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Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012

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29er Bikes

Novara

Updated to bring the awesome, the Novara Ponderosa® 29er hardtail mountain bike features a remote lockout on the 80mm fork for easy adjustment on the fly.

Butted 6061 aluminum frame features an S-bend down tube and bent seat tube for enhanced handling and performance
Set to soak up rough terrain, the 80mm SR Suntour XCR fork features an alloy steerer, magnesium lowers, preload adjustment and remote, bar-top lockout
Sturdy Shimano Deore/SLX 27-speed drivetrain ensures reliable performance for tackling varying terrain
Shimano Deore mechanical disc brakes use CenterLock design for enhanced performance and low profile
Flashy double-walled Weinmann rims are decked out with the lightweight, 60TPI WTB Nano Race tires for fast-rolling performance
WTB Pure V Race saddle features a leather cover for comfort and durability
Specs on the Novara Ponderosa 29er hardtail mountain bike 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 807231

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Novara Owners Manual

Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012 Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Mountain biking

Mountain bike

Aluminum

6061 aluminum

Front suspension

SR Suntour XCR RL 29, with lockout, 80mm of travel

Shimano FC-M521, 44/32/22

Shimano

Shimano Deore

Shimano SLX

Shimano HG50 11-34, 9-speed

Disc brake

Shimano BR-M495 Disc

Shimano Deore

Weinmann Taurus 2000

Shimano M435 Disc, 32h

29 inches

WTB Nano, 29x2.1

Riser bar

Kalloy

WTB Pure V Race

FPD Alloy platform

FSA

KMC Z99

30.1 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 Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012

4.5

(based on 19 reviews)

95%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Great components (15)
Handles well (13)
Smooth ride (12)
Rugged (10)
Versatile (8)

Cons

Heavy (5)

Best Uses

Casual trails (15)
Cross country (9)
Single track (9)
Free riding (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (9), Avid cyclist (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (15)

Reviewed by 19 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Sep

2012

4.0

Makes riding a lot more fun

By Iris stole my name

from Austin, tx

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

I got this after realizing my 26 inch bike was too small. The 29'er definitely provides a smoother and faster ride. The brakes definitely saved me from some head on collisions. The shock lock-out on the handlebars is very convenient, but I do forget to unlock it at times. I personally would prefer nubbier tires, but the default ones are fine.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

Great Bike at a Great Price

By Andito

from Colorado Springs, CO

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight
Smooth Ride

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

I just took this bike out for my first ride on a 27 mile ride including mostly single track and some dirt and paved roads. It handled like a dream. Although I'm aware that part of the thrill was the experience of my first ride on a 29er after fifteen years and thousands of miles on 26' hard tails, I could still tell this was a bargain for the money. The components are nicer than any bike I've ever owned, but I didn't pay a whole lot more than the previous bikes I've had. The bike was ready to roll out of the shop. The only adjustment I made was to the seat height : ) The bike handled beautifully on a trail I've ridden many times, in fact it was the best ride I've ever had on that trail--even better than when I demoed a high-end 26' full suspension. I continued to be surprised by how much more terrain I could effortlessly roll over. I was also thrilled with how smoothly it shifted and brakes. Although many reviewers commented on the bike being heavy, I found it to be noticeably lighter than my last bike--a Giant Yukon. I was skeptical of what seemed like under-gunned tread on the tires, but the salesman told me that 29ers do just fine without super-knobby tires. He turned out to be right. This thing tore through deep sand, handled fast maneuvering down steep, tight turns, and clung to burley roots while climbing. Obviously I'm still giddy about the quality of my new acquisition, but if my opinion changes at all, I'll be sure to update my review. If this is still being offered at a massive discount, I'd say get yours while they last!

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

4.0

Sweet Bike

By theawkwardduck

from Pittsburgh, PA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components

Cons

Color
Tires

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

I bought this instead of a name brand bike after many sleepless nights of debating. The components were decent and the 20% off helped a lot. After a few months of riding the only downside I've found is the tires which will be the first thing replaced. They seems to be incredibly soft and not rugged enough for the single track I've been riding. This was a good purchase and I use it daily.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

4.0

Wheeeeee!

By Kayaking Avocets

from Cotati, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Smooth Ride

Cons

Heavy
Paint

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

I bought this bike in size medium to replace my Kona Kilauea.

My biggest dislike is the paint. The color is just fine, but the paint is soft and easy to scratch and chip, and I cannot find any touch up paint of this color. I have not encountered this issue with other bikes. I have owned this bike for 1 year now and it looks like it has been attacked by a wolverine.

My only other dislike, is the weight. The bike could be reengineered to shave off some weight from the bulky frame. The frame design also makes it a bit challenging to get onto the cradles of my yakima hitch rack.

As for the tires, I have had about three flats so far, which has surprised me, but maybe it means I am just riding more.

But...I do enjoy riding this bike. I can whizz up dirt fire roads and keep up with my husband on his titanium frame--the lucky dog. The main thing that sold me on this bike is the front shock lock switch on the handle bar. Oh my, what a great invention!

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

1500 miles since January and counting...

By TheEconomicOutdoorsman

from Alexandria, VA

See all my reviews

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

This is an update to my prior review now that I have a lot more miles on this bike.

