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Imported.
Item 779987
Specification | Description |
| Frame | C6 monocoque carbon |
| Fork | C6 monocoque carbon |
| Crankset | FSA Gossamer Compact 50/34 |
| Bottom bracket | FSA MegaExo |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival |
| Front derailleur | SRAM Rival |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Rival |
| Rear cogs | SRAM Rival 11-25, 10 speed |
| Brakes | SRAM Rival |
| Brake levers | SRAM Rival |
| Rims | FSA Gossamer |
| Front hub | FSA Gossamer |
| Rear hub | FSA Gossamer |
| Tires | Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick 700x23c |
| Handlebar | FSA Wing Compact 31.8mm |
| Stem | FSA OS-190 31.8mm |
| Seat post | FSA SL-280 with 25mm setback |
| Saddle | San Marco Ponza |
| Pedals | Sold separately |
| Headset | FSA Orbit IS2 |
| Chain | SRAM 10 speed |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
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Reviewed by 4 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-4
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Squadra Road Bike - 2009:
This bike is excellent! I have about 50 miles on mine so far, and I must say that the first things I noticed were the instantaneous power transfer and the agility. Going over the road, the carbon smooths out the bumps and makes the road just a little bit more fluid and comfortable, but the BB remains stiff and keeps your pedal strokes efficient!For all those wondering: the REI techs weighed the bike in at delivery (as it is delivered to customer -- not including pedals) and it came to 17.25lbs (size: MEDIUM). I could not find this spec anywhere when researching before buying so I wanted to share.The SRAM Rival components are a dream come true: the double tap is easy to learn and shifts like a dream, and the brakes are incredibly powerful. Everything works wonderfully.My only gripes are with the cable routing (looks rather poorly thought out, with the cable housing putting awkward pressure on the headset so that the bars are "coerced" to turning to one direction all the time) and the wrap (bulky at both ends, does not continue up to headset, feels like it wants to unravel).Included tires seem quite nice, they are slicks and you can't ask for much more of a slick. I've heard that they are soft and prone to tearing, but to me the material seems quite resilient and strong. We'll see!Steer tube comes CUT! It came with about 125mm of risers on mine (MEDIUM), and the stem is +/- 6° (shipped to me as +6° RISE)Overall I love the bike, and I look forward to thousands of miles in the coming years!
Service and delivery comments:
Service tech. was very nice (several techs were very interested in the bike and it got a lot of attention around the store) and accommodating, answering my questions (I'm new to carbon fiber!), even going so far as to point out the bar wrap issue and offering to re-wrap at any time if I wasn't happy! That's fantastic service right there. THANK YOU REI!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Squadra Road Bike - 2009:
Just got mine as a graduation present. Only have about 50 miles on it. [$]. I test road the fuji team rival, the scattante carbon, and a GT. This had the best component spec with the 09 rival. It is awesome. I love the compact handle bar, very comfortable to ride in the drops with. I am 5'7" and I went with the small perfect fit. With pedals (wellgo w44) it comes in at 17lbs 12 oz (small). Very responsive and fast, I was riding steel with shimano 105 before, this bike is more compliant than the steel, and not near as flexy at the bb. With the bike fully loaded with water bottle, pump, and seat bag it is still about 3 lbs lighter than my last bike. Not a big fan of the white bar tape, but not hard to change.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Squadra Road Bike - 2009:
This is a review of the 2008 model I purchased just before the 2009 model came out. Only differences are minor components and an 'ergo' bar. I used this bike in the 30th STP. No problems whatsoever. Accelerates like there is no tomorrow and stops on a dime. Smooth, responsive ride, with no unnecessary flex. Descends with confidence. As equipped the tires are great. Grip well and no flats in over 1,000 miles of riding (I note that a different tire from the same manufacturer is used this year). I have few complaints: the bar tape was not wrapped as tight as it should have been on one side so needs re-taping; I am going to change out the handlebar to the FSA Wing Pro with compact bend as it is better for small hands; I changed out the saddle to one fitting my preference. That's it! As equipped for the STP the bike weighed 17.8 pounds. Light weight yet strong enough to endure all the bad roads, railroad crossings, and Longview bridge. You can't ask for much more. Novara really did their homework on this bike.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Novara Squadra Road Bike - 2009:
I've owned my Squadra for 14 months. I regularly take my Squadra on 20+ mile rides.
The bike is so fast, very stable, and has given me no serious problems (during my first week, the master chain broke, but the REI mechs fixed it for free).
I will buy another in a couple of years and keep this one for riding in rough conditions.
Service and delivery comments:
REI mechanics are very knowledgable and skilled technicians. I crashed my Squadra, bending my rear derailleur. I was shocked when REI charged me only $15 for the repair, which brought my bike back to top shape.
Displaying reviews 1-4
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