[First Look] Ghost DH7 Test Bike

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This winter Ghost Bikes sent us a version of their DH7 Downhill bike to try. The bike came equipped with 26″ wheels (which honestly pleases us) and a fairly robust component build. The idea of the 26″ wheels is to do a comparison back to back with a 27.5″ version which Ghost were rumoured to be working on with their new RIOT link.

Professional rider Thomas Slavik uses a bike very similar to this for the Urban City Downhill world tour.  What’s interesting with the DH7 is it’s high pivot point and bogie roller system which negates any effect on chain growth, something that Commencal just decided would be a great idea to try with their recently announced DH bike.

The fact of the matter is that spring has sprung and the mechanically assisted bike parks are starting to open so we thought we would take the opportunity to test a few DH specific components and modified the Ghost a bit with a few custom parts. This is what we have come up with so far. The bike is a fairly basic yet affordable build, we will be putting it through it’s paces during the next weeks and will also take a look at a few DH specific set-up points with a pro-rider.

Our Build

The bike is built tough with DH specific components. It is a large size aluminum frame with 200mm of travel front and rear.

The front SRAM GXP Hussefelt chain set (38T). Ghost bogie roller system with a G2 MRP chain guide.

SRAM X9 rear derailleur.

Magic Mary front and rear

Rockshox Boxxer RC forks with a medium spring.

We fitted Hope Tech 3 four piston brakes.

We added a Native 35mm bar, 800mm wide.

DMR sent us a DEFY 35mm direct mount stem, a beautiful piece of machining.

The rear linkage provide 200mm or rear travel.

The wheel build is X9 SRAM hubs and ALEXRIMS Supra 30 DH rims. Yes we know it is 26″, but that is a playful wheel size, we will be looking at their new 27.5″ version back to back when it comes out and see how they compare.

Fox provide the rear damping with a RC2 shock loaded with a 275 spring, (which incidentally is perfect for this type of pivot layout).

The frame-set is formed of aluminum hydro formed tubes, very elegantly shaped.

Hope 203 mm discs that we mounted.

Renthal soft compound grips which we added.

A 10 speed Shimano 105 cassette.

Ghost Bikes

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