Novara Transfer Bike - 2012

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

This bike is theoretically well designed but I have had constant problems with it, unlike any other REI product I have owned. The problems started with extremely poor assembly by REI Reading MA - this was a gift at Christmas and back ordered, and they did a really poor job - back wheel falling off, front skewer flopping, rack coming loose. Then I brought it in in the spring for the 100 mile checkup and they screwed that up royally, too. I told them that the bottom bracket was clunking and they did NOT EVEN CHECK IT! I got some excuses about how they were "all skiing guys" at the time of assembly, but that doesn't excuse the spring failure to check complaints on the service list! Also, the handlebars kept coming loose and they didn't check that, either. Sloppy!

So I then took the bike to Boston REI where I hoped that they might have actual and competent mechanics for bikes(hooray! They do!), explained the situation, and made them completely check over the assembly, fix it and replace the bottom bracket, which had completely failed by then.

After the reassembly, I had very few problems for about three years, save for the rack spitting bolts because the mounts were underengineered to take the weight of two light commuter panniers. I found hardware that fit that is strong enough and fixed that myself.

Also, when the light bulb burned out, the entire lamp had to be replaced since REI and nobody outside of Japan carries the bulb it seems. Again, service was not helpful, but my local bike shop couldn't locate it, either.

Now the bike is 5 years old. Yes it has been heavily used in all weather, as it is a comfortable and sweet ride aside from the assembly deficiencies. That said, it now has a new trick: it keeps spitting out the bottom bracket. I suspect that the frame may be cracked or that the housing is out of spec. I have the tools and cleaned and reassembled the pedals once with loctite and following all of Sheldon Brown's directions.

And it spat it out again after another 500 miles. It completely rocks itself out of the frame without damaging the threads. No one I know who bikes and wrenches their own bikes has EVER seen such a thing! I noticed this time that the frame part that holds the bracket flanges out a bit on the crank side - either the frame has warped or it has been out-of-spec all along or was damaged in the initial misassembly.

At this point, I am weighing my options. Suffice it to say, this shouldn't happen to a bike this old and, especially, from a company that prides itself on proper service and high quality. I don't know if I should ask for a replacement or partial refund or just buy a new, non-Novara bike. The design was reasonable, the ride was wonderful, and it is a very good bike to ride when it is working ... but I depend on this bike to get me around town and commute and I can't trust it anymore.

Service and delivery comments:

Serious assembly deficiencies - I had to make them totally reassemble the bike. Service people did not listen when I told them to check bottom bracket at 100 mile service and I had to take it back and make them fix it. The rear wheel was falling off because it wasn't torqued properly. The rack is poorly designed for loads it is rated at and had to be kludged to stop spitting mounting nuts even after reassembly. The headlight lamp is not sold in the US and REI does not stock it.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

I'm more of a bike tinkerer than anything else. I ride it a few miles a day (to work or the grocery store) so when purchasing my top priorities were comfort and accessories (since I'm kind of lazy and didn't want to going adding pieces). It's an easy ride and the complete package with fenders, bell, bike rack and lovely little front (generator powered) and rear (battery powered) lights. It's a little on the heavy side, but that's not surprising with all the accessories. Only real complaint is it can feel a little bumpy on poorly maintained streets, but even that isn't terrible. Overall I'm very happy with it.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

I've had this bike for about a year. I have a tandem bike (a buddybike to share with my young son who has Asperger's) and that bike has internal gears. Man, I love that, so for my own bike I reallllllly wanted that feature.

I also knew pretty specifically what I wanted in a bike:

bike rack
headlights/tail lights
internal gears (as mentioned)
fenders
chain guard
step through bike

Basically, I wanted a European styled comuter bike. Electra sells them and I tested several models, but they were so much pricier than the Novara Transfer.

I wanted to ride around town. I live in a planned community where everything is easily accessible by bike (Columbia, MD). The library, the post office, the grocery store, the schools, the mall, even the hospital.

My plan was to stop driving for daily errands, but to ride my bike. To do that, the bike had to be comfortable and something I could ride even when wearing a skirt. I knew trail riding and serious riding wasn't what I wanted, so I didn't want a bike designed for that either.

