Comparing Anne Terpstra & Nadine Rieder's Ghost Lector FS Race Bikes - Albstadt XC World Cup 2021

May 8, 2021
by Ed Spratt  
Ghost Lector FS - Anne Terpstra and Nadine Rieder
Photos: Andy Vathis


The XC World Cup is back this weekend in Albstadt for the start of the 2021 race season. As it's the first stop of the World Cup there are plenty of fresh bikes to look at and we have brought together the Ghost Lector FS race bike that we first saw in Nove Mesto last year. So let's take a look at how Anne Terpstra and Nadine Rieder choose to run their race machines and what differences there are between their setups.


Anne Terpstra
Anne Terpstra
Instagram @mtbanne

Bike Details
Wheel Size 29"
Fork RockShox Sid Ultimate (100mm of travel, 75psi and 9 clicks for closed)
Shock: RockShox Sid Luxe Ultimate (180psi and 7 clicks from closed)
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 AXS
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate (160/160mm rotors)
Cockpit Bike Ahead Composites integrated bar and stem
Wheels: Bike Ahead Composites Biturbo RS
Tires: Maxxis Aspen ST 2.25 (1.1 & 1.3 bar with tire inserts)

Nadine Rieder
Nadine Rieder
Instagram: @riedernadine

Bike Details
Wheel Size: 29"
Fork: RockShox Sid Ultimate (35mm stanchions, 120mm of travel, 72psi and 9 clicks for closed)
Shock: RockShox Sid Luxe Ultimate (185psi and 10 clicks from closed)
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 AXS
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate (180/160mm rotors)
Cockpit: Bike Ahead Composites bar and Tune Geiles Teil 4.0 stem
Wheels: Bike Ahead Composites Biturbo RS
Tires: Maxxis Aspen 2.25 (1.3 & 1.5 bar with tire inserts)

Anne Terpstra
This year the Ghost team is running Bike Ahead Composites' Biturbo RS six spoke carbon wheels. The wheels are made in Germany using a six spoke monocoque construction with an inner width of 27mm. The pair of 29" wheels has a claimed weight of just 1249 grams.

Anne Terpstra
Nadine Rieder
When it comes to their cockpit setup Anne Terpstra and Nadine Rieder have taken slightly different approaches. Anne has chosen an integrated bar and stem combo that we are told is also from Bike Ahead Composites although it doesn't look to be available to the public just yet. Nadine's cockpit is more conventional with a Bike Ahead Composites carbon bar and a Tune Geiles Teil 4.0 stem in gold.

Nadine Rieder

One of the biggest differences between Anne's and Nadine's bikes is created by the Ghost SuperFit system. The system uses over 100,000 anonymous data sets of human proportions, allowing Ghost to create five gender-neutral standard rider sizes. Ghost takes these findings and the 'SuperFit' algorithm to work out the optimal position on the bike. The algorithm then uses the ergonomic data to consider the ideal geometry of the bike which includes bar width and suspension travel.

Anne is running a smaller size frame and a shorter 100mm fork with 160mm rotors front and rear. Nadine's larger size bike is equipped with a RockShox SID 120mm fork and it swaps the smaller 160mm rotor up front to 180mm.

Nadine Rieder
The larger 180mm rotor up front on Nadine Rieder's Lector FS paired with the 120mm RockShox SID Ultimate with 35mm stanchions.

Nadine Rieder
Anne Terpstra
Another difference in the cockpit setups between the two races comes from their suspension lockout and dropper post remotes. Nadine has opted for a RockShox TwistLoc to adjust her suspension lockout with a standard AXS remote for the dropper. Anne has switched hers up with a lockout lever for suspension duties and a Blip device on the right side of her bars for the AXS dropper post.

Anne Terpstra
Anne Terpstra
Looking at tire choice both riders have selected the Maxxis' Aspen for their race rigs, but Anne Terpstra has chosen to go for the low profile Aspen ST front and rear. Nadine is running the standard Aspen offering. They are running tire inserts in both wheels with Anne choosing 1.1 and 1.3 bar in her tires (16 and 19 psi), while Nadine has set her tires at 1.3 and 1.5 bar (19 and 22 psi).

Anne Terpstra

Nadine Rieder
Anne Terpstra
One more noteworthy difference between the two Ghost Lector FS race bikes is Nadine's choice to run a minimal chain guide to add an extra level of security. Anne Terpstra is not running an extra safety net for her chain.

Anne Terpstra
Nadine Rieder


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Bike Checks XC Racing XC Bikes Ghost Ghost Lector Anne Terpstra Albstadt World Cup XC 2021 World Cup XC


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104 Comments
  • 70 1
 Nadine with 35mm stanchions at 120mm, a dropper post and chain guide... Is there a downcountry race this weekend??
  • 3 0
 I prefer Nadine's bike
  • 43 0
 I know nothing about the pros and cons of those monocoque wheels, but they sure are a head turner.
  • 9 3
 Yep, super sexy. I imagine they're great for XC, not sure I'd want them for rowdy trail riding...
  • 3 0
 @mybaben: Dangerous Dan would argue differently
  • 19 0
 @z-man: So would Batman.
  • 20 2
 Everything you need to know
$3,000
rider weight limit 95 kg
  • 7 0
 Many amateur racers I know tried them here but did not liked them. So stiff that they are uncomfortable as they told me.
  • 2 0
 @z-man: that man was my hero when I was kid. Still go watch flying circus clips when I can’t get out and ride.
  • 5 0
 @VwHarman: May partially explain running 16 and 19 psi in the tires.
  • 11 1
 I must be the only one who doesn’t dig the look of those wheels
  • 1 0
 @in2falling: That's a LOT more than Spinergy Spox wheels used to, which they look like.
  • 2 2
 The stiffness is a red herring. If you asked anybody 30 to 100 years ago what bike wheels would look like, they would say this.So obviously with any carbon structure you can build in flex where you want it; I anticipate sub 1000g wheel sets like this in the near future and they will blow your mind. I can't wait.
  • 2 0
 In the 90s Spinergy wheels were all the rage in road racing but they were banned. The bladed carbon spokes were very effective cutting edges when at full speed.
  • 4 0
 @Whipperman: i remember reading stuff about squirrels and animals getting cut in half
  • 2 0
 @mybaben: only really good if ur rich or sponsored. you cant true them, so if you get a small bend, you get a new wheel
  • 36 0
 Pretty interesting TBH. I appreciate the detailed article.
I remember seeing these wheels on Ghost bikes in U23, in 2019, and am still wondering why only one (or perhaps two) riders are using them in all of UCI XC.
Whatever the reason, they are the Motomags of the New Millenium.
  • 30 1
 Because they are a niche company who can't afford to sponsor many teams ahead of all the usual suspects. Remember, pro riders don't always ride the best bikes, just the best bike that their sponsor offers.
  • 12 0
 Pros ride what they are paid to ride and Bike Ahead only sponsors the ghost team. Scott-Sram runs similar one-piece carbon wheels from syncros this season.
  • 5 0
 @martinaasa: Syncros's design makes much more sense for mtb. That way it's possible to make wheels with some compliance. It's similar to Lightweight wheels
  • 1 4
 @DC1988: I agree. To be honest, there is very little reason to have the weight penaly of 12 speed, except for sponsorhip. But having said that, I do see them on the "MTB big ring" often.
  • 6 0
 @hellanorcal: And even if Nino is in the granny gear, you gotta remember that he runs like a 36 or 38t chainring, so that's still a way harder gear than I'd care to pedal.
  • 1 0
 Just watched the Women's XC World Champs and it seemed like loads of riders were using these [or very similar wheels]. So did some googling and ended up here. But none of the men were.
  • 24 0
 29" skyway tuff wheels anyone?
  • 5 0
 I'm a Peregrine Master mag kinda guy.
  • 4 0
 @MTBinRVA: yes! Also, RIP Paul Van Doren
  • 1 0
 @aljoburr I had the exact same thought. These photos take my mind straight back to 1977 when the Schwinn Scramblers came out with them. BTW, Skyway is still in business.
  • 16 0
 "They are running tire inserts in both wheels"

