SEATTLE (BRAIN) — REI now has Ghost bikes available at its stores and its website.
The Seattle-based co-op announced last year that it would become the exclusive U.S. retailer for the German-based brand, which is owned by Accell Group NV. Accell also owns Raleigh, Diamondback, Torker, Currie, Redline and SBS in the U.S. and has brought in European brands Haibike and Lapierre to the U.S.
Ghost's full suspension mountain bike models Kato FS 7, Riot 7 LC, and other select models are now available through REI.com. The retailer's website lists 32 Ghost models, four of which are available online only. The rest of the models are available online or through REI's brick and mortar locations. The company said it will eventually offer 41 Ghost mountain, road and city bikes, ranging in price from $649 to $7,999.
"We are incredibly proud to introduce Ghost to the U.S.," said Mark Harding, REI's merchandising cycle manager. "These bikes have the attention to detail you would expect from German engineering and a ride you'll fall in love with."
REI offers its house bike brand, Novara, online and at all its stores, and carries various brands at its retail locations. However the retailer has long struggled with finding a premium brand it can offer at all locations nationally, because many established brands have conflicting dealer territories or policies against selling to sporting goods stores. Last fall, REI's Mike Cannon said Ghost solves that problem.
“Partnering with Ghost brand bicycles allows us to offer a premium, high-performance, award-winning bicycle brand with full distribution across the United States,” said Cannon. “We are impressed with the level of detail, smart design and engineering Ghost brand bicycles bring to the industry. The line will also help round out our bike assortment so REI can better support all levels of cycling.”
