REI will begin selling bicycles and bike packing accessories from Minneapolis-based Salsa Cycles online and at some stores this fall.
“REI is committed to the adventure cycling segment, and partnering with Salsa was a natural progression for us,” says Ben Johns, REI general merchandising manager for cycle. “Salsa’s line-up provides our customers a broad selection of specialty mountain, touring, and fatbikes, and will be a great complement to our existing lineup.”
A selection of Salsa’s fatbikes, including the Beargrease, Mukluk, and Bucksaw, will be available in time for winter in select REI locations and online.
Additional Salsa bikepacking and adventure touring bikes, including the Cutthroat, Fargo, Marrakesh, and Vaya, and trail and backcountry models including the Redpoint, and Pony Rustler, will be available to REI customers starting in spring 2017.
Based in Minneapolis, Minn. and owned by Quality Bicycle Products Inc., Salsa believes a sense of adventure makes life better and encourages people to “adventure by bike.” Founded in 1982, Salsa has introduced dozens of innovative bikepacking and cycling adventure models, including the Marrakesh, a popular touring bike, the Fargo, a versatile off-road dropbar mountain bike, and the Bucksaw, a full-suspension fatbike.
“Our mission at Salsa is to keep the spirit of adventure alive in cycling. REI is the ideal retailer to help us elevate the bikepacking and touring culture,” said Justin Julian, Salsa Brand Manager. “As a specialty retailer with a deep understanding and ability to outfit people for adventure cycling, REI is the correct next move for us.”
REI sells gear for camping, cycling, hiking, paddling and other human-powered outdoor recreational activities through 145 stores in 35 states and on the web. Its REI Adventures unit runs 150 custom-designed adventure travel itineraries on every continent. REI’s Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner- to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to–and steward–the outdoor places that inspire us.
