German brands have always been distinguished by the quality of their products, regardless of their type, be it the auto industry, construction, manufacturing or any other field. One of such areas where the Germans have established themselves exclusively on the positive side is the production of bicycles, both sports and amateur ones.
One of the most famous and sought after brands is Ghost. Bicycles from this brand are enviable and quite successfully compete with other European manufacturers.
A bit of history
The company began its operations back in 1993 in northern Bavaria. Two hardworking and motivated mechanics - Klaus Mehwald and Uwe Kallivod - in the old garage began to design and assemble the pioneer of the future brand. The first Ghost bike (the name was invented right there) turned out to be surprisingly excellent - balanced and comfortable.
A year later, mechanics presented three different models of bicycles to the general public, having bought a good contract from several large stores. A little later, bikes appeared on the famous Eurobike bike show. After a successful presentation, Klaus and Uwe opened a full-fledged assembly workshop in Czech territory. Masters could not even imagine that after only five years their range will expand to the base 25 models (not counting the variations) that will be sold out on the day of the presentation, and corporate orders will have six-digit numbers.
Moreover, the perseverance and skillful hands of two mechanics allowed to significantly expand production and create sportswear, which also began to be produced under the brand name Ghost.
Bicycles of this company are assembled only on European conveyors, and from and to. And not all venerable manufacturers can boast of such an achievement. The main advantages of the Ghost brand (bicycles, sports equipment) are exceptional attention to detail and German pedantry. Although for many the design seems somewhat conservative, the design of each model is carefully thought out, and the assembly technique has been verified to the smallest detail.
Opinions of experts and owners
Many brand admirers are enthusiastic about Ghost products. Bicycles receive reviews only in a positive way. But there is no bragging here - the capabilities and technical characteristics of the bikes were appreciated not only by ordinary owners, but also recognized athletes, and this is already worth a lot.
Many bike owners appreciated the conservatism and simplicity of the models: if a breakdown occurs on the road, then you can get to the necessary parts and assemblies without problems. Also, most buyers warmly spoke about the pricing policy of the company, which, unlike others, does not overestimate the price of their products. Some owners complain about the modest variation in wheel diameter on bikes, so if you constantly overcome deep water obstacles or jump on curbs, it is better to look at another brand.
Separately, it is worth noting the achievements that have been made thanks to the brand Ghost. Bicycles of the brand, albeit in small quantities, but participate in the Olympics. So, in Beijing in 2008, the athlete Sabina Spitz won her gold precisely on the Ghost bike, and a year later the Lisi Osl got the world cup, but on a different model of bicycle.
The lineup
The Ghost bike reads about 40 variations for almost all categories of athletes and cycling enthusiasts. Until the end of 2002, the company was exclusively engaged in mountain bikes for lovers, but since 2003 the range has expanded significantly due to women's and sports bike variations.
Around 2004, the company put the bikes of all price categories on stream, and a little later they saw the light of Hi-end-class products, presented by ERT, Endurance and no less famous cross-country models.
Since the end of 2006, the company began producing carbon-fiber bikes, making its products highly sought after by professionals. Nevertheless, Ghost mountain bikes continue to be the face of the company, and numerous fans of the brand do not even think to look in the direction of competitors.
Consider the most popular models and directions of bikes from Ghost.
Cross country
The vast majority of models in this category are represented by the SE line. This direction of bikes enjoys enviable popularity both abroad and in our territory.
The main characteristics of the line:
- aluminum alloy wheel frame and rim;
- design weight not more than 15 kg;
- Highly resistant and technological brakes from Tektro;
- transmission at 20-30 speeds, depending on the specific model (professional, pleasure, sports);
- Wheels with perfectly balanced spokes and a universal diameter of 26-29 inches.
The average price for a Ghost SE bike ranges from $ 900-1500.
Mountain bikes
The most noteworthy line of this series is the ASX. Models are perfectly balanced and enjoy wildly popular all over the world, including in our territory.
Key Features of the ASX Series:
- the frame and wheel rim are made of high quality aluminum alloy;
- bike weight does not exceed 13 kg;
- depending on the model, either Shimano brakes or the Avid Elixir brake system are installed;
- 24-30 speed transmission from Shimano for professional, pleasure or sports models;
- the wheels are made of high-quality and resistant to the mountain surface Schwalbe rubber with a diameter of 26-28 inches.
The price in the basic configuration can reach $ 3,000 (carbon, reinforced suspension, etc.). Budget models can be found for $ 900-1100.
Summarizing
Naturally, the above popular lines are only a small part of the brand’s products. There are other options designed for different purposes and having a different price range. In order to plunge headlong into the world of cycling from Ghost, it is enough to visit the brand's brand store, where if not all, then at least most of the products are presented. And there is plenty to choose from!