Test: The Ghost Hybride Lector S4.7+ LC is by no means an ordinary e-bike. With an aggressively designed carbon frame, exciting geometry and hermaphrodite tires, the bike from the Waldsassen-based company promises a lot. We were allowed to test it and check whether it really lives up to expectations.
Ghost Hybride Lector S4.7+ LC: Frame & Drivetrain
You don't often find e-bikes with carbon frames. The strikingly designed carbon shapes are already familiar from Ghost's non-motorized hardtails. These were also adopted for the Ghost Hybride Lector and the frame would look like a stealth bomber if it were completely black. The white and red accents on the frame loosen up the whole thing and turn the Ghost into a fine designer piece. But the Ghost isn't just about design, there's also technology in the frame. The 500 Wh battery is nicely integrated into the frame. The heart of the e-bike nestles underneath the bottom bracket. The Shimano E-8000 motor. The battery and motor are mounted in such a way that a bottle holder can even be mounted in the frame. On our test bike in size M there was only room for a small 0,5 liter bottle, but still better than none at all. So you can save the camelback for the short round.
The Shimano motor supports the rider with a maximum of 70 Nm (250 W) and can be controlled via a discreet switch on the left side of the handlebar. The Eco, Trail and Boost modes are available, which can be fine-tuned using the Shimano app via Bluetooth connection, depending on the rider's needs.
All cables are well hidden in the frame, so that the look is very clean. The frame also has the 142 mm Boost standard on the rear wheel so that wide plus tires and short chainstays can be realized at the same time.
Ghost Hybride Lector S4.7+ LC: Geometry
The geometry on the Lector is aimed more at sporty riders. The steering angle is rather flat at 65,8°. Together with the long top tube, this results in a very smooth running setup, which is also suitable for climbing. The seat angle of 73,3° is rather steep so that the e-bike can climb well and the front wheel can be easily kept on the ground. At 442,7 mm, the chainstays are very short for an e-bike. The overall package should therefore be an agile bike that is also smooth-running at high speeds.
Ghost Hybrid Lector S4.7+ LC
| S | M | L | |
| seat tube (in mm) | 380 | 420 | 460 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 600 | 616 | 640 |
| head tube (in mm) | 100 | 105 | 120 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 442,7 | 442,7 | 442,7 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1161 | 1178 | 1204 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 65,8 | 65,8 | 65,8 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 73,3 | 73,3 | 73,3 |
| Reach (mm) | 413 | 428 | 448 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 621 | 626 | 640 |
Ghost Hybride Lector S4.7+ LC: Features
Normally, Ghost tends to rely on well-known components that everyone knows and has probably ridden before. With the Ghost Hybride Lector S4.7+ LC, the people from Waldsassen take a slightly different approach. Except for a few parts, there are parts on the Ghost that you rarely get to test. Let's start with the SR Suntour Raidon fork. With 34 mm stanchions and 120 mm spring travel, the fork finds its way to the carbon e-bike. The SR Suntour in-house Qloc thru-axle takes a little getting used to, but once you understood the function, changing the wheel worked quite well. Also included with the fork is a remote lockout lever mounted on the left side of the handlebar. The Suntour remote has been known for a long time because it is one of the few that really works permanently and is ergonomic.
When it comes to the wheels, Ghost uses a hybrid solution for the Hybride Lector. There is a 29″ wheel at the front and a 27,5+ wheel at the rear. Hubs from Formula and rims from Rodi are installed. Maxxis tires with a 2,35″ Ardent at the front and a Rekon with a width of 2,8″ at the rear provide the necessary grip.
The bike is braked by a Tektro HD-M805 Slate 4K brake with 4 pistons. The test bike featured 203mm discs front and rear. According to the parts list, a 180 mm disc is standard at the rear. You rarely see the JD Dropper Post. This dropper post features a remote mounted on the right handlebar grip. The post is controlled from below through the seat tube, so the cable routing is well hidden in the frame. The rather sporty Fizik Antares R7 is mounted on the support.
