They have these at REI now, but I cannot seem to find any reviews. Any thoughts on how it compares to Trek/Specialized/Jamis etc?

Also, they seem to have magnesium forks. I never heard of such a thing. Any advantage/disadvantage as compared to aluminum, steel or carbon?

I haven't seen any reviews or anything on them. Seems they're a German company that partnered with REI and aren't really sold anywhere else in the states. They look like they would be pretty good bikes though.

Magnesium is really light, they make light weight race car wheels out of it.

There is an interesting write up on Ghost. Apparently "Ghost" bikes is a term used for people who passed away from cycling accidents. REI may have blundered by introducing this line of bikes.

I think I may have seen that. I think Ghost has been making bikes in Germany for 20 years. I don't think the practice of doing "ghost bikes" actually came about until 2002/2003. So I think the company was making bikes for years before that even started.

No free rides. If I get a ghost bike it has to be a tandem so the ghost can pedal too.

Mag has been used for years(decades?) for motorcycle wheels and suspension,as well as some engine cases. Basically it's lighter than aluminum,but not as expensive as titanium. And it's not Ghost,it's the company that makes the suspension fork.

This. Was already hashed out over in General. Like the folks who got worked up about the band Anthrax's name after the tainted letters.

Old thread but still not much info out there on the Ghost bikes at REI.

Well I just bought a Speedline 1. I did a lot of research and I tried a lot of bikes but in the end the Speedline won me over. It's closest competitor was the Specialized Sirrus Disk but the Ghost just fit me better. I'm 5'9" and can hover right on the medium/large frame for most manufacturers. On the Specialized the medium felt just a little cramped and the large was too big. Ghost Speedline frames run large and their medium frame fit me really well. I won't say absolutely perfect as it seems like it might be a hair on the large side but it works great with the seat moved a little forward and I have an inch+ clearance standing over the bar. Of course I'm coming from MTB bikes where I'm used to an even smaller frame. The Speedline is a flat bar road bike.....not a lot of "hybrid" to it. It does still have the MTB components so I guess it's technically a hybrid. It was interesting to note that the front forks are magnesium which you don't see a lot, especially at this price point.

I find it very comfortable and smooth shifting. The Schwable Kojak tires are really nice. The components also meet or beat anything else in its class. REI also gives a full one year no hassle return policy.....that's pretty amazing for a bike. They seemed very knowledgeable and set the bike up perfectly before releasing it. They also give a free first tune up. All in all I'm happy with the purchase and it's also a great looking bike. Havn't taken a picture of my bike yet but here is one from the net: