This was posted 10 years 4 months 8 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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2014 Novara Gotham Commuter Bike $1167 (+ Duty?) Delivered (Belt Drive, Nuvinci CVP Gears)

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REI list this bike at $1399, which is its RRP.

Now that Winter is finally here
It's time to do away with the external gear
With a belt drive instead of a pesky chain
you'll never have to lubricate again.

That basically sums it up for me. A carbon belt drive replaces the chain, which means it's super quiet and doesn't need any lube - just rinse it with water now and again. The gearing is also fully internal, which keeps it safe for the elements, and also means you can "change gears" at any time, even when stopped. The CVP system means no clicking between gears, just rotate the shifter to smoothly adjust the gearing.

If you baulk at the price and are happy for a lower-tech gear system, you might be interested in the Novara Arkham at less than $700AUD shipped.

These aren't the lightest bikes you can buy but the ease of use and maintenance make them worthwhile.

Note that I don't really know much much effort/cost/tooling is required to assemble the bike when it arrives. Anyone with experience with buying bikes online please comment below.

Bikes Palace (based in the US) currently has free shipping to AU, even for bikes. I confirmed this in a brief chat with an online rep, so it's not a glitch.

Taken from the Bikes Palace site

NuVinci N360 continuously variable planetary (CVP) rear hub uses rotating, tilting balls inside the hub to supply smooth, quiet shifts whenever you want, even when stopped
NuVinci CVP design also means there's no indexed "ker-chunk" between gears, just a continuous range that lets you find the amount of resistance that best suits your needs
Gates CenterTrack Belt Drive uses a carbon-reinforced belt instead of a chain for a quiet ride—belt doesn't require lubrication, so there's no greasy chain to deal with
Using the twist shifters is intuitively simple and offers super-smooth, seamless movement throughout the gearing range with a flick of the wrist
6061 butted aluminum frame and fork are lightweight and strong
Tektro Gemini hydraulic disc brakes deliver superior stopping power
Head tube features Novara “N Dock” mounting braze-ons to attach a cargo-hauling Barrow basket (please note that the basket is sold separately)
Rear rack on the Gotham is ready for cargo, quickly accepting panniers or trunk bag (not included)—great for carrying groceries or work essentials
Lezyne 500-lumen rechargeable headlight brightly leads the way, and a built-in battery-powered rack-mounted tail light aids rear visibility
Upright-riding cockpit is designed for comfort, thanks to the Selle Royal saddle, mustache-style handlebar and ergonomic grips
Puncture-resistant Schwalbe Marathon tires feature sure grip and a fast, smooth ride
Rounding out the package are polished fenders to keep road grime and water off you and the bike; bell on handlebars signals passing; kickstand makes storage/parking easy
Specs on our Novara Gotham bike are subject to change

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bikespalace.com
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closed Comments

  • Sizing information is available here

  • Over $1K, you've got import duties to pay

    • updated title and description to clarify duty is not included in the calculation, and also to link to a cheaper model which doesn't break the $1k barrier.

  • -1

    $1k1 bike………….

  • yeah, $US1100 exactly.

    Incidently, I thought I'd take the plunge and get one, and am having a bit of trouble paying using PayPal. Not sure if it's me or them - but wanted to mention it in case anyone else has issues. I get some vague error about not being able to pay at this time, but nothing saying what the problem is.

  • bikes look very heavy… not gonna be very good for uphills

  • Not a fan of twist shift, either. Way to easy to accidentally change gears when going up a hill

  • A nice looking velocipede! Yum!!!

  • I'd be inclined to go local for warranty reasons. If you can't find a good deal in the Australia bicycle retail stores you are doing something wrong IMHO.

    http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s/?query=belt%20drive

  • Honestly a chain is a very easy low maintenance item that runs for years even without any care. A tiny bit of lube every 6 months or a year and it will last for the life of the bike. It is also very efficient as are derailleur gears.

    It you don't like derailleurs get a gear hub bike with an enclosed chain for a very similar low maintenance clean experience as the above bike.

  • +1

    Forget about belt vs chain - it is a minor issue.

    What is interesting about this bike is the CV hub gearing. And that is also what makes the bike expensive and heavy.
    Note that internal hub gears are substantially less efficient than derailleur gears. But less cleaning and more reliable.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuVinci_Continuously_Variable_T…

  • Guys can some one help me.

    If i want to buy an e bike which comes with a compliance of the euro law and is completly legal in Australia.

    Do i need any type of import license to buy from china seller on alibaba.com.

    A total price for bike i like is around $900 USD i guess it will be less than $1000 so i wont need to pay customes but my question is, is it just as simple as buying any other product?

    $900 includes TNT door to Door delivery

    Thanks

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