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Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009Only At REI
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Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009

Item # 776817

$679.93$899.00*

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

  • New Kinesis 6061 aluminum frame is double-butted 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, gusseted 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 out for a stiff, efficient ride
  • SRAM drivetrain is all performance, featuring the snappy X-7 shifters, front and rear derailleurs
  • 27 speeds let you handle any terrain as you want, whether you're romping hills, cruising easy or speeding across the flats
  • 2-piece Truvativ Firex 3.1 crankset is strong, lightweight and easily maintained
  • Avid BB7 disc brakes and FR-5 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; Kenda Nevagal tires provide tenacious traction
  • Truvativ Stylo SL handlebar and XR 3D stem provide excellent steering control and comfortable positioning for off-road terrain
  • Anatomically designed, the lightweight WTB Pure V Race 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
  • Specs are subject to change

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 776817


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Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009 Specs

Specification

Description

Frame6061 aluminum
ForkRockShox Dart 2 with lockout, 100mm travel
CranksetTruvativ Firex 3.1 44/32/22
Bottom bracketTruvativ Giga Pipe
ShiftersSRAM X-7
Front derailleurSRAM X-7
Rear derailleurSRAM X-7
Rear cogsSRAM PG-950 11-34, 9-speed
BrakesAvid BB7 disc
Brake leversAvid FR-5
RimsWTB SpeedDisc
Front hubShimano M475 disc
Rear hubShimano M475 disc
TiresKenda Nevagal, 26x2.1
HandlebarTruvativ Stylo SL
StemTruvativ XR 3D
Seat postTruvativ XR microadjustable
SaddleWTB Pure V Race
PedalsAlloy platform
HeadsetIntegrated semicartridge
ChainSRAM 951
GenderUnisex
Bike weightWhy we don't provide weights

Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009
 
4.6

(based on 7 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Great components (7)
  • Handles well (7)
  • Rugged (6)
  • Smooth ride (5)
  • Versatile (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Casual trails (6)
    • Cross country (5)
    • Single track (4)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Casual cyclist (5)

    Reviewed by 7 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-7

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    Nov

    10

    2008

    (11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Great Hard Tail with many Extras

    By maxmus

    from San Diego

    About Me Casual Cyclist

    Pros

    • Great Components
    • Handles Well
    • Lightweight
    • Smooth Ride
    • Versatile

    Cons

    • Heavy
    • LowHanging Rear Derailuer

    Best Uses

    • Casual Trails
    • Cross Country
    • Single Track

    Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

    I use this bike mostly for commuting, and weekend trail riding. So far with over 300 miles, it is a great bike for the money. SRAM x-7 shifts with authority though it needs adjustment every other month, the AVID bb7 brake is a welcome addition to this bike because I can't think of any other mechanical brake that performs better (though leverage adjustment is missing). and DART2 shocks are decent with lock out and rebound adjustments. and frame is surprisingly light, not as light as a high end trek hard tail. mine weighs in at 31 pounds flat (19" frame). I do love the extra wide steering bar. and shimano hubs are very low resistance and freewheel mechanism is barely audible.

    wheels are presta valve only so some of tire inflators will not fit, and do get a chain slap guard to avoid the ugly chain gouge on the frame.

    great bike for the price, you won't regret the purchase.

    • Gift:
    • No

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

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    Nov

    26

    2008

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Loving it

    By Rick the student

    from flagstaff arizona

    About Me Casual Cyclist

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Great Components
    • Handles Well
    • Rugged

    Cons

    • Fork gets stiff in cold

    Best Uses

    • Casual Trails
    • Cross Country
    • Single Track

    Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

    Been riding this guy around for about a week now. its comfy, pretty light to trek 3 stories and park in your room and the all the components seem to work great. WOW @ the breaks, very nice almost kicked me off compared to my 8 year old[...]special. and the shifters go without a hitch, only complaint is that the front fork gets a bit stiff in the cold, but thats fixable just adjust it to give a little more.

    • Gift:
    • Yes

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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    Nov

    9

    2009

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Quite simply, the best overall hardtail

    By TheSickness

    from Metro-South, Michigan

    About Me Competitive Cyclist

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Great Components
    • Handles Well
    • Rugged
    • Smooth Ride

    Cons

    • Heavy

    Best Uses

    • Casual Trails
    • Cross Country
    • Single Track

    Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

    I challenge anyone to find a bike with better components for under $1k...period!

    Me: 5'10", 220 lbs

    The sram x-7 drivetrain is unbeatable, rims are top-notch, Rockshox Dart2 forks work VERY well, frame geometry is AWESOME! I cannot find anything I don't like about the bike except that I need to get clipless pedals and shoes now! It climbs like a beast and descends like it wants to go fast!

    I cannot testify to the crank, because I left the store with an upgraded STYLO GXP crankset on mine, but the stock set looked good.

    I have ridden this quite a bit, and will be racing this one next season, and I can tell you that I know if I place poorly, it's all on me!

    The frame on this bike is tremendously L O N G, so you will not feel any lift up the hills. It snakes very well through tight turns, switchbacks and hops well over obstacles.

    Don't be fooled by the Novara "store brand" name... this bike is built as well, and with better components than anything in it's price range.

