Novara Trionfo

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at REI

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Stock with shimano spd pedals.

Will likely upgrade handlebars, and stem to better suit my geometry. The bikes are sized a little bigger, I have a 56 and its a bit big while I'm 6'0" with 31.5" inseam.

Summary:
Was looking for a solid bike with good components and a deal. Being a '07 model it was a lay over but comes with a lot of positives. Looking to do some racing, good training rides, and a couple centuries a year. Rides very solid for a 200+ person like myself, great acceleration, and nimble handling.

Strengths:
Ultegra Rear derailler, Ultegra flightdeck levers & shifter, good geometry, good mavic Kryslium Equippe wheels, 105 brakes, stiff yet comfortable ride, solid vittoria diamante pro tires. Relatively light for an Aluminum/Carbon mix at 19.35lbs w/ shimano pedals.

Weaknesses:
Front derailer (FSA) hangs up on a couple gears, have adjusted it constantly but have found no happy medium, cranks (FSA) seem a bit beefy and the handlebars (FSA) seem beefy also. Some weight could easily be cut in switching handlebars, stem, and seatpost to carbon. San Marco seat takes some getting used to but is definitely firm. The (FSA) is the 'Full Speed Ahead' brand that comes with the bike.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike...

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at REI

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Any country roads, mountains or flat. Just get me out of the city please!

Bike Setup:
Stock mostly. Full Ultegra. Triple ring, full Columbus Carbon fork and stays. Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels. Vittoria Diamante Pro tires. I added a Selle Italia Prolink Genuine Gel saddle, and Hutchinson Carbon Comp tires, even though the Vittoria's still have some good miles left. No flats in 1100 miles on the Diamantes which is good for me.

Summary:
2006 Novara Trionfo. 1200 miles so far in 5 months, and spring is not far off. Very pleased. I'm 47, 5-9, 150, and started road cycling in 2003. I started with a Novara Forza (road version before they changed.) 7000 miles on that bike, and it is still strong, but wanted to get something a bit faster. I test drove lots of carbons and carbon mixes and liked a lot of them. I wanted to check out a Cannondale, and since I'm a fan of REI for all their stuff, I went to my local store. It was close out time for '06 and this was the last Trionfo and it was priced to move. Even though I thought I wanted to move on to a "name brand" for a change, I test drove this one. It felt great and for what it cost, the setup is great. Full Ultegra, full carbon fork, etc. The bike climbs well, corners well and and I've averaged 2 mph faster than my first bike and that's with cool/cold weather when I typically slow down. One century so far, and it was a good one. So I got the faster bike I wanted and it's as comfortable as my old bike that had 28mm tires, steel fork, and aluminum stays.

Strengths:
Price. I slightly prefer the traditional geometry (straight top tube) as well as a triple, non-compact ring, which can be a little hard to find on a performance bike. The welds are smooth, almost like a Cannondale, nice touch. The components - this price range on full carbon would not have come close to full Ultegra, which is sooo smooth. REI service has always been top notch for me. I like the paint scheme and colors.

Weaknesses:
None really, unless you just have to have a big name brand, but you pay for it. I had to replace the San Marco Blaze saddle. Nice racy saddle, but my middle aged behind needed a little bit more seat material especially for the centuries.

Similar Products Used:
Novara Forza starter bike. Test drove bikes in the $2000 range (some were on sale in this range). Trek, Felt, Specialized, Kona, etc.

Price Paid:  $1399.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
CRW Climb to the Clouds century

Bike Setup:
Only change was after about 2 years, switched the wheelset from the stock Shimano WH535 (now WH540) to DuraAce WH7701's (training) and FSA RD400's for club riding. Love this bike with the RD400's!! Even when it had the 535's it was still fast.

Summary:
This is actually a review of the 2001/2002 model year. Frame was the white color, AN6 (6000 series aluminum) w/ carbon seat stays and fork. Full Ultegra componentry. Purchased during REI's 20% off sale. Great bike w/ lifetime warrantee. Very light and responsive. Climbs really well. Accelerates just as well. Carbon fiber fork and seat stays definitely take the harshness out of the ride. Much smoother than my vintage DB steel rig. Now I don't mind those very long rides.

Good looking welds. Paint job and decals are clearcoated for a chip resistant finish. A nice touch - Included polyurethane patches where cables contact/rub the frame.

You won't be disappointed with this bike.

Strengths:
After almost 3 years, the bike looks and rides the same as when I took it home. Very smooth, very fast. This bike will make you very competetive with others out there riding the more familiar "name" brands.

The 100% satisfaction (lifetime) warrantee from REI. Not common for Aluminum frames.

REI customer service and bike shop. They've done small adjustments while I've waited for no charge even after having the warrantee tune up.

Weaknesses:
Color scheme for 2001/2002 was somewhat plain, but it looks like Novara has improved it over the years.

Lack of name brand recognition. But who cares..other riders will left trying to figure out what you were riding as you pass them!

Similar Products Used:
Hand built vintage (20 yr +) Reynolds 531 DB chromo steel frame. Would never go back.