- Hybrid bikes are designed to have the agility to take on bumps in the road while also offering many mountain bike-specific features, such as larger wheels and flat handlebars.
- REI's in-house Co-op Cycles brand offers a variety of bike styles and gear, all of which are as high-quality and dependable as what many larger cycling companies sell.
- I tested its CTY 2.1 hybrid bike and especially liked how light it felt, its excellent maneuverability, and the smooth ride afforded by its front suspension.
Every year, the number of adults who choose to commute to work by bicycle increases by 7.5%. Due to their balance of control and speed, hybrid bikes are growing in popularity among these riders, too. Hybrid bikes have a flat handlebar, wider tires, and an upright riding position that's akin to the design of a mountain bike. However, the wheel size is usually larger than a mountain bike's to allow for more speed.
In 2017, REI relaunched its bicycle line under the brand Co-op Cycles. The brand offers hybrid, mountain, road, and kids' bikes along with cycling clothing, bike components, and accessories. I recently had the opportunity to try out their CTY 2.1 hybrid bicycle to see if REI's in-house products are as quality as the other brands it sells in its stores.
REI's CTY 2.1 Bike
You can get the CTY 2.1 Bike shipped to you for $75 but I recommend picking it up at an REI location if possible. You can still order online but by going to the store in person, you get the opportunity to learn about the bike from an expert and have it adjusted to fit your body.
This is what I did. I had to drive about an hour to Ann Arbor to get to the closest REI but was provided with incredibly helpful service. REI's technician held the bike while I sat on it so he could ensure the seat was at the right height and demonstrated how the unique front suspension worked.
Though I have decades of cycling experience, I liked that he assumed I didn't. I think for most buyers who are just starting to commute, this will be extremely helpful, especially since it can be intimidating to ask questions.
The CTY 2.1 is a unisex bike and comes in small (for heights 5'3" to 5'6"), medium (5'6"-5'9"), large (5'9"-6'), and extra-large (6'-6'3"). At 6 feet tall, I went with extra-large in case my 6'4" son needed to borrow it at some point. I found the size to be perfect for both me and my son.
Specs
The bike features an SR Suntour Nex HLO front suspension fork that gives it a smooth ride, even on rougher terrain — its 63mm of travel also makes rough roads far less bumpy. I thought it was a particularly nice touch that there's a switch that locks the suspension to keep your ride static on smooth roads.
The bike features Joytech 32h front and rear hubs, Kenda Kick-Back 700 x 40mm tires, Shimano M315 hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano 78/38/28 crankset, Shimano FD-M191 front derailleur, Shimano Acera rear derailleur, and Shimano HG41, 11-34, 8-speed cassette.
How the bike performs
I found that although I keep the bike in my basement, its aluminum frame is lightweight enough to easily carry it up and down the stairs. The overall weight of the bike is 32.4 pounds, though any smaller size will likely weigh less.
Riding was exciting during my tests. Whether I was on a trail or riding on the sidewalk, I felt it handled as well as I needed. Even the hydraulic disc brakes came in handy when a car pulled out right in front of me as I was riding on the sidewalk. The brakes reacted quickly and I avoided running into them or flying over the handlebars.
I would also ride on grass or wood chip and its front suspension smoothed out my off-road jaunts. The bike is responsive enough to quickly avoid obstacles, too.
Since Michigan is a pretty flat state, my rides didn't include many major hills. So, I didn't really get to test out the extremes of the 24 gears. However, I did find that changing gears was seamless and the chain didn't jump to a different gear without me initiating it. I made a point of adding a few drops of lube to the chain every week or so, and the only time it came loose was while lubing it up — but it was easy to put right back on.
The only other maintenance I performed was checking the tire pressure and adding a few pumps to make sure it was around 60 psi before riding. REI does recommend bringing your new bike into the closest location after 20 hours of use or 6 months after the purchase (whichever comes first) for a free tune-up.
A few drawbacks
After about 400 miles of riding, I noticed that two of the reflectors on the pedals had fallen off and a third was on its way. This is a relatively minor issue and easy enough to replace if need be (but something to make note of, nonetheless). I closely examined the rest of the bike and the only major wear I found was some rusting on the pedal axle. Again, this is fairly minor and inexpensive to replace if it fails.
I did wipe out twice riding the CTY 2.1. Both times, I was riding on wet boardwalks which is by no means the fault of the bike or the tires. I only bring this up in the hopes that others will learn from my blood, sweat, and tears: Wet wood is slippery and unsafe at any speed.
REI has amazing service, which I'm sure sounds odd to include in a section on drawbacks. Its products are a little more expensive than what you might find elsewhere, but that's because they believe in quality. So, why is this a concern? If you live far away from an REI location and have trouble with your bike, it becomes a hassle to take it back and access this excellent service.
Bottom line
Overall, I love the CTY 2.1. I strongly recommend it to people looking for a commuter bike that will last far into the future. However, I think individuals who live close to an REI will have a better experience since they can easily access their in-person services if something were to go wrong. Also, I suggest test-riding any bike you might consider purchasing.
Though at $649 the Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1 Bike is a little more expensive than your average hybrid, the famous REI satisfaction guarantee and lifetime limited warranty ensure you will be happy with your bike for many years to come.
- Should you buy it? If you're in the market for a commuter bike, then yes. REI Co-op Cycles offers surprising quality in its bikes and the CTY 2.1 is no different. Its hybrid design allows it to work well both on- and off-road and you can't beat the service REI offers for tune-ups and assistance.
- What are your alternatives? Bigger name brands like Specialized or Trek all offer their own take on the hybrid bike, though it's easy to start spending upwards of $1,000 or more for one. REI Co-op offers a great option at an entry-level price — and one that certainly performs a bit higher than a standard entry-level bike.
Pros: Hybrid design allows it to tackle on- and off-road rides with ease, hydraulic disc brakes are responsive, front suspension delivers a smooth ride.
Cons: Some components may rust or become damaged over a short amount of time