ever ridden, which should tell you that I have not ridden many bikes in my life. Nevertheless, this bike is great. As soon as I got on it, I could feel that it was a million times better than any other bike I had ever ridden. It gives me a great feeling of control and safety - starting, stopping, and turning are all easy and precise. I ride it around Brooklyn, and it's been loads of fun. However, you must replace the saddle. After my first day riding, my butt hurt so much that I couldn't even get on the bicycle. I bought a new saddle (the WTB Speed V) and was able to go for a ride after I installed it. It's also plenty light enough to carry up and down the stairs in my third-floor walk-up, even with 11 pounds of locks attached. It is a great bike.

Comment on this review

Dec

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Excellent value and a solid bike

By Boomer7057

from Napa, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Component Quality
Disc brakes
Lightweight
Quick Responsive Frame
Smooth ride
Stylish

Cons

Handlebar Adjustability

Best Uses

Casual riding
Commuter
Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

As a casual but committed rider for over fifty years, this bike is a great addition to a stable of three other bikes. It is light, quick, and very responsive. I ride some 12 miles a day, five to six days a week, mainly recreationally. In addition, the roads are intermittently horrible where I ride, so although the frame is appropriately stiff, the ride is very comfortable. With my other daily ride (insert brand name here) weighing in at nearly 50 lbs this bike's weight at 29.2 pounds (including a Topeak rear rack and a Delta fork tube extender) makes me feel as though I've been shot from a cannon when pushing hard on the pedals. My one negative comment is that at 6'4" and having the seat adjusted to fit my frame (plenty of seat post to accomodate) the stock fork handle bar tube is too short, resulting in an uncomfortably awkward riding position. That was easily corrected with an REI available Delta extension, but I would rather see some other solution. The frame is very responsive and completely capable of carrying my 227 lbs. All in all, I can't recommend this bike enough and say enough positive things about the REI team at the Berkeley store where I bought it.

Service and delivery comments:

Great service, knowledgeable team members, prompt delivery, great setup...

Comment on this review

Oct

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Bike!

By Ranger Tim

from Bothell,WA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

I switched from a full carbon frame Novara Squadra (2008) to the new Big Buzz - a great deal! Although the Big Buzz is a little heavier, it feels just as fast, and, it's way more stable and I prefer the upright riding position. I swapped out the tyres for Gatorskins, 700X23, added Ergon grips, my super-comfortable Selle Italia seat, and now the bike is perfect. The bike looks cool, not at all like a communter bike. Oh yes, adding fenders and lights was really easy. For the money, this a fast, light and really fun bike.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

4.0

A nice well made bike

By jcordy

from Raleigh, NC

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Bike For The Money
Stylish
Versatile

Cons

Shifting Gears Are Bad

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

I put fenders & a rack on this bike so I can ride it to the store on wet days. The brakes and the fit are great and the bike is worth the price I paid for it.

Service and delivery comments:

The crew at REI did a wonderful job getting the bike fitted out like I wanted. They were a great help and gave good advice on this purchase

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Perfect hilly Northwest long commuter!

By Thom aka Boot Up

from Kirkland WA

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

Finally, a bike designed with real Northwest commuters in mind...Perfect, I would say. I commute 22 miles a day, 3-4 times a week, all but in sub freezing months of winter. My commute is hilly, without street lights for most of it, much is covered with sand and glass and debris most of the year, and a lot of it is paved "recreation trail" which requires good brakes. Surprises happen. And I work in an office environment at the far end.

This bike is a great value for the price. Handling is a nice balance of precise but not twitchy. Geometry is laid back enough to make the rough road sections pleasant and its balanced well for a good bike handler to gently ease it up and down curbs...although I do not recommend bunny hopping or taking flyers, as a mtn bike would.
Value! 22 pounds in a large frame size. I added 2 pounds of lights, fenders (highly recommend the glossy black Planet bike 45mm fenders), bell etc.
Steel chainrings and smooth but cheap drive train is a plus to me when winter conditions will be grinding it all down. Disc brakes will stop in all weather and not wear through your rims with gritty riding (That has happened to me)
Seat was even comfortable! I had planned to swap it out and didn't. Pedals were swapped for Time ATAC. And grips are swapped for Ergon GR2-S.

This thing flies compared to the converted mtn bike pig of a bike I was riding. 700x32c tires are a good winter tire. Time will tell how glass resistant. I might go with 28C continental gatorskins for summer.

Only nitpick.... The shifters have *no* visual feedback of window or position and the rear seat stay mostly blocks your view, so you are entirely figuring out gears by feel.

I love this bike. I look forward to work days, just because I get to ride it. Its looks like a scarab with the glossy black fenders. cooool!

Service and delivery comments:

I must say, I am not particularly impressed by the service for clinching the deal on the bike.
85psi tires were a soggy 40psi when I got the bike home, nothing was lubed. They couldn't tell me how much it would cost to install fenders, or if the "free 15 minutes labor with a new bike" would cover fender install, and more likely it would barely cover a water bottle install. They had no idea the odd bolts inside the fork blades were so you could mount standard fenders around the disc brakes. I am a former bike mechanic, so these weren't a major problem for me, but others might find this more irritating.

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Bike

By marvz

from Albuquerque, NM

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013:

I am a retired person who rides probably 60 to 80 miles a week on paved bike trails and streets. The bike is a joy to ride and is light and responsive. I only thing I changed were the grips which were hard and uncomfortable. Added slime to the tubes - puncture resistant tires are not that resistant. At purchase, REI put on an extension to move the handlebars forward a little and the bike fits me very well and is comfortable to ride.