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Novara Bonanza Bike

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Let it loose on your local trails or race with it; the versatile Bonanza will leave you feeling like you hit the jackpot.

Drivetrain offers 27 speeds, providing nuanced shifting for subtle changes in terrain and wind
But when you need to drop a bunch of gears fast, depend on the instantaneous performance of durable SRAM X5 derailleurs and shifters to save the day
RockShox Dart suspension fork gives you 100mm of travel to stand up to hard bumps and drops so you don't have to
Tektro Aquila mechanical disc brakes provide reliable stopping power and controlled deceleration no matter how rough the terrain, how wet the weather
Bonanza's frame is built rock solid from incredibly rugged 6061-grade aluminum
Hydroformed downtube is light yet super strong, providing critical vertical strength at the headset and horizontal strength at the bottom bracket
Truvativ LE handlebar and XR 3D stem optimize steering control and rider comfort
Designed to take on the terrain, WTB Motoraptor tires feature low-rise center knobs for speed and clawlike cornering knobs for traction
Anatomically contoured WTB Speed V saddle provides support, comfort and streamline design
Just get on and ride, no fancy shoes required—alloy platform pedals accommodate a variety of casual shoes

After its initial break-in period you might notice your bicycle performing less responsively than the day you brought it home. Not to worry, this is typical of all new bicycles and simply reflects that cables have stretched or their housings have seated themselves into final position. To keep running at peak performance, all REI bicycles come with a FREE warranty tune-up, which should be accomplished between the first 100-200 miles of riding or after the first two months if you're accumulating miles less quickly. Contact your nearest REI bike shop for details and an appointment for this important service.

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Item 760851

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Novara Bonanza Bike Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Bonanza Bike

4.2

(based on 17 reviews)

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Versatile (16)
Handles well (15)
Great components (13)
Rugged (11)
Smooth ride (11)

Cons

Best Uses

Casual trails (16)
Free riding (10)
Downhill (8)
Single track (8)
Cross country (5)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (8), Avid cyclist (7)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 17 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Apr

2008

(15 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Oh, yes it's good

By Tom T

from Massachusetts

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

Probably a little early for me to rate this bike given that I've been riding the same `94 Bridgestone and nothing else mountainwise up until now. My bike knowledge is also stuck in the 1990's so again it's possible my euphoria gushes overly. Nevertheless, I am very happy with the new bike (2007). It's a machine that's solidly found it's niche in the 21st Century.
First the good and there's plenty of it. Light, fast, tough and eager. Digs like mad through the mud and hard climes. It'll even fly on the road for those of us who have a mile or so to go on the road. The Weirwolf tires have enough street tread to make life good on the pavement without making you bonk before you hit the trail. Definitely capable to ride all day. I'm also very pleased with the gearing which provides a super-low granny gear for going up just about anything and a top end that by my guesstimate will crank this bike up to 45MPH at 100 RPM for those so inclined.
It's born to maneuver and go through the hard stuff at speed. Despite the aluminum frame, I found it easy to smash over rocks and roots as long as I kept the tire pressure around 50. Things get a little bouncey above that.
Now for my nit-pickings which are few. I hate the seat. It's a crotch-buster so I swapped it for my old Serfas RX Which I strongly recommend. Secondly, I'm not totally thrilled with the back-angle on the handlebars. I find that they create too much pressure on the palms of your hand instead giving you an even, fingered grip. Not too bad but enough to rate criticism. I would suggest more of a flat bar for a solid handhold.
Well, there you go. I love it right down to the totally-cool-in-my-book solid green & black paintjob.
Buy it if you want a solid banger for a great low price.

Sep

2008

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

You get your money's worth

By Daniel T

from San Luis Obispo, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

I use this bike to ride trails as well as getting to class everyday. The bike is well but together and I love the way it rides. The brakes are amazing. There is only one thing I was not overall impressed with and that is after riding it for a while after I bought it the chain likes to slip now when I change into first gear. But since REI gives you the first service/tune up[...]it will be easy. They tell you that you will have to do that though after you buy it because everything stretches and gets worked so it loosens everything up. I am really impressed with this bike and I am so glad I went with the bonanza. Oh yeah, and the shocks are amazing.

Aug

2008

(8 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Escape!

By jimsabode

from Somewhere abusing my shoes..

