Ghost Riot Trail Essential

The 2023 ‘Riot Trail Essential’ model from Ghost is a versatile and high-performance mountain bike designed for demanding trail riding. It is available at a price of 3,299 EUR. The frame is made of aluminium and is available in sizes S (27.5-inch) as well as M, L and XL (29-inch), allowing for optimal adaptation to different body sizes.

The bike is fitted with high-quality components that ensure an excellent riding experience. The brakes are Shimano BRMT520 180 mm discs, which, in combination with the Shimano BLMT501 brake levers and the Shimano SMRT70 180 mm front brake disc, ensure reliable and powerful braking performance. The drivetrain consists of a Shimano XT RDM8100 12-speed system, which enables precise and rapid gear changes.

Suspension is provided by a Fox 34 Float Rhythm fork with 140 mm of travel and a Fox Float DPS Performance LV EVOL rear shock, also with 140 mm of travel. This combination offers excellent damping and control on rough terrain. The bottom bracket is a Shimano BBMT801, whilst the crankset is a Shimano SLX FCM7100 with 32 teeth. The cassette is a Shimano SLX CSM7100 1051, and the drivetrain is complemented by a Shimano Deore CNM6100 chain.

The handlebars are Ground Fiftyone with a diameter of 31.8 mm and a width of 760 mm (S) or 780 mm (MXL). The grips are WTB Waffle, and the stem is also from Ground Fiftyone, with a length of 45 mm and an angle of 6 degrees. The headset is an Acros Blocklock 135° AZX582.

The wheelsets consist of DT Swiss 2.0 spokes and WTB ST Light i30 rims. The tyres are Schwalbe Nobby Nic Super Ground Addix Speedgrip in 2.4-inch size, to suit the different frame sizes (27.5-inch for S and 29-inch for MXL). The hubs are Shimano HBMT400B 15x110 mm at the front and Shimano FHMT410B 12x148 mm at the rear.

The saddle is a WTB Volt, fitted to a Ghost Alpha 1 seatpost with a diameter of 34.9 mm and varying lengths depending on frame size (125 mm for S, 150 mm for M, and 170 mm for L/XL). The saddle clamp has a diameter of 38.0 mm.

The bike’s geometry comprises a reach of 450 mm, a stack of 587 mm, a seat tube length of 417 mm, a top tube length of 596 mm, a head tube angle of 66 degrees, a seat tube angle of 76 degrees, a head tube length of 100 mm, a chainstay length of 430 mm, a bottom bracket drop of 25 mm, a standover height of 772 mm, a crank length of 170 mm and a wheelbase of 1180 mm.

Overall, the Ghost Riot Trail Essential offers a balanced combination of stability, comfort and performance, ideal for discerning trail enthusiasts.