Salsa Cycles will soon begin selling their bicycles and bike accessories at 11 select REI stores, according to several reports. A selection of Salsa’s fatbikes, including the Beargrease, Mukluk, and Bucksaw, will be available in time for winter in select REI locations and online. Additional Salsa bikepacking and adventure touring bikes, including the Cutthroat, Fargo, Marrakesh, and Vaya, and trail and backcountry models including the Redpoint, and Pony Rustler, will be available to REI customers starting in spring 2017.
“I’m well aware that some dealers will have concerns over this new sales channel, but I believe this will benefit our current and future IBDs,” said Justin Julian, brand manager of Salsa Cycles, in the letter. “This move will dramatically boost awareness of the Salsa brand and create real opportunities for our dealers to demonstrate what bike shops do best: share culture, in-depth knowledge, and passion.
“REI sells the best outdoor brands on the market. This is a tremendous opportunity for Salsa to raise our brand equity and reach a very large, new market of passionate outdoors people,” the letter read.
Founded in 1982, Salsa is based in Minneapolis, Minn. and owned by Quality Bicycle Products.
“REI is committed to the adventure cycling segment, and partnering with Salsa was a natural progression for us,” says Ben Johns, REI general merchandising manager for cycle. “Salsa’s line-up provides our customers a broad selection of specialty mountain, touring, and fatbikes, and will be a great complement to our existing lineup.”
According to reports, these REI stores will carry Salsa initially:
Anchorage, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Arcadia, Calif.
Tustin, Calif.
Denver, Colo.
Washington, D.C.
Schaumburg, Ill.
Bend, Ore.
St. Louis, Mo.
Houston, Texas
Seattle, Wash.
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