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REI Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1: specs, upgrades and what fits

REI's suspension city hybrid, updated with a Shimano Essa 1x8 drivetrain (11-45T), a 63 mm SR Suntour coil fork and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on 160 mm rotors; a step-through version (Graystone) shares the parts. The earlier CTY 2.1 used a 2x drivetrain. Best for: Commuting, paved paths and light gravel.

Put this bike in your garageSee it in 3D

My take, from the specs

Good pick for commuting, paved paths and light gravel. The hydraulic discs stop well in the wet, the 1x8 with an 11-45 cassette is simple with easy climbing gears, and there are mounts for a rack, fenders and a kickstand. The 63mm coil fork adds weight, so expect a fairly heavy bike.

Sizes: XS: 5′0″–5′3″ (152–160 cm) · S: 5′3″–5′6″ (160–168 cm) · M: 5′6″–5′9″ (168–175 cm) · L: 5′9″–6′0″ (175–183 cm) · XL: 6′0″–6′3″ (183–191 cm)

Stock specs

TypeHybrid
Year2026
Price when new$879
Sold atREI (rei.com)
Wheels700c × 40 mm tires
Gears1×8 · 40T · 11–45T
BrakesTektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc, 160mm
ForkSR Suntour SF20-NEX DS, 63mm coil
Rear derailleurShimano Essa RD-U2000 GS 8-speed
ShifterShimano Altus Rapidfire Plus 8-speed with optical display
CrankShimano Essa FC-U2000-1, 40T
Bottom bracketShimano BB-UN101 square taper
AxlesQuick release
Seatpost31.6 mm
Weight32.0 lb (14.5 kg)
SizesXS, S, M, L, XL
Stock colorsAsparagus

Upgrade limits

How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.

PartLimitWhy
Widest tire (current wheel size)40 mmUnknown until measured. Your 19 mm internal rims suit roughly 28–49 mm tires.
Other wheel sizes650b up to ~47 mmDisc brakes don't care where the rim sits, so a 650b wheel with a fatter tire fits. A 650b × 47 is about the outer size of a 700 × 28, so the bottom bracket sits about 12 mm lower than on 700 × 40 (watch pedal strikes).
TubelessNot recommendedTubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires.
Valve typeUnknownDecides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way.
Replacement wheelsQuick release · 100/135 mm · 6-bolt discAny wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub.
Biggest rear cog45T (now 45T)Set by the rear derailleur (Shimano Essa RD-U2000 GS): max low sprocket 45T, total capacity ?T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more.
Front gears1x (40T)One ring, no front derailleur. Adding a front derailleur needs a mount on the seat tube and a 2x crankset, so most riders change the ring size or cassette instead.
Chainring sizeUnknown (now 40T)Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle.
Gear count upgrades8 → 9 or 10 speedShimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,…
Cranks & bottom bracketSquare taper · 68 mm shell · ? mm spindleAny square-taper crankset fits with the right spindle length. Upgrading to Hollowtech II needs a new BB (same threaded shell).
Pedal thread9/16" × 20Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2".
Brake padsTEKTRO E10Disc pads only fit calipers with the matching shape.
Rotor size160/160 mm now · front up to 180 mm6-bolt rotors. Going bigger needs a caliper adapter: post mount +20 mm adapter. Most steel forks allow 180 mm; check the fork if a max rotor is printed on it.
Caliper upgradesHydraulic systemHydraulic: match the brand of lever and caliper.
Stems & bars1-1/8 steerer · 31.8 mm bar clampAny stem for a 1-1/8 steerer with a 31.8 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider.
Drop-bar conversionPossible with modsNeeds road brake/shift levers (microSHIFT R8 makes 8-speed ones that pull Shimano 8-speed cable correctly), a drop bar, tape, and road-pull brake calipers because road levers pull less cable. Usually $250+.
Seatposts31.6 mmBuy posts in exactly this diameter.
Racks, fenders, bottlesRack ✓ · Fender ✓ · 2 bottle · Fork cargo ✓Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages.
Max load (rider + cargo)300 lbWheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage.

Best upgrades by area

Three options that fit the REI Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1 as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.

