Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008

This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

Or, may we suggest shopping for similar items:

Shop more Hardtail Mountain Bikes Shop more Novara

This page is provided for reference to historical product information.

Show me:
Product Description,
Product Specs,
Reviews

AN6 construction, high-end SRAM drivetrain and aggressive geometry make our Novara Ponderosa the first choice for no-holds-barred XC performance!

AN6 aluminum frame is double-butted (thick at the ends, narrow toward the middle) for a significant savings in weight without a reduction in strength
Double-butting also improves ride quality and comfort by reducing high-frequency vibrations traveling up the frame
Hydoformed downtube is lightweight yet strong, providing critical vertical strength at headset and horizontal strength at bottom bracket
Pondo's long top tube reduces the likelihood of wheelies during aggressive ascents; the long wheelbase adds stability and confidence to descents
RockShox Dart 2 fork meets changing needs; run it plush (100mm travel) to buffer unyielding single track or lock it down for a stiff, efficient ride
SRAM drivetrain is all performance, featuring the deluxe X-9 rear derailleur and snappy X-7 shifters and front derailleur
Twenty-seven speeds let you handle any terrain as you want, whether you're romping hills, cruising easy or making serious speed across the flats
Two-piece Truvativ Firex 3.1 crankset is strong, lightweight and easily maintained
Avid BB7 disc brakes and Speed Dial 7 levers provide sure stopping power and controlled deceleration no matter the terrain or weather conditions
Lightweight WTB SpeedDisc rims feature I-beam double-wall construction for strength and durability; WTB Raijin tires provide tenacious traction
Truvativ XR Riserbar and stem provide excellent steering control and comfortable positioning for off-road terrain
Anatomically designed, the lightweight WTB Pure V Comp saddle offers exceptional comfort and support from a streamlined platform
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.

Imported.

Item 760853

An oversize shipping charge of $60 applies to this item (plus regular shipping fees). Or ship it FREE to any REI store for pickup.
Read more about shipping options.

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008

4.3

(based on 12 reviews)

92%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Handles well (11)
Great components (10)
Rugged (9)
Versatile (8)
Lightweight (7)

Cons

Rough ride (3)

Best Uses

Cross country (10)
Single track (10)
Casual trails (9)
Free riding (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (9), Weekend warrior (3)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 12 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Sep

2007

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This bike takes a beating!!!

By Brandon the Destructor

from Bend, OR

About Me Avid Cyclist, Mountain biker

See all my reviews

Pros

Built for abuse
Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Survives Crashes
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
City Streets
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

Let's get something straight. I *destroy* bikes. I've come to expect my equipment to fall apart the moment I touch it. But this bike has lasted me a whole 4 months with only the following replacements:

1 x middle chainring
2 x chain
1 x cassette
1 x front wheel
2 x rear tire
1 x bottom bracket
1 x left shifter

and one complete rebuild of the bike. That's *amazing* by my standards because I just destroy stuff.

Yes, I cross-shift, I brake hard (the rotors have actually turned red hot), I slam into trees (to think a wheel would buckle at 30 mph when slamming into a pine tree....), and I make huge bone-crushing jumps with massive weight (me + bike + 50 lb pack on my back @ 20 mph).

This bike has survived ALL OF IT. That is simply impressive. I am truly impressed with the Novara Ponderosa.

My only quible would be that I prefer air shocks over spring shocks

Oct

2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

love my hard tail

By jonlongomatic

from charlotte,nc

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Rough Ride

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

i love this bike for the price

Sep

2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This bike is SWEET!!!

By Smooth n Easy

from Marysville, WA

About Me Casual/ Recreational, Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

None zero zilch

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Free Riding
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

I absolutely love this bike!!! It has everything you will ever need. From good looks to light weight and bang for you buck...this is the best deal that you can get for a bike. Don't even hesitate for a second to buy this!!!

Sep

2008

3.0

Good bike let down by poor fork

By mhxintl

from Chicago, IL

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Bad fork

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

I have had the bike less than a week and don't know yet if I will keep it. Depends if they can fix the fork to my satisfaction.

I have put about 200 miles on it mostly crushed limestone trails and paved road and about 30 miles of single track. Over all the bike handles very well and is competent on the single track.

I have noticed a knocking when I pedal in the smaller cogs. I think it is a bad cassette rather than the bottom bracket knocking.

I like the bike and it fits me but the fork is a no go.

Jul

2008

5.0

Great Bang for your buck and a fun ride

By pkzipper

from Berkeley, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

Got this as a complement to my full suspension mtb. Perfect bike for what it is, a strong hardtail with top of the line components. Fun to ride, very nimble. Can take a hit with its beefy construction, made 4-5 big jumps off of a loading dock for the test ride... that sold me.

Jul

2008

5.0

For The Money...

By comtbhead

from Denver CO

About Me Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Versatile

Cons

Rough Ride

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Free Riding
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

For the money (sub $700)... I don't know if there is a better bike. The components on this bike alone are worth the price of admission. I use the bike for downhill, single-track, and casual riding. Front fork is OK - not great. Probably the only identifiable weakness. Everything else on this bike rocks. [...] Highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a mid-entry hardtail.

Jun

2008

4.0

Solid bike for the price.

By Scotto

from Maple Grove, MN

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged

Cons

Fork a little weak.

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

Fairly high end components and rugged.

May

2008

4.0

Great Bike

By SawedOffShotgun

from Cary, NC

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

I have renewed my love for Mountain Biking and was looking to get a entry to mid level bike and I believe that this was the best choice

Service and delivery comments:

I had a really great experience with the REI staff at the Durham NC store. I would like to thank Curtis for such great advice and expert opinion.

Apr

2008

4.0

I love my bike!

By Yakgirl

from Philadelphia, PA

About Me Weekend Warrior

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

I love my bike! It seems to be holding up well and I am prone to damaging things on the rocky terrain I ride. I would definitely recommend this bike, especially for the reasonable price.

Apr

2008

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Best bang for the buck available

By snowlizzard

from Austin, TX

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Free Riding
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2008:

For a sub $1000 bike, this thing is great!
The front fork is the obvious weakness but I had already planned on replacing it within a year. Im a little heavier than average so I usually go through a fork every year or so.
Drive train is smooth and accurate, never a complaint from SRAM components. I switched to the grip shifts, just my personal preference.
Braking is great with the discs, even for my size.

only wish is that it came avail as a 29er.