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Ghost Bikes Spirit Across the Pond to U.S. REI Stores in 2015

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REI to resell Ghost Bikes in United States

Whether it’s their four-bar suspension linkage or company size that’s kept them out of the U.S., Germany’s Ghost Bike is now heading for the states.

Through an exclusive partnership with REI, Ghost will be sending its bikes over here for 2015. And it won’t be just the low end stuff, either. They’re saying the Riot 7, Riot 9 and Kato 7 E:I will top the range for North America. All three are 650B and are pictured after the break. The bikes should hit stores in February and be available both in store and online for shipping within the country.

Ghost is part of the Accell Group, which owns Raleigh and Lapierre, two brands already here. Click through to see some of the bikes, and check out our One Ride Review of the Riot LT here (along with details on other models and road disc).

ghost-kato-7-EI-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The alloy Kato 7 E:I uses Accell’s E:I intelligent shock and fork design to automatically adjust the rear suspension’s firmness to suit the terrain or effort. Check out the full tech details in this post and the updated version here. Heck, we’ve even ridden the E:I here. The Kato 7 gets an XT build with Fox 32 Float fork and Rockshox Monarch E:I shock for 120mm travel rear, 130mm front. Easton Vice wheels round out the hardware.

ghost-riot-7-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The Ghost Riot 7 is a full carbon fiber frame that bumps up rear travel 10mm to match up with the 130mm front and also gets an XT build. Suspension is Fox 32 Float FIT Performance fork and Float CTD BV LV shock.

ghost-riot-9-full-suspension-mountain-bike

The Riot 9 upgrades to XTR and Factory level Fox suspension with an Easton Haven wheelset. Both Riot models get the Rockshox Reverb Stealth dropper post.

U.S. pricing is TBA. No word on whether that prototype DH bike will be making the trip.

Ghost-Bikes.com

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23 Comments
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ObligatedToSay
ObligatedToSay
10 years ago

Ghost used to be available in Canada via MEC (mec.ca), similar to REI. I saw a few on the commuter trail, but Focus has made inroads on the racing community.

Charlie Best
Charlie Best
10 years ago

My experience is that these bikes sell to people who don’t know bikes. They’re kind of generic with little to no proprietary tech.

Now when Canyon crosses the pond, then things will get shaken up a little.

James S
James S
10 years ago

Kind of an unfortunate name, especially since “ghost bikes” in the USA are usually old bikes that are painted white and left as memorials to dead cyclists. Or we could associate them with the Swedish band Ghost (known as Ghost BC in the USA) and imagine Nameless Ghouls riding them. Come to think of it, I can’t think of any positive associations to the word “ghost”. Not even Caspar the Friendly Ghost, who might have been friendly but was also quite annoying.

Jeff Dubrule
Jeff Dubrule
10 years ago

Yeah, they might want to rename it for US consumption, and REI definitely should’ve caught this, too…

– Shade
– Shadow
– Spirit
– Phantom

These’d all be good (if they’re not already taken)

Skeeter
Skeeter
10 years ago

A carbon frame with 10mm of travel?!?! … that’s over 1/2″! Sign me up! 😉
(I’m growing to enjoy your typos)

vulgar bulgar
vulgar bulgar
10 years ago

Skeeter –

Unless it’s been updated since you read it, I understand it as ‘travel has been increased by 10mm from the other version to match the 130mm travel fork’. Pretty clear to me.

vulgar bulgar
vulgar bulgar
10 years ago

Also 10mm is less that 1/2″
(I’m growing to enjoy your math)

Skeeter
Skeeter
10 years ago

Wheee… human factor. Yup… “frame that bumps rear travel 10mm to match up” can be read to be an increase of 10mm, or merely the travel. “bumps rear travel *up* 10mm” would be more clear. Indeed, 10mm = ~0.4″, so I’m humbly enjoying my math difficulties too.

Al Boneta
Al Boneta
10 years ago

That’s a shame, I was really looking forward to Ghost’s awesome DH bike coming to the US. REI won’t be bringing those in.

bikerhp
bikerhp
10 years ago

First I have no problem with REI selling these bikes. I am sure they are nice bikes. My problem is that I just was in a dealer meeting with the USA President of Accell (owners of the Ghost, Raleigh, Diamondback, Torker, Lapierre, Currie, and Redline brands). He just told us that Accell was really looking to be IBD friendly. I guess that was just another story. I guess since they are not selling Lapierre and Raleigh to REI they had to give them something. Thanks for letting IBD’s down. I am glad I have not done a order for your brands yet.

Stampers
Stampers
10 years ago

Meh…I’d want to get a lil closer look at that pivot hardware…looks a little light weight to me…

King County
King County
10 years ago

@James S. I second your sentiment. When I think of ‘ghost bikes’, I think of the white bikes locked to accident sites as memorials of those that got killed while riding bicycles.

Matt
Matt
10 years ago

Haven’t they had ghost bikes in MEC in Canada for ages?

http://www.mec.ca/shop/cycling-bikes-ghost/50002+50013+4294955051/?h=10+50002+50013

Wally
Wally
10 years ago

Agree that the Ghost name is a poor choice. Having said that, I’m in the market for a high-end commuter with an Alfine IGH hub. The Panamao C 5 looks ideal…hope REI offers this model here in the U.S.
http://www.ghost-bikes.com/bikes-2015/bike-detail/panamao-c-5/

Kark
Kark
10 years ago

@ Charlie Best. What exactly is your experience with these bikes? and what proprietary technology would you expect to see on these (or any) bicycle?

I ask the first question because they’re available where I am, and they look to be very capable bikes to me.

Al Boneta
Al Boneta
10 years ago

I got to ride their DH bikes in Switzerland and it was more than capable. I run a shop that does a lot with Accell and I was really hoping this was a brand my shop would have access to.

Josh
Josh
10 years ago

REI still carries Raleigh, although the lineup in the mtn spectrum seems rather limited. It will be interesting to see how the Ghost lineup fares in the US, where the flood of brands with similar tech and inflated pricing for brand names is growing rampant. Bear in mind, similar to REI’s contract with Cannondale, that not all stores will be able to carry the Ghost bikes on the floor, due to respecting dealer agreements (geographic range to a LBS/ IBD). REI will hopefully benefit Accell by bringing in more potential customers for them, improving the brands across the board.

muddy
muddy
10 years ago

You guys are missing the point,
Where the hell was that picture taken so I can go ride it, beautiful!!!!
This could be a pacific, huffy or ellsworth ad for all I care,
Just look at that trail!

A nony mouse
A nony mouse
10 years ago

Josh, what dealers are you talking about? Exclusive was the word used to describe the partnership.

Tim
Tim
10 years ago

People have been talking about IBS… REI stores have some excellent mechanics, which I would consider as good if not better than many IBS.

I look forward to seeing these bikes in person.

Jeremy Seftor
Jeremy Seftor
10 years ago

Josh. Unlike Cannondale, REI has a “no restrictions” agreement with Ghost. Their bikes will be available in every REI store.

Maddy
9 years ago

I saw these bike at REI. I don’t think I’ll ever buy the Ghost brand as I don’t feel I’d like to avoid the conversation about memorials for dead cyclists.

Dustin
Dustin
9 years ago

I can not believe how phobic we Americans are of brands we do not know. Ghost has an excellent reputation in Germany and in Europe. Charlie’s comment about “a bike for those who don’t know bikes” is very misleading IMO. You just don’t know these bikes. I am in the market for one… I only wish I could trail ride it to get a better feel. REI is not known for loaning a bike for trial!

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