Not even 24 hours after the official release of the brand-new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System, countless bike brands are launching new eMTB models with the new motor system. GHOST is one of those brands. For the upcoming season, the Bavarian bike manufacturer is expanding its portfolio with two new eMTBs for aggressive trail riding built around the new Bosch system: the GHOST E-RIOT AM Full Party and the E-RIOT EN Pro. Since the new Bosch Smart System relies on a bigger 750 Wh battery, the frame of the new E-RIOT had to be redeveloped from the ground up. Furthermore, the new system also includes a reworked Kiox 300 display and brand-new LED remote, which allows trail purists and tech-minimalists to ride their eMTB without a display. In our in-depth review of the Bosch Smart System we’ll tell you everything about the system and all the possible display and remote configurations.
The Ghost E-RIOT AM Full Party 2022
€ 6,999 | Manufacturer’s website
The name says it all. With the E-RIOT AM Full Party, GHOST are launching a bike that’s supposed to kick up a row on demanding trails and challenging terrain. To prepare for the battle, GHOST equipped the carbon frame of the RIOT with 160 mm front and rear travel and 29″ wheels (27.5″ in size S). The new E-RIOT will be available from 2022 from authorised GHOST dealers for € 6,999 (price TBC). An extra-wide bottom bracket area accommodates the Bosch motor and allows GHOST to integrate the long battery deep into the top tube, even on the smallest size S frame. As a result, the battery sits in front of the motor, which should ensure a lower center of gravity and better handling. Given that the battery slides out from the bottom of the downtube, you’ll have to lie the bike on its side or turn it upside down to remove the battery completely. However, the second option requires caution, because the LED remote could easily get damaged. An elastic band holds in place the skid plate, which also functions as a lid for the small battery opening. The battery lock is integrated on the battery itself. According to GHOST, the small battery flap allows them to maintain the downtube intact and thus improve stiffness while keeping the weight down. While it’s true that the system makes it harder to remove the battery, it’s only a minor drawback in view of the improved handling. That being said, we’ll have to test the bike on the trail to see whether it’s actually true or just a bold claim.
All cables are routed on the outside of the frame and run from the cockpit to the top side of the downtube, where they disappear under a plastic cover. Under the cover, which is attached to the downtube and can be removed without tools, cable clamps secure the cables to the frame. This system makes it a lot easier to access the cables, for example when you want to change the rear brake. For the swingarm of the E-RIOT, GHOST rely on a one-piece alloy construction.
The spec and geometry of the GHOST E-RIOT AM Full Party
At GHOST, the “Full Party” builds are specced with components that GHOST’s employees would choose for their own bikes. The spec of the GHOST E-RIOT AM Full Party consists of a sensible mix of components with an excellent price/performance ratio, including SRAM CODE RSC brakes, a mixed X01/GX drivetrain and a few bling highlights, like the RockShox suspension, high-quality Eightpins Hydraulic dropper posts and the wheelset and cockpit from German parts specialist Syntace. The suspension consists of a ZEB Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, both controlling 160 mm travel. Syntace supply the stem, wheels and handlebars. The adjustable hydraulic Eightpins dropper post is fully integrated into the seat tube and offers up to 216 mm travel.
