No other test bike impressed the EMTB editorial team in 2018 as much as the Ghost Hybride SL AMR X S7.7+. How does the well-designed trail bike compare to the top 2019 models? Firstly, take a look at our conclusion from EMTB 2/2018:
The carbon frame of the Hybride SL was practically still warm when it arrived. Ghost uses a 29-inch wheel at the front for good rollover behaviour and cornering traction and combines it with a 27.5 rear wheel with plus tyres for grip and stability. There is also a short 155 mm crank (!), a lowerable fork and a steel spring damper. We sat rather stretched out on the L-bike, which climbs every mountain in perfect style. No rearing up at all, no crank bounce and super-sensitive traction. In a class of its own. The Shimano motor always pushes sufficiently and naturally. The long frame is no handling miracle in bends, but everything works. Even downhill, the hybrid outshines every other current e-bike. Super safe, yet still pleasantly agile and stable. Enormous traction, extremely sensitive suspension, good brakes and tyres. In short: We were thrilled with the Hybride SL!
Test summary of the Ghost Hybride SL AMR X
Everything done right: The perfect chassis and the very well thought-out and effective equipment result in what we believe is currently the best e-mountainbike on the market.
Ghost Hybride SL AMR X S7.7+ / 29" front, 27.5" rear
Reach height 1271 hm
Time / 500 hm4
26.0 min.
Price 6,499 Euro
Drive
Engine Shimano Steps
Maximum torque¹ 70 Nm
Battery¹ / weight² / price Replacement battery Shimano, 500 Wh / 2625 grams / 699 euros
Circuit Sram Ex1 (8-speed)
Translation (v. / h.) 34; 11-48
Display / Size Shimano / 21 x 38 mm
Equipment
Fork / damper Rockshox Lyrik RCT Dual Position Air / Deluxe Coil
Spring travel (f. / h.) 160 mm / 140 mm
Telescopic support KS Lev Integra, 150 mm
Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear) Sram Code R / 200 mm / 200 mm
Impellers DT Swiss H 1700 Hybrid
Wheel size 29'' / 27,5"
Tyres Maxxis Shorty 2.5 / Minion 2.8 3C
Measured values²
Sizes / frame material S / M / L / XL / Carbon
Weight 21.2 kg
Centre of gravity height 523 mm
Handlebar width 760 mm
Crank length / Q-factor 155 mm / 184 mm
Reach / Stack 468 mm / 645 mm
EMTB judgement SUPER
The duel: Ghost vs Specialized
For EMTB 1/2019, we pitted the Ghost Hybride SL AMR X S7.7+ against the brand new Specialised Levo Expert. Can the extravagant Levo with its powerful Brose motor and slim battery integration outperform the trail top dog?
Both rivals rely on a carbon main frame with aluminium rear triangle and can therefore keep the weight pleasantly low. Both weigh just over 21 kilos, the Levo even comes with a large 700 watt-hour battery. These are not absolute records, but with full and robust trail equipment, they are a real statement. Especially in times when the competition is often lurching towards the 25-kilo mark. Ghost achieves part of the weight saving by using a classic, external Shimano battery, while Specialized achieves it through elaborate and well thought-out battery integration, in which the energy carrier is pushed into the down tube from below.
You can read the complete duel with detailed analysis, riding impressions and all the lab data in EMTB 1/2019, on newsstands now!
Manufacturer information
²Determined on the test benches in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals.
The judgement reflects the subjective impression of the testers, the results of the reach measurement and the laboratory tests. The EMTB judgement is independent of price.
4
Average value from the reach height test over the entire distance.
EMTB judgements: super (from 350 points), very good (from 315 points), good (from 280 points), satisfactory (from 245 points), with weaknesses (from 210 points), below insufficient.
