Novara Fusion Review

One week ago, I picked up a Novara Fusion on close-out at the local REI. $550, over two hundred dollars off, thanks to a clearance sale and the fact it was a returned model with a missing bulb in one of the headlights (more on this later). With the sale of the Steamroller and a bit of contract work, I didn’t pay anything out of pocket for the bike. Good deal. I considered a Transfer (another Novara city bike, with 559mm wheels and linear pull brakes), but the model REI had was bought before I could claim it. I also considered a Safari, but it was more than the Fusion, and I would still need to get fenders, at least.

The bike is an XL, 20 inches. A large would probably fit a bit better, but I have enough clearance, and the top tube is still a reasonable length so I’m not bent over. There’s a bit more than a fist full of seatpost showing, so as far as I’m concerned, the fit is fine. The bike looks big, but doesn’t feel big when I’m on it. The bike is, however, most certainly heavy. Listed at 35 pounds, I won’t dispute it. Given that it has a Nexus 8 speed hub in the rear, a Nexus generator hub in front, plus roller brakes and a rack, the weight is expected. The frame is a bit odd, too, with flared tubes and big, fat welds. It looks more racy than my racing bike.

I took the bike for a brief spin on Saturday night around the neighborhood. It was quite comfortable, and didn’t feel terribly heavy on the flat roads. The front light (dual LEDs, though mine only has one) is very much a “be seen” light. I have a Lumotec Oval Plus on the workbench, however, so I will swap this out as soon as I find the time. The Nexus hub shifted well, and even with the 46 tooth chainring, the gearing felt adequate. The Jitensha-style bars are comfortable (and better looking than the MASSIVE bars on the Transfer.

Baggage would be carried in a Delta waterproof pannier and an Ortlieb Bike Shopper pannier, which would carry my Pelican laptop case. Typical commute loads average about 10-15 pounds. Once loaded, the bike still felt good (and missing was the excessive wobble of the Steamroller). The ride to the office is mostly flat, with a single, short-ish, descent. The bike was predictable, and handled well, even loaded. I can’t say I noticed the weight, given that I rode a fixed gear with 42×19 gearing, and a load over the front wheel. If anything, the bike felt a bit easier, owing to the gears. The ride home includes a short, though not-insignificant, climb. I’ve found that I can downshift and spin up the hill, or climb out of the saddle without much trouble. Yes, the bike feels sluggish, but it’s not horrible. The Nexus hub shifts well under load, and doesn’t require that I stop pedaling (a nice feature when I’m mid-climb).

Much has been made about the stock gearing, which includes a 46 tooth chainring. For city riding, even around hilly Pittsburgh, it seems sufficient. Perhaps a 42 tooth ring might make the bike a bit more user-friendly, however. I also suspect that if you have a terribly hilly ride, and you have to carry heavy loads, this isn’t the best bike for you anyway.

The Nexus hubs include roller brakes. I was initially dubious about these, if only because of concern about product life. Several people have reassured me that the brakes do well in the wet and muck, and I’ve found their performance to be perfectly acceptable. Getting the cable disconnected (to remove the wheel) is a bit tricky, and requires reducing cable tension at the lever. I was happy to have the brakes during a rain shower, as there is no fade due to wet pads and rims. I also had some concerns about being able to use the hitch on our Burley trailer because of the cable attachment for the rear wheel. These concerns were unfounded, though, as there’s just enough room in the rear triangle for the hitch.

So what do I like? Well, the whole package. It’s a comfortable bike to ride, predictable even when loaded. The Nexus hub shifts well. The cockpit is comfortable and good looking. The rear rack is well-built. The tires (32mm Vittoria Randonneurs) are tough and comfortable. The fenders are sufficient–though I’ll probably add a proper mudflap)–and I reckon I might be able to fit studded tires in there for the winter. What don’t I like? Well, the stock saddle and suspended seatpost were almost immediately replaced. The pedals lack grip, too, and will soon be replaced with BMX models from the parts bin. The frame itself is odd–it’s too racy looking for the purpose of the bike, but I’m over that. The neon green paint job isn’t as subtle as the Surly, but again, it’s not a deal breaking for a bike that was purchased to be abused. The front light is also a bit sub-standard, but again, with a Lumotec Oval Plus on the work bench, I’m not concerned.

I’m not sure I would have paid full price for this bike (preferring, perhaps, the Transfer at full price), but for $550, I like it a lot. I suppose, too, for $799 (or whatever list was), it’s still a good deal. I’ll be curious to see how the hubs and brakes withstand the winter. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t make to it the spring (at least the front hub), but if the roller brakes and rear hub survive, I’ll be quite happy.