The GHOST HYBRID SL AMR XS 7.7+ LC is an absolutely uncompromising machine. Similar to a Porsche GT3, it is designed for maximum performance, but it needs an experienced rider to unleash its full potential.
For more information on the group test head to: The best eMTB you can buy
With the HYBRIDE SL AMR XS 7.7+ LC, the GHOST team dug deep into their bag of tricks to get the most performance out of the bike. They’ve specified a carbon front triangle, but not an integrated battery – the external battery is lighter and allows for a lower centre of gravity. The German manufacturer also equipped it with a dual-position RockShox Lyrik fork, mixed wheel sizes for plenty of traction and extra short 155 mm cranks for maximum ground clearance. The rest of the spec also aims at maximum trail performance.
Push your limits! The GHOST expands your riding horizon!
A SRAM EX1 8-speed drivetrain with a large gear range, powerful SRAM CODE R brakes and a RockShox Super Deluxe coil shock for extra responsive rear suspension. The € 6,499 top-end model we reviewed comes with 160 mm of travel at the front and 140 mm at the rear and is powered by a Shimano STEPS E8000 motor with a 504 Wh battery.
GHOST HYBRIDE SL AMR X in Detail
Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 Dual Position 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe Coil RCT 140 mm
Motor/Battery Shimano Steps E8000 504 Wh
Drivetrain SRAM EX1 8-speed
Brakes SRAM Code R 200/200 mm
Seat post KindShock LEV Integra 170 mm
Stem Ground Fiftyone Team 45 mm
Handlebar Ground Fiftyone Carbon 780 mm
Wheels DT Swiss H 1700 Spline
Tires Maxxis Shorty 29×2.5″/Minion DHRII 27.5×2.8″
The rear end of the GHOST HYBRID SL AMR X simply sticks to the ground, but without isolating the rider too much from the trail – thumbs up!
Although the SRAM EX1 drivetrain has a very large gear range, the gear jumps are very large due to the low number of gears (8 gears). You often have the feeling that you’re in the wrong gear, especially when riding in a group.
Usually, the advantage of carbon frames is to be able to fully integrate the battery. GHOST has deliberately decided not to because of the heavier weight and the higher centre of gravity of an integrated system – a good decision!
With its design, GHOST have managed to give the HYBRIDE SL AMR models a futuristic and unique look.
Geometry of the GHOST HYBRIDE SL AMR X
| Size | S | K | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 390 mm | 430 mm | 460 mm | 500 mm |
| Top tube | 574 mm | 596 mm | 636 mm | 670 mm |
| Head tube | 90 mm | 100 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 65.6° | 65.6° | 65.7° | 65.7° |
| Seat angle | 75.2° | 75.2° | 75.3° | 75.3° |
| Chainstay | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm | 455 mm |
| BB Height | 23 mm | 23 mm | 23 mm | 23 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,186 mm | 1,209 mm | 1,253 mm | 1,290 mm |
| Reach | 411 mm | 430 mm | 466 mm | 495 mm |
| Stack | 616 mm | 625 mm | 644 mm | 663 mm |
GHOST HYBRIDE SL AMR X in Review
After only a few meters onboard the GHOST HYBRID SL AMR XS 7.7+ LC it’s immediately clear – this bike is not designed for relaxed cruises on forest service roads. With its short cranks, the bike requires a higher pedalling cadence and the steep seat tube angle puts a lot of weight on the hands. The GHOST only really comes to life on demanding climbs. Here your sitting position is comparatively relaxed and comfortably upright. When things get really steep, you can lower the fork, which, in combination with the short cranks, will enable you to climb even the most technically demanding trails. If you want to explore your own limits on steep ascents, this is the right tool for the job.
The HYBRID SL AMR X behaves similarly on the downhills. Only when you actively work the bike does it start to reveal its full potential. With an active riding style, your input is then translated directly and precisely to what you want to do. On steep descents, the bike instils you with confidence thanks to the low slung frame and the tall front end. However, when the trail flattens out and your speed decreases, the bike requires a lot of manoeuvring and effort to maintain enough grip on both wheels. If you are not careful, the bike will understeer and you will overshoot the corners. The suspension performs sensitively and swallows all kinds of impacts with ease. The front and rear work in unison despite the two centimetres difference in travel, offering adequate support on all terrain. This makes for an agile bike that’s easy to manoeuvre through tight sections if you’re willing to ride it actively. Sadly, if you ride to the bike’s full potential on rough, high-speed terrain, the thin-walled tires will quickly puncture.
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
Riding Characteristics
5Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
Conclusion
The GHOST HYBRID SL AMR XS 7.7+ LC is one of the most radical eMTBs on the market. The engineers were uncompromising in designing a bike that would offer maximum performance on the trail, whether you’re going uphill or down. For riders who know how to get the most out of it, it promises to be outstanding eMTB for the roughest terrain. However, if you prefer taking things slower, this bike can feel a bit overwhelming.
Tops
- pushes the limits of what's rideable on a climb
- excellent suspension
- built for the most demanding trails
Flops
- overkill on easy trails
- short cranks are not ideal for relaxed riding
- large gear jumps on the SRAM EX1 drivetrain
For more information head to: ghost-bikes.com
For more information on the group test head to: The best eMTB you can buy
All Bikes in Test
Canyon Spectral:ON 9.0 | Focus JAM² 9.8 DRIFTER | GHOST HYBRIDE SL AMR X S 7.7+ LC | Giant Trance E+ 0 Pro | Haibike XDURO AllMtn 8.0 FLYON | Husqvarna HC 9.0 | Intense Tazer | Lapierre eZesty AM LTD Ultimate | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 900E | Mondraker Level RR | Scott Genius eRIDE 900 TUNED | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo FSR | Thömus Lightrider E1 | Trek Powerfly LT 9.9
This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #016
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"The mountain hut is the destination, not the trails" – rides mainly on gravel paths and flowy singletrack, comfort plays a crucial role.↩
The focus is on riding fun. Riding skills: from beginner to experienced – the range extends from flowy singletracks to demanding technical trails.↩
A rider with very good bike control – rides on demanding and challenging technical trails, uphill as well as downhill.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
Das Rating der Fahreigenschaften bezieht sich auf die Räder im Vergleichstest und den aktuellen Entwicklungsstand von E-Mountainbikes. Die besten Bikes schaffen es, vermeintlich gegenteilige Fahreigenschaften in sich zu vereinen und sind so z. B. agil und laufruhig zugleich. Das Handling beschreibt die Balance des Bikes im Gelände bergab. Die Angaben zur Motorpower beziehen sich auf das Fahrgefühl im Gesamtkontext des Bikes, nicht auf den Motor isoliert – dadurch können die Werte zwischen gleichen Motoren variieren.↩
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Words: Photos: Trev Worsey
