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Novara Bonanza Bike - 2011

$499.93
$599.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 16%

(10)

Item # 788086

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Let loose on your local trails on our Novara Bonanza hardtail mountain bike. The versatile design features a 100mm Rock Shox suspension fork that will leave you feeling like you hit the jackpot.

Rugged 6061 aluminum frame features a hydroformed downtube to provide vertical strength at the headset and horizontal strength at the bottom bracket
Rock Shox Dart 1 suspension fork gives you 100mm of travel to stand up to hard bumps and drops
Truvativ crankset is paired with the snappy SRAM X5 shifters, front and rear derailleurs for all-out performance
27 speeds let you handle romping hills, make serious speed across the flats or just cruise leisurely
Tektro Novela mechanical disc brakes provide reliable stopping power and controlled deceleration
Kenda Nevegal 26 x 1.95 in. tires provide tenacious traction
Anatomically designed, the lightweight WTB Pure V Sport saddle offers exceptional comfort and support from a streamlined platform
Just get on and ride, no fancy shoes required™aluminum platform pedals accommodate a variety of 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.

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Item 788086

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Novara Owners Manual

Novara Bonanza Bike - 2011 Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Mountain biking

Mountain bike

Aluminum

6061 aluminum

Front suspension

Rock Shox Dart 1, 100mm travel

Truvativ Blaze 44/32/22

Truvativ PowerSpline

SRAM X5

SRAM PG-950 11/34, 9-speed

Disc brake

Tektro Novela mechanical disc

Tektro

Weinmann Provence

Aluminum disc, 32h

Shimano M475 disc, 32h

26 inches

Kenda Nevegal 26x1.95

Riser bar

Aluminum riser

Forged aluminum

Aluminum micro-adjust

WTB Pure V Sport

Aluminum platform

Integrated threadless

KMC Z-9000

31.5 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 Bonanza Bike - 2011 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010

4.4

(based on 10 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Handles well (10)
Rugged (7)
Smooth ride (7)
Lightweight (5)
Versatile (5)

Cons

Best Uses

Casual trails (8)
Single track (5)
Downhill (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (9)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 10 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Sep

2010

(8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Buy It!!

By BRgoalie

from Anchorage, AK

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Smooth Ride

Cons

Heavy
Some bad components

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Free Riding
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

This is a great bike, I use it for both commuting, trail riding and BMXing. I recently participated in a downhill event at the local ski mountain. This really put the components to the test as I am quite a novice to downhill and a hardtail is less than sufficient. I was surprised at how well the bike held up to the innumerable crashes I took. The only component that didnt make it was the pedals, they made it through the whole day until the very end when the bearings in the pedals gave out. Other than that I have absolutely no complaints about this bike.

Apr

2011

(6 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Bike love it

By TonyTones

from Northridge CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Grreat bike for the price
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged

Cons

Brakes
Made in China

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

I have to admit this is my first mountain bike. I didnt know much about bikes so I researched for a week. Its pretty much all about the components . I ended up getting this bike after contemplating a $700-$800 bike. REI had the 20% promotion so it made it extra tempting. I read some iffy reviews on Rei's Novara brand, I really tried to stay away, but then I compared it to other bikes in the $800 range.I went through component by component reading reviews about each one. What did I find out? The bonanza shares many of the same components! The ones that are different, are not that much better on the $800 bike (I compared it to 4 other bikers). You really are just paying for the name brand.I picked up the bike today and it feels solid and well built. It shifts just fine. As I was riding it and going offroading, it felt like it could take some abuse.The brakes are a bit weak. I thought they could be a bit better. With the [$] I saved I could always upgrade to some higher end ones. I felt very satisfied with my purchase. The only gripe I have is the frame. Seems well built, but its made in China. Im not that worried since higher end models get their frames made outside the country too.Great beginner bike, especially for the price.

