Ghost Lector FS

Discuss light weight issues concerning mountain bikes & parts.

Moderator: Moderator Team

Post Reply
Kit
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:32 pm

by Kit

Has anyone seen any reviews of this bike or own one?

I can't seem to find anything in english, geo is a bit wacky too, the frames seem very large. I'm 185cm and the website recommends either a L or XL!

The medium has an ETT of 649 and a reach of 489! Steep HA of 68 and a short stack 601, seems like it would be quite an uncomfortable bike to ride, very stretched out like a road bike?

https://www.ghost-bikes.com/int-en/lect ... rameSize=M

Suspension is also pretty different to everything else, are they good bikes in comparison to the current field of 120mm bikes?

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



HorizonEcho
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2024 9:22 am

by HorizonEcho

Yeah, those numbers do look a bit off for a comfortable ride. That reach of 489mm for a medium is huge! It does seem like you’d be really stretched out, more like a road bike fit. The steep head angle won’t help with handling either if you’re looking for something nimble. As for the suspension, Ghost bikes are solid but might not stack up as well to other 120mm bikes in terms of performance. If you’re 185cm, I’d lean towards a large, but maybe demo one if you can seems like a tricky fit.

Kit
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:32 pm

by Kit

HorizonEcho wrote:
Tue Sep 17, 2024 9:11 am
Yeah, those numbers do look a bit off for a comfortable ride. That reach of 489mm for a medium is huge! It does seem like you’d be really stretched out, more like a road bike fit. The steep head angle won’t help with handling either if you’re looking for something nimble. As for the suspension, Ghost bikes are solid but might not stack up as well to other 120mm bikes in terms of performance. If you’re 185cm, I’d lean towards a large, but maybe demo one if you can seems like a tricky fit.
Yeah I might leave it, I can't see how it will be a good fitting bike?

The store is 210 miles away so a demo is very unlikely unless I need to travel over there for something else by random chance...

idioticbangbang
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2024 8:20 am

by idioticbangbang

If you decide to purchase, check if the store has a good return policy. This way, if the bike doesn’t fit or feel right after a test ride, you can return it.
boxing random

SimonWatts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:53 pm

by SimonWatts

I´m a Ghost dealer. I like the new Ghost Lector HT better than the full sus modell. However, the full sus is really capable and versatile. Not the lightest, not the flashiest but a good outside choice IMO. Give it a try.

SimonWatts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:53 pm

by SimonWatts

also, the geo is modern and capable, but still responsive. The Ghost Factory Team chooses the fullsus more often than the hardtail for XC-worldcups.

The long reach feels great as it gives you a lot of security for downhills. It does not feel stretch out like a roadbike because of the short stem.

Aradell
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:06 pm
Location: Belgium

by Aradell

SimonWatts wrote:
Thu Sep 26, 2024 4:52 pm
I´m a Ghost dealer. I like the new Ghost Lector HT better than the full sus modell. However, the full sus is really capable and versatile. Not the lightest, not the flashiest but a good outside choice IMO. Give it a try.
Hi, as a Ghost-dealer. How do you usually guide people to the right size?
The SuperFit geometry is obviously quite different if you compare it to other bikes (in the same size).

Let's take myself as an example, i'm 183cm, 77cm saddle height. I'm always on a Large or 56cm bike. Currently on a Large Cannondale Scalpel.
But if I take the reach of the Ghost Lector FS, I would definitely go to a Medium.
Attachments
Geometry comparison
Geometry comparison

DanW
Posts: 1278
Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 5:39 pm
Location: Here, there and everywhere

by DanW

You have to remember that the very low stack makes the reach look huge. Once you bring the bars up (assuming you want them up) the BB to Bar reach will be much less.

That said, there are too many things working against the Ghost such as the overall geo, fit, price, weight, etc as already identified (IMO). I think the only reason anyone would buy one is because they really decided they wanted one.

SimonWatts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:53 pm

by SimonWatts

On Ghost´s website you can find a sizing tool. I plugged in your numbers and it puts you on a size L bike. I rode a size M Lector FS which fit me perfectly and now the new Lector HT. I`m 173cm with a 71cm saddle height.

SimonWatts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:53 pm

by SimonWatts

The Cannondale you listed is very short. The Scott Spark is a bit longer, but still shorter than the Ghost. You have to take into consideration that the Lector has a steeper seat angle which makes the reach effectively shorter (depending on seatheight by 1-1,5cm). Also, the ghost has a 45mm stem, the Cannondale a 70mm
Price shouldn´t be an issue at the moment as Ghost has huge discounts right now (like many other brands too)

Best thing would be to try the bike and see for yourself. I obviously like Ghost a lot but you might not. Give it a try!

Kit
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:32 pm

by Kit

Sorry, I haven't been checking this thread, glad the geo sparked an interesting debate!
SimonWatts wrote:
Fri Sep 27, 2024 3:31 pm
The Cannondale you listed is very short. The Scott Spark is a bit longer, but still shorter than the Ghost. You have to take into consideration that the Lector has a steeper seat angle which makes the reach effectively shorter (depending on seatheight by 1-1,5cm). Also, the ghost has a 45mm stem, the Cannondale a 70mm
Price shouldn´t be an issue at the moment as Ghost has huge discounts right now (like many other brands too)

Best thing would be to try the bike and see for yourself. I obviously like Ghost a lot but you might not. Give it a try!
I'm not sure I agree with your point about the seat angle, it's only 1 degree steeper and the ETT is 62mm longer... a steeper seat angle should reduce that?
Granted a shorter stem will reduce the overall length by 25mm, but that's still a 37mm increase over the Cannondale.

Do you advise running a riser bar?
(I'm 185cm with long arms and average length legs/torso)

SimonWatts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2024 3:53 pm

by SimonWatts

yes, still longer... But is that worse? I feel like my bike has great stability and is really good on steep or flowy trails. Sure the long front end needed some time to get used to but now I would go back to my Sworks Epic.

As for the riser bar.. maybe.. hard to say without knowing you and your riding style. Depends on a lot of things. Sorry.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Arioth
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 11:53 am

by Arioth

Aradell wrote:
Fri Sep 27, 2024 10:09 am
SimonWatts wrote:
Thu Sep 26, 2024 4:52 pm
I´m a Ghost dealer. I like the new Ghost Lector HT better than the full sus modell. However, the full sus is really capable and versatile. Not the lightest, not the flashiest but a good outside choice IMO. Give it a try.
Hi, as a Ghost-dealer. How do you usually guide people to the right size?
The SuperFit geometry is obviously quite different if you compare it to other bikes (in the same size).

Let's take myself as an example, i'm 183cm, 77cm saddle height. I'm always on a Large or 56cm bike. Currently on a Large Cannondale Scalpel.
But if I take the reach of the Ghost Lector FS, I would definitely go to a Medium.
Superfit Geometry in reality is nothing strange as Large is Large. I'm Ghost and Scott dealer and Can tell you, as i rode both Lector FS Universal in Large and Spark RC Team in Large as well. The Lector is compensating the Reach and the wheelbase by very short stem and to be real honest with you The Lector for me is much capable bike during high speeds, neverthelesses is downhill or flat(everything offroad). The Spark in other hand is much better climber with much more traction on the rear wheel. This is one field where the Lector is realy bad. In very steep parts of the trail when you lean up front, it always losses control and sleeps the bike. Both bikes slammed without spacers.

Post Reply