Where Are REI Co-Op Bikes Made? | Global Factory Map

When riders type “where are rei co-op bikes made?” into a search bar, they want more than a one word answer. They want to know who draws the blueprints, which countries weld the frames, and whether the place of production should affect a buying decision.

Co-op Cycles is REI’s house brand, built from the co-op’s long history of selling, renting and repairing bikes across the United States. The range now covers kids’ bikes, city hybrids, gravel and touring models, mountain bikes and e-bikes, so it makes sense to ask where all those frames and parts actually come from.

Where Are REI Co-Op Bikes Made? Brand Basics

REI develops Co-op Cycles in Kent, Washington, then works with large contract manufacturers in Asia to weld frames and assemble complete bikes. Most recent models carry a clear sticker that lists Taiwan, China or Vietnam as the country of origin, while the graphics on the tubes may also mention their Pacific Northwest design roots.

This blend of design in the United States and production in Asia is standard for modern bikes. Large factories in Taiwan, China and nearby countries build frames and complete bikes for many well known brands, not only REI, because they offer experienced welders, modern paint lines and direct access to the component makers that supply drivetrains, wheels and brakes.

Co-Op Line	Likely Frame Origin	Typical Riding Role
REV Kids’	China Or Vietnam	First Pedal Bikes And Neighborhood Loops
CTY City/Hybrid	Taiwan Or China	Daily Commutes, Paths And Errands
ADV Gravel/All-Road	Mostly Taiwan	Gravel Roads, Mixed Surfaces And Light Touring
DRT Hardtail Mountain	Mostly Taiwan	Cross-Country Trails And Trail Center Loops
DRT Full Suspension	Taiwan Or Vietnam	Rough Trails, Rock Gardens And Longer Descents
CTY E-Bikes	China Or Vietnam	Assisted City Riding And Hillier Commutes
DRT E-MTB	Mostly Taiwan	Electric Trail Riding And Big Weekend Loops

The table shows common patterns, not an official factory catalogue. REI can change suppliers for a model year, or split production of one frame between more than one plant. The safest way to check a particular bike is to read the country of origin label on its frame or to open the specifications tab for that model on the REI website before you buy.

Rei Co-Op Bike Manufacturing Locations By Country

Most Co-op Cycles frames carry a small sticker near the bottom bracket shell or rear triangle that lists their country of origin. On current bikes you will often see Taiwan on mid and upper priced models, China on lower priced and kids’ bikes, and Vietnam on some gravel, mountain and e-bike frames.

United States customs rules require imported products to list their country of origin, so the wording on that sticker is not marketing spin. The frame might also say “Designed in Washington” or a similar phrase, which matches REI’s own description of Co-op Cycles as a brand drawn up by its in-house team and built overseas for members who want solid bikes at realistic prices.

Why Asia Builds So Many REI Co-Op Bikes

Over the last few decades, the global bike trade shifted toward large plants in Asia that can weld, paint and assemble huge volumes of frames. Reports on the industry show that China and Taiwan account for most of the bikes imported into North America, while Vietnam and a handful of other countries now handle a growing share of production as brands diversify their supply chains.

Those plants sit close to the factories that build derailleurs, cassettes, hydraulic brakes and wheel parts. When REI signs off on a new Co-op gravel bike or e-bike, its partners in Asia can draw tubing, source parts, weld prototypes and scale up production inside the same industrial parks. That cuts shipping costs and lead times, which helps keep final prices in reach for riders who shop at REI stores or online.

Who Actually Welds Co-Op Frames And Assembles Bikes

REI does not publish a public list of the factories that produce each Co-op frame, and the list would change over time as new models launch. Industry chatter, owner reports and details on the frames suggest that several large Taiwanese and Chinese original equipment manufacturers handle a big slice of the work, just as they do for many other mid priced bikes hanging in local shops.

While the exact plant matters to some riders, the parts bolted to the frame often have a bigger effect on day to day experience. Co-op bikes use drivetrains from Shimano and MicroSHIFT, forks from RockShox or SR Suntour, brakes from Shimano or Tektro and wheels built from common hubs and rims. That familiar parts mix makes service easier and keeps replacement options wide open.

