REI Repositions Cycling Business, Launches Co-op Cycles
10-01-16, 06:46 PM
#51
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Is it possible for a department store/big box store/sporting goods store to build up a prestige in-house brand? I think some of the big online bike stores are working on it. Nashbar, and Ribble both have fairly good looking "house" bikes. What about a sporting goods store?
Something that one looks at and says... that is the one to buy. And people ogle it when it is on the road?
I'd say that REI has done quite well with a lot of other things. Want a tent or a sleeping bag or a stove... REI has it.
But, want a cutting edge bike... look elsewhere.
I've looked at some of the Novara bikes. Not real closely, but they all seem to be rather mediocre. I can't quite put my finger on it. They should be nice bikes, but it is like their target is 90%, not 100%. Of course, cutting edge costs money, but anybody buying $400 for a tent could surely afford more than $1000 for a bike.
It sounds like REI is pushing into the Carbon Fiber, and targeting nice cyclocross and MTB lines. So, I have high hopes. Road?
Anyway, perhaps there would be a reason to try building a new brand from scratch.
Something that one looks at and says... that is the one to buy. And people ogle it when it is on the road?
I'd say that REI has done quite well with a lot of other things. Want a tent or a sleeping bag or a stove... REI has it.
But, want a cutting edge bike... look elsewhere.
I've looked at some of the Novara bikes. Not real closely, but they all seem to be rather mediocre. I can't quite put my finger on it. They should be nice bikes, but it is like their target is 90%, not 100%. Of course, cutting edge costs money, but anybody buying $400 for a tent could surely afford more than $1000 for a bike.
It sounds like REI is pushing into the Carbon Fiber, and targeting nice cyclocross and MTB lines. So, I have high hopes. Road?
Anyway, perhaps there would be a reason to try building a new brand from scratch.
10-01-16, 08:42 PM
#52
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Is it possible for a department store/big box store/sporting goods store to build up a prestige in-house brand? I think some of the big online bike stores are working on it. Nashbar, and Ribble both have fairly good looking "house" bikes. What about a sporting goods store?
Something that one looks at and says... that is the one to buy. And people ogle it when it is on the road?
I'd say that REI has done quite well with a lot of other things. Want a tent or a sleeping bag or a stove... REI has it.
But, want a cutting edge bike... look elsewhere.
I've looked at some of the Novara bikes. Not real closely, but they all seem to be rather mediocre. I can't quite put my finger on it. They should be nice bikes, but it is like their target is 90%, not 100%. Of course, cutting edge costs money, but anybody buying $400 for a tent could surely afford more than $1000 for a bike.
It sounds like REI is pushing into the Carbon Fiber, and targeting nice cyclocross and MTB lines. So, I have high hopes. Road?
Anyway, perhaps there would be a reason to try building a new brand from scratch.
Something that one looks at and says... that is the one to buy. And people ogle it when it is on the road?
I'd say that REI has done quite well with a lot of other things. Want a tent or a sleeping bag or a stove... REI has it.
But, want a cutting edge bike... look elsewhere.
I've looked at some of the Novara bikes. Not real closely, but they all seem to be rather mediocre. I can't quite put my finger on it. They should be nice bikes, but it is like their target is 90%, not 100%. Of course, cutting edge costs money, but anybody buying $400 for a tent could surely afford more than $1000 for a bike.
It sounds like REI is pushing into the Carbon Fiber, and targeting nice cyclocross and MTB lines. So, I have high hopes. Road?
Anyway, perhaps there would be a reason to try building a new brand from scratch.
10-08-16, 02:42 AM
#53
Senior Member
I've looked at some of the Novara bikes. Not real closely, but they all seem to be rather mediocre. I can't quite put my finger on it. They should be nice bikes, but it is like their target is 90%, not 100%. Of course, cutting edge costs money, but anybody buying $400 for a tent could surely afford more than $1000 for a bike.
REI has announced Co-op bikes will be available in Spring of 2017. According to the press release some of the new 'Adventure' (ADV) models will inherit DNA from previous Novara models like the Randonee and Safari, which is encouraging.
https://www.rei.com/h/co-op-cycles
10-08-16, 05:39 AM
#54
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Former REI is US Secretary of Interior. REI doesn't have the pressure of a publicly held company or vulture capitalists.
REI Releases 2015 Stewardship and Earnings Report, Gives Back Three-Quarters of Profit to Outdoor Community and Opens Voting for Board Members | REI Newsroom
Total pay and bonus of other CEO's is far greater.
Dave Brandon eligible for up to $50 million as Toys 'R' Us CEO
REI Releases 2015 Stewardship and Earnings Report, Gives Back Three-Quarters of Profit to Outdoor Community and Opens Voting for Board Members | REI Newsroom
Total pay and bonus of other CEO's is far greater.
Dave Brandon eligible for up to $50 million as Toys 'R' Us CEO
10-08-16, 06:54 AM
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Something that one looks at and says... that is the one to buy. And people ogle it when it is on the road?
10-08-16, 03:31 PM
#56
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If by "prestige" you mean selling low-volume $10k+ bikes and race sponsorships, I don't see the point. Like it or not, the crowd that values such things probably wouldn't buy a whole bike from REI...it'd be an uphill battle to convince buyers that your products are incredibly well thought out, engineered (built?) in house, and designed with input from the pros.
I actually think REI does this already, in a sense. Two bikes come to mind: the Novara Safari and Novara Mazama. Both bikes are not only good values in their respective categories, but also have features that distinguish them from many similar bikes by other brands. The Mazama got a few good write-ups online and has generated a lot of interest within the gravel crowd.
I actually think REI does this already, in a sense. Two bikes come to mind: the Novara Safari and Novara Mazama. Both bikes are not only good values in their respective categories, but also have features that distinguish them from many similar bikes by other brands. The Mazama got a few good write-ups online and has generated a lot of interest within the gravel crowd.
Last edited by AdvXtrm; 10-08-16 at 04:02 PM.
10-10-16, 12:33 AM
#58
Senior Member
... I sure hope REI keeps the Safari in their new lineup come Spring. This bike is an icon of their line since the day of its introduction. People have taken it on world-tours without issue and with much praise for its reliability and capabilities, and the latest version, the one I have, is the best one yet.
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