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Novara Aspen Bike

MSRP $
# of Reviews 9
Average Rating 3.44/5
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Description: Novara Aspen Bike



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    Submitted by NeoMoses a Weekend Warrior from Farmington, MI, USA
    Date Reviewed: June 4, 2008
    Favorite Trail:Novi Tree Farm
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Price Paid: $400.00
    Purchased At:REI
    Strengths:Value says it all about this bike. Good components at a great price. Nowhere else could I find a bike with dual disc brakes and these components for less than $500. The Novara was less than $400. I now have over 800 miles on this bike, ~500 hard trail riding and ~300 urban commuting. I've potato-chipped my rear wheel after a nasty spill, but was still able to ride thanks to the disc brakes. Tires seem good, but rear is almost out of tread in the center.
    Weaknesses:Seat is not very comfortable for long rides. I replaced it with a Brooks saddle and am very happy now. Have used it for some commuting in the early spring (40 miles roundtrip) and it works well. Not the most efficient bike for commuting, but the most versatile for climbing over snow piles.
    Similar Products Used:Trek 7.3
    Bike Setup:Basically Stock, with a Brooks saddle and some headlights/tail lights.
    Bottom Line:The best value in a good quality bike, period. Expect many trouble-free miles out of this bike.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Luke a Racer from Middlebury, VT, USA
    Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $250.00
    Purchased At:local REI
    Strengths:Greatest bike ever. I bought this one in 1996 and have been on it nearly every day since - I've used it as a commuter bike for the last 6 years and its held up to the rain and the road salt and the sprinting and the brake-slamming wonderfully. A little chipped paint and some rust spots on the bottom of the BB cage is all the wear she shows. Solid frame, easy-to-adjust components, and solid ground feel - if you find one on E-bay, buy it up.
    Weaknesses:a little heavy for a trail bike, great for the roads though
    Similar Products Used:various commuter bikes that fell appart after a year or so
    Bike Setup:factory basic. Haven't adjusted the front derailleur (besides attaching a new cable) yet.
    Bottom Line:get it if you can
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by m knorr a Weekend Warrior from logan, UT
    Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000
    Favorite Trail:devils toothpick
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Purchased At:REI
    Strengths:predictable, nimble, stable, somewhat bulletproof
    Weaknesses:a little heavy, cant stay in only one gear on hills when shifters are out of whack
    Similar Products Used:Jamis Exile
    Bottom Line:this bike is as old as ever, but with a little attention, rides as good as ever. derailers are hard to adjust right (rear cassette skips often on hills from that). I know the brakes arent the hottest things in the world, but they have never let me down. after years of neglect and punishment, the only things its needed were new tubes & tires, and handlebar grips.

    good stuff... should be pretty cheap used, and if its anything like mine, a lot better than some Walmart special, even used, for the same price. the new Aspen's look like a waste of bread though. suntour? spend an extra hundred bucks and buy a nice GT or jamis...
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by bho a Weekend Warrior from long beach,ca
    Date Reviewed: August 15, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    redondo beach bike trail
    Duration Product Used:
    more than 3 years
    Strengths:
    rei product
    Weaknesses:
    rusts easily
    Similar Products Used:
    none
    Bike Setup:
    stock bike
    Bottom Line:primary bike back in '89. feel that there are better models outside of the novara line nowadays and would get more bang for the buck
    Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by b waters a from weekend warrior
    Date Reviewed: May 10, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I use the aspen for road and mountain biking. i've had it for 3 years and have had no problems with it that i couldn't fix. It's a good beginner bike for people getting into mtb, but if you're really serious about mtb, you might want to save your money and get a novice or expert bike.
    Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Dave a cross-country rider from
    Date Reviewed: February 3, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    For the price in 94 of $400 it's still a back-up bike.
    For the price in 94 of $400 it's still a back-up bike.
    For the price in 94 of $400 it's still a back-up bike.
    For the price in 94 of $400 it's still a back-up bike.
    For the price in 94 of $400 it's still a back-up bike.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Gary Mills a weekend warrior from ca
    Date Reviewed: December 25, 1997
    Bottom Line:

    I checked out a lot of bike before I bought this one.
    I should have bought some thing else. This was my first mountain bike.
    Not sure I would clasify it as a mountain bike though. More like a
    a piece of junk. I have seven other cycle's. First thing this bike did
    was rust. You would think a mountain bike would have more rust protection.
    When I say rust. I mean rust very quickly. The next thing was the shifters went
    out on me. Would not hold on a hill. NO way to adjust them.
    I was VERY disapointed with REI and this bike. You would think someone who
    speacialty is the out doors would come up with some thing nicer.
    DON'T waste your money!!!!!!!!
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by a weekend warrior a from CA
    Date Reviewed: December 17, 1996
    Bottom Line:

    I have been riding a Novara for about 3 years, and I think it is AWESOME! This bike has everything you will ever need on a mountain bike. It even has a low price so everyone can enjoy the bike. The bike I currently have is an A7000. This bike is awesome. I feel sorry for the losers who spend a hell of a lot of money on a bike priced more than a Novara. They are just throwing their money away. If you are thinking about buying any other mountain bike, or road bike for that matter, than you should seriously reconsider. Buy a Novara. It will last for a long time and you will love it. Trust me. Look what my Novara did for me.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Ryan Barnett a racer from Corrales NM, USA
    Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996
    Bottom Line:

    This bike needs everything changed. The compnents suck, the frame sucks, the shifters suck, even the damn saddle sucks. If you are thinking about a bike. Think somewhere else. This is definately not a good choice for any kind of rider.
    Overall Rating:1






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