    BUY ONE TODAY, and be ready for YEARS of enjoyment....and hey, you cannot beat REI's LIFETIME SATISFACTION GUARANTEE on it, either!

    • Gift:
    • No

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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    Oct

    6

    2009

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Great Bike

    By nardeezy

    from East Bay Area California

    About Me Casual Cyclist

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Great Components
    • Handles Well
    • Lightweight
    • Rugged
    • Smooth Ride
    • Versatile

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Casual Trails
      • Cross Country
      • Downhill

      Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

      I've been cycling for about 2 months. So far I've taken this bike on a couple of fire road trails in the East Bay Area:
      -Coyote Hills Regional Park "Red Hill Trail"
      -Garin Regional Park "High Ridge Loop"
      While climbing the red hill trail I actually broke my chain, that was weird. I've also taken this bike on a beginner/intermediate singletrack trail and it performed fairly well while going over a few technical obstacles. Lastly, I frequently ride flat unpaved trails and paved roads (Alameda Regional Trail). Overall, the bike has been holding up really well. The gear set is great for climbing, even if you're out of shape. Like any bike, it travels really fast on the descents, however the disc brakes slow the bike down fairly well. Maybe it's experience, but I still have a hard time gaining traction while taking sharp/significant turns on the fast descents. Most of the time the rear wheel of the bike fishtails. It's really cool but scary at the same time.

      • Gift:
      • No

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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      Aug

      19

      2009

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Sweet Ride!

      By Oski89

      from San Jose, CA

      About Me Casual Cyclist

      Pros

      • Great Components
      • Handles Well
      • Rugged

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Casual Trails
        • Free Riding
        • Single Track

        Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

        I have been riding the Novara Ponderosa Bike for the past few weeks. It handles very well and seems durable. I have been on paved and dirt trails. Getting use to the shifters. The front shifter seems to have a hard time getting to the 3rd gear at times. Other than that, great components for the price. Front shocks are great with the lock out option. Disc breaks are great. Will enjoy this bike for awhile.

        • Gift:
        • No

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        Images shared by Oski89

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        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        Aug

        4

        2009

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        I love this bike!!!

        By John Rambo

        from Michigan

        About Me Casual Cyclist

        Pros

        • Great Components
        • Handles Well
        • Lightweight
        • Rugged
        • Smooth Ride
        • Versatile

        Cons

          Best Uses

            Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

            I'm by no means an expert in biking. I use to ride BMX when I was younger, but hadn't rode a bike in nearly 16 years. I figured biking would be great exercise, and I knew that I wanted to hit the trails too, so a mountain bike was what I wanted. I was going to get a Trek or Gary Fisher, but the components on this bike were slightly better on the Ponderosa at this price range, or at least that is what my mountain bike friends told me. I liked the look of the Ponderosa, and a friend mentioned that the frame on this bike is very good. I saw the price drop from [$]so I decided to go ahead and buy. I also bought all my accessories through REI, and they installed all of it for free. I couldn't be happier with my Novara Ponderosa 2009. I ride light trails and all around the neighborhood and surrounding streets, and plan on hitting the more difficult trails when I am in better shape. I ride at least 4 days a week and this bike holds up perfectly. It feels really solid and smooth.[...] And the bike people at REI know a lot about these bikes. They are really knowledgeable and helpful, but not pushy. I can also service the bike through my local REI store at a very reasonable rate. Love this bike!

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Nov

            14

            2009

             
            4.0

            Excellent bike for the price, long fit

            By Speedy Bruno

            from Darien, CT

            About Me Avid Cyclist

            Pros

            • Great Components
            • Handles Well
            • Rugged
            • Smooth Ride
            • Versatile

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Casual Trails
              • Commuting
              • Cross Country

              Comments about Novara Ponderosa Bike - 2009:

              I have done an in detail comparison with other well known brands and can only echo the remarks another reviewer made: you get components 2 notches up from the bigger brands. There is a $200-$300 gap - enough change to upgrade things you are particular about.So far I cannot comment on the fork's stiffness in cold weather. Given the use (XC, Commuting) this would only be a minor draw-back. Further note that the dart 2 fork is the one with all the options (including rebound adjust!). The only difference to the dart 3 is the weight. Judge for yourself if that difference is critical for what the bike's designed for. To me it's a very reasonable choice by the REI folks.The Frame is indeed very long and my impression is that the steerer needs to be as long as it is for stability. If in doubt I would recommend the smaller size.The gear levers from SRAM work well - I prefer the usability of the Shimanos though. Thumb down, index finger up - more intuitive than the SRAM way to do both with the thumb. I was caught a few times inadvertently shifting down b/c of bumps.For an explicitly labelled XC bike I would have liked less aggressive tires. The Kendas are certainly good MTB tires. However, the bike is designed for mixed use. I think REI could have matched that up better - I ended up changing the tires right away to have the versatility I need. That's a $50-$90 extra cost that could otherwise be avoided.The bike is overall slightly on the heavier side - to me the frame looks a bit bulkier and not as modern (a few unnecessary curves) than some of the bigger brands. That's only a feel/observation - nothing scientific. Actual weight is 30 lbs for the 19'' with the Kendas - acceptable.Bottom line: I am really happy with what I go for the money. Despite the few points above - you will be hard pressed to find a better bike for the price [...]

              • Gift:
              • No

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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              Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

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