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

Bought this bike in March 08 and since then have logged in over 800 miles of all types from trails in the high Sierras to the Santa Cruz coast area and everything in between. It's been years since I rode a bike but have truly embraced the sport and from the first ride this bike was like an old friend. I currently ride the bike every other morning 10 to 15 miles over streets, in the park, across single tracks, free ride and downhill. The smooth shifting allows you to dig in on the steep single track hills and keep moving while the top end helps on those road trips to the park and long sections of straight trail. The construction is great and the only thing I would change is the front crank which is made from metal and not aluminum. The maintenance is easy and never takes over 10 minutes. Overall this bike has gotten me back on the seat, riding again, losing weight and loving life. By the way, the colors of Maroon and black aren't bad either.

Apr

2008

(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

A screamin' deal on a screamin' bike!

By Chrissy L

from Seattle, WA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Paint prone to chipping

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Free Riding
Single Track
Urban street

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

I've ridden three seasons on my 2005 Bonanza and can hardly wait for the weather to improve so I can start the fourth! This bike is so versatile and delivers an outstanding component set for the money. I added CatsEye lighting, a Topeak toolpack, and a WTB SpeedShe V saddle; everything else stayed stock. Love the WeirWolf tires and the great disc brakes; both are holding up well and don't yet need replacement. The shifters are positive [...].I've ridden Northwest urban and mountain trails, fire roads with a loaded pack of camera gear, done some street riding, and even a few downhill runs (did I mention the great brakes?) so far. The bike cleans up well, and the routine maintenance checks and chores take just 15-30 minutes a few times per season.I'd been away from bicycles for many years (rode the motorized sort, mostly) and hardly consider myself a hardcore rider; nonetheless, the Bonanza has pleased me and earned my respect as a well-built machine (I used to work in aerospace and as a motorcycle mechanic) and a great value for the money. The bike has helped me have fun, drop some middle-aged weight, and tune up the bod for hiking season. I enjoy riding this bike!

Dec

2007

(6 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good bike

By tom in boise

from Boise ID

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Versatile

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

This is a really good bike, especially for starting out. I rode it hard for three years mostly on packed single track and rocks along side guys with $2500 bikes with no problems. Also commuted on it Great value (in terms of components etc) for the money.

Apr

2009

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Its a good bike~

By Lamsley

from San Diego, CA

About Me Casual Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

I bought this bike last year and love to ride it. I swapped the studded tires with Michelin city trekking tires and it runs really smooth, and its very comfortable.
I'm still a novice to mountain biking and I think its very hard to climb up steep hills with this bike, but that problem is my end and means I need to do some squats.

Aug

2008

(5 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Perfect for the middle biker

By dibbs the runner

from Bountiful, UT

About Me Competitive Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

I bought my bike back in 2005 and it has lasted through multiple trail rides, bike races, and commuting to work. It has been very reliable and the components are still in great shape.

Mar

2008

(5 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

"Awesome Bike"

By djeep

from The Woodlands,TX

About Me Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Awesome BRAKES
Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Smooth shifting
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill
Free Riding
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

I use my bonanza to commute to work at least 3x a week and to ride variouse trails in my area. Fun smooth and awesome to ride. Everyone that I let ride it cant believe how smooth it shifts and how good the brakes work. Would recommend to to anyone.

Jun

2009

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Triple A. . . . . .All Around Awesome

By AKDICK

from Anchorage Alaska

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Free Riding
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike:

Bought my bike 03/06/09 and have already put 600-700 miles on it. Amazing bike for beginners to intermediate bikers and isnt too hard on the wallet compared to 1k + bikes. Ive taken it to work, paved trails, birt trails and back country riding and its handled everything. I say its[*]because it handles the rough and overly powerful riding style I have of powering through anything, anything and yes anyone. This bike t-boned a "specialized" rider when he ran in front of me and we layed him out and almost ran completely over him before the pedal snagged and dropped me. All I lost was a reflector, other guy had the walk of shame home with cuts and a bent in half rim.All in all this bike is riding strong and hasnt had any problems. Shifting is awesome, brakes stop you right on, shocks make it a smooth ride (though I wish they had a lockout), and since March this bike has held up to the Alaska climates and conditions without any snags. I love my bike and its basically replaced my car since I bought it.