Never thought I'd see inserts and 35mm stanchions (stanksions?) In XC racing. Wish they would have published the weight for these bikes.
  • 13 0
 I wonder when Maxxis will finally roll out these tires to the public. If I‘m not mistaken, Nino (a.o.) has been riding prototypes of those tires for ages already.
  • 2 0
 @Maxxis We want those tires! Even if they'll only last 2 rides, I want to know how it feels to ride with tires that light and supple.
  • 13 1
 Thank christ it's the 90s again.
  • 31 0
 Can I get my 90's music, hair, and energy levels back as well?
  • 9 5
 The best part of early 90s for me was, not existing.
  • 4 1
 @agul29: 'you seed of an evil genius and precarious offspring of hard fortune, whose life is but for a day, why do you compel me to tell you those things of which it is better you should remain ignorant? For he lives with the least worry who knows not his misfortune; but for humans, the best for them is not to be born at all, not to partake of nature's excellence; not to be is best, for both sexes'
  • 4 0
 90's? More like a throw back to 80's BMX. Just look at those wheels! You must have seen the movie RAD ;-) Anyone on this site that has not, well....I mean what's more to say.... Cru Jones represent!
  • 2 0
 Tread: The Movie - 1994

www.pinkbike.com/video/515215 FWD to 36:00 mins. LOOK AT THOSE WHEELS!! hehehe...kinda shows my age, but I knew I've seen those things before 2019!
  • 3 0
 @agul29:... That's the millennial nihilism I love
  • 2 0
 @Worm-Burner: Ah yes. The pretend to be nihilist nihilist to get likes nihilist. Edgy. Hooray for modern society!
  • 1 0
 @ruckusrider74: I had Tread on VHS, and rewatched it constantly. No idea where the tape has gone to... probably tossed out with my VCR eons ago.

But Hans Rey just uploaded the whole movie onto his YouTube channel, and while the video quality isn’t great, the memories it brings back definitely are!
  • 11 0
 maybe the nicest looking xc bikes I've seen
  • 5 0
 Great looking bike IMO. And very interesting geometry aswell. Size XL has a 533 mm (!) reach and a 1275 mm wheelbase.

That's what I've been saying about race bike geo. If you keep steepening the STA and keep slackening the HTA on your race bike, you have to massively increase the wheelbase to still be able to give the rider a chance to assume the correct seating position for optimal power transfer. And that's how you end up with a XC race bike, that has the same wheelbase as a Norco Optic in size XL. I'm not sure if I would want to race such a long bike for the fear of it becoming unwieldy, but apparently it works pretty well for the Ghost team.
  • 3 4
 3 sm longer will base will not make radical difference on the 120 sm total, also it is matter of habit how to ride longer bikes, unless u do 360 all day;

Take ski for example ( goint twin tip will require u to upsize 5-10 sm ) and still u will be ok on tight trails
  • 1 1
 And optimal breathing--hip angle?--and lower back comfort. But long nominal toptube and the setback post seem to be going in the other direction. But Lector fs has a truly steep sta, unlike Optic, and the Small sizes are more modestly superfitted.

