The Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 is an awesome entry level mountain bike that both looks great and is fun to ride. The bike’s snappy handling, reliability, and the sharpness of its braking go above and beyond what you’d expect from a bike designed with newer mountain bikers in mind.
Pros
- High quality frame with modern geometry
- Stylish looks
- Hydraulic disc brakes are sharp and responsive
- Reliable for an entry level mountain bike
Cons
- Gear shifting could be smoother
- Fork leaves something to be desired
- Stock tires aren’t the best
Bike specs
Frame
Co-op Cycles 6061 aluminum
Geometry
| Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Reach | 446.7mm |
| Chainstay | 440mm |
| Head tube angle | 69° |
| Seat tube angle | 73° |
| Standover height | 737mm |
Suspension
100mm SR Suntour fork
Brakes
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
Drivetrain
Shimano tourney front and rear derailleur; Shimano Rapidfire Plus shifters
Tires
2.1 inch Kenda Kadre
Bike weight
31.6 lbs
Handling and overall bike impression
For those just getting into the sport of mountain biking, the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 is a great option for getting you started in the sport, and its a huge step up from the models typically offered by big box retailers.
A quality frame built to last
The foundation of any good mountain bike is its frame. The Co-op DRT 1.1 has a high quality 6061 aluminum frame that is reasonably lightweight and is built to last.
While components on any mountain bike are bound to need replacing at a certain point because of wear and tear, a quality frame like the one used on the Co-op DRT 1.1 can stand the test of time, and should be able to perform solidly year after year.
The frame has a relatively stiff feel making it efficient for pedaling and very durable.
Sharp, strong brakes for superior control
The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that come standard on the Co-op DRT 1.1 give it plenty of stopping power allowing you to stay in control on descents, winding trails and everywhere else you ride.
The ability to stop on a dime, or to quickly shed speed, is extremely important in the sport of mountain biking. Brakes do not always get the same attention as suspension does, but they can be just as important, if not more so, to getting you through an MTB trail quickly and efficiently.
Beyond making the bike faster at getting through trails, the DRT 1.1 is made safer by having high quality hydraulic disc brakes. Being able to quickly stop if you make a mistake or get your bike going off-line can be the difference between stopping and adjusting where your bike is pointing, and getting into a crash that could potentially injure you.
Having quality brakes that can stop you in a hurry makes the Co-op DRT 1.1 a bike that inspires confidence. Most entry level bikes do not come standard with hydraulic disc brakes, but those that do really benefit from the added stopping power and precision they have compared to mechanical brakes.
Knowing that you can quickly stop in a pinch gives you peace of mind and allows you to let loose a little bit more on the trails, and push your boundaries a bit in terms of speed and the types of trails you’re willing to try. It’s excellent brakes make the Co-op DRT 1.1 a great option for newer mountain bikers.
Confidence inspiring looks
The first impression you’ll get with any bike is of course how it looks. The Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 is a sharp looking mountain bike with a unique curve to its aluminum frame, and modern mountain bike geometry that makes it look ready to shred.
The bike is offered in two color options, the darker pirate black, and the lighter ether color, which is almost like a light blue.
Reliable bike from a reliable brand
The Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1, of the Co-op Cycles line of mountain bikes produced by outdoor retailer REI, is a reliable mountain bike that does a great job at what its intended to do. While other mountain bikes are designed for other purposes like hitting gnarly downhill trails and big jumps, the DRT 1.1 is a bike intended to be ridden by beginner or relatively new mountain bikers on easy to moderate MTB trails.
The DRT 1.1 accomplishes this as its a trail capable bike that will get you from point A to point B without falling apart. As already mentioned, the bike comes standard with a durable, high quality aluminum frame that is able to last as long as you want to ride the bike.
The components, while not all the highest end on the market, are all serviceable and work great for newer riders or those who like to stick to more casual mountain biking.
Less than plush suspension fork
One part of the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 that does leave something to be desired is its suspension. The DRT 1.1 is a hardtail bike with an SR Suntour suspension fork that has 100mm of travel.
While the SR Suntour does smooth out smaller bumps, it is minimally effective once you start getting into larger obstacles like bigger rocks and roots, and other rough terrain.
You can still ride the Co-op DRT 1.1 over rough trails, but you’ll need to learn to use your body positioning and weight shift to help keep a smooth ride. You can’t expect the fork to soak up bigger hits like you might be able to on higher end mountain bikes.
Stock tires are just okay
The 2.1 inch Kenda Kadre tires are serviceable, but there are many better tire options on the market, and in our testing we felt this to be a weak point of the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1.
The Kadre tires do not have as good of traction as lots of other MTB tires, and there are reports that the knobs and tread wears fairly quickly. On the bright side, this will give you an excuse to replace them with something better, which is a relatively cheap and easy upgrade.
Good, not great drivetrain
The Shimano drivetrain equipped on the DRT 1.1, with Shimano Tourney front and rear derailleurs along with Shimano Rapidfire Plus shifters is solid and does its job.
Are there smoother drivetrains available on the market for higher end mountain bikes? Absolutely. Does that mean you won’t enjoy riding the DRT 1.1 as one of your first mountain bikes? We highly doubt it. You may occasionally notice some choppy shifting on the Co-op DRT 1.1 but not enough to cause problems or ruin the fun of the ride.
Co-op Cycles DRT series overview
The DRT 1.1 is part of the Co-op Cycles line of mountain bikes, which are produced and sold by popular outdoor equipment retailer REI. The company which is passionate about the outdoors and adventure related sports offers quality mountain bikes at reasonable price points. While Co-op Cycles will not compete at the high end for riders doing serious downhill riding, they produce high quality entry level and mid level bikes.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Co-op Cycles branded mountain bikes are excellent for entry level and mid level mountain bikers, offering mid range components and quality frames at affordable prices.
REI, the producer of Co-op Cycles bikes, does source their frames from Giant, a major mountain bike and road bike manufacturer based in Taiwan. Giant produces excellent, lightweight aluminum frames for many of its Giant branded bikes, and the quality of manufacturing shows in Co-op Cycles bikes, including on the aluminum frame of the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1.
The DRT 1.1 comes standard with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are known to brake better and more efficiently compared to mechanical brakes which are often found on entry level mountain bikes. This holds true on the DRT 1.1, which has precise, powerful braking that goes above and beyond what you’d expect at for a bike in its price range.
Mountain bike review criteria
When reviewing mountain bikes, these are the things we look for:
- Frame quality
- Component quality
- Bike weight
- Bike style and aesthetic appeal
For a detailed breakdown of how we assess each of these criteria, see How We Review Mountain Bikes.
Conclusion
If you’re you’re someone who is looking to break into the sport of mountain biking, or you’re a newer rider who’s grown tired of their big box retailer mountain bike, the Co-op DRT 1.1 is a great choice to get you out on the trails shredding. You’ll be able to have loads of fun on this bike thanks to its excellent handling and sharp brakes, even if you’re on a tight budget.