Test Ride: 2014 Novara Gotham



2014 Novara Gotham

 One of the nice perks of my day job is the opportunity to do a bit of traveling.  While on the road just outside of Austin in Georgetown, I had some downtime, so I punched REI in the GPS and found one a couple of miles away from the hotel.  Sweet!  I’m a big fan of REI (no, I don’t work for them, nor am I compensated for saying this) but I had no idea what kinds of bikes I would find in the flats of Texas.  I was expecting to find mostly road and mountain bikes, but lo and behold, there was the 2014 Novara Gotham in the store.  I asked to take it for a test ride and one blaze orange bib and a helmet later, I was out the door.

 Here’s my take:

 

 

The bike really takes the name “Gotham” seriously.  The frame, chainguard and matching metal fenders are painted in a satin black to give it an edgy, urban look, while the fluorescent green accents provide some pop. 

 

 

 

Overall, the look is understated, but a head turner all the same.  I can imagine this bike coming towards me and thinking “here’s another flat-black-rattle-can-spray-paint-job-on-a-bike”.  Then as the bike comes closer, wondering what on earth I’m looking at.  Then nodding my head in appreciation as the bike zips past and the rider with the gravely voice proclaims “I’m Batman”.  The bike definitely has an attitude.

 

The bike is equipped with the NuVinci N360 Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) rear hub and a Gates Center Track belt drive.  This was my first time using either of these systems.

 

The NuVinci N360 hub is nothing short of revolutionary in my mind.  After spending a lifetime shifting gears and dialing in my cassettes and chainrings based on the terrain I’m riding, to fine tune my “gear selection” with just a slight twist of the “shifter” (is that the correct terminology?) to get it just right without compromising between too much and not enough, was a mind blowing experience.  The shifter display is about as easy as it gets.  It's like the NuVinci version of "Clippy" from MS Office:

 

 

 

A nice flat road = high gear-hammer time!

 

 

 

Uh oh, getting a bit hilly - time to back it down a bit

 

Mountains!  better drop into the Granny gear!

I jumped out of the saddle and hammered on the pedals while shifting under pressure, and there wasn’t even a hesitation or delay.

 

I hope Fallbrook Technologies, the manufacturer of the NuVinci N360 thought about longevity when making this hub, because I can’t imagine what the innards of this beast look like, and from my understanding, it’s not serviceable.  But if this hub is made more the long haul (which I consider daily use in all kinds of weather for at least 4 years), I’m sold.

 

The new and improved Gates CenterTrack belt drive is designed to correct the tensioning and tracking concerns from their initial Carbon Drive offering.  I always liked the idea of a belt drive system.  I’ve been a shade tree mechanic my entire adult life, so it makes sense to me.  Most automotive belts can last 80,000 miles without a problem, and this belt looks like a lighter duty version of an automotive belt since it has carbon cords instead of steel.

 

The system worked without a hitch and was super quiet, but only time will tell if the issues from the previous system are now in the past.  For those of you who like the look of a chain stamp on your right leg, you’re out of luck.  Overall, the drivetrain is a perfect match for the urban environment this bike was made for.

 

 

 

Stopping power is supplied by Tektro Gemini hydraulic disc brakes.  Honestly, the brakes didn’t have enough modulation for me, which is a surprise, since I’m normally a fan of hydraulic brake systems and the ability to feather the brakes.  There seemed to be a lot of travel in the levers before pads started hitting the discs.  I spoke to the guys in the bike department at REI and they felt that an adjustment in the levers was all that was needed.  I agree, because they weren’t squishy like there was air in the lines.  I’d like to try them out when they’re properly adjusted but for now, the jury is out.

 

 

Still, it makes perfect sense to put disc brakes (especially hydraulics) on a city bike since they work so well in all types of wet and cold weather.  Disc brakes tend to be heavier than calipers or linear pull setups, but on a city bike, this is less of an issue.  Let’s face it, it’s better to stop when needed, than save 170 grams and end up as someone’s hood ornament.

 

The 6061 aluminum frame comes in three sizes XS/S, S/M, L/XL, and features a sloping top tube and 1 1/8” threadless aluminum straight blade forks.  The welds were nicely laid, and I couldn’t find any gaps.  For added strength a gusset was added to the seat tube.  There aren’t any specs on the frame, but I would guess a 72° head tube angle and a 71.5 seat tube angle.  All in all it’s a pretty standard configuration for a commuter/hybrid/city bike, but it doesn’t disappoint.  The ride was predictable but not lazy.  You can easily lay into a turn and the bike responds well and tracks a nice line.  The steering is quick but not squirrely, and there’s no flex in the bottom bracket.

 

 To be honest, given the stiffness of the aluminum frame I don’t know if the bike will beat you up when going over rough city streets since I was riding around in the suburbs of Texas and not the cobblestones of Portland.  All I can say is that on the roads I was riding on, the bike felt great, even going over curbs.  The Schwalbe Marathon 700x38c tires no doubt helped with the ride.

 

I would love to see this bike built out of Reynolds 520 double butted tubing and match it with a fork that has a bit of rake like their Randonee frame.  The Randonee has been around since REI came out with the Novara line over 30 years ago, so there’s a proven track record on how this frame rides.  I can only say that I hope REI didn’t miss out on an opportunity to combine a traditional steel frame with the cutting edge technology and come up with a truly exceptional bike.

