GHOST ASKET CF 30 test debut – Gravel adventure bike with mountain bike DNA

Lighter, stiffer, and higher-end components. That’s what the new carbon variant of the GHOST ASKET gravel bike promises, building on the success of the aluminium model. But is there more to it than just a new frame material? We put the limited 30th anniversary edition of the GHOST ASKET CF to the test to find out.

The ASKET family is growing! Following the GHOST PATH ASKET Pro e-gravel bike with a FAZUA Ride 60 motor, and its aluminium, analogue counterpart, the € 2,199 GHOST ASKET Advanced, GHOST now present a carbon version of their analogue adventure gravel bike. And for the 30th anniversary edition, GHOST specced the bike with top shelf components!
How much bike do you get for € 6,000? And what kind of gravel adventures is the new GHOST ASKET CF 30 destined for? We took it to France to explore the dirt roads of Provence, and find out what it’s capable of.

The GHOST ASKET CF 30 in detail

GHOST are celebrating their 30th anniversary, and to commemorate the occasion, they’ve launched the ASKET CF in a limited edition with top end components. Thanks to a mullet drivetrain consisting of wireless SRAM Force AXS controls, a SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission derailleur, and a huge 10–52 t cassette, the ASKET CF 30 promises high-end shifting performance off the beaten track. The package is completed with a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post offering 75 mm drop, revealing GHOST’s mountain bike roots!

Of course, a suspension fork is part and parcel of an off-road build like this. On the front of the GHOST ASKET CF 30, you’ve got a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork providing 40 mm of travel, which should offer increased riding comfort, and greater control on rough descents.

The cockpit of the GHOST ASKET CF 30 also yearns for off-road action. The 460 mm Easton EC70 AX carbon handlebar is on the wider side for a gravel bike, coupled with a short 70 mm stem, again showing GHOST’s MTB genes.
Providing the necessary traction are a pair of 45 mm MAXXIS Rambler tires, which proved to be the grippiest models in our big gravel tire group test.

However, the GHOST ASKET CF 30 aims to be more than just an off-road gravel bike for drop-bar curious mountain bikers. The new carbon frame has plenty of bosses, making it easy to fit bags without scuffing up the paint with straps and buckles. The wide handlebar and neat cable routing also play well with a handlebar bag.

The build variants of the GHOST ASKET CF

In addition to the special anniversary edition, the GHOST ASKET CF comes in two more affordable builds:

The GHOST ASKET CF Full Party boasts a FOX 32 Taper-Cast Performance Elite fork with the FIT4 damper, and a mechanical mullet drivetrain consisting of Shimano GRX and SLX components and a large 10–51 t cassette, offering a more affordable alternative to the all-out anniversary edition. You can also replace the rigid seatpost with a dropper post if you want more freedom of movement – the frame has routing for a dropper cable.

Featuring a lightweight carbon fork with ample mounts and a Shimano GRX/SLX mullet drivetrain, the Pro version of the ASKET CF is aimed at those who prioritise storage space and a lighter front end over comfort on very rough terrain. Fewer moving parts also means less maintenance and complexity, which is particularly beneficial on long bikepacking tours.

The geometry of the GHOST ASKET CF 30

Compared to the aluminium version, the GHOST ASKET CF is a few millimetres shorter in almost all respects. Less stack, less reach, a shorter wheelbase and shorter chainstays result in a more compact bike. However, the upright riding position remains unchanged, promising ample comfort on long adventures. The head angle has become half a degree slacker, depending on the size, and the seat angle is minimally steeper. As such, the handling of the new ASKET CF should feel more composed, while offering more relaxed pedalling.

