I disagree with those who said not to call REI headquarters for the following reasons.
If he calls REI and ask for the buyer(s) in charge of bicycles, then his question can either be answered (mind put at ease) or the buyer can get to the manufacturer for the answer if he needed to. Also, supposing the buyers have not been asked this question before, then the right answer can be passed on down the organisation for when the same question comes from another owner.
I think it's okay to call REI. Just make sure to ask for a buyer in cycling instead of being passed from people to people who are irrelevant to the question at hand.