Lecomte looks comfortable on her relatively tiny Massi, with a more upright climb position than others. It's all so body-proportion specific
  • 7 0
 Wish they’d list the weight. Now I’ve just gotta assume... and we all know how dangerous that can be
  • 4 0
 I'd like to see the weights of the riders too in terms of tyre pressure. On certain trails I get down to 20r/17f psi and I weight 72-74 kg starkers.
  • 1 0
 @iamamodel: lol i have 15 front with tubes
  • 6 0
 Gorgeous bikes I have to say...
  • 4 0
 16psi????? that must feel so bad
  • 3 1
 I ride the same pressures as Anne. Feels pretty good to me; tons of grip and smooths out a lot of chatter.
  • 2 0
 @islandlife98: Same, I weigh 63 kg and frequently run 14/16 psi front and rear. Love the grip.
  • 1 0
 @nattyd: I weigh around 63 kg as well. Low pressure feels awesome.
  • 1 0
 Super cool bikes. Those wheels are intriguing. I'm curious how well they will tolerate the rigors of mountain biking. Shock absorption properties and ability to stay true are things I'd be curious learn more about.
  • 3 0
 A lower tread height Aspen is basically just a slick with side knobs!
  • 2 0
 Has the social media thing gotten to the point you need an iphone mount for your race bike?
  • 1 0
 Those wheels look great, but a 1 year warranty and 2 years crash replacement on wheels this expensive? Hardly confidence inspiring......
  • 1 1
 Why run super low rolling resistance tires if your only gonna put 16psi in it, could probably run an aggressor with 25 psi it would roll better, grip better, and you wouldnt need inserts so shave a couple grams
  • 2 1
 for the sake of a few grams, why wouldn't you have the additional security of a chain guide?
  • 9 0
 I haven’t run a chain guide in years and have yet to drop a chain
  • 1 0
 complication
  • 4 0
 If you drop a chain with a chain guide, it's 10x harder to get it back on. And with modern drivetrains (especially newish ones like pros tend to have), you almost never drop a chain.
  • 2 0
 What kind of display has Nadine mounted at the bar?
  • 1 0
 Sigma Rox
  • 2 0
 Those are really good looking bikes.
  • 2 0
 WHAT CHAINRING IS THAT!!!!?????
  • 2 0
 Sram AXS Blackbox. It's got an integrated power meter. Only available to pro riders.
  • 1 0
 Nice and very clean looking bike. Kind of conservative in a good way. Beautiful
  • 2 0
 My Tuff Wheels were awesome in 1977, too.
  • 1 3
 How on earth can you have "gender neutral" data and apply it to a bike thinking you will get the best riding position and comfort for the rider which may very well be.... a male or female??? For f^@k sake!!!! I have already canceled 2 bike mags, stopped donating to local bike org due to this woke/lib BS and now I can add never buy a Ghost bike.
  • 4 0
 They didn't say they had gender neutral data, but rather a gender neutral design. More frankly, it honestly seems like the only thing that has any real bearing on a men's versus women's bike is the saddle design. Everything else is just personal preference and accommodating basic skeletal dimensions.
  • 3 0
 @gks333 The whole "female-specific" bike geometry BS has already been debunked as a myth created by marketing. There's more individual variation in people's builds (in the aspects relevant to bike fit of course) than gender-to-gender. Ghost is doing it right and it's zero to do with "woke/lib" and all to do with facts and science. But of course you snowflakes get triggered by the word "neutral" before you actually read the rest of the goddamn text.

@SuperHighBeam That's exactly right, saddles are about the only item on a bicycle where male/female-specific makes any sense.
  • 2 0
 @bananowy: Nailed it. More often than not female-specific bikes have been known to have different saddles, low standover heights, shorter reach, and softer more feminine frame colors. That's about it. The prevailing reasons for this are female anatomy, prevailing case for generally shorter stature, and culturally imprinted desires for softer color tones (little girls are subliminally messaged to like pink, purple, light blue. sea-foam green, etc. which carries through to adulthood in many cases).
  • 2 0
 whats the deal with the stupid mag wheels
  • 2 0
 Nice
  • 2 1
 To be honest, Lector hardtail is way more sick looking bike.
  • 1 0
 Is that really a 68 degree HTA? Photos look slacker...
  • 1 1
 Sweet. I wonder why Nadine chooses to go with the big SID rather than the SL. Fit maybe?
  • 2 0
 Very cool bikes
  • 1 0
 i cant buy it? wtf?

Sad thing to hear
  • 1 0
 Those custom grips with her name on them!
  • 1 0
 Looks space in a good way
  • 1 0
 I didn't know those sony ericsson phone were still around..
  • 1 0
 Bike looks cool. Very different.
  • 1 2
 I am surprised running 16 and 19 psi isn't equivalent to adding 4 or 5 pounds to the bike.
  • 1 0
 Seeing that Nino Schurter and Tom Pidcock ride similar PSIs, I'd say they help make you very fast indeed. I use just 22psi, but I weigh more than they do. And the ride is so much better as well as grippier and definitely faster.
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