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Reviews 1 - 5 (6 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
JeffT
a Date Reviewed: April 8, 2012
Strengths: Affordable, reliable components, comfortable ride and nice to look atWeaknesses: none that I can think ofBottom Line: I purchased the Strada in July 2011 after looking for a few months for a new ride. I couldnt be more pleased especially when the price dropped $200 from $1299 to $1099 and I pulled the trigger.
This bike was an upgrade from my heavier steel frame bike.
I use the bike mainly for commuting to work approx 6 miles each way. It is perfect for what I required and look forward to riding longer distances for fun as time permits
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Submitted by
Andy
a Road RacerDate Reviewed: August 19, 2011
Strengths: Light, fast, very reliableWeaknesses: changed out the back tire almost immediately to a touring tire with kevlar.Bottom Line: I borrowed a friends bike after a running injury (Tomasso) and really started enjoying riding. After I healed and gave the bike back, I REALLY started missing my rides. I was on a budget, but wanted reliable components and a work horse bike (I'm hard on my toys) and heard REI had what I was looking for. I test rode one and was hooked. SOLID bike, S105 components all around. I simply love this bike and it doesn't bother me that it doesn't say Giant or Trek down the tube, it's great and it's mine!
Favorite Ride: Everywhere
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: REI Austin
Similar Products Used: Tomasso, Specialized
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
bigkampe
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: April 3, 2010
Strengths: Fast and light.Weaknesses: God, the stock seat! May as well be sitting on a brick.Bottom Line: I'm writing this as a rave review, and a bit of a warning. First, I have this bike and love it, BUT it's the 2008 version. It's dependable, fast, light, and all around a great bike.
Recently my girlfriend decided she wants to buy a bike. Fantastic! Novara is the brand I thought. In fact, we are picking up her new bike tomorrow (the Express model). While shopping, I noticed the Strada and checked it out. The 2010 version is NOT the same bike I bought. I have carbon stays and better rims. This bike is the same price, but cheaper components and less frills than the one I got. I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed in REI for cheapening the bike without lowering the price. Perhaps they had a good reason for this, but nevertheless, I feel the price should reflect the changes.
Favorite Ride: Hmmm...
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: REI
Similar Products Used: Giant, Cannondale, Specialized
Bike Setup: Stock except I changed the torture seat with an E3 saddle from bike nashbar. Cheap seat but soooo comfortable.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
flyboy1984
a TriathleteDate Reviewed: October 31, 2009
Strengths: 105's are great. Love the 3 rings up front for climbing. Easy shifting (upgrade from downtube shifting)Weaknesses: wish it had other color choices
For $1000 it should come with at least regular pedals (wanted to ride, but unable to until I bought clipless)Bottom Line: Bike is really a 2009 model. Perfect upgrade from my first steed, a steel craigslist purchase. It is everything I wanted in my upgrade, lighter, and faster, with all the bells and whistels I could ask for.
Favorite Ride: Red Rock State Park
Purchased At: REI Boca Park Las Ve
Similar Products Used: none. This was my first upgrade bike
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
TheDrake
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: August 27, 2009
Strengths: Plain and simple: value. Great components hung on a frame that has no objective differences from the larger conglomerate competitors at a higher price. Absolutely love the proliferation of 105 parts at this price. Many of the other bikes I tested were 105 rear dur but slipped a lot cheaper stuff in other areas (front derailluer, shifters, chain, cassette, etc).Weaknesses: Bar tape ripped fairly easily. My fault but it seems fragile. I will probably have to rewrap sooner than later.Bottom Line: This is the 2009 model. It's a Tawian made frame for REI in-house designers. Frame blends carbon into the seat stays. Forks are carbon. Shimano 105 derailluers, shifters, chain, and cassette. Shimano R500 rims and hubs. FSA seatpost, BB, cranks, headset, stem, and bars. San Marco Ponza seat. Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 700x25 rubber.
The bike is outfitted very well when compared to simular products of this catagory. At almost 500 miles, the bike still works as it did on day one. I probably should adjust everything but it just doesn't seem to need it. The Tektro brakes seemed mushy in the beginning but came around after a while. Perhaps this was a result of the pads wearing down a little, not sure. Seat was slightly uncomfortable for about the first week or so, but OK thereafter. I estimate the bike weighs about 21 lbs. Price was great, I love a good deal and this bike has delivered. Absolutely dug the orange and white color scheme. Anyone interested in this model should visit the store vs. looking online. When I looked online, they were out of my size (53cm) but there was a 53 hanging in the store.
Overall this is a great deal for folks who appreciate a great product and value financial preservation. Folks that are hung up on frames with branded-mass-market names will need to look elsewhere.
Favorite Ride: Anywhere at sunrise
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: REI Santa Monica CA
Similar Products Used: I tested quite a few simular products before purchasing. Simular models tested were the Fuji Roubaix, Fuji Team Pro (real nice but exceeded my set price point), Specialized Allez Sport Compact Double, Cannondale Synapse Alloy 7, Gary Fisher ARC, and Scattante R-660 (Performance Bikes in-house brand). I also own and ride an 02 Giant NRS 2.
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