Greetings from CHILLY Alabama
- Thread starter Danny$43
- Start date
Welcome from (slightly more chilly) SE Wisconsin! I'm still commuting on my electric fat tire bike with snow on the roads and sidewalks.
REI is a stand-up company, as you probably know. I would check their warranty and maybe talk to someone there onsite about it.
I've never heard of CO-OP Bikes. Doesn't meant they're bad, they could be a quality OEM for REI. (REI doesn't tend to use sketchy OEMs)
The bike itself looks like a typical urban commuter/utility bike; similar to my Aventon Level.2. I'm a roadie myself, but outside of club rides, , the Level.2 is the more rational choice. I get to work not sweaty in the summertime, and the rack & fenders are always handy.
You might also check your local Trek shop, they carry REID bikes out of Australia, which are quality bikes for a bit less money than Trek.
Enjoy your stay!
REI is a stand-up company, as you probably know. I would check their warranty and maybe talk to someone there onsite about it.
I've never heard of CO-OP Bikes. Doesn't meant they're bad, they could be a quality OEM for REI. (REI doesn't tend to use sketchy OEMs)
The bike itself looks like a typical urban commuter/utility bike; similar to my Aventon Level.2. I'm a roadie myself, but outside of club rides, , the Level.2 is the more rational choice. I get to work not sweaty in the summertime, and the rack & fenders are always handy.
You might also check your local Trek shop, they carry REID bikes out of Australia, which are quality bikes for a bit less money than Trek.
Enjoy your stay!
- Local time
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- Jan 21, 2021
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Welcome to the forums! 
I’ve been lurking and learning from the many resources on this website. A little more about me: In 2020 I fell off an extension ladder and suffered a compound pilon fracture of my left tib/fib and now wear an ankle foot orthotic (AFO) that locks my ankle in place. After learning how to walk with my AFO device, I’m looking to start biking again on paved roadways and some compacted gravel paths. Before my accident, I was an active roadie and MTB rider.
I think I would enjoy a commuter/trail bike with an upright riding position and mid sized tires (less than 3.0” wide) to reduce overall weight. I am very much a “ Buy American” consumer, but realize many bike components come from China, Taiwan and Japan. I am also reluctant to purchase a bike from an online seller with little or no customer service and questionable warranty.
I’ve had a chance to speak with a BIke tech at REI and felt some comfort from their brick & mortar location near me and availability of local service, if needed. What bothers me is that I see limited discussions on this site from other REI E-bike owners. What say you?
I think I would enjoy a commuter/trail bike with an upright riding position and mid sized tires (less than 3.0” wide) to reduce overall weight. I am very much a “ Buy American” consumer, but realize many bike components come from China, Taiwan and Japan. I am also reluctant to purchase a bike from an online seller with little or no customer service and questionable warranty.
I’ve had a chance to speak with a BIke tech at REI and felt some comfort from their brick & mortar location near me and availability of local service, if needed. What bothers me is that I see limited discussions on this site from other REI E-bike owners. What say you?
Here's a discussion I found on Reddit about REI's CO-OP bikes:
Seems they're re-branded Giants? Before they got big, they were Schwinn's OEM. I thought I read somewhere that they stole a bunch of IP from Schwinn and that's how they started getting big. (and were partly responsible for Schwinn going out of business)
There ARE a few American eBike companies. Some are America-based, like Aventon and Lectric, but manufactured in China.
There are others that are assembled here "from US and global components". In fact, there's one right here in Wisconsin. You have to like their style, though:
https://www.smalltownbikeco.com/pro...ffgjfaVIwaGEr-i9f01nfvexeH3CjNv8aAsclEALw_wcB
Electric Bike Company is another one.
More here: https://www.electrifiedmag.com/news/five-best-american-made-e-bikes-for-2023/
Rad Power Bikes has a good reputation. You will recognize the Cannondale brand too, I'm sure. Manufactured offshore, but still designed here.
Seems they're re-branded Giants? Before they got big, they were Schwinn's OEM. I thought I read somewhere that they stole a bunch of IP from Schwinn and that's how they started getting big. (and were partly responsible for Schwinn going out of business)
There ARE a few American eBike companies. Some are America-based, like Aventon and Lectric, but manufactured in China.
There are others that are assembled here "from US and global components". In fact, there's one right here in Wisconsin. You have to like their style, though:
https://www.smalltownbikeco.com/pro...ffgjfaVIwaGEr-i9f01nfvexeH3CjNv8aAsclEALw_wcB
Electric Bike Company is another one.
More here: https://www.electrifiedmag.com/news/five-best-american-made-e-bikes-for-2023/
Rad Power Bikes has a good reputation. You will recognize the Cannondale brand too, I'm sure. Manufactured offshore, but still designed here.
Annieolnie
Well-known member
Are you anywhere near Huntsville? Rocket City Ebikes is there. They carry Aventon and Aima. A few of my neighbors have Aimas and they are a well built, lovely bike.The company is trying to stay situated in local bike shops. I believe Rocket City rents, so you could try a few out. With your ankle, you might like smaller tires in that it makes it easier to hop on and off. Happy hunting.
