lukin

https://www.rei.com/product/791137

My dad knows a little about bikes and he has the same one. Said the Shimano 105 set is good and I don't necessarily need a brand name bike. I'm also a member at REI so I would get the 10% back at the end of the year.

Gonna be riding 10 miles to/from work (20 total) per day. Not sure if I'm gonna get hardcore into cycling but I don't have a car right now so this would be my main source of transportation.

What do you think?

Novara Strada Bike - 2010 Specs
Specification

Description
Frame 6061 aluminum
Fork Kinesis carbon
Crankset FSA Vero triple, 50/39/30
Bottom bracket FSA PowerDrive
Shifters Shimano 105
Front derailleur Shimano 105
Rear derailleur Shimano 105
Rear cogs Shimano 105 12/25, 10-speed
Number of gears 30
Brakes Shimano R450 long-reach
Brake levers Shimano 105
Rims Alex ALX 200
Front hub Alex ALX 200
Rear hub Alex ALX 200
Tires Vittoria Zaffiro 700x25
Handlebar FSA Vero Compact
Stem Kalloy 3D forged alloy
Seat post Kalloy alloy microadjustable
Saddle San Marco Ischia
Pedals Sold separately
Headset Integrated threadless
Chain Shimano HG 53
Gender Unisex

lukin

The sale also has these 2 bikes:

https://www.rei.com/product/797343

Scott CR1 Comp Compact Bike - 2010 Specs

Specification

Description

Frame Scott CR1 carbon
Fork Scott CR1 HMF NET, carbon steerer
Crankset Shimano Tiagra FC-4550, 50/34
Bottom bracket Shimano Dura-Ace
Shifters Shimano Tiagra
Front derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Rear derailleur Shimano 105
Rear cogs Shimano HG50,11-25, 9-speed
Number of gears 18
Brakes Shimano Tiagra
Brake levers Shimano Tiagra
Rims Shimano WH R 500
Front hub Shimano WH R 500, 20h
Rear hub Shimano WH R 500, 24h
Tires Continental Ultra Race, 700x23
Handlebar Scott Road Drop, 31.8mm
Stem Scott Road Team
Seat post Ritchey Carbon Pro
Saddle Scott Road Pro
Pedals Sold separately
Headset Ritchey integrated cartridge
Chain Shimano HG53
Gender Unisex

https://www.rei.com/product/796397

Cannondale CAAD9 4 Bike - 2010 Specs

Specification

Description

Frame CAAD9 BB30 aluminum, taper-butted
Fork Slice Premium monocoque full carbon
Crankset SRAM Force BB30 Compact, 50/34
Bottom bracket SRAM Force BB30
Shifters SRAM Rival
Front derailleur SRAM Rival
Rear derailleur SRAM Rival
Rear cogs SRAM PG-1070, 12-27, 10-speed
Number of gears 20
Brakes Tektro R580
Brake levers SRAM Rival
Rims Shimano RS10
Front hub Shimano RS10, 16h
Rear hub Shimano RS10, 20h
Tires Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick, 700 x 23
Handlebar Control Tech ONE
Stem Cannondale C2
Seat post Cannondale C2 Carbon
Saddle Prologo Kappa Pas
Pedals Not included
Headset Tange integrated
Chain KMC DX-10SC
Gender Unisex

Mitro

Depending on the commute the Novara may be best. It also looks like it's the only one that can take a Rack/fenders, which is a plus when commuting. Also, keep in mind that you wont get 10% back on any of them since they are marked down.

lukin

ah good point on the fenders, i wasn't even thinking about that. sucks about no refund, didn't know that either haha. hmm well are these still worth the money at those prices? i was assuming they would be 10% less, dang.

MCODave

REI says dividendable purchases:

"Excludes sale/clearance items (prices ending in $._9 or $._3), items discounted 15% or more, gift cards, REI Adventures trips, REI Outdoor School classes and outings, sales tax, postage, mounting, engraving, labor, rental fees and membership fee."

So I would not count on getting an extra $80 off. That being said, I still ride my 10+ year old Novara Randonee Safari regularly, it is a great bike for what it is.

sqharaway

Not true. Any bike can take a rack. I went on a fully self-supported bike tour this summer on my Specialized Tarmac (Portland to Santa Barbara)... You'd just need a quick release skewer mount for the rack, so probably not enough of an issue to make or break your purchase.

My Dad has a Strata, and for short, recreational/commuting/see-how-you-like-cycling rides, it's not a bad choice.

ls0725

I saw this exact bike yesterday at an REI near my place. It looked nice except that when I tried to lift it, it seemed heavy. But then again I was thinking from a purely road bike perspective. They had some Scott models in the same price range as above but were fitted with lower end components(Tiagra and Sora).

Sylv

Strada was my first bike a few years ago. I rode a bunch in the $1K price range and it was my favorite. If it was still the same bike now that it was then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. But they've upped the price $100 in the last 2 years, and put some crappier wheels on it. It's probably still a good deal for a sub-$1K bike on sale, but it wouldn't be as much of a slam dunk purchase as it was then.

I still kept it after buying my new bike (Tarmac), and I take it down to the shore, use it on the trainer, and my bestfriend uses it when we go for some recreational rides together. Put a s-load of miles on it in 3 years, including charity centuries, multi-day tours, etc with no major problems. Only ever had to adjust the shifting components every now and then. I have been quite satisfied with it.