What Designed In The USA Means For Co-Op Cycles

Every Co-op model starts with a brief from REI product managers and bike designers in Washington. They choose wheel size, tire width, gearing range and fit targets, then work with engineers at the partner factory to lock in tube shapes, geometry numbers and test standards. Frames must pass fatigue and impact tests before they move from prototype status to full production.

REI staff, ambassadors and mechanics ride early samples on real roads and trails, then send pointed feedback on handling, sizing and durability. That loop has led to practical touches such as generous tire clearance, rack and fender mounts on many models, dropper post routing on trail bikes and thoughtful bottle cage placement for bikepacking rigs.

If you want an official overview from the brand itself, the Co-op Cycles brand page lays out each family of bikes and gives a clear picture of how they are meant to be used.

Independent Testing And Reviews

Long term reviews on sites such as Cyclingnews compare Co-op models with similar bikes from other brands, comment on fit and handling, and note any issues that pop up over months of use.

Because those reviewers do not work for REI, they tend to call out quirks as well as strengths. That helps potential buyers weigh a Co-op bike against alternatives that share the same factory region but differ in geometry, parts mix and local dealer backing.

Quality, Warranty And Service Backing

The label on the frame tells you where a bike was born, but the warranty and service network tell you how the brand stands behind it. Co-op bikes benefit from REI’s return policies and shop services, which include professional assembly, tune ups and access to mechanics who see these bikes daily.

Because Co-op bikes share many components with other mid range models, any competent shop can source parts and carry out repairs. That matters when you bend a derailleur hanger on a crash or wear out a cassette after a few seasons of riding. The fact that a frame came from Taiwan, China or Vietnam matters less than the sense that someone nearby can keep it rolling.

How To Check Where Your Own Co-Op Bike Was Made

The best answer to “where are rei co-op bikes made?” for your specific bike sits on its own frame and paperwork. Country of origin can change between batches, and closeout bikes in a store may differ from current product photos, so it pays to read the fine print before you take a new ride home.

Work through the steps in the table below to confirm the factory region for any Co-op bike that catches your eye, whether you are standing in an REI store or unboxing a shipment at home.

Step	Where To Look	What You Learn
1. Frame Sticker	Label Near Bottom Bracket Or On Down Tube Underside	Exact Country Listed For That Frame
2. Serial Number Zone	Stamped Area Near Bottom Bracket Or Rear Dropout	Plant Codes And Production Batch, If Printed
3. Fork Label	Decal On Back Of Fork Leg Or Steerer	Country Where The Fork Was Built
4. Hang Tags	Paper Tags On New Bikes	Marketing Notes On Design City And Testing
5. Online Specs	Specifications Tab On REI Product Page	Frame Material, Components And Any Assembly Notes
6. Shipping Box	Outer Carton Markings	Factory Name Or City Printed For Freight Records
7. Shop Conversation	Chat With Sales Staff Or Mechanics	Local Experience With Past Batches And Model Years

Snapping quick phone photo of the frame label, serial number and receipt on day one gives you a handy record for later service, theft reports or travel paperwork. That record also comes in handy when you upgrade parts and want to track which wheelsets, drivetrains or cockpits lived on the bike over time.

Does The Manufacturing Country Of Co-Op Bikes Matter?

Many riders worry that a frame built overseas must be flimsy or hard to service, yet the modern bike market tells a different story. Analyses of the global trade show that plants in China, Taiwan and nearby countries build the clear majority of bikes sold in North America and Europe, including high price models from long established brands.

Ride quality and long term durability come from smart design, good materials and steady quality control more than postal codes. Taiwan, in particular, has earned respect for aluminum and carbon frames with tight tolerances and neat welds, while China continues to produce huge volumes of bikes at many price tiers based on the specifications supplied by each brand.

When you stand in front of a Co-op bike and wonder whether it fits your needs, other questions tend to matter more. Does the size feel comfortable when you take a test spin? Does the parts mix match your terrain, fitness and plans for later rides? Is there a friendly shop near home that knows these bikes and stocks basic spares?

If those answers line up, the fact that Co-op frames come from partner factories in Asia stops being a worry and turns into background detail. You can focus on how the bike rides, how it carries gear, and how easily you can keep it spinning for years of trips, commutes and weekend loops.