Hi, I have seen very little on REI bikes, which may be enough said. But thought I would see what people on this forum think of em (and this DRT 3.3 in particular). I was looking at an entry level mtb, good at climbs, good at descents (though I have enough injuries at 50 that I want to have fun but don't need to go crazy!). Thought this might fit the bill, but few seem to be reviewing it. Thanks.
by Responsible_Ant_3470
8 Comments
I haven’t ridden one, but it seems to fit your criteria. And I love REI for their 10% dividend and all the perks that come with buying a bike from them. Are you picking it up at the store? If so, give it a decent test ride and see what you think.
Yes, this looks like a totally legit bike for what you’ve described. REI bike shop always seems solid when I ask them about anything, plus the dividend is a bonus rebate/discount.
REI has big relationships with Cannondale (PON Holding), but doesn’t necessarily mean that’s who produces these frames. All in all, there’s really only a handful of build houses producing all brand’s alloy frames – giant build like 70% of the frames on the market. The bike you linked looks like a solid mid-travel bike, with pretty decent parts. I wish the dropper had more travel than that one appears to have.
My first bike was a 2018 Co-Op DRT 2.1 hardtail. Took a plunge on the bike when I saw it on sale when buying some hiking supplies, really glad I did as it sparked a whole new hobby.
I have a buddy who’s done some rad bikepacking on an old DRT mtb. That said, the spec for $2700 is squarely entry level and you might find better deals on mid-tier spec from other brands in that price range, still so much overstock on sale everywhere. Ultimately, for a first bike, i don’t think you can really go wrong either way as long as it fits you… and you dig how it looks 😀
Looks like a solid bike, but I wouldn’t consider it a *great* value. You can pick up a Canyon Spectral 125 which is a nearly identical bike for slightly less and with a better fork.
[https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral-125/al/spectral-125-al-5/3425.html](https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral-125/al/spectral-125-al-5/3425.html)
And for just another $300 you can get the [carbon version](https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral-125/cf/spectral-125-cf-7/3177.html) and save yourself a few pounds of weight.
**Update:** Here’s a [carbon variant on their outlet](https://www.canyon.com/en-us/outlet-bikes/mountain-bikes/spectral-125-cf-7/3426.html?dwvar_3426_pv_rahmenfarbe=SR) for less than the cost of the DRT, albeit only available in a medium (not sure your size). The look to have a [lot of good deals](https://www.canyon.com/en-us/outlet-bikes/mountain-bikes/?prefn1=pc_familie&prefv1=Spectral%20125&srule=bestsellers) on alloy versions on their outlet as well.
The last time I rode a FS REI bike was at a training when they were first releasing them and the bike had 27.5+ tires. Back then it felt super grounded, more like a rock crawler than a playful bike. The design doesn’t seem to have changed that much. For the price though, I’d say it’s a good deal.
They are totally fine as an entry level bike. That one in particular has parts that are….well “they work for an entry level bike.” The frame is usually a near copy of another brands. Basically REI goes to one of the big chinese or Taiwanese frame makers and goes “hey just make us another 1000 from the same lineup you finished for Giant or Cannondale or whatever.” So they’re a generation behind but for entry thats not the worst thing.
However, the worst thing I can say about them is they’re a solid bit behind the curve of a lot of budget bikes and on the spec. REI is selling that DRT 3.3 for $3100, on sale for $2700. Compare that to
– [$2300 for a Marin Rift Zone 2](https://www.marinbikes.com/bikes/2025-rift-zone-2-2)
– [$2500 for a YT Izzo core 2](https://us.yt-industries.com/products/bikes/izzo/core-2/660/izzo-29-core-2/)
– [$2400 for a Ari Cascade Elite. ](https://aribikes.com/pages/build?bike=cascade)
– [$2300 for a Canyon Spectral 6](https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral/al/spectral-6/3633.html?dwvar_3633_pv_rahmenfarbe=M114_P05)
All of which have the same or better (in a few **significantly** better) component spec for cheaper price. And Marin you can get through a local bike shop dealer if you want that peace of mind.