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Novara Forza Bike - 2013

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Product Description,
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Reviews

Ready to roll, our Novara Forza bike is outfitted with a cushy suspension fork and offers an upright, comfort-oriented ride for riding around town, on bike paths or commuting.

Sturdy aluminum frame features a relaxed geometry to offer stable handling; flat handlebar places the rider in a comfortable, upright riding position
Suspension fork provides 63mm of travel to smooth out rough roads; you can lock the suspension out when it isn't needed
24 smooth-shifting gears let you spin easy no matter the terrain or grade
Tektro brakes and levers offer confident speed management
Comfort-oriented grips and bar ends help support hands
Freedom Ryder Sport tires and Weinmann rims provide a smooth-rolling ride for cruising efficiently along roads and bike lanes
Accommodates a rear rack and fenders front and back (sold separately), making the Forza great for commuting or running errands
Specs on our Novara Forza 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 825432

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Novara Forza Bike - 2013 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Forza Bike - 2013

4.4

(based on 16 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Handles well (14)
Comfortable (13)
Attractive (11)
Durable (8)
Lightweight (8)

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting (9)
Road biking (7)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (10), Commuter (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (16)

Reviewed by 16 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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May

2013

4.0

Swiss Army Bike

By Cearbhaill

from Marlton, NJ

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Durable
Handles Well
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

All-purpose Biking
Commuting

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

Just started biking last year, and this was billed to me as the "Swiss Army Knife of bikes," in that it could do most things well enough. It's not a road bike, but you can take some long rides comfortably, and it's not a mountain bike, but you can leave the road safely. It's just perfect for commuting/getting around town.

I found myself mostly road biking, so I just purchased a dedicated road bike. It's a big improvement. That said, I kept the Forza as my utility player. Solid bike.

Comment on this review

May

2013

5.0

Fantastic Value

By Highlands Bill

from Denver, CO

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Comfortable
Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

This bike is efficient, light, and great value for the money. I ride it around town as an alternate to driving when weather permits. Also ride on city trails

Comment on this review

May

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Awesome Bike and Reasonable Price

By BudleyB

from Pacific Grove, CA

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Road Biking

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

Looking for a hybrid bike at a reasonable price. Lightweight, maneuverable, fun to ride. Great buy when on sale for 20% off!!!

Comment on this review

Mar

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Novara Forza Bike

By CarrollB

from Baltimore, MD

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Comfortable
Good Value For The Money
Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

None at this time

Best Uses

Road Biking

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

I've only ridden about 15 miles on this so far because of the cold weather. I ride mostly paved trails in parks and on rail/trails. I appreciate the front suspension as the trails in the local park have some bumps from the tree roots. I am surprised at how smoothly it shifts and so far the saddle has been comfortable.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(3 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

Good cruzing bike

By Kazach

from Tacoma, Washington

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Durable
Handles Well

Cons

Seat Is Too Skinny

Best Uses

Road Biking

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

Good front shocks. The seat is unconfortably narrow for an older rider. It could use a larger front gear cover to keep you pant leg out of the gears. Over all it's very stylish and easy to ride.

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

(31 of 32 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Fun - but only after upgrades

By DC biker

from Washington, DC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Lightweight

Cons

Cheap tires
Spongy brakes

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

I bought the Novara Forza as a second bike during REI's 20% off period for members in spring 2012, so it was an REI product for hardly more than some cheap chain store brands. I wanted something a little sportier for weekends than my Trek 7300 commuter bike, but still a machine that was mainstream enough to be used by house guests coming out with me on the trails around DC/VA/MD. The Forza looks great, seems noticeably lighter than the Trek, and has a handlebar with a relatively narrow spread, which makes it feel tight and fun to ride on winding trails. However a few upgrades are essential. Firstly, the supplied tires are horrible: they are a bulbous shape without a distinct front and side walls. The result is that when you turn to the left or right, they want to drag you further in the direction you're turning. (Yes, even properly inflated.) I replaced them with a couple of Kenda Kouriers with puncture protection and this single alteration has grown my confidence in this bike, and love of riding it, immensely. Secondly, the saddle is basic and has no suspension: you'll either need a good pair of bike shorts, or to replace it with a better hybrid saddle with springs for damping. That said, there is front fork suspension which you can turn on and off, and the gears shift pretty much flawlessly (though the levers on the handlebar are noticeably low end compared with the similarly-priced Trek). Finally, the brakes: they're spongy, no matter how much they're adjusted. They will bring the bike reliably to a halt, but only when you pull the levers well in towards the handlebars. Sound like the cable needs tighening? I've done that, and so has an REI technician, to the point where he told me he didn't think he should make them any tighter. It's fine once you get used to it, but does it mean I'll need to keep adjusting the brakes as the pads wear down? In summary, I'm happy with the Forza given the price I paid and the purpose I bought it for. The other day I rode home 15 miles down the Rock Creek trail in heavy rain, and with the bike's stable geometry, responsive gears and the improved tires, it never once came close to skidding on the wet paved surface. Imagine it actually being fun to ride that distance in the rain! That said, though, if I'd paid full price for the bike I'd probably have been a little disappointed: it's possible to get lower end Cannondales, Treks and Raleighs that have better components and would not need the extra hundred bucks or so to get the basics right.

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

good bike for riding around nyc

By nchmura

from new york, ny

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Durable
Handles Well

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

I use this bike to commute to work and other destinations in NYC -- I've been putting around 35 miles per week on it on city streets and bridges. It is comfortable for city riding (lots of breaking and accelerating) and certainly lighter than my former mountain bike. It is not a road bike but I will probably take it on some longer rides in the 50-100 mile range eventually. Although lighter than my former mountain bike, it has been holding up well to the abuse of the city and it would probably be fine on gravel trails -- I haven't punctured the tires yet!! Overall, great value and great for the city!

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Couldn't be happier

By AMJD78

from Westbury, NY

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Comfortable
Durable
Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting
Light Trails
Road Biking

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

i bought this bike a couple of weeks ago and i have already put over 400 miles on it. This bike is very comfortable to ride. I have done a couple of 55+mile rides and feels great. you wont be disappointed in this purchase.

Comment on this review

May

2012

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Bike

By pititaria

from Portland, OR

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Comfortable
Durable
Great Components
Handles Well
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

I got this bike about two weeks ago to use as a commuter bike and I have loved it. I am 6'6" and so purchased the XL frame. I love that it is plenty big. This is the first time that I have ever owned a bike that is actually large enough for me. I have found that it shifts smoothly and handles well.

The places that it has for mounting accessories to the frame seem weirdly placed. It's got the traditional one on the slanted post, but has an additional spot on the upright post that seems too close to the front derailleur to be able to mount anything. I tried to mount my drink cage (the Java cage sold at REI) to that mount and it didn't fit properly. No problem really as it fit on the other just fine. I'm trying to see if I can find a small frame pump for that spot.

The only real downside is that apparently everybody else also knows it is a great bike so it was backordered. It took over a month to get it, but I have been pleased with REI's commitment to making this as pleasant a shopping experience as possible considering the circumstances.

Comment on this review

May

2012

4.0

Good Bike

By rich83

from Durham, NC

About Me Commuter

See all my reviews

Pros

Attractive Design
Comfortable
Great Components
Handles Well

Cons

Best Uses

Commuting

Comments about Novara Forza Bike - 2013:

The bike has worked great for commuting. Before this I used a mountain bike and this has given me a much smoother ride. The narrower tires seem efficient and it handles bumps well. I leave the shocks switched off since I stay on the road.

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