Ghost Lector HT Worldcup 30 on test: Lighter than a gravel bike, longer than an enduro bike
Jan Timmermann
· 12.04.2024
The pure facts about the new Ghost Lector HT Worldcup 30 speak volumes: 24 per cent lighter than its predecessor, 120 millimetres of suspension travel, 510 millimetres of reach in frame size L. The 30th anniversary edition of the Ghost hardtail is designed to be long, light and modern, heralding a new era for the bike manufacturer from Waldsassen in Bavaria.
We were therefore very excited to test the new race bike, which the Ghost Factory Racing Team will use to win Olympic gold in Paris. should lead. Despite the awe, we didn't take it easy on the new XC bike - on the contrary. We've already had the opportunity to meticulously measure the Ghost Lector HT 2024 in the BIKE test lab and ride the former World Cup course in Albstadt with Cape Epic winners Anne Terpstra and Nicole Koller. Last but not least, we took the 29er hardtail out on an alpine marathon course.
Light & powerful: The new Ghost hardtail on the uphills
First of all: We tested the new Ghost Lector HT at 190 centimetres tall in frame size XL and the € 9000 Worldcup 30 version. In this largest of all available sizes, our test bike weighed in at a good 10.24 kilos without pedals. This puts the Ghost on a par with the modern hardtail competition in the luxury price class.
The discreet weight is fun from the very first metre - definitely a step up from the previous Lector. The DT Swiss XRC 1501 carbon wheels with a massive 30 millimetre inner width accelerate well despite the 2.4 inch wide Maxxis Aspen tyres and tyre inserts, even if there are even lighter wheelsets on the high-end market.
The reach value on the XL bike is extreme: at 540 millimetres with a top tube length of over 700 millimetres, the XC hardtail is longer than most enduro fullys. In fact, these are the largest values we have ever measured on a race bike in the BIKE test lab. A look at the geometry table reveals that the other frame sizes also boast mighty reach values.
For the riding position on the Ghost Lector HT, this means a strong stretch. Together with the 70 millimetre stem and the wide handlebars, the rider's mass is distributed widely and evenly over the bike. On our test model, the control centre measures 460 millimetres wide. In series production, it should even be 480 millimetres. XC racers who are fighting for positions in the turmoil at the start will definitely want to shorten the carbon bar.
Despite the rather long 142 millimetre head tube, the riding position is low and sporty. The setup is suitable for scrubbing kilometres: You sit in an aerodynamically favourable position and always feel a good forward thrust. At the same time, foresighted riding requires a certain amount of stretching of the head upwards from the low riding position. Over long distances, this can lead to a stiff neck and hands that fall asleep lead. If you are between two frame sizes, you should definitely consider choosing the smaller option. For tight uphill bends, you'll have to reach far out on the new Ghost Lector HT either way.
Apart from that, the lowered riding position and the long wheelbase of 1256 millimetres make the Ghost Lector HT a skilful climber. With a 76.3 degree seat tube angle, the lightweight hardtail ensures good pedalling efficiency at all times and stoically climbs many metres in one go. Despite very compact chainstays of only 429 millimetres, we didn't have to struggle with a rising front wheel even on technical climbs.
However, the imbalance in the length of the rear triangle and main frame is noticeable when pedalling out of the saddle. When standing, the rider hangs so far forward over the handlebars that there is hardly any weight on the rear tyre. The result is a rear end that keeps slipping. The only way to counteract this is to adjust your body position when pedalling out of the saddle. However, this takes some getting used to and can cost extra energy.
Light and uncomplicated - that's the claim of the new Ghost Lector HT. After taking the hardtail on an extended alpine tour between the Tegernsee and Spitzingsee lakes two days after first contact, I can only confirm these characteristics. Despite the extreme length, I quickly felt at home on the bike on the 105 kilometre marathon route covering 3100 metres in altitude. The 'long and easy' concept works. The only exception: gravel sprints in the cradle. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Master of the limit: the new Ghost hardtail on the downhill
There is another special feature on our Ghost Lector HT test bike: While the hardtail is supposed to be delivered with 120 millimetres of travel for frame sizes L and XL, our model only has 110 millimetres of travel. However, we didn't miss any travel reserves during the test period. the Rockshox SID Ultimate fork impressed with its usual good performance. The three-stage compression adjustment via the twist grip was helpful on the marathon distance with many different types of terrain. However, riders who don't do long distances or racing would also be well served with a two-stage system.
As an XC hardtail, the top model Lector HT Worldcup 30 naturally has a corresponding equipment package. While the Sram Level Ultimate brakes with two pistons were still sufficient on the cross-country course, they soon reached their limits on the long descents of the marathon circuit despite the thick HS2 brake discs with a diameter of 180 millimetres at the front and rear. Here we wished for the stronger four-piston version, which Cape Epic winner Anne Terpstra also uses on her Lector HT.
