Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

GREEN APPLE

Novara Buzz Bike - 2012

$599.00

(8)

Item # 808781

REI Members get back an estimated $ 59.90 on this item as part of their annual member refund.

The REI Member Dividend

The REI dividend is a unique benefit of membership in the REI co-op. It's comprised of your member refund—typically 10% back on eligible purchases—and/or your REI Visa® card rebates.

Each March, active REI members and REI Visa cardholders who earned a rebate receive a refund in the form of an annual dividend notice.

Only active members receive annual dividend notices. To maintain your active status as an REI member, you need to make net merchandise or shipping purchases of at least $10 per year, unless you joined that year. Member numbers are issued in one name and only that person receives the member refund. Your number can be used by others in your family, but it cannot be transferred to someone else.

Questions? Call us at 1-800-426-4840 for more about your dividend or its redemption.

Learn more

This item may be available in your local REI store.

More videos

To view videos or use the zoom feature on REI's websites, please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

NOW PLAYING

Offering great value as a transportation solution, the Novara Buzz harks from our Mainline series of bikes, blending comfort and utility into a sturdy all-around ride.

Powder-coated 4130 chromoly frame and pinpoint fork offer a sturdy, heads-up ride that cruises up and down roads with a steely-smooth ride quality
24-speed drivetrain is made up of SRAM Via crankset, trigger shifters, rear derailleur and Shimano Alivio front derailleur, supplying easy, precise shifts
SRAM Via linear-pull brakes make sure work of speed management and offer plenty of clearance for fenders
Stout Weinmann DA19 rims are laced onto 36-hole, disc-compatible hubs to stand up to tough road conditions
Puncture-resistant Kenda tires feature a wide, stable footprint, all-around tread pattern and reflective sidewalls for enhanced visibility
Cockpit has been designed for comfort, thanks to the plush Velo Buzz saddle, mustache-style handlebar and cork grips
Frame and fork feature eyelets for fenders and a rear rack (sold separately)
Frame and fork also feature disc brake mounts, which, combined with the disc-compatible hubs, makes it easy to upgrade to disc brakes
Just get on and ride, no fancy shoes required—platform pedals accommodate a variety of shoes
Specs on our Novara Buzz 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 808781

View all Novara products

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

Manuals and Instructions:

manual Novara Owners Manual

Novara Buzz Bike - 2012 Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Bike commuting & touring

Hybrid bike

Steel

4130 chromoly

No suspension

Chromoly pinpoint

SRAM Via, 48/38/28

Truvativ PowerSpline

SRAM Via

Shimano Alivio

SRAM Via

SRAM PG-830 11-32, 8-speed

Rim brake

SRAM Via linear-pull

SRAM Via

Weinmann DA19

Joytec, 36h

700c

Kenda K-1024, 700x40c

Moustache bar

Lee Chi

Kalloy

Velo Buzz

FPD

FDP

KMC HG-40

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 Buzz Bike - 2012 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Buzz Bike - 2012

3.9

(based on 8 reviews)

83%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Tough (5)
Versatile (5)

Cons

Best Uses

Street riding (5)
Commuting (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (7)

Reviewed by 8 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-8

Apr

2011

(7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

solid street bike

By jabq

from Albuquerque, NM

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting
Short hauling

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

I bought this to replace a mountain bike that I had converted to commuter/grocery hauler. The frame is solid and the components are acceptable. I like the thumb shifters on the SRAM vs twist shifters you sometimes get with bikes like this. I really like the beefy eyelets for accessories. Often they are afterthoughts.

I think a previous reviewer was given some bad information about racks. I put a Topeak MTX rack on this rig with no problem and I know they make a version for disks.

This is a good, basic bike that is essentially bomb-proof. Don't worry about weight with a bike like this; load it up with bell, lights, fenders, anything.

Apr

2011

(6 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Reality Check

By too much rain

from Vancouver, WA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

If you love the bright green color of this bike (as the web and email ads show) you might be disappointed to find the green to be much different in the real world. It's a duller green, nice, but not as appealing as you see on your computer screen.

Jun

2011

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good crusing and commuting value for $..

