Bicycles Online > Comfort and Hybrid Bikes > Novara Fusion Hybrid/Commuter Review

Novara Fusion Commuter Bike Review

Novara (REI store brand) bikes are made very well and with high quality (non-proprietary store brand) components. The Novara Fusion has an excellent design, swept back handlebars, high quality components and comes standard with all of the extras needed for commuting, errands, and trips around town.

I usually lean towards name brands that I know to be high quality and stay away from store brand bikes but I do not have any reservations about the Novara brand (as you may have noticed from other reviews on this site).

As I mentioned above, this bike comes with all of the extras needed for commuting (automated lights, fenders, luggage rack, bell, kickstand, disc brakes, and internally geared (8 speed) rear hub, etc.).

Unfortunately, the strength of the Novara Fusion may also be its weakness. Although the Fusion is built with high quality components, the fact that it comes with so much, right out of the box, means that there is more potential for things to go wrong and since it is all standard equipment, any problem may be perceived as a problem with the bike itself.

I had the opportunity to review the Novara Fusion Commuter Bike at REI today and I really went over this bike and its components from top to bottom. I found the Fusion to be a very well made commuter bike with an excellent design for commuting and trips around town.

Note: As of 2/1/2012 the 2011 Novara Fusion is selling for $999 (new at REI with free shipping options. See Novara Fusion at REI for the latest price and more customer reviews.

Since this is an REI brand bike, you will have excellent shipping and delivery options. If you have an REI store near you, you'll have the option to have your bike delivered to the store and fully assembled for you for FREE of course (with some restrictions).

If you choose home delivery, then REI will assemble your bike before it is shipped (to your home) then partially de-assemble it (just the handlebars and pedals) for shipping. When you receive the bike there is a minimal amount of (re) assembly required and REI members get FREE standard shipping on orders of $75 or more.

If you've browsed this site, you may have noticed that I favor REI for certain products and I am also an REI member. If you purchase an REI bike online and are not already an REI member, you will want to join for the free shipping. A lifetime membership at REI is just $20 and there are quite a few advantages.

About-Bicycles Review:

The Novara Fusion is a well designed and very well made commuter/hybrid bike that comes with Disc Brakes, Shimano internally geared (8 speed) rear hub and plenty of other "extras" right out of the box.

This can save you money up front, if you will be adding these items later anyway but it will also not allow as much flexibility in choosing your own components (lights, rack, fenders, etc.).

This bike (and other commuter bikes loaded with comparable items) is a little heavy and there is some friction in the front wheel from the internal light generator so you will get a little more of a workout with this bike than with a stripped down model.

Since this bike does have so many options right out of the box, it can be more problematic and require more maintenance than a more stripped down model but if you are looking for a bike with all of the extras included, than I would recommend the Novara Fusion (from REI) as a excellent and well made commuter bike.

Customer Reviews:

At the time of this review the Novar Fusion was rated (4 of 5 stars) from one review at REI and (4 of 5 stars) at Bizzilions from 3 reviews.

Most Relevant Comments included...

5/18/2011 - Roostar San Jose, CA

"I have commuted about 17 miles a day for over 3 months on this bike rain or shine. The internal geared 8 speed covers most commuter needs though you might need a lower gear if you have lots of hills..."

6/6/2011 - Marcene Boise, ID 

"...I thought I was not able to ride as fast as on my old bike. However, on a ride yesterday, I was waaaay ahead of my husband. I think that the heaviness of the bike makes it seem like it's going more slowly. The bike feels so solid and safe. I just can't wait to put more miles on it!"

Another one of my favorite resources for reviews and cycling information is BikeForums.net. One of the posts by "the_driver", on 11/10/07 included:

"I have a Novara Fusion that I ride for work. I average around 150 miles a week and the bike is a joy to ride. I did replace the tires and found the rear wheel to be a pain in the butt to remove because of the internal 8 hub and roller brake. But it is a smooth riding bike and I'm on it 8 hours a day on bike patrol..."

See: Novara Fusion Reviews at REI for the complete and most current customer reviews.

Novara Fusion Specs and Features:

• Frame 6061 aluminum
  
• Fork Pinpoint curved alloy
  
• Crankset RPM City Single 46T
  
• Bottom bracket Shimano Square Taper
  
• Shifters Alfine Rapidfire
  
• Rear cogs Shimano 20T
  
• Number of gears 8
  
• Brakes Tektro IO mechanical disc
  
• Brake levers Tektro
  
• Rims Alex Ace 17
  
• Front hub Shimano Shimano Alfine disc
  
• Rear hub Shimano Shimano Alfine disc
  
• Tires Vittoria Randonneur 700x32
  
• Handlebar Kalloy sweep aluminum
  
• Stem ATS adjustable
  
• Seat post Kalloy aluminum
  
• Saddle Velo Fast Comfort
  
• Pedals Alloy Platform
  
• Headset Semicartridge
  
• Chain Shimano HG 53
  
• Gender Unisex

More helpful online bike sales resources:

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