The drivetrain is decent, but I've now replaced the crankset, rear cassette, rear-derailleur and chain. The SLX rear derailleur on the bike was replaced with XT. The cassette replaced with a wider-cluster (11-34), and the cranks replaced with 170mm (knee issues with the stock 175mm). They really should offer these with shorter arms.

I put on a cane-creek thudbuster, and a terry liberator saddle. The stock WTB saddle was really pretty uncomfortable for me.

I put on aero bars, and some serious lights.

Now to get studded tires for ice/snow this winter.

The frameset and forks really are great. I highly recommend them. The wheels have required two truings, as the stock spoke tensions weren't high enough for anyone over 175lbs.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

5.0

Great bicycle - awesome value

By Michael E B

from O Fallon, IL

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride

Cons

none

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Fitness
Single Track

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

The bicycle, which was purchased on sale, has performed flawlessly so far. It's a joy to ride.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

5.0

Great First Bike

By mooneyj

from Carmel, CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged

Cons

Rough Ride

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

Great Bike. Would recommend if you don't "need" the big brand name guys out there. It has good components and you save a few bucks by not buying the brand names. It is a hardtail, so expect to bounce around a little, but that's part of the fun.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

5.0

The Big Kat

By Rallybucca

from Corvallis, OR

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

Really good bike. Interestingly though I think this should have better tires. It may have been unlucky, but I have already had both rear and front flat tires in the first weeks. Really good bike, but needs thicker tread if you really wanna ride it off road. On casual trails though it is great! Really good bike that I highly recommend! Also the brakes are very effective and very high end!

Comment on this review

May

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A great bike for a returning rider

By Aquabear

from Long Island New York

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

I ride 2/3X a week and this is the perfect bike.Huge improvement over years ago. Because the bike is smooth riding, gears, brakes I can also teach my son to ride. It's great on the street and on trails here in NY/LI area. Although, I knew this was on the top range of dollars to spend my smile after riding says it was worth it. Also, REI staff was great in helping choose the bike, gear and maintenance after. Thanks Carle Place guru's!

Comment on this review

May

2012

(0 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Great components but fit-finish lacking

By Don V

from Going too fast on the Pinellas Trail.

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Smooth Ride

Cons

Heavy
Poorly engineered frame

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Ponderosa 29er Bike - 2012:

I do like the bike - some of these comments may seem a bit nit-picky, but keep in mind the cost of the bike......Let's start with the color - on every PC I looked at the photos it was distinctly ORANGE. The color is described as "Pumpkin", and I suppose that could be accurate if you're talking about a REALLY ripe pumpkin - it's closer to brown than it is to orange.My other complaint relates to the frame - in general it's sturdy, "well sized" (I have an XL, I'm 6'3"), and seems well put together. HOWEVER - the accessory mounting holes were abysmal. The pair under the seat post (where a bike rack would attach) were NOWHERE near aligned at a 90 degree angle to the frame.Then there's the holes near the rear wheel mount (again, for things like fenders or racks) - they have been placed so close to the welded ends of the bike tubes that you can't get anything to make full contact with the mounting plate if it's larger that 1/4" across (I had to compromise my rack mount, placing it on the lower set of holes that should have been reserved for the fenders)And let's talk about fenders - the mounting location on the small cross-bar just forward of the rear wheel is so far inboard from the plane of the down tube that there's NO WAY a fender is going to go on and NOT hit the front derailleur and the shifter cables themselves. I bought 2 sets of fenders - no way to make either of them work.Attempting to mount a front fender was equally frustrating and unsuccessful - there's no ancillary mounting facility on this fork for fenders - only the ginromous hole on the cross-brace.The inability to use fenders on this bike nearly had me take it back - had I purchased at a store I would have returned it (for the Raleigh that was $300 less)The manual disk brakes are decidedly nothing to write home about. They work, but really not much different from rim brakes. The pedals are a real let-down, there's better units on $99 bikes at [@] (these don't even have reflectors) - REI should just ship without any.It's a heavy bike - but it's huge, so not unreasonable IMO.But, again, I do like the bike - it rides like a dream. It's my first 29er - so I really don't have anything to compare it to. My guess is - had I been in-store I might have opted for something else, but it's mine now.

Service and delivery comments:

Shipment was prompt. The bike was fairly adequately packaged despite the box being rather thin, but it was clear it had a rough ride. The plastic mount / protector that was in the front fork was busted up, but thankfully the fork was undamaged.

I know that when a bike is purchased in-store there's a complete set-up done on the bike. I had ASSUMED they'd do the same on a bike shipped-to-order - but I was wrong. The shifters were abysmal - I can't believe shipping had anything to do with their inaccuracy - could not even engage all cogs in the rear cassette. This was a HUGE disappointment.

My biggest complaint about the packaging was that they did with the skewers and few other bits that needed attachment. ALL of the paperwork (from the cassette, the brakes, the wheels, the derailleurs, etc etc) was thrown in a small box with the 2 GREASE COVERED wheel skewers and the equally greasy left pedal. EVERYTHING was coated in thick, green grease. I was uber-PO'd. And again, for the cost of this bike, had I picked this up from a store it would have been back for something else.