GHOST ENDLESS ROAD RAGE Review

And the award for the “Best Mad Max Product Name” goes to: GHOST! The ENDLESS ROAD RAGE is the two-wheeled incarnation of a post-apocalyptic tanker truck — one that you can use to carry just about anything over long distances. But how does it perform on hard gravel paths and demanding terrain?

The GHOST ENDLESS ROAD RAGE in detail

The key data of the ENDLESS ROAD RAGE are remarkable: On the one hand the price tag of € 2,799, the weight of 9.9 kg and standard 47 mm WTB Byway 650B TCS tires, on the other the 180 mm pizza-dish brake rotor at the front and 160 mm disc at the back. And here is the reason for the weight of 9.9 kg: the heavy WTB Byway tires together with the WTB XC i25 wheels and Apex/Rival SRAM components. One cool feature will impress all long-distance gravel-nerds: the dynamo-hub on the front wheel. This powers “The Plug” USB port on the top cap and allows you to charge all your devices while riding… a detail that will make every bike-packer’s heart beat just a bit faster!

The cockpit consists of stiff aluminium GROUND FIFTYONE components — one of GHOST’s in-house brands. The handlebars come with a minimum flare of 440 mm on the tops and 450 mm in the drops. The seat post doesn’t entirely fit the comfort concept either: a blend of aluminium and a 31.6 diameter is not the ideal recipe for flex and comfort. Unfortunately, the WTB Silverado Race saddle doesn’t make up for this either. Apart from that, we don’t understand why on earth a bike with this many attachment points for bags and accessories could possibly have a total weight limitation of 120 kg.

First riding impressions

But enough with the theory, let’s see how the GHOST actually performs in real life. The hefty weight of 9.9 kg and high rolling resistance of the chunky tires make for a slow start. Like an Australian road train, the GHOST takes time to pick up speed but ploughs through pretty much everything you throw in its way once it gets there. The upright riding position perfectly matches its exuberant character — the GHOST prefers cruising comfortably on long distances. If you still decide to take it onto the trail you’ll notice one thing: it doesn’t particularly like corners.

On the one hand, the GHOST is extremely stable and inspires confidence on rough terrain. On the other, it quickly reaches its limitations when riding corners and rough terrain — we ascribe this to the long-distance geometry and chunky tires. The WTB tires lack grip and cause the front wheel to slide off on roots and understeer on loose terrain. The SRAM Rival/Apex component-mix is the main cause behind the mostly sluggish shifting performance and also partly responsible for the heavy weight. The gear ratio of the 36 t chainring and 10-42 t cassette suits wavy terrain with moderate climbs but lacks reserves on steeper climbs. And that’s also when you start noticing the weight. There’s only one thing you can do: shift back and work your way up the mountain — it’s an elephant race! If you prefer 2x setups for longer tours and steep climbs, please forget about the ENDLESS ROAD RAGE straight away: unfortunately, there is no option for a front derailleur.

Conclusion

The GHOST ENDLESS ROAD RAGE is a good choice for bikepackers, long-distance gravelers and adventurers who like the idea of spending a night in the wilderness and also commute to work on two wheels. With its practical dynamo hub and a number of mounting points for accessories, the ENDLESS ROAD RAGE could become your next loyal adventure companion. If you’re also planning to have fun on the trail you better look for an alternative.

Price: € 2,799
Weight: 9.9 kg in size L
Info: ghost-bikes.com

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Here you’ll find our current group test on the best gravel bike.

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Words: Photos: David Rösler, Valentin Rühl