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Novara Portal Bike - 2013

$381.59
$449.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 15%

(7)

Item # 825408

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Versatile and fun, the Novara Portal mountain bike takes to trails, pulls a trailer and cruises around the cul-de-sac with ease.

Sturdy aluminum frame offers up a comfortable geometry for confident, upright riding; frame and fork feature disc brake tabs for an easy upgrade down the road
Suntour XCM V3 suspension fork supplies 100mm of travel to smooth out rough trails, paths and potholes
SRAM derailleurs offer smooth, reliable shifts, which are guided by the easy-to-use SRAM trigger shifters
Linear-pull brakes provide sure stopping power
Along with the frame and fork disc brake tabs, the hubs are disc-ready for a powerful, economical upgrade
Kenda combo tires handle transitions from trails to gravel roads with smooth-rolling performance and long wear
Comes equipped with platform pedals—no special shoes required
Specs on the Novara Portal mountain bike are subject to change

All bicycles sold at REI include a free warranty tune-up. New bikes go through a normal break-in period, after which readjustment is important for longevity and performance. Bring your new bike in to your local REI for its free tune-up within 20 hours of use or 6 months from purchase, whichever comes first. Contact your nearest REI bike shop to schedule this important service.

Imported.

Item 825408

Save 15%

on this bike through May 27!

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Novara Portal Bike - 2013 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Portal Bike - 2013

4.3

(based on 7 reviews)

86%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Handles well (5)
Rugged (3)
Smooth ride (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Casual trails (5)
Cross country (3)
Free riding (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (6)

Reviewed by 7 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-7

Sep

2012

(1 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

fit me, but not my life

By TakeItOutside

from Boulder, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

I want to be able to take this bike to the bike park and mt bike trails with my husband and kids. We live 1,000 vertical feet above Boulder, and my kids and I aren't ready to ride all the way home, so I need to be able to take it down to town in order to ride.

The problem started when I wheeled the bike out to my truck- the small triangular frame would not fit on my bike rack. I've got a SwingDaddy 4- and the only way we could get the bike on was to shove it onto the very tips of the rack, where it shoved the tie-ons back out of the way, as well.

This did not feel safe to me. I went back into the store and got the short bike gal to come out and help, and she told me, "that's just the way it goes", that her bike is always out on the tips of her rack as well.

On my way back home, I stopped at a local bike shop where I had previously test-ridden a Rockhopper. I tried it on the rack, and it had about an inch more room than the REI bike.

Since the REI was not on sale at REI, the Rockhopper was about the same price, so I had to go with it and return the REI bike.

Bikes that fit you are good, but they also have to fit your racks, in order to take them biking!

Service and delivery comments:

I was impressed by the knowledge of the REI bike department. They helped me evaluate many similar bikes, and measured me within an inch of my life. Even though I'm definitely shaped like a woman, they told me that because of my long torso, this guy's bike was a better fit for me.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Basic, but nice bang for the buck.

By Troy the BMW Rider

from Clackamas, OR

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cheap Enough
Good Appearance
Handles Well

Cons

Saddle Made Me Go Numb
Small Components Fell Off

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

It is a good bike, for the price. Seems to be more of a starter bike. The biggest issue I had was the saddle. I had to replace it, because it was making my man parts go numb....

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

4.0

Nice bike

By pie lady

from Seeley Lake, MT

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Rugged

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

I purchased this bike for my daughter who was moving up to a gear bike. I was a bit worried about spending so much on a bike for a child that would be growing out of it, but I know that she will get lots of use out of it. We have gone for many rides and she absolutely loves the bike! Once she got used to shifting gears, she loves the fact that she can ride up hills much easier than she could on her old bike. The gears shift easily too. THe only downside of this bike is that it is quite heavy, compared to my more expensive cyclocross bike, but I guess that is to be expected for the price. Over all, a great bike!

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

not bad for the price

By Jim

from San Diego, Ca

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Lightweight
Smooth Ride

Cons

Bike seat does moves

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Downhill
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

I used the bike for weekend riding along the lake and some off roading. Bike handles well on hard surfaces, and mid level trails. Took the bike on a steep climbs and semi permissive beach/sand trail and it did ok. The mid level hill climb became a bit difficult as portions of the trail were on some rock. One main issue/concern is the bike seat. Although clamped firmly in place, it still moves left or right depending on trail surface (problem) and body positioning.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent buy for the money

By orhto47

from NYC, NY

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

I got this bike for my 11y.o. son. He loves riding it. I like that for the price I saved about a hundred dollars comparing to similar models from Big Brands. Very solid ride, quality components. Great colors too. I expect my son will be able to use it for the next 4-5 years. The only downside that it's heavy. However, within this price range that was expected.

Comment on this review

May

2012

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great purchase

By CCfromBend

from Bend, OR

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

This bike is the best purchase I've made in a long time. I haven't ridden since I was a kid, so I just wanted an all-around good bike to ride some easy trails and cruise around the neighborhood. I have since purchased a Weehoo from REI to pull my son around as well, and the Portal handles it no problem. Highly recommend both!

Comment on this review

Apr

2012

(3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A great puchase!

By Borlin

from Sanford, NC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Uncomfortable seat

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Portal Bike - 2013:

I ride this bike daily on a mixture of roads and trails, and have been extremely happy with it so far. The seat is a bit uncomfortable even after breaking it in, but that's easily fixed. A great purchase! I would buy this again.