mbusky

Just bought a ADV 1.1 touring bike from REI 15% off (good) came in 4 days (very good) assembled and tested then boxed my butt (bad) the front disc caliper was not even close to centered on the rotors screeching was the sound of the day. The rear caliper was off center but it may have been only due to the fact that it had only one bolt tightened the second was loose, not even finger tight it two full turns before it hit home. The slop in the steering tube was the next issue to take care of. Then moved my Brooks over and was ready yo go.

Yea they tested this bike, NOT!

But with that said I have to admit I put just over 180 miles on it in three days and I like it

indyfabz

Epic.

Yo.

Oneder

That kind of thing is why I'd never buy a bike disassembled. If you're doing that may as well buy a cheap used frame (probably better anyway) and whatever components you actually want. Probably much cheaper, better quality and not much more hassle.

Tacoenthusiast

REI is basically Walmart but with fancy doors with ice hammers for handles

Kabuki12

I have bought a few things at REI and have been satisfied with my purchases. I have two Joe Blow Sport pumps (bought on 20% off sale) , a Cinelli cycling cap, set of Michelin ProTech tires, and a Feedback handlebar retainer for my bikes when they are on the bike stand. Most things I find over priced but nice stuff for camping or hiking

JW in AK

So what you're saying is you've never actually been inside of an REI.

InvertedMP 

Some assembly required also probably means that some tuning required. I have bought one bike online and 2 in stores recently and the bike I bought online was a higher end bike. I have spend money and time getting it right which is really unfortunate. I doubt I will buy another bike online unless its from Canyon.

Kapusta

Thats what I was thinking..

Nyah

Nice bicycle, after reassembly, apparently.

GamblerGORD53

Is THAT all?? Pffft. How do they know how you are going to set the HB??
And you didn't tuneup the spokes?? WTH

viffer

Under normal circumstances you could always take the bike back to their shop and have them fix it. In fact I believe they offer a free adjustment after the first couple of hundred miles. My chainline was a little off and mangled the chain on my new bike but they replaced and fixed it no charge. All shipped bikes are sent partially disassembled and require some tweaking, even new ones. If you pay a professional bike shop to assemble it they’ll get it right for you, otherwise you’ll have to do it yourself.

And if push comes to shove REI has a we’ll take anything back return policy, no questions asked. You always pay a little premium at REI but I’ve never had a problem with the service. Always top notch.

theavidrider

they're a huge site, they'll slip up every now and again. Obviously not an excuse, but we deal with these things from time to time!

southpier

I view REI as I do West Marine. they pay kids & schoolteachers who know everything, and things go down hill from there.

indyfabz

I have a friend who was the bike department manager at their King of Prussia, PA, store. Excellent mechanic with decades of experience. Their Missoula store has reassembled my bike before tours on four occasions. Awesome job every time. One of the mechanics used to work in an excellent shop here in the east before he moved west. Called me sua sponte before one tour to tell me I needed a new chain, which was correct.

stevel610 

I've always had good service at the KoP store, and Conshy before KoP opened.

stevel610 

I like REI and have always had good service. I think during these times shipping departments are dealing with extraordinary levels of volume. While I understand being upset, it really amounts to a couple of bolts. Good luck with the bike!

southpier

that changes everything. it's rei & west marine from now on for me!

tkamd73 

I’m still a member, I joined because I like to kayak, bike, and ski. REI kind of covers all those bases, but not really that well. Much prefer an actual ski, bike, or kayak shop. Fortunately lots of good choices where I live. I think REI is pretty good if your into camping, which I’m not, so don’t really use my membership much anymore.
Tim

one4smoke

Ignorant post...

jackb

I've been an REI Co-op member since 1972. I've bought lots of gear from them over the years and have been satisfied. They don't make the gear, they just sell it. But they have a first-rate return policy: anything for any reason within a year, which is hard to beat. But like all retail stores, not every salesperson is knowledgeable. Their bike mechanics can be good or bad and anything in between. But REI usually has a good selection of products, decent sales periodically, and always around a 10 % dividend on non sale purchases, paid annually. Back before it became a trendy, upscale outdoor gear store, it was quite an economical place to but gear. In the 70s it wasn't so easy to get good gear at a good price. The REI brand presented a satisfactory option. In those days, you added up the weight of your mail order and paid the appropriate shipping costs. Now shipping is based on price, a practice I never could understand. But overall, it's not a bad place to buy stuff.

wgscott

It is in fact quite a bit worse than that.

Tacoenthusiast

Been into plenty of REIs

None of them are a real bike store, it's just a big box chain store

Don't get fooled by the pretty fake rock decorations

veganbikes

REI generally does not have the greatest of bike departments. They may sell some quality brands and even their house brand is fine but they are not a great bike shop. Massive chain stores tend not to always focus enough on their mechanics and are usually a place to start for a lot of kids but not a place many want to stay or want to do the most quality work. There are of course exceptions to the rule in different areas. That being said most shops including REI offer a free tune up or checkover once you purchase the bike. Bring it back to them and they should be able to take a look at it.

They should have put your bike together and checked it over. Every new bike should always be checked over by the head mechanic and should go through an exit tune where it is again checked. I know right now every shop that is open is busy and everyone is stressed. Unfortunately mistakes are being made because so much is being put on us and we barely have time to breathe.

If you are currently on the frontlines you know your customers are angry getting angrier and maybe not specifically at you but certainly are taking it out on you. You gotta just back up and try not to take it personally and just do the best damn job you can. For those coming to the shop please take your anger somewhere else, be nice, be kind, be understanding. If you are out of work, I am sorry, things suck right now for everyone. I am glad to have a job but it is more stressful then it has ever been. Imagine the most popular store on Black Friday, every day for however long this has been going on, that is our life right now. Let's all try to get through this together and just treat each other as human beings and try to be as mellow as possible.

Ironfish653

I'd say they're no better or worse than the typical 'retail outpost' LBS, certainly considering they're not a cycling-specific shop. They're more than adequate for a typical bike owner. BF members, however, are not typical.

Actually, my local REI does offer more 'casual' cycling clothes (bike-specific clothes that don't look like race kit) than the typical area LBS.

Camping/hiking are still their forte, but, yeah, they've gone a lot more 'lifestyle' than BITD.

@the OP, I don't know that I'd ever trust a 'bike-in-a-box' to be 100% ready to ride. You can assemble, test ride and tune at the shop, but you still have to take it apart again to put it back in the box. Even BikeFlights needs a shop at both ends.

rumrunn6

what city/stae?