LAS VEGAS - REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), announced its 2011 line of Novara-brand bicycles and apparel during the Interbike® International Bike Expo. Novara, REI's award-winning private label bicycle brand, will add new pavement, road and mountain bicycles to its line targeted to all types of riders from beginner to advanced, and for most any terrain from city streets to mountain trails.

Novara's "Mainline" collection includes new and updated pavement bikes, designed to meet the needs of urban riders who want to cover a continuum of distances. Other highlights include the new "Verita," a classic roadster with a svelte design, and the new "Matador 29" for a smooth ride over bumpy mountain terrain. Novara's 2011 product will be available exclusively through REI starting in November on www.rei.com and in REI stores.

"The entire Novara collection provides an exciting, updated look and feel, with brand new designs, great quality and tremendous value to our members and customers," Steve Gluckman, Novara brand manager. "Our Mainline category addresses the move we're seeing toward our customers commuting over a variety of distances," Steve adds. "We refreshed our entire transportation category to share common commuting elements, and give our customers a choice depending on the distance they want to ride."

2011 Highlights

Mainline:

* New E.T.A. ($799) is a bicycle designed to cover distance. With SRAM® X5 shifters, a rear derailleur, Shimano® crankset and 27 speeds, and Shimano Deore® disc brakes.

* New Buzz® One ($399) is a single-speed suited for rough roads. With a 700c chromoly frame, moustache-style handlebars is a comfortable upright ride. Its flip-flop rear hub has a fixed gear on one side and a freewheel on the other side to give riders options.
* The updated Buzz ($549) offers a 700c chromoly frame, SRAM VIA drivetrain with 24-speeds, great for commutes to the coffee shop or for a spin around the city.
* Equipped with lights and a rack, the updated Novara Fusion ($949) is a commuter-friendly option that integrates a 700c chromoly powder coated steel frame, Shimano eight-speed Alfine internally geared rear hub and smooth RapidFire® shifter, Basta LED headlight powered by a dynamo in the front hub and Shimano disc brakes for all-weather stopping.
* Similar to the Fusion, the updated Transfer ($649), also a commuter-friendly option, has a seven-speed Nexus internally geared rear hub, Basta LED headlight powered by a dynamo front hub, Shimano V-brakes, and a rack.

Road:

* The new Verita ($1,099) offers a sport-touring strong double-butted Reynolds 520 chromoly frame, SRAM Apex 20-speed drivetrain with FSA Vero compact crankset, and Shimano long-reach brakes.
* The men's Strada® and women's Carema Pro ($1,099) have been updated. These drop-bar options offer a lightweight butted 6061 aluminum frame, carbon fork, Shimano 105 derailleurs and FSA Vero triple forged crankset offering 30 speeds. These bicycles also come equipped with fender-compatible Shimano long-reach brakes.
* Novara's flatbar road bicycle offerings have also been updated. The women's Express® xx and men's Express ($799) have butted 6061 aluminum frames, Kinesis carbon-fiber forks, Shimano Deore/Alivo® 27 speed drivetrain, and Shimano Deore V-brakes and levers.

Mountain:

* The Ponderosa® 29 ($949) has been updated with a Suntour XCR 80mm suspension fork with remote lockout. This 29er also includes a 6061 aluminum frame and Shimano Deore/SLX 27-speed drivetrain, Shimano Deore mechanical disc brakes and WTB® Nano Race 29" x 2.1" tires.
* The new Matador 29 ($799) includes a butted 6061 aluminum frame, Suntour XCR 80mm fork, SRAM X7 27-speed drivetrain with SRAM crankset, Avid® BB5 disc brakes and lightweight WTB Nano Race 29" x 2.1" tires.
* Additional bikes in the line for 2011 include the men's Bonanza and women's Bonita ($599); men's Portal and women's Pika ($399), great for beginning mountain biking.

Touring:

* The Safari ($849), Novara's adventure touring bike, has been updated to include a Reynolds 520 chromoly frame and 4130 chromoly fork, Shimano Deore drivetrain and crankset with 27 gears, and Shimano Deore V-brakes.

Apparel:

To complement its "Never a bad time to ride" theme, Novara also offers a collection of urban, road and mountain biking apparel to keep riders comfortable in the saddle.

Designed especially for riding in wet, blustery days, the new Verita Jacket for men and women uses eVent™ fabric and is windproof up to 60 mph. Also new for the season is the Headwind Jacket, a polyester/nylon/spandex shell, also windproof up to 60 mph, is available for men and women. Urban highlights include the Marco Jerseys and Marco Knickers for men, Rhumba Tank and Flirt Pedal Pushers for women.

For additional information on Novara's bikes, gear and apparel, visit Novara's newsroom at: www.novarabike.com/media. To view Novara's complete collection, visit: http://www.rei.com/novara/.

About Novara

Novara bicycles, apparel and accessories are exclusively available through www.rei.com and in REI stores nationally. Since 1983, Novara has focused on getting people on bicycles and comfortable riding in a variety of cycling environments. Novara brand products offer quality comfort, road, mountain, touring, urban, youth bicycles, apparel and accessories. Novara is also prominently featured on the co-op's online resource Bike Your Drive,www.rei.com/bikeyourdrive, to help debunk common myths and help people start riding.

About REI

REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.