AreaGoodBetterBest
TiresContinental Contact Urban 700x40 (40-622) wire (pair)
$$$ ★ Our pick
WTB Byway 700x40 (pair)
$$$
Schwalbe Marathon Almotion 700x38 (40-622) V-Guard Addix (pair)
$$$
Brake padsTektro E10.11 resin disc pads (2 sets)
$ ★ Our pick
Kool-Stop D620S sintered disc pads, Shimano B01S / Tektro E10.11 shape (2 pairs)
$$
SwissStop Disc 15 RS organic disc pads, Shimano B-type / Tektro E10.11 shape (2 pairs)
$$
Grips & tapeBudget ergonomic lock-on grips
$
Ergon GP1 ergonomic grips
$$ ★ Our pick
Ergon GP5 ergonomic grips with built-in bar ends (S or L)
$$$
SaddleWTB Volt saddle
$$
Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm)
$$$
Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's)
$$$ ★ Our pick
PedalsRace Face Chester composite flat pedals
$$ ★ Our pick
Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large)
$$$
OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals
$$$
ChainKMC Z8.3 6/7/8-speed chain (116 links)
$
KMC X8 8-speed chain with Missing Link
$
KMC X8 EPT 6/7/8-speed anti-rust chain with Missing Link
$$ ★ Our pick
CassetteShimano CS-HG31-8 cassette 11–34
$ ★ Our pick
SunRace CSM66 8-speed cassette 11–34 (nickel)
$$
Shimano Alivio CS-HG51-8 cassette 11–32
$$
RotorsShimano SM-RT56 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor)
$ ★ Our pick
Galfer Wave 160 mm 6-bolt rotor, 1.8 mm (1 rotor)
$$
Shimano SM-RT86 Ice-Tech 160 mm 6-bolt rotor (1 rotor)
$$
SeatpostSR Suntour NCX suspension seatpost 31.6 x 350 mm
$$$ ★ Our pick
Redshift ShockStop Endurance suspension seatpost 31.6 mm
$$$$
Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 31.6 mm (LR or XR spring)
$$$$
Bar & stemRace Face Chester riser bar 31.8 x 740 mm, 25 mm rise
$$
Race Face Ride riser bar 31.8 x 710 mm, 25 mm rise
$$
SQlab 30X alloy riser bar 31.8 x 780 mm, 12° backsweep
$$$ ★ Our pick
LightsPlanet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set
$$ ★ Our pick
Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set
$$$
Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set
$$$
Racks, bags & fendersTopeak Explorer rear rack (disc mount)
$$ ★ Our pick
Topeak Super Tourist DX Tubular rear rack (disc)
$$$
Tubus Disco steel rear rack for disc brakes (26" or 28"/700c)
$$$
WheelsWeinmann Zac19 700c 6-bolt disc rear wheel, QR 135, 36H, HG 8–10 speed
$$$ ★ Our pick
Shimano / DT Swiss R500 700c disc wheelset, QR 100/135, Center Lock, HG + 2 Shimano SM-RT54 160 mm Center Lock rotors
$$$$
HUNT 4 Season Gravel Disc X-Wide wheelset (QR 100/135, HG, Center Lock) + 2 Shimano SM-RT64 160 mm Center Lock rotors
$$$$

Upgrades that fit as-is

Tires

Tubes

Gearing

Brakes

Comfort

Control

Utility

Drivetrain

Wheels

Fits with small changes (41)

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Buying one used? Fair prices

Worked out from the price new ($879), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.

Condition1 year old3 years old5 years old
Like new$495–$655$400–$530$325–$430
Good$435–$575$355–$465$285–$375
Fair$355–$470$290–$380$235–$310
Needs work$275–$360$220–$290$180–$235

See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices

Geometry (size M)

Stack630°
Reach394.9 mm
Head angle70°
Seat angle74°
Chainstay445°
Wheelbase1086 mm
Seat tube450 mm
Standover734.5°

Compare with

Sources: REI: Co-op Cycles CTY 2.1 Bike (249161) specs + size chart · REI: CTY 2.1 Step-Through Bike (249162) · Cyclists Hub: CTY 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1 compared (Tektro HD-M275, 32 lb)