Fun fact: My first bike was a Ghost
When it was time to change sponsors for 2023, I was lucky enough to receive a few offers - I didn't have to think twice and decided in favour of Ghost. Because my first mountain bike was a Ghost Cagua. I was 15 years old at the time and bought it from local hero Guido Tschugg for 1400 euros. Fischi & Tschugg - those were the guys I looked up to. Now, almost ten years later, I ride for the brand myself. Crazy, isn't it?
Frame: the question of size
The carbon version of the bike has only been available since June. I like the clean look of carbon frames. I am 1.80 metres tall. That puts me right in between the frame sizes. I tried out an M and an L frame - I decided in favour of the M frame with a 465 mm reach because it was easier to handle. The L frame is significantly longer (492 mm). Oh yes, I like the 29-inch front and rear. I don't currently see the need to convert to Mullet.
Cockpit: 780 millimetres and preferably aluminium
The first thing I did was to remove the Shimano XTR drivetrain, because it shifts roughly and loudly. It works much better with the Shimano XT. I also love the XT brakes, there's nothing better. With the width of my aluminium handlebars, I've always ridden 780 millimetres. Why aluminium? For reasons of confidence, and I haven't had any bad experiences yet. Just like that. I don't have to work with a torque spanner and can tighten bolts by feel, that's it! The 40 millimetre stem fits well.
Chassis: Tokens, tokens, tokens!
I ride 20 per cent sag front and rear. That's not much, especially at the rear. But I need the progression for stunts and don't want to get bogged down in suspension travel. So I have a maximum number of tokens in the shock (140 mm) and three in the fork (160 mm). This reduces the air chamber and creates additional progression. I like the rebound to be fast for a lively ride feel.
Tyres: no experiments!
I've been riding Schwalbe tyres with tubeless construction for ages. Magic Mary (ultrasoft) at the front, Big Betty (soft, with supergravity casing) at the rear. No tyre insert, usually 2.0 bar front and rear. I'm not a nerd who cares about 0.2 bar. If I feel that the tyre is rolling, then I pump it up.
Carbon wheels: better not!
I've tried carbon and aluminium rims. The difference in ride feel didn't itch me as much as the confidence in the material. As you know, I don't always take the cleanest line. So my choice fell on aluminium. Because I'd rather put a dent in my rim than witness my carbon rims folding up on landing.
Flat or click: pure habituation
I use flat pedals, but I really want to ride more clipless pedals this season. My feet are firmly planted on the pedals and tricks like no-handers work more easily. I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. Let's see how I get on with it.
Screws: Let others do that
I can wrench, but I don't have the patience. So I prefer to take my bike to the shop. They can do it much better and, above all, faster than me. Adjusting the gears or bleeding the brakes - pure horror for me. I really don't like doing that stuff. Otherwise, it's important to me that my bike is quiet. If something rattles, I often can't find the reason, I don't have the feeling for it. The experts in the shop help me with that too.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
