Issue #033, Review - May 10, 2018

GHOST SL AMR X 5.9 AL review

GHOST has presented the new SL AMR X as the antithesis of marketing hype and hot air. The bike’s stand-out feature is its coil shock on the rear. But does this concept work on a trail bike, and will it make the GHOST SL AMR X the ultimate all-purpose weapon?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: Good times guaranteed! 7 trail bikes under € 3,000 in Review

GHOST SL AMR X 5.9 AL review — **Ghost** SLAMR X 5.9 AL | 150/145 mm (front/rear) | 14.90 kg | € 2,599

GHOST has evolved dramatically in recent years, rehauling their once pretty tired brand image with a sweeping upgrade to the entire range and designing some far more contemporary offerings. Their latest creation, the SL AMR X 5.9 AL, rolls on 29″ wheels, has a significantly stiffer frame thanks to the new rocker link and offers 145 mm of rear travel, taken care of by a Cane Creek DB inline coil shock. With a price tag of € 2,599, the GHOST might be the cheapest bike in the group test but it still proudly sports high-quality Wide Trail MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II tyres on 30 mm wide DT Swiss wheels.

**Helmet** Giro Montaro | **Brille** Oakley Jawbreaker | **Jersey** iXS VIBE 8.1 | **Shorts** iXS SEVER SHORTS

The SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and MAGURA MT Thirty2 brakes are inspired choices, but it’s a shame to see that the seatpost only has 115 mm of drop. The SR SUNTOUR AION suspension fork delivers a sub-par performance when compared to the RockShox or FOX models in the test field. It responds poorly and is overdamped so we were never able to make full use of the travel. The long seat tube also makes it difficult to run a dropper seat post with more than 125 mm of stroke, which is a pity.

the GHOST SL AMR X still climbs with amazing efficiency and comfort

The rear end of the SL AMR X hardly ever gets fazed!

Despite not being a lightweight and being coil sprung on the rear, the GHOST SL AMR X still climbs with amazing efficiency and comfort. Pedal-bob is virtually non-existent and there’s ample traction, which you’ll notice especially on technical climbs. Acceleration is held back somewhat by the wide MAXXIS Minion tyres: they provide great downhill grip, but also make the bike a bit sluggish. The GHOST’s heart obviously beats for the descents, with a rear end that sucks up roots and rocks more efficiently than your vacuum cleaner sucks up the crumbs under your kitchen table. Thanks to the low bottom bracket (30 mm drop) you’re comfortably integrated in the bike, giving you a lot of traction in corners. The front triangle is rather short with a reach of 446 mm, but the bike offers a high degree of composure and grips well. Unfortunately, the fork cannot keep up with the performance of the rear end, so expect fast, hard blows to rob your arms of strength. When accelerating, the GHOST SL AMR X is a little sluggish with its high weight and grippy tyres. Through tight downhill sections, on the other hand, the bike is surprisingly agile and is anything but sluggish when you want to change direction.

Ghost SLAMR X 5.9 AL in detail

Fork SR Suntour 150 mm
Rear shock Cane Creek Inline Coil CS 145 mm
Brakes Magura MT Thirty2 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost RJD Dropper 115 mm
Stem Ground Fiftyone 45 mm
Handlebar Ground Fiftyone Race 780 mm
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF / Maxxis Minion DHR II
Wheels DT Swiss M1900 Spline
Weight 14.90 kg
Price € 2,599

**The Benchmark**
There is currently no better option than SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain for trail bikes with its wide gear range and smooth shifting

**Pretty**
Both the design and colour scheme are aesthetically pleasing

**Plush**
With the Cane Creek DB inline coil shock, the GHOST’s rear end is super plush

**Super annoying**
The loud clatter of the cables on the GHOST SL AMR X and the Giant Trance almost drove us crazy on demanding descents. The quieter, the better!

**Overwhelmed**
The SR SUNTOUR AION suspension fork cannot keep up with the competition, demonstrating harsh responsiveness and insensitivity

Geometry of the Ghost SLAMR X 5.9 AL

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	569 mm	595 mm	621 mm	655 mm
Head tube	100 mm	105 mm	110 mm	120 mm
Head angle	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°	65.5°
Seat angle	74°	74°	74°	74°
Chainstay	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm
BB Drop	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm	30 mm
Wheelbase	1157 mm	1183 mm	1209 mm	1243 mm
Reach	398 mm	422 mm	446 mm	476 mm
Stack	609 mm	615 mm	619 mm	628 mm

The GHOST SL AMR X 5.9 AL craves gravity.

Upgrade tip: Clad the cables or somehow secure them in the frame
Upgrade the fork

Conculsion

We’ll say it like it is: If you’re looking for an agile, spritely trail bike, you won’t find it here. The GHOST SL AMR X 5.9 AL craves gravity. With its powerful rear end and large wheels, it’s ideal for demanding descents. Unfortunately, however, the fork holds it back.