A similar picture with the tyres: Thanks to tyre inserts and tubeless set-up, the air pressure in the Maxxis Aspen tyres can be lowered a long way, but off the track and in muddy conditions, the fast rubber is always pushed to the limit. A solid riding technique is therefore essential.
With somewhat lacklustre brakes and twitchy tyres, the limits of the Ghost Lector HT are quickly reached. It's a good thing that the geometry concept shines here. The long and light chassis is easy to control, even when the tyres start to break away. The rider is so planted on the bike that you always feel in control of the situation. The Ghost hardtail is a joy to throw into bends, you expect it to slide slightly, but it catches you reliably. Thanks to the short seat tube and the fast Rockshock Reverb AXS dropper post, there is plenty of room to move over the top tube.
All in all, these characteristics of the new Ghost Lector HT World Cup 30 reward a safe, aggressive riding style that many XC racers possess. The bike gets the maximum out of the race track when its rider is fully committed to a line and shoots through key sections with verve. However, this can quickly overwhelm beginners. They will want handling that is also more good-natured when the line is diffuse.
The special handling of the Ghost Lector HT is undoubtedly due to the extremely long main frame and wheelbase. Tight bends require a skilled hand on the handlebars to maximise the radius or even move the rear wheel in the case of hairpin bends. Even the short chainstays are of little help here. High bunny hops or long manuals are almost impossible on the long, flat bike, but in the case of an XC racer, they will hardly be in demand anyway. Especially at low speeds, the Ghost needs a lot of momentum over jumps and drops to get off the ground.
In most other situations, however, the bike is still easy to manage. Thanks to the steering angle of 68.6 degrees, which is not too slack, it is easy to lift the front wheel over gullies and control the load distribution on the front wheel. Caution: The ten millimetres less travel on our test bike results in a steering angle that is around 0.5 degrees steeper. In series production, the value should therefore correspond almost exactly to the manufacturer's specification of 68 degrees. The long wheelbase helps over steps. While the front wheel is already down, the rear wheel is still up. With the right riding technique, control in these situations is at a high level. The length of the chassis is a force to be reckoned with when travelling fast in a straight line. "Length runs" also applies to the hardtail, of course.
Details & review of the Ghost Lector HT World Cup 30
- Front suspension travel: 110 mm (prototype, in series: 120 mm)
- Frame material: Carbon
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Price: 9000 Euro
- Available from: Specialist retailers
The pricing policy of the new Ghost Lector HT is unusual. There are three equipment variants between 2299 and 3699 euros. However, the top model is only available for 9000 euros. This is only suitable for buyers who want a high-end race hardtail with top equipment. For everyone else, the more affordable models should be a good tuning platform. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Equipment
- Fork: Rockshox SID Ultimate
- Gear system: Sram XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission, 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Brakes: Sram Level Stealth Ultimate, 180 / 180 mm
- dropper post / stroke: Rockshox Reverb AXS / 150 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss XRC 1501
- Tyres: Maxxis Aspen Exo TR, 29 x 2.4"
Measured values
- Total weight: 10.24 kg (size XL, without pedals)
- Frame weight: 1152 g (size XL, incl. glued chainstay protector)
- Weight of wheels: 4172 g
- Impeller inertia: 3312 kg x cm²
Geometry
In size XL (XS / S / M / L / XL)
- Reach: 540 mm
- Stack: 659 mm
- Seat tube length: 485 mm
- Top tube length: 704 mm
- Head tube length: 142 mm
- Chainstay length: 429 mm
- Wheelbase: 1256 mm
- Steering angle: 68.6°
- Seat angle: 76.3°
- BB Offset: -59 mm
- Bottom bracket height: 315 mm
- Protrusion height: 827 mm
- Handlebar width: 760 mm
- Stem length: 70 mm
Conclusion from BIKE test editor Jan Timmermann
Long and light - on a race hardtail like the new Ghost Lector HT 2024, this is a real winning approach. Especially when combined with suspension travel reserves, wide tyres and a long-travel dropper post. With the exception of the unfavourable load distribution when pedalling, self-confessed XC racers and marathon riders will love the progressive character of the expensive Lector HT World Cup 30 model. However, the concept may be too much for less experienced riders. Be careful when choosing the size.
Pro
- Good weight
- skilful climber
- Rewards fast drivers
- High level of confidence in extreme downhill situations
- Five frame sizes and high weight release
Contra
- requires an experienced pilot
- little play instinct even with a lot of physical effort
- no bargain in the 30-year version
Jan Timmermann
Editor