And then I found this bike. It was still pricey, but it was worth the price for sure. I only have two quibbles. One, the really ugly colors - seriously, a women's bike that is tan and darker tan? Seriously? On a recreation bike? Second quibble is that I bought a Burley Travoy to attach to it to go to the grocery store (in addition to panniers for the bike rack) and the bike rack is too long in it's designated postion to use the Travoy. I had to shift things around in the set up to make it closer to the seat to make the Travoy work.

The fenders are a little noisy when going over bumps and stuff, but that's to be expected - they are metal and metal clanks when jostled around.

It handles well and the gears change effortlessly. I change them all the time, much more frequently than when I had regular gear shifters. And I find 7 gears enough for my town which is fairly hilly.

I did change out the seat, but the seat that comes with it is pretty comfortable compared to many.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

My wife and I have had matching versions of this bike for 6 months now. I am a regular commuting cyclist over short and flat terrain. The gears are just enough to get up to any speed and enough to get over some mild hills. I wouldn't think about climbing in the Sierras with it, but that's not its primary function anyway.

I've loaded it up with panniers full of groceries and a case of wine and it delivers. The frame holds stiff despite the added baggage. Of course, there's a trade off - the bike is heavy. My wife would have a tough time trying to mount the bike to a bus rack and consequently has not tried it.

The complaint about the rear wheel not being field servicable is a reasonable precaution for those with little to know bicycle repair experience. If you can adjust your own derailer on a standard box, you will not have a problem fixing a flat (not that the two are congruous here).

Obviously the appeal of this bicycle is its value (price and utility). There's no question this bike is high in value - particularly when considering that it comes with all the turnkey solutions for the commuter. Commuter bikes shouldn't be that tricked out or sexy except with those things that make commuting easier. This one is a turnkey solution without regard to weight. That's important for people like my wife and me. I can leave the road racer at home and bring along the ipad or laptop and coffee in a front basket. As a car replacement, I have this one setup perfectly and actually hate driving to work.

CONS
The included tertiary accessories tend to break fairly easily. Specifically, the bell contained in the front brake handle breaks way too easily (both my wife and I have suffered this fate). The front hub generated light snaps off (permanently) when the handlebar turn radius approaches 300 degrees (obviously not whilst in motion). Say you are loading the bike on a rack or into a car. If you aren't careful the front headlight will say goodnight forever.

Other than these basic flaws, the bike is a winner and I'd buy two more if these weren't such workhorses.

Oh and not that it matters, but in its current configuration my wife and I get complements on it virtually every time were out (even from repeat viewers). It's a beautiful, fun commuter that does the job and has some curb appeal as well.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

I bought this bike to get to work, to the grocery store, and around town. After 40 years of riding spirited road bikes, I knew that a commuter bike would be very different so I've ridden the Transfer for 5 months now to give it a fair assessment.

The Novara Transfer is an excellent value. I looked hard for a bike with 7 or 8 internal gears, a front hub dynamo, fenders, a rack, and an upright riding stance. The Transfer was the only bike that came close that was within my price range.

The bike is comfortable and handles well. The seat is great—I've had serious problems with numbness in my legs and other places that I'd rather retain feeling in, thank you, and a decent seat is the key. The handlebars are a good shape but could stand to be a bit longer. Nice grips and brake levers. The pedals allow me to ride in flip-flops. They are a bit slick when wet. I installed folding baskets on the sturdy steel rack, it easily holds two loaded bags of groceries. When loaded, the kickstand does not support the bike well, I'm going to get a sturdier one. I'm grateful for the chain guard, especially when riding to work in light colored pants.

The brakes do well even in wet weather. The Shimano 7 speed internally geared rear hub is great. Being able to shift at a stop is a great asset. The gearing range is fine for my Kansas town with its moderate hills; I rarely use the lowest gear.

The front hub dynamo is great. Paired with the Basta headlight, which stays on when you stop, it casts sufficient light to see—and be seen—at night. I have trouble understanding why the taillight is battery driven rather than wired to the dynamo, I intend to change that soon. Reflective tires are another smart safety component.

