Issue #019 Review

GHOST ROAMR Review: Never Stop Exploring

21.02.2016
by

Clammy hands and an increased heart rate are rare at EUROBIKE, as most ‘breaking’ news can already be considered old news, and instead of the proclaimed revolutions most things just tend to be an evolution. However, this year was different – particularly at GHOST’s stand, where this sandy-coloured, full-suspensioned beauty stood proudly with its Pinion gearbox, hub dynamo-meets-USB charging port, and various frame bags, leaving me with images that spun around my head for the next few nights: The GHOST ROAMR.

(We’ve had a first look at the ROAMR on the EUROBIKE. In case you missed the article, you can read it here: Eurobike 2015: GHOST ROAMR Travelbike.)

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The wet dream of any bike-packing enthusiast, this bike was something that I had to ride – even if it was just going to be a short, one-night trip. Two months later, the opportunity arose. Christened the ROAMR, the bike and I head off into the breathtaking autumnal beauty of the Dolomites. As I pass pine tree after pine tree, over carpets of pine needles, I finally have the luxury of scrutinizing the GHOST ROAMR. It dawns on me that bikepacking doesn’t have to be a rigid hardtail or a fatbike. As a long-time fan of this type of travel, I’ve spent months touring South America with a fat bike, and have undertaken a ton of adventures across Europe, so I’m not short of experience. Right now though, I’m madly trying to deduce whether this concept of such a trail-ready packhorse can survive in reality.

Because of its reliability, a Pinion gearbox drivetrain is surely one of the most desired parts for any long-haul rider; likewise, the hub dynamo to charge your smartphone/navigating tool has to be compulsory. Often superfluous on other bikes, a fork with a reduced-travel setting is more than worthwhile here, although I was admittedly skeptical as to whether a fully with a dropper post could still have enough space for all that luggage. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my hands on GHOST’s own frame bag concept system to test. However, one or two nights aren’t too demanding on the load, and I’ve been able to load the tent, sleeping bag, provisions, and wet weather gear onto the bike and myself without any problems.

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Lost in these thoughts, I keep pedaling. As stones click underneath the fat tyres, the crackling of the leaves is a harmonious soundtrack to the gentle purr of the Pinion drivetrain. My gaze is drawn to the wispy clouds that tease their way in and out of the rugged mountain peaks ahead of me. The hum of the drivetrain stops abruptly as I accidently catch a pedal, coming to an unwanted halt. While technically you can’t shift gears under pressure, this gearbox has one definite benefit: from stationary, I change gears and get going once more.

The gravel track gets narrower and narrower before I end up on a gnarly, rooty singletrack lined with huge boulders. I’m immediately won over by the presence of the Climb switch on the stock Cane Creek DB coilover rear shock. The enhanced low-speed damping effectively negates unwanted pedaling influences, keeping the bike moving forcefully and maintaining rear end traction and sensitivity – to an extent that I have never experienced before. While compared to other bikes, the 15.8k kg GHOST ROAMR is more reminiscent of a tank, its travel-adjustable fork and huge Pinion gear ratio make it an equally strong climber, and you’ll make it up every climb – it just might take a bit longer.

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The trail opens up again, giving me a glimpse of the enormous plateau above me. The snow-covered peak at the far end is the stage for an eagle, soaring circles in search of prey. There’s a cool breeze that bites through my now-damp t-shirt, motivating me to pedal hard once more. The illuminated LED on the Supernova USB reassures me that my phone – now calling the bag on the top tube its home – has charge.

Naturally, given the 150 mm travel on the GHOST ROAMR, it deserves to be pushed to its limits and kept there, so I strive to reach the plateau. I keep my eyes scanning the mountain for cool singletracks and a spot for my tent. Perhaps here would do? Actually, probably not there. Here instead? No, better keep on. Trust my instincts. After another half an hour on a easy climb it all falls into place: a flat piece of grass, seemingly made for my tent, that even has a stream beside it to keep me hydrated and allow me to cook dinner. A stone’s throw away I spot what looks like the end of a trail and I investigate briefly. The tent doesn’t take long to set up, and I chuck my frame bags and backpack inside. My initial guess about the trail proves true, and I set about climbing, pushing and carrying my bike at various times.

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I catch sight of a marmot, welcoming my arrival with some agitated whistling from his spot on the ground. The mountain goats jump off the trail, getting some air to watch me with curiosity as I near them, my breathing getting ever heavier. I take a quick break, gulp down some water, and I’m once again stunned by the landscape. The Alps aren’t new to me and I’ve chanced upon some incredible places, but the Dolomites are just unrivalled in terms of beauty.