Nov

2010

(4 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good stuff

By mtb lover

from Glendale Az

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

Well I am not some huge mtn biking pro but I beat the hell out of it and it is still running. I have done some trails in Colarodo and most of it has been in arizona. I have taken many falls and the last one i took finally broke something. I was doing a pretty rugged downhill and i flip the bike and broke the handle for the brake. So after all i have put it through it still runs awesome i would recommend this bike for anyone.

Jun

2010

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Nice for the price

By Yagwada

from Northern CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Front Shocks

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

First Mountain Bike purchase in about 15 years. My old trail/commuter Mongoose was getting really old and I found this at REI, used but in near mint condition for more than half off the price (so I really can't complain). So far, so good. Rides and handles well and has some pretty good components. The only other feature I would have expected on a bike at this price is better forks or at least some that have the lockout feature. Otherwise, it's a great all-around Mtn Bike for casual or semi-aggressive trail riding.

Apr

2011

(3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Ok, for its price

By O

from Phoenix, AZ

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Smooth Ride

Cons

Handles Poorly
Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

Not a bad bike for its price, but I ended up returning the bike because of the brake quality. I have a Cannondale and a Motobecane and I bought this bike for commuting, but the easiest way to explain what i disliked about the bike the most, is that the breaks were "Squishy" or just not as sensitive as my other bikes. I ended up upgrading to the Novara Matador 29er, much better bike

Jul

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Digging this bike!

By Daught122

from Durham,NC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Sensitive Gearing

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

I recently began Mt.Biking. I purchased the Novara Bonanza as a beginner/intermediate rider. I could not be happier. The bike is great and very smooth. The Sram shifter has taken some getting use to. It is super sensitive and takes time to master. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a lightweight dependable bike. I am very happy with my decision!

May

2011

(2 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

good bike

By tom wind

from tecumseh mo

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride

Cons

No kickstand

Best Uses

Casual Trails

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

This is a good bike, but comes without a kickstand. I thought kickstands were standard equipment, and I don't like throwing my bike on the ground.

May

2011

(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great for all around intermediate rider.

By IcePilot

from Hailey, ID

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Grips

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

I am not a "hardcore" mountain bike person. I bought the medium, I'm 5'6" and it fits perfectly. Its not a women's bike, but I like the men's bikes more and they seem to fit me better. I've ridden it on trails with gravel and loose dirt. The tires and shox that come with it have pretty decent traction. Sometimes I ride it down to the bar and to work, which is mostly on paved paths, and its still pretty comfy. The sadle is ok - nothing special though. My biggest surprise with this bike is how light it is - I have a VW Golf and I can lift it off and on my yakima mount just fine. Only complaint is the grips that come with it - the knobby things on the inner part of the grips are a little too soft for me when I am going downhill on the dirt trails. I solved this with wearing gloves (which you should do anyway imo) until I found new grips that I liked better.

Service and delivery comments:

I ordered and paid online and went to pick up at the REI Store in Boise. It was ready and they even helped me out to my car with it.

Nov

2011

4.0

Great first bike

By peazer

from san mateo, ca

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

A bit heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

As a novice mountain/ trail rider, this bike is great. I comapred this bike to a Cannondale to similar cost. The people at REI really helped me to go component by component and the Novara seemed to be a better fit for me. It's a bit heavy getting on and off the train, but gives support. I like that it's not super light and I feel more stable going down hills. Like I said, it's a great intro bike for any rider out there!

Sep

2011

5.0

Very nice bike

By Srieng

from Burtonsville, MD

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Single Track

Comments about Novara Bonanza Bike - 2010:

Only have been a mountain biker for about 4 months now. First real mtb. I don't know components or anything when it comes to mtb. After some research, my conclusion is that for the money you pay, this is an amazing bike! I took this bike out and abused it in the trails. I jumped it, crashed it, took it apart and scraped off the paint and put it back together. No issues! Brakes finally show some wear after a hard and rainy day at Schaffer Farms(gonna take that apart to). It's definitely not a high-end bike, but well worth the money for an entry level.