Ghost Square Cross Essential Mid

The ‘Square Cross Essential Mid’ model from Ghost, launched in 2023, is a versatile, high-quality bike priced in the mid-range at €1,099. The frame is made of robust aluminium (ALUMINIUM SQUARE CROSS AL) and the bike’s total weight is 13 kg, which speaks to its solid yet manoeuvrable construction.

The bike’s braking system features Shimano BRMT200 160 mm disc brakes, operated by Shimano BLMT200 brake levers. The front brake disc is also a Shimano SMRT10 with a diameter of 160 mm, ensuring reliable braking performance.

For the drivetrain, the model comes with a SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed system. This also includes the SRAM FC S650 crankset with 38 teeth and the SRAM PG1210 cassette with an 11–50 tooth range. The drivetrain is also supported by SRAM SX Eagle components, enabling precise and efficient gear changes.

The fork is a Rock Shox Paragon Gold RL with 65 mm of travel, providing additional comfort and control on uneven terrain. The bottom bracket is an SRAM Powerspline, ensuring a stable and durable connection between the cranks.

The handlebars have a diameter of 31.8 mm and a width of 680 mm, combined with a Ghost stem of the same size. The stem is 75 mm long and has a 7-degree angle, which allows for a comfortable riding position. The grips are Velo VLG1751D2, which provide extra comfort.

The rims are Rodi Excalibur XC19 at both the front and rear, and the spokes are DT Swiss 2.0, ensuring a stable and durable wheel construction. The tyres are Schwalbe Smart Sam Performance 47622, fitted to both the front and rear, and provide good grip and traction on a variety of surfaces. The hubs are Shimano HBTX505 QR 100 mm at the front and Shimano FHTX505 QR 135 mm at the rear.

The saddle is a Justek 3050 HRN, mounted on a GHOST SP DC1 seatpost with a diameter of 31.6 mm. The saddle clamp is a GHOST XC 68 with a diameter of 34.9 mm.

The bike’s geometry comprises a reach of 379 mm, a stack of 648 mm, a seat tube length of 520 mm and a top tube length of 590 mm. The head tube angle is 71 degrees and the seat tube angle is 72 degrees. The head tube length is 170 mm, the chainstay length measures 455 mm and the bottom bracket drop is 60 mm. The standover height is 625 mm and the crank length is 175 mm. The bike’s wheelbase measures 1,091 mm in total.

In summary, the 2023 Ghost Square Cross Essential Mid offers a balanced combination of high-quality components and well-thought-out geometry, making it a versatile companion for a variety of riding scenarios.