It is shifted with well-known Shimano components with an LX shifter and an XT rear derailleur. The Sunrace MS8-E cassette with an 11-46 gradation is a little more exotic here. The cockpit consists of 760 mm wide handlebars with a 20 mm rise and a short stem. Both come from Ground Fiftyone, Ghost's house brand. All in all an interesting equipment package that promises fun on the trail. In addition, the overall package weighs 19,32 kg despite the really capable trail equipment and potent tires. That's really strong for an e-bike. The price is also a bit high for that. You have to pay €3.999 for the bike.
| frame | Hybrid Lector LC |
| suspension fork | SR Suntour Raidon 34 LOR DS AIR |
| Power Type | Shimano E8000 |
| Battery | Shimano BT-E8010 504Wh |
| Suspension shocks | - |
| Wheels | Formula DC-711 / Rodi Tryp |
| Tire VR | Maxxis Ardent 2,35" |
| Tire HR | Maxxis Rekon 2,8" |
| derailleur | Shimano XT |
| Gear levers | Shimano SLX |
| Crank | Ground Fiftyone 34T |
| Front derailleur | |
| Brake | Tektro HD-M805 Slate |
| Brake discs | Tektro 203/203mm |
| Seat post | JD Dropper Post |
| Saddle | Fizik Antares R7 |
| Stem | Ground Fifty One Team |
| Links | Ground Fiftyone Race 760mm |
Ghost Hybrid Lector S4.7+ LC: On the trail
As a former XC rider, I was curious to see how a carbon hardtail with 120 mm at the front, thick tires at the rear and additional e-support would do. The Shimano motor is already well known and one of my favorite motors. The engine responds very finely and quickly. Trail mode is perfect for off-road as it relies heavily on a higher cadence and adds more power. This allows you to react well to changing surfaces and situations or just accelerate really quickly out of tight corners. The 504 Wh battery also gives a lot and you can spend a few hours on the bike.
But now to the bike itself. The seating position is pleasantly upright. You can feel the long top tube and the slack steering angle right away on the first meters. Also the weight, the bike rolls really well on the flat despite the 2,8″ wide Maxxis tires with decent lugs. Even without support, the bike can be moved easily, at least on the flat. On the first climb, the Eco level is completely sufficient if you want to pedal a little more yourself. You climb easily and easily over the first hills. But the special discipline for the Ghost Hybride Lector follows on difficult, steep trails. With good grip at the rear, a steep seat tube angle and plenty of power in trail or boost mode, you can plow up difficult, steep paths almost effortlessly. Even short, steep slopes are no problem for the bike. In rare cases you are only limited by the translation, which at some point is too big. The front wheel lifts off the ground late.
Once at the top of the mountain, it goes downhill. You immediately notice that the Lector Hybride loves speed and wants to be moved quickly. The long top tube and the slack steering angle give the front wheel greater lead and thus more safety at high speeds. I was also really impressed by the combination of 29″ and 27,5″+. Personally, I always find a 27,5″+ wheel a bit sluggish on the front wheel. In my opinion, a 29″ can be moved much more lively and precisely. At the back, the 27,5″+ wheel provides the necessary comfort, which makes sense here with a hardtail in particular. Of course you can't match the performance of a fully, but you have noticeably more comfort. You just have to be careful with the air pressure. If this is too low and you don't drive tubeless, punctures with the resulting flat feet cannot be avoided. Especially in rough, stony terrain, you can easily reach your limits here and have to slow down a bit to avoid a defect.
The bike is not only fast, but also agile. The chainstays were designed really short and are fun to ride. Driving pleasure also brings the low weight and the low center of gravity. The bike moves lightly downhill and rolls well over obstacles. Professionals and advanced like such a driving behavior. Beginners might be a bit overwhelmed with it.
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