Lighter, stiffer, and higher-end components. Thats what the new carbon variant of the GHOST ASKET gravel bike promises, building on the success of the aluminium model. But is there more to it than just a new frame material? We put the limited 30th anniversary edition of the GHOST ASKET CF to the test to find out.GHOST ASKET CF 30 | 10.3 kg (size L) | 6,000 | Manufacturers websiteThe ASKET family is growing! Following the GHOST PATH ASKET Pro e-gravel bike with a FAZUA Ride 60 motor, and its aluminium, analogue counterpart, the 2,199 GHOST ASKET Advanced, GHOST now present a carbon version of their analogue adventure gravel bike. And for the 30th anniversary edition, GHOST specced the bike with top shelf components!How much bike do you get for 6,000? And what kind of gravel adventures is the new GHOST ASKET CF 30 destined for? We took it to France to explore the dirt roads of Provence, and find out what its capable of.The GHOST ASKET CF 30 in detailGHOST are celebrating their 30th anniversary, and to commemorate the occasion, theyve launched the ASKET CF in a limited edition with top end components. Thanks to a mullet drivetrain consisting of wireless SRAM Force AXS controls, a SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission derailleur, and a huge 1052 t cassette, the ASKET CF 30 promises high-end shifting performance off the beaten track. The package is completed with a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post offering 75 mm drop, revealing GHOSTs mountain bike roots!GHOST celebrate their 30th anniversary with a special edition.All the gears you need! The huge mountain bike cassette takes the sting out of even the steepest climbs.The 75 mm RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post offers increased freedom of movement at the touch of a button.Of course, a suspension fork is part and parcel of an off-road build like this. On the front of the GHOST ASKET CF 30, youve got a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork providing 40 mm of travel, which should offer increased riding comfort, and greater control on rough descents.The cockpit of the GHOST ASKET CF 30 also yearns for off-road action. The 460 mm Easton EC70 AX carbon handlebar is on the wider side for a gravel bike, coupled with a short 70 mm stem, again showing GHOSTs MTB genes.Providing the necessary traction are a pair of 45 mm MAXXIS Rambler tires, which proved to be the grippiest models in our big gravel tire group test.The 460 mm wide Easton EC70 AX carbon handlebar should provide a ton of control.The RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR suspension fork offers 40 mm travel.However, the GHOST ASKET CF 30 aims to be more than just an off-road gravel bike for drop-bar curious mountain bikers. The new carbon frame has plenty of bosses, making it easy to fit bags without scuffing up the paint with straps and buckles. The wide handlebar and neat cable routing also play well with a handlebar bag.The ASKET CF 30 also features GHOSTs signature kink in the seat stays.The build variants of the GHOST ASKET CFGhost Asket CF 30 2024 6,000SpecificationsFork Rockshox Rudy Ultimate 40 mmSeatpost Rock Shox Reverb AXS XPLR 27.2 mmBrakes SRAM Force AXS HRD 160 mmDrivetrain SRAM Force eTap AXS 1x12Chainring 40 TStem Ghost Dia. 70 mmHandlebar Easton EC70 AX 460 mmWheelset DT Swiss G1800 Spline 12 x 100/12 x 142 mm Through AxleTires Maxxis Rambler EXO 700 x 45 c 45Cranks SRAM Force 1 Wide 172.5 mmCassette SRAM CS XS 1295 10-52TTechnical DataSize XS S M L XLWeight 10.3 kgIn addition to the special anniversary edition, the GHOST ASKET CF comes in two more affordable builds:GHOST ASKET CF Full Party | 3,499 | Weight: TBAThe GHOST ASKET CF Full Party boasts a FOX 32 Taper-Cast Performance Elite fork with the FIT4 damper, and a mechanical mullet drivetrain consisting of Shimano GRX and SLX components and a large 1051 t cassette, offering a more affordable alternative to the all-out anniversary edition. You can also replace the rigid seatpost with a dropper post if you want more freedom of movement the frame has routing for a dropper cable.GHOST ASKET CF Pro | 2.999 | Weight: TBAFeaturing a lightweight carbon fork with ample mounts and a Shimano GRX/SLX mullet drivetrain, the Pro version of the ASKET CF is aimed at those who prioritise storage space and a lighter front end over comfort on very rough terrain. Fewer moving parts also means less maintenance and complexity, which is particularly beneficial on long bikepacking tours.The geometry of the GHOST ASKET CF 30Compared to the aluminium version, the GHOST ASKET CF is a few millimetres shorter in almost all respects. Less stack, less reach, a shorter wheelbase and shorter chainstays result in a more compact bike. However, the upright riding position remains unchanged, promising ample comfort on long adventures. The head angle has become half a degree slacker, depending on the size, and the seat angle is minimally steeper. As such, the handling of