The bike is quite heavy because of all the great commuter components and I was a bit shocked at first. I've adjusted, I just don't go as fast. The frame has an odd piece between the seat tube and the top tube that probably makes the frame more rigid—a good thing—but it doesn't look good. I almost didn't buy the bike because of this but remembered I'm not in a fashion show and so went ahead. The tan and brown paint job is handsome but pretty subdued, and it scratches easily.

Overall I'm happy I bought the Transfer and it serves me well as all-weather transportation. It has a few drawbacks, but, again, for the price, there's little that comes close.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

I share a 2010 version of this bike, and find it great for short hops to the office, post office, or grocery. Well-equipped, it does great with baskets and loads strapped to the rear rack. As a bonus the fit and finish are first rate - a real looker of a bike. Did have to take to the shop for a seat post that wouldn't stay at the right height, though.
Do find this bike really heavy. My other city bike - a steel MTB with fenders and rack - is much lighter and is better for longer rides (over five miles). Would also take a look at the range of the internal gearing if you live in a hilly place - regardless of fitness level. A wider range could be had with a cassette and rear derailleur, of course with the added maintenance issues.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

This is a great commuter bike set with all the critical features that make for a good commute, from the built in bell (there are louder ones but this one works fine), rack, fenders, dynamo headlight, rear sensor light, and chain guard. And if you like retro styling with updated components, this is your bike.

I bought this bike in Seattle and rode it around Seattle and Portland on vacation before shipping it home to New York City. The 7-speeds were challenging in Seattle -- I don't recommend it for that town as a regular commuter -- it probably is too hilly unless you are interested in building up some real stamina. It was fine in the less hilly parts of Portland. To be clear, it's fine on hills, but it you live somewhere with a good deal of steep grades over most of your commute, this is probably not the bike for you. I have a couple of miles of moderate climbs on my New York commute (we do have real hills here) and it's fine (although I wouldn't try it in Riverdale). It is on the heavy side, but this is a plus for this commuter, as that gives it a nice solid feel and ride.

I haven't noticed that it is particularly prone to paint scratches as some reviewers have noted. The one downside is that compared with my older commuter/hybrid this bike does not "like" loaded panniers as much -- I think this is mostly because it has fewer speeds (about 14 fewer) than the other bike, so it tends to feel a little more draggy in contrast. That said, I road around Portland with loaded panniers for two days and was fine.

This is an all-around solid commuter bike that has all the features you need to get started commuting. It's also great for pleasure rides. I even rode 3/4 of a century on it recently -- slower than others, but a great ride for those not concerned with speed.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

I purchased the Transfer in February of 2011, and have been commuting on it rain or shine on a daily basis (first in Oakland, now in Davis).
While it's heavy, it is also very sturdy, stable, and reliable. It's a very attractive bike and has all of the built in features I was looking for: chain guards, fenders, a rack, and front and rear lights. I have found the gears perfect for the Oakland hills, and overkill for the extreme flatness of Davis. This bike gets complements from strangers on a weekly basis.
Previous reviewers' complaints about weight and gears may be a more a function of their lack of physical fitness than any deficit on the bike's part.
Make sure to purchase a u-bolt long enough to accommodate the distance between the bike's frame and front wheels - it's a bit longer than average it seems.

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

This is a lovely looking bike but is way too heavy. I had trouble getting it on the rack on the bus, in the vertical bike racks at work, on the bike rack.

It also doesn't have enough low gears for Seattle hills . . .

Comments about Novara Transfer Bike - 2012:

I love it! It's just the right bike for me. I mostly commute and shop on my bike these days. My long bike club rides on drop bars are a thing of the past since I injured my spine 5 years ago. I wanted a steel frame for smoothness - hate aluminum. I wanted a 7-8 speed internal hub, lights, fenders, rack, 700cc wheels, and upright riding position. This bike has them all. Classically handsome looking - kinda like old school gets updated. It seems like the paint chips too easily - my only complaint.