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Novara Forza Bike - 2011

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Product Description,
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Reviews

The Novara Forza is a sporty comfort bike that runs as efficiently on gravel as it does pavement!

Forza is truly all-purpose, as at home cruising to work as it is towing kids in a trailer or hopping curbs on the way to the store
Relaxed frame geometry offers stable handling, and the flat handlebar places the rider in a comfortable, upright riding position
Rugged and lightweight, the Kinesis 6061 aluminum frame responds quickly to pedal pressure and is easily hoisted for storage or for mounting on a rack
RST Neon fork provides 63mm travel to get you over life's little bumps; you can lock it out when a firm ride upfront makes more sense
SRAM/Truvativ ISOflow drivetrain provides 24 smooth-shifting gears for an easy transition from steep climbs to fast downhills
Tektro brakes and levers deliver reliable stopping power; integrated bell in brake lever alerts cyclists and pedestrians to your whereabouts
Kenda EuroTour tires, Alex ACE 17 rims and Formula Alloy hubs provide a big-wheel ride for cruising efficiently along roads and bike lanes
Accommodates a rear rack and fenders fore and aft—great for commuting or weekend getaways
Specs are subject to change

After an 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 774421

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Novara Owners Manual

Novara Forza Bike - 2011 Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Bike commuting & touring

Hybrid bike

Aluminum

6061 aluminum

Front suspension

RST Neon, 63mm

Truvativ ISOflow 48/38/28

Truvativ

SRAM X-4

Shimano C102

SRAM SX-5

SRAM PG-830 11-30, 8-speed

Rim brake

Tektro linear pull

Tektro Alloy

Alex Ace 17

Formula Alloy

700c

Kenda EuroTour 700x35

Flat bar

Kalloy Flat

Alloy adjustable

Kalloy Alloy

Vello

Platform

Semi-cartridge

SRAM PC-38

29.7 pounds

How we measure bike weight

Unisex

Bike style

Bike frame material

Frame

Bike suspension

Fork

Crankset

Bottom bracket

Shifters

Front derailleur

Rear derailleur

Rear cogs

Number of gears

Brake type

Brakes

Brake levers

Rims

Front hub

Rear hub

Wheel size

Tires

Handlebar shape

Handlebar

Stem

Seat post

Saddle

Pedals

Headset

Chain

Weight

Bike weight

Gender

Novara Forza Bike - 2011 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Forza Bike - 2009

3.3

(based on 14 reviews)

71%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (7)
Handles well (6)
Durable (5)
Great components (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting (7)
Road biking (5)
Pavement (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (6), Casual/ recreational (4), Commuter (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)

Reviewed by 14 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Mar

2009

(19 of 20 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good ride for comutting and cruising

By Wandering Loon

from Boston MetroWest, MA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Great Components
Handles Well

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Commuting
Good on sand and gravel
Road Biking

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

I have the 2008 model. It responds well for commuting to work, the store, and just cruising around town or on graded bike paths such as rails-to-trails paths both paved and graveled. The 2008 model is a bit heavy, and like any other bike, the higher center of gravity when using a backpack can make handling a little less responsive. I have the Topeak Explorer MTX Rack, but have not found the right bag/trunk for my needs. I don't know if this rack accomadates paniers other than Topeak,s trunk with integradted zip-down paniers which I would not trust with my laptop. Topeak does offer a pair of Pannier DryBags, but I have not looked at this other than online. I like the Forza's locking front fork when I am riding on paved roads. Over all this is a good ride for commuting and cruising.

Mar

2009

(12 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

fast and fun

By bikenhike

from Corbett,OR

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Handles Well
Lightweight
Quickly adjust 2 surfaces
Speed

Cons

Poor Components

Best Uses

Commuting
Road Biking
Tour Bike

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

I got this bike three days ago I was surprised how easyly it goes up hills. I love the lock out feature i can go from gravel road to paved road in the swithch of a button.The gears change realy fast but i was going up a hill and the back gear derailer totally snaped off. It was disaponting to have such a great bike with a not so great gear derailer.

Apr

2009

(11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Fast & Verstile

By stanger

from Deerfield, IL

About Me Casual Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting
Road Biking

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

Living in an area that hosts both paved and gravel paths, the Forza's versatility makes it an excellent choice.

I am a real big fan of the locking option on the forks which allows me to lock them in on paved trails and to open the shocks up for a smooth ride on the gravel.

I swapped out the seat and pedals which made a great improvement to the ones that came stock.

I have been very happy with the bike. It's fast and apart from the components that I swapped out, its very well made. I have put about 100 miles on the forza and really had a good time with it. It also pulls a trailor well (I pulled my son in a Chariot most of those 100 miles).

