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PEARL GRAY

Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013

$679.09
$799.00^*

REDUCED PRICE You Save 15%

(7)

Item # 837480

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Ready for singletrack bliss, our Novara Matador 29er hardtail mountain bike is outfitted with powerful hydraulic disc brakes and a plush 80mm fork for big-wheeled, big-smiling fun.

Butted 6061 aluminum frame features an S-bend down tube and bent seat tube for enhanced handling and performance
SR Suntour XCR MLO 29 suspension fork offers 80mm of travel, preload adjustment and lockout; magnesium lowers, alloy steer tube and crown offer weight savings
27-speed drivetrain makes for easy spinning on varying terrain; SRAM X5 shifters guide the X5 rear derailleur and Microshift front derailleur for snappy shifts
Tektro Gemini hydraulic disc brakes maintain consistent performance in all conditions
Weinmann rims use double-wall construction for strength and are decked out with WTB Nano Comp tires for excellent traction
Specs on the our Novara Matador 29er hardtail 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.

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Item 837480

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Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013 Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013

4.3

(based on 7 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Handles well (6)
Rugged (6)
Great components (4)
Smooth ride (4)
Versatile (4)

Cons

Best Uses

Casual trails (6)
Cross country (5)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (6)

Reviewed by 7 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-7

May

2013

4.0

Seriously worth every penny

By BohemianJoe

from Houston, TX

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Commuting
Cross Country
Single Track

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

I have last year's model, and let me say this bike has been good to me. Since it looks like the only big thing that has changed is an upgrade to hydraulic brakes, I thought I would give my thoughts and update last year's review.

The Matador is my first bike since childhood so I have made many beginner mistakes in maintenance and use, but it has handled it very well. As a heavy guy (started last year at 230 lb and down to 210 now) I have pushed this bike to its limits riding technical Texas rock gardens and winding single track with considerable drops, but the frame has held up just fine.

The 29ers make all the difference on the technical trails. I honestly can't imagine hardtail life before them. Big rocks are still big rocks as you go up hill, but you CAN manage them with the big wheels. They also make fast downhill single track just plain fun. The 29ers also make my 4 mile commute a relative breeze and I have ridden up to 36 mile stretches with them.

At this point, I have two complaints. The most annoying one is the drive train. It can be finicky. However, it does teach you to start simplifying your ride and picking the best line instead of shifting around all the time. The other bit is the 80 mm of travel. If you are looking at doing drops more than a foot or two, you will start bottoming out.

That said, I have easily put 1000 miles on this bike between commuting and mtb and I am EXTREMELY pleased with it. I strongly suggest this bike to anyone looking to try mountain biking or updating to 29ers without breaking the bank.

Comment on this review

May

2013

5.0

Rediscovering bike rides

By sirpatella

from Orange County CA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Lightweight
Smooth Ride

Cons

Saddle

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

It's been 15+ years since I've owned a bike. The Novara Matador 29er Bike offered a great value and good starting point to biking. I've had the bike for almost a month and have traveled 130+ miles. I have the XL frame - makes such a difference (I'm 6'3").

The bike is great. Modern shifters make changing gears quick and easy. The disk breaks are exceptional - you can stop on a dime.

The stock saddle on the bike is really hard. Yes, I'm new to biking but it was too hard. I replaced it and it made a huge difference.

Comment on this review

May

2013

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

My first mountain bike

By NickP

from Las Vegas

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Handles Well
Lightweight
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Downhill
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

People say it's great looking bike.I mainly use it for trails and on the street too.THe staff at REI was very helpfull with installing new grips and in explaining things.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

4.0

Good all around bike

By Not so fast eddie

from Southfield,MI

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

Nice bike,but a bit heavy.It will be a good servent though.Smooth shifting and brakes!

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good Buy

By Devil Pup

from Washington County, Oregon

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

I usually ride in the morning before I go to work (swing shift) about ten to 16 miles depending on the time of year and weather.

I am a bigger stature person and the hybrid bike I had bought last year from another store was always plagued with problems. The back wheel spokes kept breaking. I changed rims and the spokes stopped breaking. Then everytime I went for a ride the inner tube kept going flat.

I had a bike from REI that served me for years and I decided to go back to REI for a new one. Because of the problems I was having I was looking for a sturdier bike. I came across the Navara Matador. Even though it's a mountain bike and I am not going to do much trail riding I figured it will stand up better with less down time.

This is mountain bike and it comes equipped for trail riding. I upgraded the saddle the day I bought it, because I knew the one it comes wouldn't meet my needs. After riding for a week two things I noticed for my type of riding. The handle bars are set low. If you are going to ride for any distance being hunched over that far is very uncomfortable. Also the hand grips are spiky and uncomfortable to hold on to. I took the bike back to REI to have them put a riser stem on the handlebars and upgrade to the hand grips.

It is like a totally different bike now. I can sit comfortably now and the grips feel good. The gear shifters are kind of different until you figure them out. The big paddle is easy to reach. The little paddle you have to take your thumb and reach under the hand grip. Kind of awkward when you first do it, but after a few times easy. This bike has great gears and comes with hydraulic disc brakes. The bike has been performing great. Because it is a mountain bike it takes a little more effort to peddle because of the beefier tires. But if it is not breaking down, I am on the road and that's what counts.

Service and delivery comments:

I bought this bike during a sale that gave me a good price. And all the REI associates and bike technicians were all courteous and very helpful.

Comment on this review

Mar

2013

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Excellent Bike for the Price!

By Geoku

from Tomball, TX

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails
Cross Country
Free Riding

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

I use this bike three times a week on some agressive local trails. With nice jumps and plenty of technical drops and climbs.
Handles well thru it all.

After three months of hitting this trails I have no complaints.

Good 29er for the price.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

GREAT bike for the money

By browncoat

from Henderson, NV

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Great Components
Handles Well
Rugged
Smooth Ride
Versatile

Cons

Best Uses

Casual Trails

Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:

Great ride. Still trying to figure the gears out, but really fun. Excellent for rides with the family, a solo adventure, or even a trip to the store.

Added a rear rack to the bike because it is a great grocery store ride.