Ghost jumped on the 29er bandwagon late, and for 2013 at least ten hardtails with large wheels are expanding the range. At the centre of it all is the Actinum aluminium model with XT equipment and reliable Reba fork. Due to the short, steeply sloping top tube and a high front end, you sit very upright - so it's more for touring kilometres than for the starting block. The seatpost flex also ensures comfort on long rides. Despite the slack head angle, the Ghost weaves its way confidently through the spruce slalom of our Lake Garda tour. Only the Elixir 1 brakes only really grabbed hold after "pumping" the lever a few times. The thick weld seams on the massive seat tube knot are debatable, but the high frame weight is not.
ConclusionSeveral-hour tours are the speciality of the good-natured Ghost 29er. The equipment is decent, only the frame could be lighter and nicer.
PLUS Comfortable seating position
MINUS Heavy frame, cheap brakes
