The revolution comes slowly and inconspicuously, in this case almost a little clumsily. Yes, at first glance the Hybrid Kato FS is not exactly an aesthetic masterpiece. While others at least make an attempt to integrate the bulky battery into the down tube, Ghost has simply placed it on top. But that's just the exterior. After the first few metres in the saddle of the bike from Waldsassen in Lower Bavaria, it becomes clear that this bike belongs to the vanguard of a new generation of e-MTBs.
Thanks to the super-slack head angle (66 degrees) in combination with a long front triangle (reach: 457 mm), the Ghost rides extremely safely at high speeds. Thanks to the space-saving Shimano motor, however, the chainstays have been kept quite short at 455 millimetres. The result is lively steering characteristics on
singletrack. Long at the front, short at the rear is the motto that has prevailed in recent years for enduro bikes without a motor. Once you have got used to the slightly tippy steering at low speeds, mountain bikers feel comfortable on this bike. The Fox 34 fork soaks up every pebble with sensitivity, and the rear suspension parries with a usable 140 millimetres of travel and excellently tuned kinematics.
The faster the ride, the more stable the bike is on the trail - thanks to the slack angles and long reach. Nevertheless, the bike is lively and can be easily manoeuvred through winding trails. You can bunny hop over small obstacles, which is where the light weight of 21 kilos becomes noticeable - incidentally, one reason why Ghost does not integrate the battery. A hydroformed down tube would add too much weight. The characteristics of Shimano's E8000 motor suit the bike well: in trail mode, the drive pushes so unobtrusively that you could easily forget you're on an e-MTB. In Boost mode, there is enough power for steep climbs. However, the bike reaches its limits on very steep climbs. Here it feels nervous and requires a little more pressure on the front wheel.
Conclusion Modern geometry, top kinematics, well thought-out equipment - an excellent trail bike of the new generation. The price seems more than reasonable.
Drive
Motor / Position Shimano Steps E8000 / mid-engine
Max. Torque 70 Nm
Battery Lithium-ion, 500 Wh
Gearstick / transmission 11-speed Shimano XT Di2 (32x11)
Display / Size Shimano / 1 inch
Equipment
Frame material / sizes Aluminium / S / M / L / XL
Fork / damper Fox 34 Float 3 / Fox Float 3 Pos
Telescopic support Kind Shock LEV
Brake / Disc vo / hi Shimano XT / 203 / 180 mm
Impellers 27.5 inch Ghost
Tyres Schwalbe Nobby Nic 27.5x2.8
Info
Weight 21 kilos
Spring travel (v / h) 140 / 140 mm
Price 4999 Euro
Web www.ghost-bikes.com
