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Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011

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Product Description,
Product Specs,
Reviews

Our new Novara E.T.A. bike is part of our Mainline transportation line and offers a smooth steel frame, upright ride, wide-ranging gearing and all-weather disc brakes to cover long commutes.

Butted steel frame features a balanced geometry for a mix of comfort and smooth handling; tough powder-coated paint finish stands up to the rigors of urban riding
SRAM X5 trigger shifters guide the X5 rear derailleur with ease and precision through the 27 gear combinations, making easy work of the ups, downs and plateaus
Shimano Deore CenterLock mechanical disc brakes offer sure stopping power in even the wettest conditions
Swooping FSA Metropolis City handle bar and cork grips offer easy, comfortable control
Double-walled Weinmann rims are outfitted with Vittoria Randonneur tires, which feature reflective sidewalls and puncture protection for dependable city performance
Accommodates front and rear fenders and a rear rack (sold separately)
Specs on the Novara E.T.A. 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 808767

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on this bike through May 27!

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Novara Owners Manual

Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011 Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Bike commuting & touring

Hybrid bike

Steel

4130 chromoly

No suspension

4130 chromoly

Shimano Alivio, 48/36/26

Shimano

SRAM X5

Shimano Alivio

SRAM X5

SRAM PG-950 14-28, 9-speed

Disc brake

Shimano BR-M495 Disc

Shimano Deore BL-M590

Weinmann Provence

Shimano FH-M435, 36h

700c

Vittoria Randonneur,700x35

Moustache bar

FSA Metropolis City Bar

Kalloy

Velo

FPD Alloy

FPD

KMC

29.9 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 E.T.A. Bike - 2011 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011

4.4

(based on 12 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Versatile (10)
Tough (8)
Stylish (7)

Cons

Heavy (5)

Best Uses

Street riding (9)
Commuting (5)
Trail (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Commuter (6), Avid cyclist (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (11)

Reviewed by 12 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jun

2012

5.0

Great Bike

By dleshaw

from New York, NY

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

I use this bike to get around New York City, and so far, so good. it was reasonable priced, sturdy, and rugged enough to handle the city streets while remaining light enough to carry up stairs.

Comment on this review

Mar

2012

3.0

Buena

By JennyG

from Deptford, NJ

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Fast
Handlebars high
Stylish

Cons

Bumpy ride
Heavy

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

The bike is fast, but each bump on the road is felt and that is not comfortable. The handlebars are comfortable.

Comment on this review

Dec

2011

4.0

Good value

By Tzvia

from Woodland Hills, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Smooth ride
Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Assembly see review
Heavy

Best Uses

Commuting
Trail

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

In choosing this bike, durability and stability was to take precedence over weight as it is going to be my commuter workhorse. I've got other bikes that weigh half as much for my weekend fun rides. Disk brakes, steel frame, SRAM/Shimano drivetrain; good spec for commuting. I did swap the bars for a riser MTB bar and installed clipless pedals and fenders. I also ordered a lighter wheelset as the wheels, while bombproof, are overkill for unloaded commuting.

Yes I had the mushy brakes- and found the cause (at least for my case). My bike had been assembled with shift-cable housing for the brake cable runs instead of brake housing. They are NOT the same. Shift cable housing can splay open and fail under the higher pressure of brake use, very dangerous. So I swapped in some brake cables and adjusted the pads and the brakes feel great.

Comment on this review

Nov

2011

4.0

Trade-In Value

By houseofreggae

from Missoula, MT

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Premium
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting
Hauling kids or groceries
Street Riding
Utility

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

This is the new bicycle I recently bought after I sold my car. I told myself I would directly invest (most) money from the sale into a quality commuter bicycle. I've added a Topeak MTX Quick-Track rack, and a Topeak MTX Trunk Bag DXP w/ panniers. I also added Planet Bike Cascadia 45mm Hybrid/Touring fenders that really tie-in to the silver accents on the bike and offer superb protection from wet & muddy roads.Steel chromoly frame, disc brakes, moustache handlebar w/ ergonomic cork grips, 27 speeds, 700c Vittoria Randonneur's & top quality Shimano components. All in all, I'm very happy with my new investment, even happier since I got it for clearance prices, and now I have good karma on my side because the sale of my car funded this green investment. You can view pics & read the review on my blog,http://gitondowntheroad.blogspot.com/2011/10/trade-in-value.html

Comment on this review

Oct

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Sleeper value townie bike

By MazdaFlyer

from Kansas

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Bike Path
Commuter
Street Riding

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

Added this bike to my stable in September. I will use it as a commuter bike and for short trips for coffee and groceries. Really liked the color of the Buzz but decided the components of the ETA made it a better value. Not having any of the brake issues listed in some of the other reviews. The Denver Flagship store set it up well. I've ridden it on a couple of 20 mile bike path rides with good results. I have changed out the pedals to a different platform type, added lights, a bell and will probably change out the saddle for a Brooks. Nice addition to my collection.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

I'm in love!

