Ghost bicycles: history, models, recommendations for choosing

The products of the German company Ghost are of high quality and are popular in many countries of the world. In fact, in a quarter of a century, the company was able to move from several models to the development and production of 40 types and more than 100 types of bicycles. Unlike Americans and Europeans who manufacture their products in factories in Asia, the Germans produce Ghost bikes exclusively in Europe, so their models stand out not only for their convenient construction and beautiful design, but also for the build quality.

The history of the famous Ghost bicycles began in 1993 with two skilled Bavarians, Klaus Mechwald and Uwe Kallivoda, who made their first bicycle in the small town of Waldsassen, in the courtyard adjacent to the smithy. The sample turned out to be so successful that the craftsmen decided not to dwell on it. A year later, several large bike shops put up three new models for sale. Participation in the Eurobike bicycle trade show helped to draw attention to the emerging brand. Inspired by their success, partners in one of the factories of the Czech Republic opened their own workshop for assembling bicycles.

Within three years, the first fully suspended products were produced. By 1999, German entrepreneurs were able to set up a company and produce 25 different models. Their imagination knew no bounds. For example, in the mountain bike group, they identified products for extreme women. There are high-speed, children's, city, road, touring bicycles, as well as hard trailers and e-bikes. In addition, the company began to produce sportswear for fans of its brand. In 2001, the design began to be produced from a scandium alloy, strengthening its capabilities.

By 2002, the company already produces 40 types of models, each of which is thoroughly tested. To do this, the state enrolls its own test pilots who test each type of ride quality, reliability while driving, and the comfort of being on a bike. Today the company supplies its products in addition to Germany to 20 other countries of the world. Athletes triumph on Ghost models.

In order to fully appreciate the capabilities of Ghost products, you should consider them from different angles, understand the pros and cons of the German brand. Let's start with the benefits:

• the build quality is especially noted, the models are assembled with German pedantry;
• stylish design, no frills, developed to the smallest detail;
• the ideal geometry of the models is calculated by the design team, it is simple, ergonomic, promotes high-speed driving;
• a wide variety of products are produced - for off-road, mountain walks, high-speed crossings;
• well-designed designs in terms of comfort, after the Ghost it is difficult to change to another product.

Ghost bikes do not have significant flaws in the quality or performance of the products, but some cyclists note the simplicity of the designs, which is due to the German conservatism. The second disadvantage is the high cost of products.

As already noted, today Ghost products are forty types of different bicycles. Models for amateurs and professionals have been developed.

The products are distinguished by the presence of springs on both wheels. This group belongs to the most complex modern bicycles. For example, hardtails have only the front wheel suspension, while rigids use a rigid fork. The bicycles themselves can belong to different groups (cross-country, teide) and at the same time be two-suspended. There are no better off-road products, yet they are comfortable and easy to control.

A young direction of skiing, loved by many. The company has released the PathRIOT bike for extreme mountain riding and off-road forestry. This bike can withstand a lot of stress, but at the same time it is lightweight, capable of "take off" on long climbs and smoothly overcome descents.

These bikes are combined with enduros, are a kind of mountain model, but are designed for crossing uncomplicated hills. The company has released three full suspension models - All Mountain-RIOT, SL AMR and SL AMR X. They are good for mountain travel without extreme sports.

For extreme lovers, the company has released series of bicycles FR AMR. They are perfect for those who love driving on difficult tracks, overcome obstacles, make steep descents and jumps on bikes. The bike has both long travel suspension, reinforced frame, strong disc brakes.

Although hardtails can also be full suspension, Ghost goes the classic way, its designs do not have a rear suspension. For products with this type of frame, shock absorbers are installed for a comfortable ride or rigid forks to reduce the weight of the bike and increase its speed. This is one of the most common types of frames, the Ghost company produces the following products with them:

• Lektor / Nila - designed for sports, some of the most modern carbon bicycles;
• Asket - This trail hardtail is incredibly strong and simple at the same time, it can take on the most difficult trails as well as double suspensions;
• Takana - have large wheels - 29 inches, which gives them the ability to be ultra-fast on difficult uneven tracks;
• Kato - a versatile bike capable of much on mountain trails.

A bicycle equipped with an electric motor and a battery has a lot of advantages; you can overcome long distances and tangible obstacles without getting tired at all. In recent years, the capabilities of electric hybrids have been appreciated and they have begun to actively produce them. The Ghost company also did not stand aside, presented bicycles with electric drive models Teru and Andasol. E-hybrids differ from conventional e-bikes in that they don't have a push button. These designs allow for pedaling, adding power based on the speed the rider chooses. Speed, strength and power are doubled compared to a conventional bike.

Bicycles combine mountain and road capabilities, highly regarded in Europe, but not very popular in Russia. They have powerful wide tires, are endowed with good performance, and are capable of driving at high speeds. From this series, Ghost has released the Square Cross and Square Cross X models, which overcome moderate off-road trails.

In this area, the company has developed the Square Trekking model - ergonomic, durable, capable of carrying heavy loads. A bike with excellent driving characteristics, which is not afraid of any weather conditions.

Presented by Nivolet models. These bikes are designed for paved trails and super speeds. The design is extremely lightweight, and its geometry is built taking into account aerodynamics.

The company has developed a range of children's bicycles to suit every age group. For the smallest they release Powerkiddy balance bikes, without even pedals, and for juniors - a powerkid 24 disc, a full-fledged bike equipped with springs and brakes.

For an overview of the Ghost Kato 4 bike, see the next video.