Overall, the Forza is a great purchase if you are looking for a well-made hybrid.

Apr

2010

(10 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

REI runied my birthday

By Zot the Unhappy

from Seattle

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Poor Component Selection

Best Uses

Showing friends a waste

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

My wife bought this as a surprise birthday gift. She had checked it out (she's an ironman) and I was happy. I had been riding a 20 year old specialized rockhopper 13 mi to work. On gravel road and 15%+ hills.

Well the first trip out, the front did not shift down to granny on the front climbing the 15%+ hill. I almost fell into traffic. Thinking it was odd, I waited to the top. Then the front would not shift up to 3rd gear.

I took into REI and they tweaked it, but the next ride, it failed still.

I took it back, it failed again. This time I videotaped it failing to shift up or down on the front gear. This was on a slight hill (climbing and dropping). I tried everything to get it to work (different back gears, slacking, etc.).

At this point REI agreed to replace the bike. I moved to a larger size and swapped it out.

The new bike had similar problems. Thinking I might be the unique factor I was debating returning it for more tweaking, or trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. Just then a piece of the shifter went flying off while just riding. I took that as a hint. I still tried to bring it back to see what the shop thought.

When I brought it back to REI the shop just recommeneded I get my money back....

So it appers like it might be an OK frame, but the componenets are crud. My 20 year-old, minimally maintained components, work better.

This is sad. It seems that Novara is going the way of the radio shack brand. It pretty ruined my birthday, and put a big black eye on REI quality for us.

May

2009

(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Enjoyable Ride But Handle with Care

By MNGopher

from Minneapolis, MN

About Me Casual Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

Susceptable to Scratches

Best Uses

Commuting
Leisure Rides

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

I have had this bike for a couple of weeks now and have enjoyed some trail rides as well as commutes on it. It rides very nicely and is as light as a feather. The only downside is that it has amassed more scratches and paint dings than my mountain bike did in 12 years of regular use. I have tried to be extra careful, but it seems that even transporting my bike on a trunk-mount rack has caused deep gashes in the paint. At least since it's an aluminum frame, it won't rust, I guess.

Apr

2010

(3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Not so much...

By aucella

from Los Angeles

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable

Cons

Heavy
Poor Component Selection

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

I bought this bike to replace my beloved Novara Corsa that was stolen. I commuted to school and work on my Corsa for years and hoped to do the same on the Forza. I was immediately disappointed. Riding the Forza I could never find a gear position that rode comfortably. I was either peddaling furiously and getting nowhere or struggling through mud. There was just no in between. I don't know what it was about that bike but after 3 months of trying to make it work I had to return it. Definitely give this bike a test ride before committing.

Sep

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Losing faith in REI

By manikappa

from Santa Fe, NM

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

My 20 year old Novara hybrid gave out so I purchased this Forza in winter 2009/10. Started riding in the spring and had flat tire after flat tire. Though riding on roads and bike paths this area is known for goats heads, but my old Novara had two in five years here and my partner's bike none. I finally went in and insisted on quality tires after the 7th flat, got them, and have had no flat since. I had to argue that I wasn't about to pay though. On Sunday the tire went out of true, I looked, and three spokes had broken. I only ride roads and bike paths. My partner has never had that problem. My opinion is that REI is scrimping on products [...]. I've been a member/customer for decades. I'm losing trust in the company and its products.

Service and delivery comments:

The Santa Fe NM store apparently only has one bike tech, extremely competent and helpful as REI staff usually are, but they are understaffed. I took the wheel with broken spokes in on Sunday and it's Wednesday and I have no idea when it will be ready. It's not the tech; it's the company.

Jun

2010

(2 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Owned it for a week

By Nick0

from LA, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Lightweight

Cons

Poor Off-road Handling

Best Uses

Commuting
Pavement

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

I tested this bike several times before buying and compared it to several other makes/models at a few REI stores. I wanted a hybrid for around $500. There is a substantial geometry and ride difference between the medium and large sizes and I went with the Large because it felt smoother. I'm 5'10" and wanted to like the bike but the standover height was just too high and I wanted a bike that I can take on some light trails. After a week I realized this bike wouldn't meet my needs and I returned it. If I were to only use the bike on long road rides it might have stayed.

May

2010

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Couldn't be happier!

By Chelsie

from Vancouver, WA

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Durable
Lightweight
Smooth Ride
Smooth shifting

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2009:

I bike to and from work, everyday... decently new to this lifestyle and loving it! Overall, I'm VERY happy with this bike. Not being Lance or anything, it serves its purpose well. My boyfriend has owned a Novara for nearly 8 years, and still loves his bike.

Guess all I really needed to say is that unless you're competitively biking, this will probably be what you're looking for.