The Best E-Mountain Bike Of 2025? Ghost E-Riot LTD On Test

The new Ghost E-Riot LTD is bold, blue, and – at €10,000 – not exactly a bargain. And what about its trail performance? And how did the German manufacturer manage to achieve the neatest integration of the Bosch CX system in the entire test field? We pitted the E-Riot against 28 of the hottest eMTB of the season to find out!

This bike is part of our big group test: The Best E-Mountainbike of 2025 – Featuring the 30 Most Exciting E-MTBs of the Year. Click here for the full intro, key takeaways, and all the bikes we tested.

German brand Ghost Bikes is a well-known among riders in the German-speaking world. Established in 1993, it has been a key player in the bike industry and, since 2008, part of the Dutch Accell Group, which owns several other cycling brands. Ghost introduced their first e-bikes in 2011, and the E-Riot has long been a staple in their eMTB line-up. For 2024, the latest iteration of the E-Riot has been given a sleeker, more aggressive design–though its core specs remain as bold as ever. With a Bosch Performance Line CX motor delivering 85 Nm of torque, an 800 Wh battery, 170/160 mm of travel, and a total system weight of exactly 24 kg (size L), this bike packs a serious punch. But is the riding experience worth the E-Riot’s €10,000 price tag?? We put it to the test to find out.

What Sets the Ghost E-Riot LTD Apart From the Competition?

At first glance, the Ghost E-Riot LTD makes a seriously strong impression. The frame silhouette is clean and tidy, and one of the least bulky-looking amongst the Bosch bikes in this test. That said, the downtube is still on the chunkier side– at 342 mm in circumference, it ranks among the three widest in this test field. This is largely due to the battery removal system: the 800 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery is secured with a key lock and can be removed from the bottom of the downtube. Before sliding it out, though, you’ll have to remove a plastic cover, which feels a bit flimsy and has a tendency to rattle while riding. The battery can also be charged directly on the bike, with the charging port conveniently positioned on the side in front of the motor.

Now, onto the Bosch system integration, which is where Ghost truly stand out. The minimalist wireless Mini Remote sits discreetly on the handlebars, while the Kiox 300 display is seamlessly embedded into the top tube. No other manufacturer in this test field has managed to integrate the Kiox display this neatly, offering a clean look while keeping key ride data and even navigation easily accessible. But as any Bosch system user knows, nothing works without the Bosch System Controller. Ghost tucked it away almost too discreetly under the top tube, just above the shock– once you find it, turning the bike on becomes second nature, even if you can’t see it. Practical features continue throughout the frame. The frame features a well-positioned bottle cage mount on the downtube, while a generously sized chainstay protector effectively eliminates chain slap. All cables are routed internally and disappear into the frame behind the headset, securely clamped to prevent unwanted noise. Instead of a tool mount, Ghost integrated a multitool with a chainbreaker directly into the head tube. Nice touch! However, if you want to carry a spare tube on the frame, you’ll have to strap it on yourself.

For the spec, Ghost rely almost exclusively on SRAM and RockShox components. Then suspension consists of a 170mm RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and a matching Vivid Ultimate shock. Both offer countless adjustment options, and the shock in particular, looks pretty awesome and maintains consistent performance on long descents. When it comes to the brakes, Ghost didn’t hold back, and specced the E-Riot with the most powerful stoppers in SRAM’s line-up: the Maven Ultimate. And as if that weren’t good enough, the brakes are paired with massive 220 mm rotors front and rear, delivering just as much braking torque as a concrete wall in the middle of the trail. Shifting is taken care of by a wireless, 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain, which relies on a direct-mount rear derailleur. The only in-house component Ghost rely on is the dropper post–and this delivers big time!. The Ghost Alpha 1 dropper offers a generous 200 mm of travel, ensuring excellent freedom of movement on the trail. DT Swiss supply the HXC 1501 carbon wheelset, which is designed to shave off some weight. As for tires, Ghost made an excellent choice, combininga Continental Kryptotal in the soft compound and Enduro casing at the front, and the same tire in the tougher Downhill casing and same grippy rubber compound at the rear. Top setup!

Tuning Tip: Secure the battery cover or add padding to the inside to prevent rattling noises.

How Did the Ghost E-Riot LTD fare in our test?