The sun is starting to disappear behind the curtain of the clouds, descending like the end of an act over the opposing mountain peaks. That’ll do for today, I decide, dropping back towards where I’d left the tent. The fork get its full travel, the Climb switch lever on the rear shock is tipped to back to Open, and I’m expecting the GHOST ROAMR to turn into a potent beast. The trail demands full focus, littered with drops, sharp rocks on either side, rutted sheets of stone, and deep, loose screen sections. I briefly wonder whether my rigid 29er hardtail would make it down alive. Perhaps… but definitely not with the same speed, fun, or ease that the GHOST does.

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After so many switchbacks that I lose count, plus an abundance of technical and high-speed sections, I make it back to my tent. Exhausted and exhilarated, the tuna pasta doesn’t take long to cook and I’m soon tucked contentedly into my sleeping bag, enjoying a final smoke by the entrance to my tent. The red of the sky fades, and the first stars emerge one by one. Images from the day play out again, dancing in front of my eyes. The rest of the world seems so far removed from where I am right now, and the sense of tranquility is overwhelming.

The following morning is damp and cool. In the time that the coffee takes to boil, I’ve already packed away my tent and sleeping bag, storing them in my backpack and on the bike. The hot drink does exactly what I’d hoped for; alert and re-motivated, I’m soon pedaling towards the descent, more than ready to surf the flow trail back down towards the valley.

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Details of the GHOST ROAMR:

The Cane Creek DB CS can be tuned exactly and offers incredible performance, while the Climb Switch is surely the best climbing aid on the market right now. And even with a problem (providing the spring doesn’t break), you’ll still make it to the next bike shop.
The Cane Creek DB CS can be tuned exactly and offers incredible performance, while the Climb Switch is surely the best climbing aid on the market right now. And even with a problem (providing the spring doesn’t break), you’ll still make it to the next bike shop.
At the core of the ROAMR: In a position that offers protection and ensures great weight distribution, the Pinion gearbox, its 18 gears and gear spread of 636% are all brilliant – offering more range than a 3×9 drivetrain. Disadvantage: it’s significantly heavier than that conventional drivetrain.
At the core of the ROAMR: In a position that offers protection and ensures great weight distribution, the Pinion gearbox, its 18 gears and gear spread of 636% are all brilliant – offering more range than a 3×9 drivetrain. Disadvantage: it’s significantly heavier than that conventional drivetrain.
Shifting the GHOST ROAMR gearbox is done purely with grip shifters, and the SRAM Guide RSC brakes did a masterful job of keeping the weighty bike in check.
Shifting the GHOST ROAMR gearbox is done purely with grip shifters, and the SRAM Guide RSC brakes did a masterful job of keeping the weighty bike in check.
Generating power is another strength of the bike. Thanks to the SP hub dynamo and Tout Terrain’s The Plug, any USB-compatible device can be charged while riding.
Generating power is another strength of the bike. Thanks to the SP hub dynamo and Tout Terrain’s The Plug, any USB-compatible device can be charged while riding.
The RockShox PIKE delivers 150 mm travel and can be dropped by 30 mm. Along with the giant gear ratio of the Pinion gearbox, the result is a great (although admittedly heavy) climbing bike.
The RockShox PIKE delivers 150 mm travel and can be dropped by 30 mm. Along with the giant gear ratio of the Pinion gearbox, the result is a great (although admittedly heavy) climbing bike.

Conclusion

This trip has blown me away, taking me by surprise both with the incredible beauty of the Dolomites in autumn and abilities of the GHOST ROAM. The Bike isn’t the greatest travel bike for trips lasting months, nor is it a super-agile and lightweight all-mountain bike. But it was never designed to be such a bike. Instead, it’s an incredibly well thought-out adventure bike, one to turn to for a weekend or a few days away to discover nature, letting you take every single imaginable trail – and have fun doing so.

Thanks to the huge gear ratio of the 18-gear Pinion gearbox as well as the travel-adjustable fork with lockout, the GHOST ROAMR can get you up pretty much every single climb despite the load it’s bearing. And on virtually any terrain, the 150 mm of travel loves each and every descent. Thanks to the Cane Creek’s steel spring, the rear end manages to last until the next valley despite a mechanical issue with the rear damper. The Pinion is an enclosed system without any exposed parts that could rip off or catch on anything on the edge of the trails, and the hub dynamo creates the power to help you navigate. What more could anyone want?

For more information on the GHOST ROAMR visit the Ghost-Website.

Words: Andreas Maschke Photos: Christoph Bayer

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