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Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013
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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
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Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013 Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Handles well (7)
- Rugged (6)
- Versatile (5)
- Great components (4)
- Smooth ride (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Casual trails (6)
- Cross country (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (7)
Reviewed by 8 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-8
Pros
- Handles Well
- Versatile
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Cross Country
- Single Track
Comments about Novara Matador 29er Bike - 2013:
I used to ride road-bikes, but had been out of biking for a few years. Decided to take up mountain biking. Grabbed a 2012 model Matador at REI during a sale. Great price. Very glad I went and got advice from the staff at REI and got this 29er. It's been an absolute blast. I ride in New England on a variety of trails but most are pretty rutted, rooty and rocky (with some steeps), and this bike has been great overall. But right away I made several mods to address some problems with the bike. The Avid BB5 brakes were simply inadequate, so I upgraded to BB7. This was a cheap and easy upgrade that made a huge difference. Looks like the 2013 model comes with better brakes; that's good. BB5s were a joke. Tires (Nano Raptors) are way too smooth for the kinds of trails I ride. I'm now running Racing Ralph on back and Kenda Nevegal on front. Major improvement! Also the Weinmann wheelset went out-of-true pretty easily and were quite heavy. Have replaced these with Mavic Crossride. Much lighter and straighter. Next upgrade: a 100mm fork. So, I'm a bit of a serial upgrader, but even right out of the REI store, this bike has been great. So happy to be out in the woods on a bike!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-8
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