TOUR test: Ghost presents first gravel bike with carbon frame

The name says it all? Not so with the Asket! The new Gravelbike from Ghost doesn't exactly practise renunciation, but rather packs a punch with extreme frame geometry and promising comfort components. The manufacturer from northern Bavaria, which has been part of the Dutch Accell Group since 2008, promises "pure gravel" for what is now the third off-road platform after the Road Rage and Asket AL.

Borrowing from the mountain bike

In contrast to its brand brothers, the new model is based for the first time on a carbon frame with borrowings from the hardtail MTB. Although the sloping shape is less pronounced than on the aluminium model, the top tube of the new Asket still slopes relatively steeply backwards, resulting in a long saddle extension. The seat stays with their distinctive curve just behind the junction to the seat tube are familiar to bikers from the Lector, the cross-country machine from Ghost. Officially, Ghost uses so-called light carbon for the frame, but it shows weaknesses in terms of stiffness.

The Asket CF 30, the top model on the occasion of Ghost's 30th anniversary, has a record-breaking wheelbase: At 1105 millimetres, the bike is well above average and achieves a unique value in TOUR's long test history. Comparable gravel bikes with a focus on bikepacking are around 30 to 60 millimetres shorter. Coupled with the flat steering angle (70 degrees) and large fork caster (76 millimetres), the Asket rides unwaveringly straight ahead and needs to be steered firmly. When cornering, the front wheel tends to tip over, which takes some getting used to. The very upright riding position (STR+: 1.21) appeals to adventurers who value carefree days in the saddle.

When it comes to comfort, the judgement of our test riders is split. The 40 millimetres of travel of the Rockshox fork on the Easton carbon handlebars have a positive effect. Shocks from rocks or roots are effectively smoothed out, even in lockout the front comfort is noticeable and earned a "very good" on the TOUR test bench. On the saddle, on the other hand, the Asket is tuned harder, as the Rockshox dropper post flexes less than a thin carbon seatpost. There is no tuning potential in the form of wider tyres, as the 45 millimetre wide standard Maxxis tyres already max out the maximum tyre clearance and were also mounted tubeless on the test bike.

Dropper Post: More control, more weight

The telescopic seat post can be adjusted by 50 (XS to M) or 75 millimetres (L to XL) depending on the frame size. However, as with comparable bikes with suspension, the Ghost also raises the question of whether it makes sense. The dropper post does increase safety on steep descents, as the lower centre of gravity gives you more control over the bike. However, it is more maintenance-intensive, increases the overall weight and thus contributes to the sluggish handling of the Asket, which weighs more than ten kilograms and reaches its limits on winding trails despite the MTB-like concept and shies away from a faster pace on the gravel motorway.

The mounting points on the top and down tube for bottles and bags are obligatory for a bikepacking specialist. There are no mounting points for fixed mudguards or a pannier rack, and mudguards can only be fitted to the seat stays on the cheaper models. Our test riders awarded deductions in the B grade for the rattling of the rear brake hose in the frame. You should also be aware that the telescopic seat post has some play due to its design and as with other models, but you won't notice this when riding.

Conclusion: Not fish, not meat

To summarise, it can be said that the Asket CF 30 is struggling to find a place in the diverse off-road segment. The novelty is neither an adventure-ready comfort wonder that can be transformed into a packhorse in a few simple steps, nor can it keep up with the agility of competition-orientated bikes on gravel tracks. This leaves the category of versatile all-rounders, which are, however, cheaper from the competition than the 6000 euro Ghost.

Equipment and prices

In addition to the Asket CF 30, Ghost offers two other equipment variants. The Pro version is the only model with a carbon rigid fork, the so-called Full Party also comes with a suspension fork, but does not have a dropper seatpost compared to the top model. The Northern Bavarians rely on twelve-speed drivetrains from Shimano and SRAM, whereby only the most expensive version can be shifted electronically and the dropper post can be operated. All bikes come with a wide range of cassettes and up to 52 teeth on the rear wheel. The Asket CF thus compensates for the limited range of gears, although the jumps between gears are relatively large.

Ghost Asket CF 30

• TOUR grade: 2,5
• Price: 6000 Euro
• Weight of complete wheel: 10.1 kilos
• Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 507/590/177 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 624/412 millimetres/1.51
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 688/571 millimetres/1.21
• Wheelbase/caster: 1105/76 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force/X0 Eagle Transmission AXS (1x12; 40, 10-52 t.) | Grade: 2.0
• Brakes: SRAM Force (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler Silk Shield TR 45 mm (eff.: 45 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Impellers: DT Swiss G1800
• Impeller weights: 1751/2225 grams (front/rear)

Measured values

• Weight of complete wheel: 10130 grammes | Grade: 4.0
• Driving stability: 6.9 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
• Rear comfort: 130 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
• Comfort front: 36 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
• Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 49 N/mm | Grade: 3.0

Advantages and disadvantages

• Plus: Good spring comfort on the handlebars
• Minus: Very high total weight, sluggish acceleration

Asket CF Pro

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 610/820 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.)
• Impellers: Rodi Ready 23/Shimano HB-RS470/FH-TC-500-MS (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 mm)
• Price: 2999 Euro >> e.g. available here

Asket CF Full Party

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 820 (1x12; 40, 10-51 t.)
• Impellers: Rodi Ready 23/Shimano HB-RS470/FH-TC-500-MS (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 mm)
• Fork: Fox 32 Performance Elite TC (40 mm)
• Price: 3499 Euro >> e.g. available here

Asket CF 30

• Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force/X0 Eagle Transmission AXS (1x12; 40, 10-52 t.)
• Impellers: DT Swiss G1800 (aluminium)
• Tyres: Maxxis Rambler (45 mm)
• Fork: Rockshox Rudy Ultimate XPLR (40 mm)
• Seat post: Rockshox Reverb AXS XPLR (50 or 75 mm)
• Price: 6000 Euro