REEB Cycles, The Bike Shop at CyclHops

by Bill Plock

What would you do if your bike was stolen and never to be found? Probably go get a new one right? Well not Dale Katechis of Oskar Blues (as in Dale’s Pale Ale) who decided to build himself a new one when his was stolen in 2011. Thus, the birth of REEB cycles with its character and edginess that mirrors the award winning brewer in Longmont.

This statement from their website tells it all; “REEB was founded in 2011 by some folks at Oskar Blues Brewery who eat, breathe, sweat, and bleed bikes. When the boss man’s old bike was stolen, the do-it-yourself mentality that pervades OB took over, and a bike company was born. We knew that we could make the bikes we dream about, and get people excited about them in the process.”

During a visit with Chris Sulfrain, fabREEBcator (I make da bikes), I learned about the care and precision they instill in each bike they make–by hand, in Longmont, Colorado. Their steel frames are made by True Temper in the United States–something they are insistent upon–using as many American made parts as possible. Each bike is then welded and made to order. It takes Chris about a week to make a bike depending upon how customized it is. A full service bike shop is located inside of CyclHops Bike CANtina in Longmont where you can check out the full line-up of REEB bikes. 

The line has grown over the years to include: Mountain, Fat, CX & Gravel, Road, Dirt Jump and Street. With catchy names like SixFidy, TyREEB, and Dirt Diggler it hard not to smile from the get go. A look at the detail and attention to these bikes tells you of the commitment to not only the high quality, but to designing frame geometry and component combinations tried and tested by the passionate riders employed by the company. Many of the bikes are available with titanium frames and many other options.

Their popular cyclocross bike, The Dirt Diggler is offered with two groups or as a single speed using Gate’s Carbon Drive. . In addition, it’s available in both steel and titanium and in six colors.  For a slight up charge you can pick your own color too!

But more than just great bikes, built to your specifications, REEB cycles is a culture and an extension of a lifestyle. No doubt beer and bikes go together like hot dogs and baseball. But at Oskar Blues, in addition to REEB, they have the REEB ranches, located in North Carolina and at the Oskar Blue Hops and Heifers Farm just outside of Longmont. Both locations are a testimony to quality food, beer, and a lifestyle that revolves around cycling, the outdoors and recreating. Both locations host musical events, private parties and invite nothing but good times—often on a bike or with a beer. 

In about three months, on February 12th, Oskar Blues will host the annual Old Man Winter Adventure Bike Rally and Run  where many REEB bikes will be found on potentially snowy trails outside of Lyons finishing with a “killer post-ride party with great music, a fire pit and a massive raffle”.

This is a great place to feel the passion Oskar Blues has for the cycling lifestyle and try a new REEB bike you surely want for Christmas!

Old Man Winter Adventure Bike Rally and Run details here