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COASTAL GRAY

Novara Fusion Bike - 2012

$999.00

(3)

Item # 808783

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Part of our Mainline series, the Novara Fusion is a smart approach to transportation. With a commuter-friendly build that includes lights, fenders and a rack, it's ready to help you bike your drive!

Fusion is all about commuting and delivers the confidence and performance to pull off long rides in any weather, at any time of day
Frame offers an easy-mount design; powder-coated steel construction provides a smooth ride quality and delivers plenty of strength to withstand regular use on rough roads
Shimano Alfine internally geared rear hub provides 8 smooth-shifting speeds and is remarkably maintenance free compared to conventional cassette systems
Shimano RapidFire trigger shifter quickly snaps through the 8 gears; paired with its 20T rear cog, the Alfine system has a gear range equivalent to a 12 - 38T cassette
Basta LED headlight is powered by an Alfine dynamo front hub and remains on for 4 min. after stopping to ensure your path is lit, even when stopping for lights
Battery-powered taillight provides rear visibility and is motion- and photo-sensitive; battery indicator lets you know when its time to replace the battery
Shimano mechanical disc brakes provide positive stopping power no matter the terrain or weather—great for worry-free navigating on rainy days
Tektro brake levers feature an integrated bell to alert others of your whereabouts
Rear rack quickly accepts panniers and trunk bag (sold separately), letting you tote along your essentials with ease
Puncture-resistant Vittoria Randonneur tires feature reflective sidewalls, sure grip and a fast, smooth ride
Cockpit has been designed for comfort, thanks to the plush Velo saddle, mustache-style handlebar, cork grips and height-adjustable quill stem
Rounding out the package are fenders and chain guard to keep clothes protected; kickstand makes storage/parking easy
Just get on and ride, no fancy shoes required—alloy platform pedals accommodate a variety of shoes
Specs on the Novara Fusion 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.

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Item 808783

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Manuals and Instructions:

manual Novara Owners Manual

Novara Fusion Bike - 2012 Specs

Specification

Description

Best use

Bike commuting & touring

Hybrid bike

Steel

Chromoly 4130

No suspension

Chromoly pinpoint

SR, 42t

SR square taper

Shimano Alfine

Shimano, 20t

Disc brake

Shimano BR-M416-L, mechanical disc

Tektro

Weinmann SEC-16

Shimano Alfine Dynamo, 36h

Shimano Alfine, 36h

700c

Vittoria Randonneur, 700x35

Moustache bar

Lee Chi

Kalloy

Velo

FPD

KMC Z99

37.3 pounds

How we measure bike weight

Unisex

Bike style

Bike frame material

Frame

Bike suspension

Fork

Crankset

Bottom bracket

Shifters

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 Fusion Bike - 2012 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Fusion Bike - 2012

4.0

(based on 3 reviews)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 3 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-3

May

2011

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great Urban Ride

By NoPo Matt

from Portland, OR

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Cool add ons standard
Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Burley hitch incompatible
Heavy

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Fusion Bike - 2012:

I commute to work 4 miles each way (and 8 miles if it's my day to haul the kiddo to daycare in the trailer - more on that later) about 4 days a week, and I was looking for a reliable, well-built, low maintenance commuter. I'm not the type to go on long rides on the weekends or sign up for a century. Point A to Point B is pretty much how I roll.

Enter: Fusion. The Fusion comes with so many nice features out of the box. Fenders, rack, disc brakes, a bell, front-wheel-generating headlight, and the super-smooth-shifting Shimano Alfine 8-gear internal hub. I couldn't find a bike at this price point that had nearly this much good stuff that comes standard, and that was before I applied my 20% off coupon back in April.

I had never ridden a bike with an internal hub, and wanted to make sure it had the range to go up and down some modest hills on my commute. This hasn't been a problem - I'm only in first or 8th gear with steep hills... The range is great, and the shifting is like buttah. As a bonus, it's nice having the entire shifting operation on one side of the bike. Also, having disc brakes in the rain (since I live in Portland) is pretty huge - the improvement over my old bike with cantilever brakes is immeasurably positive.

The handlebar setup makes the ride super comfortable - it lets you sit upright, which I find helpful on the road where having a wide field of vision is important. The only tradeoff on that front is wind resistance, but that's marginal.

Only two downsides that make this short of a 5. The first is that it's heavy, but I knew that going into the purchase. This is minor tradeoff that I was definitely willing to make given the other amenities. It's a lot of metal, but the metal is super functional.

The other slightly annoying thing I discovered was that I have a Burley Solo trailer for my 18 month old son, and getting the hitch installed was problematic. Burley has two types of hitches - one that you can't use with a bike that has disc brakes (so that was out), and the other standard hitch that doesn't fit this bike. I'd have to use a diagram to explain it, but the forged aluminum hitch (which is pretty small) is too big for the Fusion's small cutout where the hub meets the frame. To solve this, I had to buy a metal file and file down a significant portion of the hitch. I'm sure Burley wouldn't officially approve and I'm a horrible unsafe parent or something, but it's done just fine as a workaround.

All around, it's a great bike. I've been riding it for almost two months now, and I'm guessing it'll be the only bike I'll need for a good decade or three.

May

2011

(7 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Geared hub and disk brakes for commuters

By Roostar

from San Jose, CA

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Fusion Bike - 2012:

I have commuted about 17 miles a day for over 3 months on this bike rain or shine. The internal geared 8 speed covers most commuter needs though you might need a lower gear if you have lots of hills.

Dynamo light is nice safety light on front. But rear Basta lamp chews through the batteries so I use an alternate.

Some components may not be as good as expected on this relatively expensive commuter bicycle. Traded out the 70 psi std tires for some 100 psi ones for an easier commute. Chain wore out after only 3 mo (?) with winter rains and road dirt despite regular lube. REI replaced it.

Now I already have loose rear spokes and have to re-true the wheel.

A generally good commuter ride, where you can easily shift through all 8 gears without derailleur troubles. But not quite up to the promise: "Fusion is all about commuting and delivers the confidence and performance to pull off long rides in any weather, at any time of day." I have to take the bus now until I get time to fix the rear wheel.

Jun

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Love the Bike

By Marcene

from Boise, ID

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Stylish
Tough
Versatile

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Street Riding

Comments about Novara Fusion Bike - 2012:

My husband had been trying for some time to get me to buy a new bike. I loved my old bike, but it was a little big for me. He showed me the Fusion and explained the features and said it was an anniversary gift. I was immediately sold! After a trial ride, it followed us home.

I thought I was not able to ride as fast as on my old bike. However, on a ride yesterday, I was waaaay ahead of my husband. I think that the heaviness of the bike makes it seem like it's going more slowly.

The bike feels so solid and safe.

I just can't wait to put more miles on it!