Hey everyone! I’m looking to get back into biking after being off the saddle for a few years. I used to ride a Ghost SE 5000 that I bought back in 2010, and it served me really well. It was a solid, dependable bike that handled a mix of road and light trail riding without any fuss. But it’s definitely showing its age now—heavy frame, old 3x drivetrain, and not exactly up to modern standards.
I’m based in Croatia and planning to do a mix of casual rides, some light trails, and maybe even a bit of commuting or longer weekend rides as I get back into shape. I’d say I’m somewhere between beginner and intermediate—comfortable on a bike, just a bit rusty.
I’ve set a budget of around €1500, but I’m open to going a bit higher if something really stands out. I came across a deal on a bike that looks interesting, but I’m not quite sure if it’s worth it. If anyone’s willing to share their thoughts or has other recommendations, I’d really appreciate it! Thanks!
by SufficientBranch2283
2 Comments
Ghost will be good for commuting and light trails
But if you really like riding , it will hold you up in the future. You can get 2 bikes. One for trails only and one for pavement (get a cheap used one)
This one is good for downhill, technical stuff.
https://www.commencal.com/en/commencal-meta-ht-am-ride-dirt/22METAHTAMRI.html
Canyon stoic is a good model
If you want to do a mix of road/commuting/light trail, that looks like a fine choice. It doesn’t take advantage of a lot of advances in mountain bike tech since 2010, but that’s ok for your intended use.
The biggest thing I’d want is a dropper post. Even more than the changes in geometry, that’s been the biggest improvement to me on any sort of technical terrain.
This bike has a light frame and heavy, lower end parts. If you plan to wear them out and upgrade over time, it makes sense to prioritize that way, but if you’re likely to keep it as is for awhile, you might be able to find a better deal.
I assume you’re in Croatia. It looks like you could get the Canyon Stoic 4 for your budget (less than the Ghost), assuming it’s in stock in your size. It has better components, a dropper post standard, and more modern mountain bike geometry (slacker head angle, etc). If trail riding is the priority, I’d choose it over the Ghost, though I think the Ghost would make a good commuter.
You could even get a full suspension Neuron for your budget if you are a L or XL, though whether I wanted a full suspension would depend how much I’m commuting on it. Still, modern FS bikes are pretty great, so aside from a bit more potential maintenance, I don’t see major downside over a hardtail, even for commuting. I ride my Ripmo to the office via mountain bike trails and often come home on the bike path. It’s slower than my commuter bike for sure, but it’s largely down to the tires. I don’t feel like I’m losing much power to the suspension at all.