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 recently 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.

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Note: The 2012 Novara Fusion is no longer available online (new) or difficult to find online or in retail stores. The Novara Fusion was previously selling for $699.93 (new) at REI.

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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.

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