Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) has begun selling German-made Ghost bicycles exclusively in the United States as part of its previously disclosed deal with Accell North America.
REI said it will offer 41 Ghost mountain, road and city bicycle models ranging in price from $649 at the entry level up to $7,999. Ghost bicycles will be sold on REI.com for direct-to-consumer delivery nationwide and free in-store pick up at all 138 REI stores. The Kato FS 3 will also be available in REI stores starting in March.
Until now, REI rarely carried bikes beyond the $2,500 price point at its retail locations.
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| REI was selling the Ghost FS 7, featuring 27.5-inch wheels, Fox Shox suspension and Shimano XT crank, drive train and hydraulic breaks online Tuesday for $2,599.00. |
“We are incredibly proud to introduce Ghost to the U.S.,” says Mark Harding, REI's merchandising cycle manager. “These bikes have the attention to detail you would expect from German engineering and a ride you’ll fall in love with.”
REI was already selling Diamondback bicycles and IZIP e-bikes when it announced last September that it had reached an agreement with Accell NA for exclusive U.S. rights to sell the Ghost brand.
Diamondback and IZIP are both owned by affiliates of Accell NA, which is owned by Accell Group, NV of The Netherlands. Accell Group, which is Europe’s largest bicycle retailers, acquired the Diamondback and IZIP brands with its 2012 acquisitions of Raleigh Ltd and Currie Technologies Inc. of Simi Valley, CA. respectively.
Accell North America established its headquarters 3.5 miles from REI's headquarters in Kent, WA just south of Seattle in 2013.
