TIL: REI makes my perfect bike

[johnridley]

Novara Gotham. Too bad the 20% off sale just ended. Oh well, I can wait 11 months to save > $200

Comments

[erikvolson.livejournal.com]

Interesting variant of the mixte frame. I don't know about the belt drive -- and I mean that as "I have no clue, because that's all very new." CVTs have traditionally be horrible on bikes, but I suspect that was more an issue of implementation than anything else, and of course, belts have been used to pull far more power on motorcycles for years.

My only real worry about it is that the belt won't last forever, and will you be able to replace it if the company isn't around.

Still, nice looking ride.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

The recent thread on belt drive on BikeForums has been very positive by actual owners, including people who ride in the winter.

It's a Gates belt so it's likely to be available anyway. Worst case, replace with sprockets and chain.

I should definitely call the local REI and find out if they have one, I'd like to take a CVT for a spin. It's worth driving to another REI if I must. Heck, I could even get to one in Chicago if I had to while I'm over there sometime.

I'm curious about them because Dermot test rode one and quite liked it.

A Shimano Nexus 7 or 8 would be fine too. I was looking at the Trek Soho, but it's more money and only has discs in the front.

The only downside is that if I get rid of both chain and derailleur maintenance, I won't have anything left to do but air up the tires and change brake pads about every 2 years.

I actually was thinking that on my next bike I'd like to go to hydraulic brakes, but both the Gotham and the Trek use Shimano 416 mechanicals. I don't have any particular problem with my mechanicals (Avid BB7) but hydraulics have some nice features.