the new ASKET CF should feel more composed, while offering more relaxed pedalling.SizeXSSMLXLTop tube526 mm544 mm564 mm590 mm624 mmSeat tube440 mm470 mm500 mm530 mm560 mmHead tube95 mm115 mm135 mm165 mm195 mmHead angle696969.57070.5Seat angle7474747474Chainstay430 mm430 mm435 mm435 mm440 mmBB Drop62.5 mm62.5 mm62.5 mm62.5 mm62.5 mmWheelbase1,044 mm1,063 mm1,084 mm1,107 mm1,142 mmReach375 mm387 mm400 mm417 mm443 mmStack542 mm560 mm581 mm612 mm642 mmCompared to the aluminium GHOST ASKET Advanced, the many small geometry adjustments arent obvious to the naked eye. However, they can have a noticeable effect on the bikes handling nonetheless.Comfortable and controlled: the upright riding position suits the intended use of the GHOST ASKET CF to a tee.The GHOST ASKET CF 30 on the roads and trailsBuilt for the rough GHOSTs motto applies just as well to the ASKET CF carbon gravel bike as it does to their mountain bikes. The MTB inspired components and progressive geometry instil you with confidence, while the 45 mm wide MAXXIS Rambler tires offer loads of grip on all surfaces and also provide plenty of vibration damping. Coarse gravel and rocky terrain left the Rambler unfazed during our tests. Paired with SRAM Force AXS brakes and 160 mm rotors, you can still drop the anchor on loose surfaces too.Built for the rough. The ASKET CF 30 doesnt shy away from hitting the trails.However, all that traction comes at a cost: you can clearly feel the rolling resistance on asphalt roads and compacted gravel. Considering the choice of components and 10.3 kg heft, theres no denying the fact that this bike isnt exactly made for chasing seconds on the clock. Clearly, the GHOST ASKET CF 30 is not a gravel race bike. For that, its comfort and off-road optimization runs too deep.Instead, the upright riding position invites you to just cruise along. The 460 mm handlebar (in size L) is wide enough to provide lots of control without making it feel like youre driving a bus. The classic round tubing allows a firm grip of the bar in all positions, though we wouldve liked to have flattened tops to help relieve pressure on long ridesThat said, the bike is superbly comfortable in all other respects. The wide tires and suspension fork absorb most vibrations and bumps, so youll always feel in control aboard the ASKET CF 30, even at high speeds off road.The GHOST ASKET CF 30 offers plenty of control, a high level of composure, lots of grip, and plenty of damping for that mountain bike feeling.The handling does in fact differ from that of the aluminium version. The slightly slacker head angle, narrower handlebar, wider tires, and suspension fork result in a much more composed ride, though also less responsive handling. The GHOST ASKET CF 30 is less playful than its aluminium counterpart, favouring fast and controlled descents. We believe this is a better fit for the bikes intended use. The improved stability is particularly noticeable when loaded up with camping gear.On steep descents, the additional freedom of movement provided by the dropper post boosts confidence and control, and the wide range of the mullet drivetrain allows you to winch yourself up steep climbs with ease, even if youre hauling supplies for a multi-day trip. The GHOST ASKET CF 30 makes a sturdy impression, perfectly capable of letting you have a blast even when heading off the beaten gravel track, or mastering gravel adventures into the unknown with spontaneous trail excursions.Helmet POC Ventral Mips | Glasses Shimano Technium L | Jacket GORE Spinshift GORE-TEX | Jersey GORE Spinshift Breathe | Bib GORE Spinshift | Shoes Fizik x PNS FeroxWho is the GHOST ASKET CF 30 for?If youre looking for an ultra-light, aero-optimised gravel racer, you better look elsewhere. Drop-bar trail surfers, bikepacking adventurers, and gravel aficionados looking for a robust, comfortable gravel adventure bike for all eventualities will get what theyre looking for here. The stable, intuitive handling and quality components instil you with confidence on the descents, letting you focus on having fun. The mountain bike inspired build suits the intended use and underlines the bikes off-road DNA. Its only the handlebars ergonomics we didnt quite get along with.Our conclusion on the GHOST ASKET CF 30The GHOST ASKET CF 30 certainly lives up to the brands claim of being built for the rough. It feels at home on fast and rough gravel road descents and moderate singletrack, quickly instilling you with the confidence to tackle the trails. The ASKET CF 30 also invites you to head into the unknown or go on leisurely gravel tours though the countryside. Thanks to the MTB-inspired build, it proves to be a reliable companion for all kinds of gravel adventures.Topshigh level of composurevery comfortablerobust bikeFlopscockpit ergonomicsFor more information, visit ghost-bikes.comDer Beitrag GHOST ASKET CF 30 test debut Gravel adventure bike with mountain bike DNA erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.