When riding uphill, the Ghost E-Riot LTD provides powerful assistance, making it easy to reach the trailhead. The powerful Bosch motor delivers its 85 Nm of torque with smooth yet forceful acceleration. Combined with the moderately sporty pedalling position, even steep climbs are easily managed, with no risk of the front wheel lifting. On technical climbs, the Ghost proves a true climbing expert. The grippy tires and efficient rear suspension, which tracks precisely without sinking too deep into its travel, keep you in full control with plenty of grip on the rear wheel. The dropper post operates with minimal resistance, allowing quick and effortless adjustments to keep you perfectly positioned at all times. In direct comparison, the Ghost is on par with the Santa Cruz Vala and Orbea Wild– only the test winner and a few outliers manage to overtake it uphill.

The spec of the Ghost E-Riot LTD is spot-on, and the integration of the Bosch system is the neatest in the entire test field. Only the battery cover falls short of the price tag.

When you point its nose downhill, the Ghost E-Riot LTD inspires confidence from the get go. The suspension effortlessly absorbs hits in rough terrain, delivering loads of traction and keeping the bike composed even in nasty sections. The deeply integrated riding position combined with the high front end provides a reassuring sense of security, even on steep descents. For flowy trails, however, there are more playful bikes in this test, like the Focus Jam² and YT Decoy SN. On fast, twisty trails with quick direction changes and plenty of natural kickers, the Ghost lacks agility and support from its long-travel chassis. That said, it’s always precise,predictable and easy to ride, staying composed even at high speeds, and requiring minimal effort to control.

If you love popping off every roller and dancing actively down the trail, you might wish for a bit more “pop” from the suspension. The Ghost E-Riot LTD tracks securely but doesn’t generate as much speed when pumping through the trail as other bikes like, for example, the Santa Cruz Vala. Instead, the Ghost excels with superb traction and predictable handling, proving a true weapon in technical terrain. When things get rowdy and fast, the Ghost flattens the trail like a bulldozer, letting you charge through obstacles rather than thread your way around them. The suspension sucks up big hits without batting an eyelid, and at the same time has enough reserves to bail you out with botched landings and harsh impacts. There’s no need to hold back on rowdy descents; you can keep your fingers off the brakes and let it rip. That earns the E-Riot LTD a top score for technical downhill performance, right up there with the hard-hitting Focus SAM² and its coil shock.

Fast, rough, and steep? The Ghost E-Riot LTD craves speed and is ready for any challenge.

Who Should Take a Closer Look at the Ghost E-Riot LTD?

The Ghost E-Riot is made for downhill-focused eMTBers who love to get rowdy and only slam on the brakes at the last second. The suspension and geometry deliver plenty of traction, inspiring huge amounts of confidence in the process and making it easy to charge hard. On flatter, flowy trails where the suspension doesn’t have much to do, the Ghost feels a bit underwhelmed– you’ll have to put in some serious effort and push hard to keep up the fun. Overall, the The Ghost E-Riot has a very sporty nature, but the integrated display in the top tube and the big, removable battery, also add a touch of everyday practicality. The E-Riot comes close to claiming a trophy but just misses out.

Conclusions about the Ghost E-Riot LTD

Ghost’s formula adds up! You get a lot of bike for your money. The E-Riot LTD impresses with seamless motor integration, excellent climbing performance, and loads of confidence on the descents. If you’re looking for a bike that can tackle demanding trails with ease, this is the one. Thanks to the removable battery and integrated display, it’s also practical in every-day scenarios despite being on the sporty side – and it’s just missing out on an award! The only aspect that could be improved is the battery cover.

Tops

• Extremely composed and confidence-inspiring
• Intuitive handling
• Excellent impact absorption

Flops

• Feels sluggish on flow trails
• Battery cover rattles

More info via ghost-bikes.com

The test field

For an overview of the test field head to our “Best E-Mountainbike of 2025” comparison test – 30 of the most exciting trail bikes in our 2025 group test

All bikes in test: AMFLOW PL Carbon Pro, Canyon Spectral:ONfly CF LTD, FOCUS JAM² 6.0, GHOST E-RIOT LTD, Haibike HYBE CF 11, MERIDA eONE-SIXTY SL 10K, Orbea WILD M-LTD, Orbea Rise LT M-Team, R RAYMON Tarok Ultra, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL, Santa Cruz Vala X0 AXS RSV, SCOTT Patron ST 900 Tuned, Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4, Transition Regulator CX XT, UNNO Mith Pro, YT DECOY SN MX CORE 3.

Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Peter Walker