REI is jumping on the bikepacking bandwagon

[JRA]

At least from a marketing perspective...

http://www.rei.com/h/bikepacking

I think they could benefit from expanding their gear selection a bit.

[toothjockey]

i went to a bikepacking "class" at REI a couple of weeks ago. I should have known it would be a complete waste of time, but I thought they might have some info on the Colorado Trail (this was in Denver). It was an hour of "here are a bunch of things you can buy at REI!", that in reality were not what you would actually want for bikepacking. I knew more about it than the instructors, and I have yet to go on my first bikepacking trip...

[AZTtripper]

Got the latest cycling flier from them, one of the shots a very clean girl with a stuff sack strapped to the bars.

Their clued in just enough to know we exist, but not real savvy in terms of what's really going on out there.

It was the same in the 90's when they pretended to know climbing.

Still a great place to get a deal and they have all of your dry goods and camp paraphernalia. 

[Paul_c]

Yep, I love REI but their cycling dept is lacking IMHO.  However, I was able to source some ss cassette spacers individually where as every other shop in Dallas that I tried wanted to sell me a $40 kit or order them for me.  Personally I go to a LBS if I want something  immediately.  This time REI was that shop.


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[hikernks]

I'm really surprised a major pack manufacturer hasn't jumped in the game yet.  Kelty, Gregory, OR, etc.  it's a good thing, because I lve the small and home based businesses, but I think it's only a matter of time.  If I was Revelate, I'd be seriously looking at some patents.

[the tortoise]

Even though it is our passion it is still a pretty small niche market. REI is ok but it is not bleeding edge when it comes to bikes, packs and gear for our sport. In fact in regards to even camping and backpacking there are cottage industries out there doing a lot better job than the " big boys" Such as Revelate, Z-packs and tarptent.
I don't really know what Revelate could really patent? They do sell their gear wholesale so I imagine they could end up at REI as well.

[ywen]

Hmm. Not sure if any of the boutique bag makers can file much patents...

[JRA]

Cool photo!

[Hadfield]

Yeah, here in Canada we have something similar to rei called mec. They have no clue about bikepacking. I too am surprised none of these stores are producing bikepacking gear yet. I think the earlier post is right, where he say's that bikepacking is still a niche market.

[mangoman]

I'm really surprised a major pack manufacturer hasn't jumped in the game yet.  Kelty, Gregory, OR, etc.  it's a good thing, because I lve the small and home based businesses, but I think it's only a matter of time.  If I was Revelate, I'd be seriously looking at some patents.

I agree about the major manufacturers. And I also love support small business, so I'll happily pay more to support them whenever possible. Porcelain Rocket, for example.

[Slim]

despite being off the ball on ideal gear, it's cool that tens of thousands of people just got a mailing with 'bikepacking' as the title. can't help but give a few more people the bug to start checking it out.

[offroute]

REI depends on enthusiast-hacks like us to define the standard/preferred gear. It's like any sporting goods shop or outdoor gear store -- they aren't going to be a bastion of esoteric and highly specialized gear wanted by the few tinkerers getting it dialed. There's no business sense in that. And, you'll be lucky to connect with an employee who is on the informational cutting edge.

Ywen, great post. Those patents might be expired... : )

[PeteStaehling]

I'd just like to point out that there are folks who bike pack with stuff like REI sells.  The type of rackless baggage like relevate pr porcelain rocket sells and that folks associate with bike packing is not the only way to go.  I know that I have gotten by with 11 pounds of gear on a 22 pound bike with not a speck of bike packing specific gear.  That is a 33 pound total weight of bike and gear with no specialized bike packing gear is required, so I know that it is possible with stuff like REI sells.

Note that I am not knocking the relevate type stuff, but merely pointing out that bike packing doesn't need to be solely about that type of gear and that it is quite possible to get along without it.  I think it better to not define ourselves by a particular equipment type.

[mangoman]

I'd just like to point out that there are folks who bike pack with stuff like REI sells.  The type of rackless baggage like relevate pr porcelain rocket sells and that folks associate with bike packing is not the only way to go.  I know that I have gotten by with 11 pounds of gear on a 22 pound bike with not a speck of bike packing specific gear.  That is a 33 pound total weight of bike and gear with no specialized bike packing gear is required, so I know that it is possible with stuff like REI sells.

Note that I am not knocking the relevate type stuff, but merely pointing out that bike packing doesn't need to be solely about that type of gear and that it is quite possible to get along without it.  I think it better to not define ourselves by a particular equipment type.

Excellent observation. And related: nothing worse than owning all the pretty parts (no matter who makes 'em) and yet never getting 'em dirty.

[offroute]

Valid points for sure, Pete.

I don't mean to bash REI or come off as elitist. I use a load of items purchased at REI, including many REI branded products. I think some of the REI products are as good or better than the mainstream brands.

I think this buzz around rackless systems is a little overblown, honestly. Like you I'm sure, we were lashing stuff all over racks and backpacks and having just as much fun decades ago when it was called bicycle camping.

Cheers...

[dgjessee]

Did they show the PowerPoint in the class you attended in Denver toothjockey?


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[joeydurango]

...a bastion of esoteric and highly specialized gear wanted by the few tinkerers getting it dialed...

That's what we're for!  Down with corporate commodity stores! 

[toothjockey]

Did they show the PowerPoint in the class you attended in Denver toothjockey?

Yeah they did show a ppt... I can't talk much trash- like I said earlier, I will be going on my FIRST bikepacking trip this summer, so I'm a newb, but the class was pretty disappointing. At least they are interested in this niche.

[dgjessee]

Just curious, an REI employee who bikepacks might have helped develop it ;-)


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[dgjessee]

I think for beginners racks have their place. I can easily (read: no thinking) outfit someone to ride the Trans North Georgia route with a rear rack. I love frame bags and all, but they are substantially more expensive than buying a Topeak rack and using your existing dry bags. Also some people aren't as awesome at strapping "regular" bags to their bike. Lastly, when I wrote the class for REI my intention was mainly for people to get an idea that there are different options from racks to using straps to MOSTLY just trimming out excess gear from your camping quiver. Try different things--it's a puzzle. In all seriousness: what would you guys like to see in a free bikepacking class? We'd love to hear any suggestions...