 

Other tidbits

The bike comes standard with a rear rack that I’ve never seen the likes of before, and frankly I like it.  The attachment at the chainstays is widened about a 1/2” on either side.  According to the bike shop guys at REI, it’s essentially to keep panniers or other cargo you strap on the rack out of the tires and drive train.  It may also help to eliminate kicking your panniers with your heels when pedaling.

 

 

 

  There’s also the option for a front rack especially designed for the bike called a Barrow Basket.  This is installed using the N-Dock mount which is welded to the headtube of the bike.  Get yourself a Barrow Basket and an Allen wrench.  All it takes is four bolts and you’re ready to haul another 20 pounds groceries.

 

The bike also comes standard with a battery operated AXA riff rear light with an auto on feature and a Lezyne front light which is rechargeable via USB

 

The rims are 700c Weinmann 36-hole SEC-16 black rims with eyelets.  We talked about the NuVinci N360 rear hub.  The front hub is from Joytech and features sealed bearings.

 

The handlebars are swept back and have a slight rise.  There not your standard North Road bars, since they allow you to lean forward a bit.  These bars combined with the 90 mm stem, faux cork ergo grips and Selle Royal seat make for a comfortable cockpit.

 

 

I have to say that I really liked the Novara Gotham.  It’s not a traditional, vintage ride by any means.  It takes the concept of a city bike and turns it on its head, and I think the designers who created this bike had a fun time doing so.

 

I also like the fact that it takes the best from all types of bikes to make it a unique standout.  It has all the bells and whistles of a modern bike, and other than a lock, there’s nothing you need to buy to start riding, even in the dark.  It’s the full package.

 

Reason Number 2 for Purchasing Philbert, the 1961 Phillips 3 Speed

OK folks – here’s reason number 2 for purchasing Philbert: 

Philbert has almost everything wrong that you would typically find with an older, used bike that you plan I riding on a regular basis, and I plan to go through each problem step by step so you, my dear reader, can make an informed decision.

Here’s a rundown of Philbert’s foibles:

Old Technology

Let’s face it rod brakes, although still used on new bikes in other countries, are heavy and not really that effective; especially when compared to other brake designs such as caliper, linear pull (V and canti) and disc brakes.

They also require the use of Westwood rims, which are especially made for rod brakes, since the brake pad contact surface is on the inside of the rim near the spokes instead of on the side of the rim near the tire, as used in caliper and linear brake designs.

Not only are parts for rod brakes heavy, the rims are difficult to find and there’s no selection.  But, if you want a heavy chrome rim without eyelets made in China that's hard to keep true with daily use, you’re in luck.  Forget about light double wall constructed rims made of more exotic materials like aluminum.

In case you’re wondering how rod brakes work on nice shiny chrome rims, they don’t.  In Portland during the summer dry season, meh; in wet weather, not so good.  Stopping when going downhill in wet weather...well, I hope your life insurance policy is current.

  

But despite their faults, I love the look of rod brakes.  Rod brakes add to the retro mystique with all the chrome bits and levers.  They look steampunk in a way.  That being said, there’s a lot of chrome parts that need to be replaced or re-plated on Philbert.

Anything with a bearing will need to be overhauled and repacked

I haven’t opened up the headset, bottom bracket, pedals and hubs, but let’s just say they’re a bit “crunchy”.  Hopefully the races aren't too pitted.

The paint is shot

The bike will need a complete repaint and new decal set, unless you’re into the whole patina look, which I’m not.  Let’s face it, Philbert has no  monetary or historical value, even though it’s 53 years old.

In my mind, patina should be reserved for museum pieces and other rarities.

Phillips cranked out bikes like Philbert by the thousands every year they were in business, so to leave a bike in this condition and call it patina, is like leaving a 1961 Ford Thunderbird with rusted quarter panels, sagging doors, missing trim and a ratty interior untouched and calling it “patina.”  Most people would think you were out of your mind, including me.  

  

The seat looks like a medieval torture device.  The pictures speak for themselves

I'm going to see if it can be put use as an actual seat but time will tell.

The wheels are shot and need a complete rebuild

That's a stick on the left side of the top tube not a random part of the bike.  I did a double take myself when I saw the photo 

At least the rims, although rusty in some areas, are the originals manufactured by Dunlop, and are fairly straight.  The tires are not original and dry rotted, so there’s no reason to bother with them.  I’ll replace the tubes as well.

The Sturmey Archer AW 3 speed hub doesn't shift.  It could be the shifter, the hub, or maybe just a lube and adjustment are all that's needed to get it up and running.  

The chain is old and rusty, so it’s not worth keeping on the bike for reliability and safety’s sake. 

The forks are bent.  At this point I’m not sure if they can be reset or are too far gone and need to be replaced.  I don’t see any damage to the frame but plan to get the frame checked out anyway for another concern...

There’s a small dent in the downtube next to the bottom bracket.

Since the downtube tends to be one of the more stressed tubes on a bike frame and it's near the bottom bracket, I plan to bring Philbert in to get a professional opinion on whether or not it compromises the structural integrity.

So there you have it.  Darn near everything that could go wrong with a bike wrapped up into one eyesore of a package!

Next up: what’s good about this bike that made me want to purchase it?