By ellalovestennis

from Boulder, CO

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight
Stylish
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

I love this bike. I road bike for exercise and was using a 7 speed cruiser for commuting, but needed to replace the cruiser for something with a little more oompf. This bike is great. Stylish, fun, fast, comfortable. And I needed it for our trailer for our little one, and this bike has been a vast improvement over the 7 speed.

Although I was between sizes (s-m) I went for the medium and am very happy and comfortable with it. I'm 5'7, with long-ish torso.

Great job, Novara!

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Good bike at a great price.

By Kidaok00

from Los Angeles, Ca

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Tough
Versatile

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

I live in Los Angeles and biking in LA is not really as big as it should be. the city has hills, but nothing like SF and the weather here is always sunny.... i sold my car a couple of months ago and was using another bike that broke down on me about a month ago. as soon as i got the ETA and rode it i noticed a big difference, i shaved about 7 minutes off my commute each way. i ride 16 miles a day. so far i have had no problems with the bike and its much faster then i would have imagined, the seat is very comfortable and the bike is very sturdy. i actually like the brakes, i tend to ride very hard and in LA there arent many bike lanes and there are so many pot holes in the street its easy mess up your bike.. but this thing, i have gone over a few and so far, the tires have not become untrue nor has the chain slipped at all.... good quality bike and super affordable, its totally worth every penny and then some.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

practical commuter

By back in the saddle again

from Tri-Cities, WA

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Brakes
Fit and finish
Gearing
Tough

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

This is just what I was looking for. The disk brakes are my first on a bike -- what an improvement! The gearing is appropriate for a wide range of terrains and riders. Quick and sure shifts. The bike has a solid feel without feeling too heavy. The paint colour is.., well, it's paint. A bike's colour is not, after all, what I use to choose a bike. All-in-all a great deal. I have the feeling that the E.T.A. and I will have a long, happy relationship.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great all around bike

By Outdoor Gent

from Denton, TX

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding
Trail

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

This is a great bike which I ride everyday. It is very solid and handles like a charm. The weight distribution is extremely well balanced and the seating position is so comfortable that you will forget you are riding a bike. The disc brakes are a great feature and will stop the bike on a dime. Overall the bike handles great in the corners and can be pushed to it's limits if needed. This is a great ride and will be a fantastic bike for anyone looking to have a comfortable, versatile, and stable ride. Great job REI!

Service and delivery comments:

REI Plano provided me great service. They held the bike so I could come pick it up that afternoon and when I got there they were friend and helpful in facilitating a test ride. The bike was well put together and in great condition.

Comment on this review

Sep

2011

(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great Comuter

By Ciclismo

from Oakland, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Balanced
Comfortable
Versatile

Cons

Mushy Brakes

Best Uses

Commuting
Street Riding
Trail

Comments about Novara E.T.A. Bike - 2011:

I use this bike on a daily 7 mile urban commute, and on long weekend rides with some trails.

The bike is very comfortable; I feel as though my weight is well balanced between the handlebars, seat and pedals. The handling is also well balanced; I can cruise no-hands without much drama, but the bike will really dig into corners if I push it. I really like the wide handlebars, the cork grips are comfy and there's a nice flat area near the center if you want to stretch out for a bit.

The bike is pretty quick despite not being a light-weight. And it has a wide range of gears. The shifters are also quite nice.

The worst part of this bike is the brakes. They do nothing for about 60% of the lever travel, followed by some mushiness and squealing on the next 20% and wheel lock the rest of the way. I'm still fidgeting with the settings and debating whether or not to just upgrade to BB7's.

My only other complaint would be the q-factor on the cranks. They feel a little wide, but that's quite minor.

Overall, I would say the pro's more than outweigh the con's on this bike. It's a comfortable commuter with great handling and shifting.

Service and delivery comments:

I had lots of questions and the REI - Berkeley crew was patient and helpful. Thanks guys!