GHOST E-RIOT AM Full Party
€ 6,999
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork RockShox Zeb Ultimate 160 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate 160 mm
Seatpost Eightpins Hydraulic 216 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01/GX Eagle 1x12
Stem Syntace Megaforce 2 45 mm
Handlebar Syntace Vector 780 mm
Wheelset Syntace V30 29" (27.5" in S)
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II EXO+ 2.5"/2.6"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Perm. total weight 120 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 588 mm | 618 mm | 648 mm | 682 mm |
| Seat tube | 417 mm | 441 mm | 465 mm | 489 mm |
| Head tube | 120 mm | 100 mm | 140 mm | 160 mm |
| Head angle | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.5° |
| Seat angle | 76° | 77° | 77° | 77° |
| Chainstays | 435 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm |
| BB Drop | 24 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,197 mm | 1,248 mm | 1,285 mm | 1,323 mm |
| Reach | 442 mm | 468 mm | 489 mm | 519 mm |
| Stack | 617 mm | 627 mm | 663 mm | 682 mm |
The new Ghost E-RIOT EN Pro 2022
Alongside the E-RIOT AM Full Party, Ghost are also introducing the € 6,499 E-RIOT EN Pro for the 2022 season. This shares the same frame platform with the AM Full Party but comes equipped with a more gravity-oriented spec aimed at aggressive eMTBers. The E-RIOT EN Pro has 10 mm more travel at the front and features a FOX suspension, which consists of a 38 Performance fork and DHX Performance coil shock, controlling 170/160 mm travel at the front and rear respectively. For the rest of the spec, the E-RIOT EN Pro shares many components with its Full Party cousin, including the stem, handlebars and wheels from Syntace and fully-integrated Eightpins dropper. Shifting is taken care of by a mixed Shimano drivetrain with an XT rear derailleur and SLX shifter with matching cassette, while four-piston Shimano SLX brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear do stopping duties. For the tires, GHOST combine a super-grippy MAXXIS ASSEGAI tire with soft MaxxGrip rubber compound at the front and MAXXIS Minion DHR II with harder Maxx-Terra rubber compound out back. Unfortunately, both tires come in the puncture-prone Exo + casing, which doesn’t live up to the rebellious character of the E-RIOT. Heavy or aggressive riders should use tires with a more robust casing, like the Maxxis DoubleDown.
GHOST E-RIOT EN PRO
€ 6,499
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 750 Wh
Display Bosch Kiox 300
Fork FOX 38 Performance 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX DHX Performance 160 mm
Seatpost Eightpins Hydraulic 216 mm
Brakes Shimano SLX M7120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT/SLX 1x12
Stem Syntace Megaforce 2 50 mm
Handlebar Syntace Vector 780 mm
Wheelset Syntace V30 29" (27.5" in S)
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/Minion DHR II 2.5"/2.6"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 120 kg
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 596 mm | 614 mm | 643 mm | 677 mm |
| Seat tube | 417 mm | 441 mm | 465 mm | 489 mm |
| Head tube | 120 mm | 100 mm | 140 mm | 160 mm |
| Head angle | 65.1° | 65.1° | 65.1° | 65.1° |
| Seat angle | 75.6° | 76.6° | 76.6° | 76.6° |
| Chainstays | 435 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm |
| BB Drop | 22 mm | 34 mm | 34 mm | 34 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,206 mm | 1,252 mm | 1,289 mm | 1,327 mm |
| Reach | 438 mm | 464 mm | 484 mm | 514 mm |
| Stack | 619 mm | 630 mm | 667 mm | 685 mm |
The new E-RIOT eMTB range – Our first conclusions
With the E-RIOT AM Full Party and E-RIOT ENN, GHOST kick off the 2022 season with a joyful riot, integrating the new Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System into a brand-new frame platform. The Germans favour a stiff frame and low center of gravity over easy battery removal. Besides the flimsy tire casing, the sensible spec suits the area of application perfectly. However, we’ll have to wait for a first ride to tell you whether the frame concept, motor system integration and components fare well on the trail.
For more information, visit ghost-bikes.com
Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Jonas Müssig
About the Author
Rudolf Fischer
In his previous life Rudolf was a dab hand at promoting innovation, putting his brain behind big-ticket patent assessments that easily ran into six-or-seven-plus figures. These days, the self-confessed data nerd’s role as editor at DOWNTOWN and E-MOUNTAINBIKE is no less exciting. Given his specialism in connectivity, Rudolf’s often placed on the front line of future mobility conversations, but he’s also big into testing new bikes–both on the daily as a committed commuter and intensively for our group tests. The business economist graduate is as versatile as a Swiss penknife, and that’s no hyperbole. Away from two wheels, his background in parkour means he’s a master of front, side and backflips, plus he speaks German, English, French, Russian and a touch of Esperanto. Japanese remains woefully unmastered, despite his best home-learning attempts. Good to know: Rudolf’s sharp tongue has made him a figure of fear in the office, where he’s got a reputation for flexing a dry wittiness à la Ricky Gervais... interestingly, he's usually the one laughing hardest.
