Hiro11

I've been an REI member since the early nineties. The have a very good selection of hiking footwear, skiwear, outdoorsy clothing, camping stuff and packs/bags. Their prices aren't great but they have lots of sales.

I'm not a huge fan of their cycling section, it's commuter / recreational focused and they don't have much for the serious cyclist. My local REI stocks a smattering of sub $1k hybrids and mountain bikes. They apparently carry road bikes but I've never seen one in my local REI. The exception is their house brand cycling commuter wear, which is well designed, well made and not expensive. I think they're getting rid of their Novara bike brand and revamping their bike line. Novara currently makes a good touring bike and a couple of good commuters.

dedhed

I consider the REI here one of the local LBS when I need parts.

Gresp15C

The REI a few blocks from my house has dozens of bikes during the summer, in a pretty wide variety of types, at least a couple bike salespeople, and a repair shop. I bought a bike there, and it was a fine experience. Granted, I didn't really need any help, and it was a relatively low priced bike. My town has about a dozen bike shops, most of which are thriving at any given moment.

Hardrock23

I love REI. Its my closest "bike shop" also, being only 1.5 miles away or so. I only have one and a half LBS in my city - one is closing down, owner retiring, and the other doesnt really stock anything but bikes.

I have had nothing but great experiences there. I take their bike classes, and they are quite good. They never try to sell you anything, but do give out coupons each class. Atleast twice now the instructor has told us which product he likes to use personally, and that its not offered at REI. He always stays late to answer every question everyone has about a problem theyre having.

And i do agree, all the employees at mine seem to absolutely love their jobs. They are super helpful, and dont mind when im going through touching all the products lol. Ours stocks alot of bikes; a little bit of everything but quite a bit of road bikes. What bikes werent on the floor, were hanging overhead in the isles. Though im not sure what they have out now because of the switch theyre making and having not stopped by lately.

I use their mechanic when its something i cant do myself yet/dont have the tools for. Their prices are great too. The mechanic always remembers me and my bike, which is nice considering how many people he interacts with and that i dont come in often for work anymore.

They have great sales, great membership, etc. I like also that they have free ship to store and that its really quick.

Maxacceleration

I remember when REI was inexpensive - certainly isn't any more. But their house brand of clothing is modest in price.
Its my opinion that they cater much more to hikers than cyclists. In fact hikers in many areas want to keep mountain bikers out of many areas. Hikers have got many mtb trails closed. Hikers rally together while mtb people are unorganized.
So that is my dilemma with REI. They don't necessarily support land use for all.
But I do have great hiking/biking and motorcycling camping gear from REI. They are the best for all around nice gear.
I'll give 'em four out of five stars.

restlessswind

REI is probably my favorite store to just peruse. A trip for an inner tube turns into 2 hours of distractions. No pressure ever. 1 year satisfaction guarantee on everything (including a bike.) I usually buy sandals, sunglasses and other clothes as well as some camping rig.

FeltF2Tarmac

Never bought any cycling gear but there is a ton of other stuff I would like to have. The Ghost brand bike looked like a decent deal. Carbon frame and 105 for clearance at $1000, I'm sure it would meet most cyclists needs.

ddeand 

I understand your point on a general level, but keep in mind that REI is also one of the major sponsors of IMBA as well as providing much local support for both hikers and mountain bikers.

indyfabz

Just saw that they changed the name of their on line "outlet" to "garage."


Got a mailing the other day for their winter sale.

no motor?

I got the same mailing and wondered what the garage was, that's a bad name for a human powered adventure store.

Maxacceleration

I did not know that!

indyfabz

As noted above, at least once/year the store closest to me (and likely all other stores) have what's called a "garage sale," where they get rid of used items that are still in useable condition. I guess the idea behind calling what was once reioutlet "garage" is that they are clearing out their figurative garage of surplus stuff, such as closeouts, much the way a homeowner would have a "garage sale" (a/k/a "yard sale").

Darth Lefty 

They had to pick between garage, attic, and basement

thumpism 

Not necessarily. My own garage is so full of my bikes and other gear (and non-fun stuff) that it does not have space for motor vehicles. Depends on the image conjured by the word "garage."