I use an REI Visa and expect to have a large dividend next year, hopefully enough to get a decent mountain bike (I run a lot of work expenses through my Visa). Who makes the Novara bikes? I assume they are made by someone else and just get a Novara sticker stuck on them. I think REI also sells Cannondale’s so maybe Novara = C’dale?
As an ex REI employee (who was hired to build bikes) I can tell you they are definitely not Cannondales. I don’t know for sure who makes 'em, but their quality is NOWHERE near Cannondale. They aren’t terrible, but I personally wouldn’t buy one unless it was an incredible deal.
Also, Cannondales are available in some REI stores, but not others. They also sell Litespeed and a bunch of other top brands in certain stores.
It use to be Diamond Back. May still be, but not sure.