By Gr8lnd

from Juneau, Alaska

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Decent components
Durable paint
Solid feel

Cons

Poor quality pedals
Somewhat awkward shifters

Best Uses

Commuting
General bopping around
Street Riding

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

I chose this bike because I wanted a steel (versus aluminum) frame, and for the powder coated paint. That the bike travelled 6555 miles before it got to my garage, and arrived without a scratch is an initial testament to the durability of the paint (and REI's packing job). Time will tell if it holds up to SE Alaska's harsh climate.
The bike assembled quickly, and I am impressed with the solid accuracy of the SRAM shifting system (this coming from an old Shimano/Suntour user), and with the stopping power of the brakes, despite the fact they're rim clinchers.
The ride is responsive and firm, and about what you would expect from a commuter/cruise model like this. With the up-right handlebar position and a weight of +30lbs., don't expect to win any weekend club races on this bike.
I like the trigger shifters over the twist-grip type, but the up-shift triggers takes some getting used to in that it involves a greater twist of the wrist in order to get your thumb around/forward to those triggers.
My only "con" is the pedals -- they obviously skimped on this feature since the bearings felt super-tight and like they were grinding. A person could disassemble them and repack the bearings in order to smooth things out, but I would recommend upgrading ASAP.
For commuting and general crusing I think the bike is fair value for the price.

Jun

2011

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Love this Bike!!

By KNewGirl

from Lakeville, MN

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

Recently I bought this bike when I decided to become a commuter. I tried out several bikes and this one was the most comfortable for this price range. Plus, I love the stylish color. In addition, I find it easy to switch gears. I am new to this so I would recommend this bike for someone like me who is starting out and wanting a less expensive bike.

Service and delivery comments:

I tried the bike out in the store. REI's customer service is fantastic!! They are not paid commission, so they give you their honest opinion and advice. They spent a lot of time educating me on my options.

Mar

2011

(2 of 14 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Could be better...Could be the 2010 Buzz

By robbit

from Seattle, WA

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Tough
Versatile

Cons

Hard to Configure

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

I bought this bike to commute to work. At first, I really fell in love with the bike. I took it for a test ride and decided to purchase it. The staff was great with setting up the bike as I wanted, but there was a problem--the rack that I wanted to use wouldn't fit due to the way the frame is built. Not a problem--I will just use a different rack, I thought. But then I was informed that if I installed a rack, I wouldn't be able to upgrade to disc breaks. I should have noted that as a deal breaker right there, but I went ahead and purchased it anyway.

I'll be returning the bike and trying to get the 2010 Big Buzz instead. It seems a lot more configurable and already has disc brakes installed. I feel like the 2011 is a bit of a step backward for the Novara Buzz.

It's a nice bike, but a rack for commuting is really nice to have, as are disc brakes!

Feb

2012

3.0

Big Buzz

By Rainbow Bright

from Bend, OR

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

The Big Buzz was the best model in this series. My 2008 Big Buzz never failed me. I loved the light weight aluminum frame, snappy responsive MTB geometry, disc brakes & perfect compnent group. Sadly it was destroyed in a car crash & that model is no longer available. It has been replaced by these steel wannabe fixies. Skip the trends and focus on functionality.
Please bring back the Big Buzz!

Jun

2011

5.0

One of the best bikes I have ever owned.

By jonthebikeguy

from Baltimore, MD

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Fun
Rugged
Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Commuting
Street Riding
Trail

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

This bike is an incredible steal at [$]. I own 6 bicycles 3 of which cost more than $1500 ( I used to work at a bike shop ) and this one sees the most action. It is the bike I make my 9 mile commute on 4 days a week. Its ultra comfortable but still sporty enough to zip in and out of traffic. The Sram Via components feel like something on a much more expensive bike. I also like the fact that this bike is spec'd with an 8 speed drive train. The frame isn't the lightest but it's sure nice to have riding on the "roads" in Baltimore. If you are looking for a versatile commuter that can also double for some light offroad duty with different tires at an incredible price, get this bike.

Jun

2011

4.0

as promised

By feez

from Rossland, B.C. Canada

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Balanced
Economical
Tough

Cons

Best Uses

Railgrades
Street Riding
Trail

Comments about Novara Buzz Bike - 2012:

After work cardio runs on blacktop mountain roads and crush gravel railbeds.This baby carries the mail! Instant,responsive shifting up and down.At a tad over 29#for a steel bike-very nice.Gearing near perfect for steep hills and straights.Comfy seat.In the cons dept.I am used to maes bars and find moustache bars a bit limiting,then again you don't smack into stuff.The colour is wild!