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	526 mm	544 mm	564 mm	590 mm	624 mm
Seat tube	440 mm	470 mm	500 mm	530 mm	560 mm
Head tube	95 mm	115 mm	135 mm	165 mm	195 mm
Head angle	69°	69°	69.5°	70°	70.5°
Seat angle	74°	74°	74°	74°	74°
Chainstay	430 mm	430 mm	435 mm	435 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	62.5 mm	62.5 mm	62.5 mm	62.5 mm	62.5 mm
Wheelbase	1,044 mm	1,063 mm	1,084 mm	1,107 mm	1,142 mm
Reach	375 mm	387 mm	400 mm	417 mm	443 mm
Stack	542 mm	560 mm	581 mm	612 mm	642 mm

Compared to the aluminium GHOST ASKET Advanced, the many small geometry adjustments aren’t obvious to the naked eye. However, they can have a noticeable effect on the bike’s handling nonetheless.

The GHOST ASKET CF 30 on the roads and trails

“Built for the rough” – GHOST’s motto applies just as well to the ASKET CF carbon gravel bike as it does to their mountain bikes. The MTB inspired components and progressive geometry instil you with confidence, while the 45 mm wide MAXXIS Rambler tires offer loads of grip on all surfaces and also provide plenty of vibration damping. Coarse gravel and rocky terrain left the Rambler unfazed during our tests. Paired with SRAM Force AXS brakes and 160 mm rotors, you can still drop the anchor on loose surfaces too.

However, all that traction comes at a cost: you can clearly feel the rolling resistance on asphalt roads and compacted gravel. Considering the choice of components and 10.3 kg heft, there’s no denying the fact that this bike isn’t exactly made for chasing seconds on the clock. Clearly, the GHOST ASKET CF 30 is not a gravel race bike. For that, it’s comfort and off-road optimization runs too deep.

Instead, the upright riding position invites you to just cruise along. The 460 mm handlebar (in size L) is wide enough to provide lots of control without making it feel like you’re driving a bus. The classic round tubing allows a firm grip of the bar in all positions, though we would’ve liked to have flattened tops to help relieve pressure on long rides

That said, the bike is superbly comfortable in all other respects. The wide tires and suspension fork absorb most vibrations and bumps, so you’ll always feel in control aboard the ASKET CF 30, even at high speeds off road.

The handling does in fact differ from that of the aluminium version. The slightly slacker head angle, narrower handlebar, wider tires, and suspension fork result in a much more composed ride, though also less responsive handling. The GHOST ASKET CF 30 is less playful than its aluminium counterpart, favouring fast and controlled descents. We believe this is a better fit for the bike’s intended use. The improved stability is particularly noticeable when loaded up with camping gear.
On steep descents, the additional freedom of movement provided by the dropper post boosts confidence and control, and the wide range of the mullet drivetrain allows you to winch yourself up steep climbs with ease, even if you’re hauling supplies for a multi-day trip. The GHOST ASKET CF 30 makes a sturdy impression, perfectly capable of letting you have a blast even when heading off the beaten gravel track, or mastering gravel adventures into the unknown with spontaneous trail excursions.

Who is the GHOST ASKET CF 30 for?

If you’re looking for an ultra-light, aero-optimised gravel racer, you better look elsewhere. Drop-bar trail surfers, bikepacking adventurers, and gravel aficionados looking for a robust, comfortable gravel adventure bike for all eventualities will get what they’re looking for here. The stable, intuitive handling and quality components instil you with confidence on the descents, letting you focus on having fun. The mountain bike inspired build suits the intended use and underlines the bike’s off-road DNA. It’s only the handlebar’s ergonomics we didn’t quite get along with.

Our conclusion on the GHOST ASKET CF 30

The GHOST ASKET CF 30 certainly lives up to the brands’ claim of being “built for the rough”. It feels at home on fast and rough gravel road descents and moderate singletrack, quickly instilling you with the confidence to tackle the trails. The ASKET CF 30 also invites you to head into the unknown or go on leisurely gravel tours though the countryside. Thanks to the MTB-inspired build, it proves to be a reliable companion for all kinds of gravel adventures.

For more information, visit ghost-bikes.com

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Words: Jan Richter Photos: Jan Richter