Ghost AMR Lector 7700 - Previewed

Value packed 120mm Carbon trail bike: The $3250 AMR Lector 7700 packs in an impressive amount of value, but the fact that the components are hung on a carbon fiber front triangle, a very nice one at that, makes it all the more impressive. The swoopy looking frame clearly features the smooth lines often associated with carbon manufacturing, but Ghost hasn't taken that idea too far - stand back a ways and you'd be hard pressed to distinguish it from any number of aluminum offerings. This is a good thing, as the design is more "form follows function" than "look at me, I'm carbon!". You'll find the now obligatory tapered head tube up front, along with a Press Fit bottom bracket down at the rather beefy looking main pivot junction. Cables are routed on the underside of the down tube, making for a very clean appearance, although maybe not the best location for the over-the-tailgate transportation method (do you plan on shuttling on a 120mm bike? I hope not...), and the bike's pivots are held together with steel torx hardware.


Horst Link Suspension: The German designed AMR Lector makes use of a Horst Link suspension layout, using the four-bar design that has been proven over the years to be one of the most well rounded layouts when talking performance. Of course, slight variations in pivot placements will have a large effect on how the suspension performs, and Ghost claims to have done just that in an effort to create more anti-squat in the design to fight bobbing under load. No, they are not trying to break any new ground by using this proven design, but credit has to be given for them choosing to fine tune a proven layout to meet their needs. We're not expecting the rear end of the Lector 7700 to be a revelation, but rather offer a refined ride character. It's also worth noting that the Ghost lineup is one of the very few to utilize a Horst Link layout while being available in North America, having just been picked up by Canada's Mountain Equipment Co-op.

In typical German fashion, the Lector can brag about a level of attention to detail that many others cannot. The bike's chain stays, for example, are a different length on each different size of bike, keeping the wheelbase to chain stay length ratio the same throughout the size range. This detail is a point that the many manufacturers ignore, with most small sizes using the very same chain stays as their larger bikes. It may not make or break a bike's performance, but it's an element in the overall package that will factor in to the bike's performance.

Specifications Release Date 2012 Price $3250 Travel 120mm Rear Shock FOX Float RP23 Fork Fox 32F Air FIT RL Headset Ritchey tapered Cassette Shimano XT 10-speed 11-34T Crankarms Shimano XT 42-32-24T Bottom Bracket Shimano Pressfit Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Front Derailleur Shimano XT Shifter Pods Shimano XT SL Handlebar Ghost CG Carbon SL Low Rizer 31.8mm Stem Ghost light AS-025 31.8mm Grips Ghost lock-on Brakes Shimano XT Hubs Shimano XT Spokes DT Competition Rim Alex FD19 Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic 26 x 2.25 Seat Selle Royal Seta Seatpost Ghost CG Carbon SL Compare to other All Mountain/Enduro/XC

Trail Ready Spec: Although the AMR is a new addition to our stable of test bikes, we have little concern about the trail worthiness of its full Shimano XT spec. The 3x10 DynaSys drivetrain, complete with XT Shadow rear derailleur, is stout enough for the roughest of riders but also light enough that all but the most gram-conscious riders should be free of the urge to upgrade for a good while. Shimano's XT brakes, complete with 7" rotors front and back, perform stopping duties, and you'll also find XT hubs at the center of the Alex FD19 rims. Both the bar and stem are Ghost's own carbon fiber components.

It could be argued that a relatively short travel bike such as the 7700 demands even more of its suspension than a longer legged steed, given that it has less to work with in those make or break trail moments. Fox suspension units are found at both ends of the bike, with a 32F Air FIT RL fork up front and a RP23 damper out back. Ghost has spec'd a large volume air can on the RP23 that, combined with the damper's needle bearing mounting, should make for a relatively supple feel at the top of the shock's stroke. This also gives Lector owners the option of adding shims to the air can to increase suspension ramp up throughout the stroke.

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Mountain Equipment Co-op is bringing a good selection of Ghost bikes into Canada. While they're better known for carrying commuter, urban and road bikes, this move doesn't come as a huge surprise to us. Many of MEC's staff and management are avid mountain bikers, and they've been heading in this direction for at least a few years. Tim McDermott, who was hired to head up their bike program 4 years ago, has worked in the bike industry for over 25 years including 13 years at Rocky Mountain. Even David Labistour, MEC's CEO, can be spotted on the North Shore trails.



For the complete line of Ghost bikes available in Canada including prices, check out MEC's website here


Stay tuned for a full review of Ghost's AMR Lector 7700
www.mec.ca
www.ghost-bikes.com