Bike models › Hybrid
Novara Safari: specs, upgrades and what fits
REI's 27-speed chromoly adventure-touring bike with a moustache bar, Microshift thumb shifters, Shimano Deore derailleurs, TRP Spyke mechanical discs, 700 x 48 tires and an included rear rack; the 2016 Safari is the same build. Original US price $1,099. The crank and BB are Shimano Octalink (splined), not square taper, and older Safaris (about 2008-2013) were aluminum with 26 in. wheels on small sizes. Best for: Loaded touring, bikepacking and commuting.
Put this bike in your garageSee it in 3D
My take, from the specs
A capable touring and bikepacking bike on the used market, with a chromoly frame, rack and fender mounts, an included rear rack and 700 x 48 tires. The 3x9 Deore drivetrain with an 11-34 cassette gives low gears for loaded climbs, and the TRP Spyke mechanical discs are easy to service on the road. The moustache bar is not for everyone, and on a used one check the Octalink crank and bottom bracket for play, the disc pads and rotors, and the rack bolts.
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″ (183–190 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Year | 2015 |
| Price when new | $1099 |
| Sold at | REI (discontinued; common used) |
| Wheels | 700c × 48 mm tires |
| Gears | 3×9 · 48/36/26T · 11–34T |
| Brakes | TRP Spyke mechanical disc |
| Fork | Novara Chromoly |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore Shadow 9-speed |
| Shifter | Microshift SL-A09 thumb shifters, 3x9 |
| Crank | Generic 172.5 mm square taper |
| Bottom bracket | Neco 122.5 mm one-piece cartridge |
| Axles | Quick release |
| Weight | 30.6 lb (13.9 kg) |
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
| Stock colors | Matte 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) | 48 mm | Unknown until measured. Your 19 mm internal rims suit roughly 28–49 mm tires. |
| Other wheel sizes | 650b up to ~55 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. |
| Biggest rear cog | 34T (now 34T) | Set by the rear derailleur (Shimano Deore Shadow 9-speed (model not listed)): max low sprocket 34T, total capacity ?T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more. |
| Front gears | 3x (48/36/26T) · needs 45T capacity | A 3x drivetrain needs a front derailleur and left shifter. Your rear derailleur must take up (biggest − smallest ring) + (biggest − smallest cog) = 45T. 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 | Long-pull (MTB) mechanical | Your levers pull a lot of cable, so upgrade calipers must be long-pull (MTB) versions: TRP Spyke, Juin Tech M1, Avid BB7 MTB. Road calipers (TRP Spyre, BB7 Road) would feel mushy. |
| 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 Safari 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
Tires
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x35 (pair), $$$. 35 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Kenda Kwest 700x35 (pair), $$. 35 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- WTB Byway 700x40 (pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing SK 700x40 (pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Marathon 700x38 (pair), $$$. 38 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Continental Ultra Sport III 700x28 folding (pair), $$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- WTB Riddler 700x45 TCS Light (pair), $$$. 45 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Michelin Power Cup 700x28 clincher (pair), $$$. 28 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x32 wire (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x32 (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 700x32 clincher (pair), $$$. 32 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x35 wire (pair), $$$. 35 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Panaracer Pasela 700x38 wire (pair), $$. 38 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Marathon Almotion 700x38 (40-622) V-Guard Addix (pair), $$$. 38 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Continental Contact Urban 700x40 (40-622) wire (pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x40 (2025, pair), $$$. 40 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- WTB Riddler 700x37 TCS Light (pair), $$$. 37 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
- Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 700x45 (pair), $$$. 45 mm tire ↔ your ~48 mm clearance
Brakes
- TRP Spyke mechanical disc calipers, long pull (pair), $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Long-pull caliper ↔ your flat-bar (long-pull) levers
- Juin Tech M1 cable-hydraulic calipers, long pull (pair), $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Long-pull caliper ↔ your flat-bar (long-pull) levers
- Jagwire Mountain Pro brake cable kit (Kevlar KEB-SL housing), $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Shimano Tourney BR-TX805 mechanical disc calipers, long pull, post mount (pair), $$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · Long-pull caliper ↔ your flat-bar (long-pull) levers
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), $$$. Uses your frame's rack mounts
Drivetrain
- KMC X9 9-speed chain with Missing Link, $$. 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, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- HUNT 4 Season Gravel Disc X-Wide wheelset (QR 100/135, HG, Center Lock) + 2 Shimano SM-RT64 160 mm Center Lock rotors, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- WTB ST i30 TCS 29er disc rear wheel, QR 135, 6-bolt, HG 10, $$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
- Stan's NoTubes Crest S2 29 rear wheel, QR 135, 6-bolt, HG, $$$$. Disc-brake part ↔ your disc brakes · 700c wheel size matches
Fits with small changes (11)
- Shimano BR-MT200 hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- 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-M6100 2-piston hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Shimano Deore BL-M6100 + BR-M6120 4-piston hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Shimano SLX BL-M7100 + BR-M7120 4-piston hydraulic brake set (pair, levers included), $$$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($1099), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | Today (2015 model) |
|---|---|
| Like new | $280–$370 |
| Good | $245–$325 |
| Fair | $200–$265 |
| Needs work | $155–$205 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size M)
| Head angle | 71° |
|---|---|
| Seat angle | 73° |
| Chainstay | 465° |
| Wheelbase | 1123 mm |
| Seat tube | 430 mm |
| Standover | 762° |
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 Safari Bike - 2015 (item 874998) specs + price · REI (archived): Novara Safari Bike - 2016 (same build, 30.7 lb) · REI (archived): Novara size chart incl. Safari geometry · Travelling Two: REI Novara Safari (older aluminum version)