REI Unveils Two New Mountain Bikes, Wants to Become Your LBS

REI isn’t new to the bike game. The sold bikes with the Novara label for years before moving to the Co-op Cycles brand in 2017. They’ve sold road bikes, hybrids, hardtails and evern e-bikes, but until now never a full-suspension bike.  REI is jumping into the full-suspension world with the DRT 3.1  and  3.2  models.

Both bikes are mid-travel 6061 aluminum frames. The 3.1 is $2,200 with a Shimano Deore 1×10 drivetrain. The more expensive 3.2 is built up with an SRAM NX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain, Rockshox Revelation RC fork and Monarch R Solo Air rear with 27.5-inch tires and costs $2,800.

Hot on the heels of the recent closure of Performance Bicycle brick and mortar stores, it looks like REI is on the move to increase its bike offerings. Not only will the company be shooting to sell more bikes, they’re also boosting staff training in bike departments by making sure each bike department has at least one tech with Barnett Bicycle Institute certification at either the basic or master level. In addition, Cannondale bikes will now be available at REI stores nationwide starting in March, along with Bontrager components and accessories.