Ghost Asket CF: Carbon gravel bike with MTB DNA

The name is deceptive: the new gravel bike from Ghost, called Asket, does not dispense with equipment. Instead, it offers extreme frame geometry and comfortable components. The manufacturer from northern Bavaria, part of the Dutch Accell Group since 2008, promises "pure gravel" with the Asket. This is already the third off-road platform after the Road Rage and Asket AL models.

Ghost Asket: The DNA of a hardtail MTB

In contrast to other models from the brand, the new model is based on a carbon frame with elements from a hardtail mountain bike for the first time. In 2017, an MTB hardtail was still trading under the name Asket. Although the sloping shape is less pronounced than on the aluminium model, the top tube of the new Asket carbon gravel bike still slopes relatively steeply backwards, resulting in a long saddle extension. The seat stays with their distinctive sweep just behind the junction with the seat tube are already familiar from the aluminium model. Lector, the cross-country machine from Ghost known. Officially, Ghost uses so-called light carbon for the frame, but this has weaknesses in terms of stiffness - more on this in a moment.

In contrast, the Ghost Asket CF 30, the top model for Ghost's 30th anniversary, achieves a remarkable wheelbase length: at 1105 millimetres, it is well above average and achieves a unique value in TOUR's long test history. Comparable gravel bikes with a focus on bikepacking are around 30 to 60 millimetres shorter. In combination with the slack steering angle (70 degrees) and a large fork trail (76 millimetres), the Asket rides straight ahead with stability and requires powerful steering. When cornering, the front wheel tends to tip unusually - as we know it from downhill-orientated MTBs. The very upright riding position (STR+: 1.21) appeals to adventurers who value relaxed days in the saddle.

However, our test riders are divided when it comes to comfort. The carbon handlebars from Easton clearly benefit from the 40 millimetres of travel of the Rockshox fork. Shocks from rocks or roots are effectively absorbed, and even in lockout the front-end comfort remains noticeable, earning a "very good" on the TOUR test bench. On the saddle, on the other hand, the Ghost Asket is set harder, as the Rockshox dropper post offers less flexibility than a thin carbon seatpost. There is no potential for tuning with wider tyres, as the standard 45 mm wide Maxxis tyres already make use of the maximum tyre clearance and were mounted tubeless on the test bike.

Ghost Gravelbike Asket: Bikepacking bike with ballast

The telescopic seat post can be adjusted by 50 millimetres (XS to M) or 75 millimetres (L to XL) depending on the frame size. As with other bikes with suspension, the Ghost gravel bike also raises the question of its benefits. The dropper post does offer more safety on steep descents, as the lower centre of gravity allows better control of the bike. However, it also requires more maintenance and increases the overall weight. This contributes to the sluggish handling of the Asket, which weighs over ten kilograms and, despite its MTB-like design, reaches its limits on narrow trails and makes it difficult to ride faster on gravel paths.

The attachment points on the top and down tube for bottles and bags are a must for a bikepacking specialist like the Ghost Asket. However, there are no mounts for fixed mudguards or pannier racks; only on the cheaper models can mudguards be attached to the seat stays. Our test riders also criticised the rattling of the rear brake hose in the frame. You should also note that the dropper seat post has some play, but this is not noticeable when riding.

Equipment and prices

In addition to the Asket CF 30, Ghost offers two other equipment variants. The Pro version is the only model with a carbon rigid fork, while the so-called Full Party is also equipped with a suspension fork, but does not have a dropper seatpost compared to the top model. For the drivetrains, the Northern Bavarians rely on twelve-speed derailleurs from Shimano and Sram. Only the most expensive version allows electronic shifting and operation of the dropper post. All bikes are equipped with wide-range, MTB-typical cassettes with up to 52 teeth on the rear wheel.

Conclusion: Not enough off-road or not enough comfort bike

To summarise, the Asket CF 30 is struggling to establish itself in the diverse off-road segment. The new model is neither a comfortable adventure bike that can easily be converted into a cargo bike, nor can it compete with the manoeuvrability of competition-oriented bikes on gravel tracks. It remains in the versatile all-rounder category, but comparable models from the competition are available for less than the 6000 euro Ghost.

Ghost Asket CF 30

• TOUR grade: 2,5
• Price: 6000 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 10.1 kilos
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 507/590/177 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 624/412 millimetres/1.51
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 688/571 millimetres/1.21
• Wheelbase/caster: 1105/76 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Force/X0 Eagle Transmission AXS (1x12; 40, 10-52 t.) | Grade: 2.0
• Brakes: Sram Force (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler Silk Shield TR 45 mm (eff.: 45 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Impellers: DT Swiss G1800
• Impeller weights: 1751/2225 grams (front/rear)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 10130 grammes | Grade: 4.0
• Driving stability: 6.9 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
• Rear comfort: 130 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
• Comfort front: 36 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 49 N/mm | Grade: 3.0

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Good spring comfort on the handlebars
• Minus: Very high total weight, sluggish acceleration

Ghost Asket CF Pro

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 610/820 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.)
• Impellers: Rodi Ready 23/Shimano HB-RS470/FH-TC-500-MS (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 mm)
• Price: 2999 Euro >> e.g. available here

Ghost Asket CF Full Party

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 820 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.)
• Impellers: Rodi Ready 23/Shimano HB-RS470/FH-TC-500-MS (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 mm)
• Fork: Fox 32 Performance Elite TC (40 mm)
• Price: 3499 Euro >> e.g. available here

Ghost Asket CF 30

• Drive/gear shift: Sram Force/X0 Eagle Transmission AXS (1x12; 40, 10-52 t.)
• Impellers: DT Swiss G1800 (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 mm)
• Fork: Rockshox Rudy Ultimate XPLR (40 mm)
• Seat post: Rockshox Reverb AXS XPLR (50 or 75 mm)
• Price: 6000 Euro