Bike models › Hybrid
Novara Big Buzz: specs, upgrades and what fits
REI's 27-speed aluminum commuter hybrid: SRAM X5 trigger shifters and derailleurs, SRAM S650 48/36/26 crank, SRAM PG-950 11-28 9-speed cassette, Tektro Auriga Pro hydraulic disc brakes (mineral oil) and Kenda 700 x 32 tires, with rack and fender mounts. Original US price $799; the 2012 and 2014 Big Buzz are the same build. The crank uses a SRAM PowerSpline (splined) bottom bracket, not square taper, and the 2008-2011 Big Buzz was a different 2x9 bike with mechanical discs. Best for: Fast commuting and fitness rides.
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My take, from the specs
A quick aluminum commuter for riders who want 27 gears, rack and fender mounts, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that stop well in the wet. Those brakes use mineral oil, so never bleed them with DOT fluid, and the SRAM crank runs on a PowerSpline bottom bracket, so a square-taper replacement will not fit. On a used one, check for a soft or sinking brake lever and confirm the year, since 2008-2011 Big Buzz bikes are a different 2x9 build with mechanical discs.
Sizes: S: 5′3″–5′6″ (160–168 cm) · M: 5′6″–5′9″ (168–175 cm) · L: 5′9″–6′0″ (175–183 cm) · XL: 6′0″–6′3″ (183–191 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Year | 2013 |
| Price when new | $799 |
| Sold at | REI (discontinued; common used) |
| Wheels | 700c × 32 mm tires |
| Gears | 3×9 · 48/36/26T · 11–28T |
| Brakes | Tektro Auriga Pro hydraulic disc |
| Fork | Novara Rigid aluminum (not steel), disc mount |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM X5, 9-speed (SRAM 1:1 pull, not Shimano-compatible) |
| Shifter | SRAM X5 trigger, 3x9 (SRAM 1:1 pull) |
| Crank | Generic 172.5 mm square taper |
| Bottom bracket | Neco 122.5 mm one-piece cartridge |
| Axles | Quick release |
| Weight | 26.7 lb (12.1 kg) |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Stock colors | Black |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 32 mm | Unknown until measured. Your 19 mm internal rims suit roughly 28–49 mm tires. |
| Other wheel sizes | 650b up to ~39 mm | Disc brakes don't care where the rim sits, so a 650b wheel with a fatter tire fits. A 650b × 47 is about the outer size of a 700 × 28, so the bottom bracket sits about 12 mm lower than on 700 × 40 (watch pedal strikes). |
| Tubeless | Not recommended | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Unknown | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Quick release · 100/135 mm · 6-bolt disc | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Front gears | 3x (48/36/26T) · needs 39T capacity | A 3x drivetrain needs a front derailleur and left shifter. Your rear derailleur must take up (biggest − smallest ring) + (biggest − smallest cog) = 39T. Going 1x drops the front derailleur: simpler and quieter, with a slightly smaller range. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 48T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | 9-speed (HG body) | Shimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,… |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | Square taper · 68 mm shell · ? mm spindle | Any square-taper crankset fits with the right spindle length. Upgrading to Hollowtech II needs a new BB (same threaded shell). |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Brake pads | Shape unknown | Disc pads only fit calipers with the matching shape. |
| Rotor size | ?/? mm now · front up to 180 mm | 6-bolt rotors. Going bigger needs a caliper adapter: adapter type depends on the mount (post, IS or flat). Most steel forks allow 180 mm; check the fork if a max rotor is printed on it. |
| Caliper upgrades | Hydraulic system | Hydraulic: match the brand of lever and caliper. |
| Stems & bars | 1-1/8 steerer · ? mm bar clamp | Any stem for a 1-1/8 steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Drop-bar conversion | Possible with mods | Needs road brake/shift levers (microSHIFT R8 makes 8-speed ones that pull Shimano 8-speed cable correctly), a drop bar, tape, and road-pull brake calipers because road levers pull less cable. Usually $250+. |
| Seatposts | ? mm | Buy posts in exactly this diameter. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | Rack ✓ · Fender ✓ · 0 bottle · Fork cargo ✓ | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | Unknown | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the Novara Big Buzz as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Tubes
- Thorn-resistant tubes 700x35-43 (pair), $. 700c wheel size matches
Comfort
- Ergon GP1 ergonomic grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Budget ergonomic lock-on grips, $. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Ergon GA3 lock-on grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Ergon GP5 ergonomic grips with built-in bar ends (S or L), $$$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
Control
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
Utility
- Topeak Explorer rear rack (disc mount), $$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Wald 137 front basket, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
- Topeak Super Tourist DX Tubular rear rack (disc), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
- Tubus Disco steel rear rack for disc brakes (26" or 28"/700c), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
Tires
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~32 mm clearance
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x28 folding (pair), $$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~32 mm clearance
- Michelin Power Cup 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~32 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x32 wire (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~32 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x32 (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~32 mm clearance
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x32 clincher (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~32 mm clearance
Drivetrain
- KMC X9 9-speed chain with Missing Link, $$. 9-speed chain ↔ your 9-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-HG53 9-speed chain (116 links), $. 9-speed chain ↔ your 9-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CN-HG93 9-speed chain (XT/Ultegra level, 116 links), $$. 9-speed chain ↔ your 9-speed drivetrain
Wheels
- Weinmann Zac19 700c 6-bolt disc rear wheel, QR 135, 36H, HG 8–10 speed, $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- Shimano / DT Swiss R500 700c disc wheelset, QR 100/135, Center Lock, HG + 2 Shimano SM-RT54 160 mm Center Lock rotors, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- HUNT 4 Season Gravel Disc X-Wide wheelset (QR 100/135, HG, Center Lock) + 2 Shimano SM-RT64 160 mm Center Lock rotors, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- Stan's NoTubes Crest S2 29 rear wheel, QR 135, 6-bolt, HG, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
Fits with small changes (9)
- Shimano BR-MT420 4-piston hydraulic brakes + BL-MT401 levers (pair), $$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x25 folding (pair), $$. Outside the ideal range for your 19 mm rims (28–49 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Michelin Power Cup 700x25 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 19 mm rims (28–49 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x25 clincher (pair), $$$. Outside the ideal range for your 19 mm rims (28–49 mm): it will mount, but the shape is less stable.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Shimano Deore BL-M6100 + BR-M6120 4-piston hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Shimano SLX BL-M7100 + BR-M7120 4-piston hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($799), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | Today (2013 model) |
|---|---|
| Like new | $205–$270 |
| Good | $180–$235 |
| Fair | $145–$195 |
| Needs work | $110–$150 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size M)
| Head angle | 71° |
|---|---|
| Seat angle | 72.5° |
| Chainstay | 444° |
| Wheelbase | 1074 mm |
| Seat tube | 450 mm |
| Standover | 754° |
Compare with
- Schwinn Discover 2 700c · compare frames side by side
- Kent Ridgeway 700c · compare frames side by side
- Trek FX 2 Gen 4 · compare frames side by side
- Specialized Sirrus 2.0 · compare frames side by side
Sources: REI (archived): Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2013 (item 832566) specs, sizes, $799 · REI (archived): Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2012 (same specs) · REI (archived): Novara Big Buzz Bike - 2014 (same specs, 26.7 lb) · REI (archived): Novara size chart, Buzz / Big Buzz / Buzz ONE geometry · Bike Index: owner-registered Novara Big Buzz (aluminum, 3x9, hydraulic discs)