Buying decision help please! Ghost Hybride Kato FS 6 or Specialized FSR Comp 6Fattie?

[Frobisher]

I have found deals available in my size for these two bikes that put them at the same price. The specs look roughly similar to my untrained eye but I'd appreciate it if any bike experts around would give an opinion. Big difference is that Ghost has Shimano Steps motor and Specialized has Brose.

Both will be used for same purpose, bit of cross country trail riding, mostly uphill/downhill at trail centres and/or Peak District trails.

Looks-wise I prefer the Specialized as it has the integrated tube battery, but that's probably a bit of a poor buying criterion!

Ghost Specs:
Ghost Hybride Kato FS 6 AL
Frameset:

• Frame: Hybride KATO FS 27.5 Alloy AL
• Forks: Fox Rhythm 34 FLOAT Sweep Adj 140mm Boost
• Rear Shock:FOX Performance FLOAT 3 Pos Lever SV 140mm

Groupset:

• Chainset: Shimano Steps 6000
• Brakes/Shifters:Shimano SLX SL
• Rear Derailleur:Shimano XT 11-Speed
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50 11-36

Wheelset:

• Rims: Rodi Black Jack 40 27.5"
• Front Hub: Shimano XT 15mm Boost
• Rear Hub: Shimano XT 12mm Boost
• Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8" PSC Snake Skin/Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8" TSC Snake Skin

Components:

• Front Brake: Shimano SLX Disc 203mm
• Rear Brake: Shimano SLX Disc 180mm
• Handlebars: Ghost Low Rizer 760 mm 35mm
• Stem: Ghost AS-M04 35mm
• Saddle:Ghost VL 1353
• Seatpost: Ghost Light DC 1 31.6mm
• Display:Shimano Steps 8000
• Motor:Shimano Steps 8000
• Battery:Power Pack 500Wh

Specialized Specs:
Specialized Turbo Levo Fsr Comp 6fattie

Technical Specifications

• FRAME Specialized M5 Premium Aluminum Trail Geometry integrated down tube battery enclosed internal cable and Command Post IR routing 148mm spacing fully sealed cartridge bearings 140mm of travel
• FORK RockShox Yari RC 29/27.5+ Solo Air spring adjustable compression and rebound 15x110mm Maxle Ultimate thru-axle 51mm offset 140mm travel
• REAR SHOCK FOX FLOAT Performance Rx Trail Tune AUTOSAG DPS damper rebound and 3-position compression adjust 197x47.6mm

• CRANKSET Custom alloy crankarms
• CHAINRINGS 32T
• SHIFT LEVERS SRAM GX 11-speed trigger
• REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM GX long cage 11-speed
• CASSETTE SRAM XG-1150 11-speed 10-42t
• CHAIN SRAM PCX1 11-speed w/PowerLink
• FRONT BRAKE SRAM Guide R hydraulic disc metallic pads Guide S4 4-piston caliper 200mm rotor
• REAR BRAKE SRAM Guide R hydraulic disc metallic pads Guide S4 4-piston caliper 200mm rotor

• FRONT HUB Specialized disc alloy sealed cartridge bearings 110x15mm thru-axle 24h
• REAR HUB Specialized disc alloy sealed cartridge bearings 12x148mm thru-axle 28h
• SPOKES DT Swiss Industry stainless
• INNER TUBES 650bx2.3'/3.0' 40mm Presta valve

• HANDLEBARS Specialized 6061 alloy 6-degree upsweep 8-degree backsweep 27mm rise 750mm width
• GRIPS Specialized Sip Grip light lock-on half-waffle S/M: regular thickness L/XL: XL thickness
• STEM Specialized Trail 3D forged alloy 4-bolt 6-degree rise

• SADDLE Body Geometry Henge Comp hollow Cr-Mo rails 143mm
• SEATPOST Command Post IRcc 12 position micro-height adjustable alien head design bottom mount cable routing remote SRL lever 30.9mm S: 100mm M/L/XL: 125mm travel
• SEAT BINDER Alloy 34.9mm

• PA USER INTERFACE/REMOTE Integrated Trail display 10-LED battery display Mission Control iOS/Android App
• PA BATTERY Custom LEVO battery 460Wh 40x3.2Ah ANT+/Bluetooth connectivity IP 67
• PA CHARGER Custom charger 42V4A w/Rosenberger plug
• PA WIRING HARNESS Custom harness w/ Rosenberger plug

 

[EddiePJ]

Dealer location aside, the Ghost would be my choice, but really you would be wise to try both before deciding.

My reasons for not wanting the Levo are as follows.

I don't like integrated batteries.
I don't like things such as mission control phone apps.
I don't like SRAM Guide brakes.
I prefer Shimano group set/drivetrain over SRAM
I would prefer the larger wh battery of the Ghost, which would be far less hassle to change during a ride, to remove when parked up, or to bring indoors for storage between rides.

Many people like and buy the Levo, and we are all different in what we require or expect.

 

[Frobisher]

Dealer location aside, the Ghost would be my choice, but really you would be wise to try both before deciding.

My reasons for not wanting the Levo are as follows.

I don't like integrated batteries.
I don't like things such as mission control phone apps.
I don't like SRAM Guide brakes.
I prefer Shimano group set/drivetrain over SRAM
I would prefer the larger wh battery of the Ghost, which would be far less hassle to change during a ride, to remove when parked up, or to bring indoors for storage between rides.

Many people like and buy the Levo, and we are all different in what we require or expect.

Thanks Eddie.
Bad experience with SRAM or just personal taste? I don't know enough about each to judge really. I believe it's supposed to be relatively easy to get the battery out of the Levo still, but I take your point. I also share the concerns over the lack of immediate screen feedback but I can see what Specialized are trying to achieve in keeping things expensive out of the way of most crash impacts!

It's really hard to know what to do - mainly as both bikes are located hundreds of miles away. I may have to buy one, try it for size and return it if no good, but be *very* careful on where I ride it in case of damage. Certainly no chance in taking it down anything steep. As I'm "XL" in framesize it's virtually impossible to get to demo bikes in that actual size.

 

[Trevormonty]

Ghost
Pros
Bigger battery.
Better user interface, protected gear trigger for assist change and well protected display.
XT parts easy and cheaper to source online than SRAM.

Cons
Long term sourcing frame parts like suspension pivot bearing kits. Or frame if damaged in crash.Not a lot of Ghost dealers.

Levo.
Pros.
Plenty of after market support, sourcing frame spares shouldn't be issue even after 5years.
Likely to have better resale value.
Best brakes. In saying that nothing wrong with XT brakes.

Cons
Slight smaller battery.

Frame spares are even more critical with eBike as motor is part of it. With traditional bike, frame can be replaced with any manufacturers and all components moved across. Don't think anybody sells blank eMTB frames yet.

Most important which frame feels better to you. Frame fit is most important.
Happy shopping.

 

[Trevormonty]

Have you considered other bikes besides Ghost. Merida One Sixty comes very highing recommended in magazine reviews. Not sure of Merida presence in UK but worldwide they are one of larger bike manufacturers.

 

[Frobisher]

Have you considered other bikes besides Ghost. Merida One Sixty comes very highing recommended in magazine reviews. Not sure of Merida presence in UK but worldwide they are one of larger bike manufacturers.

I have considered other bikes, but I can't find them in my size at the right price, shall we say! I did also find a Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPA Race a few hundred quid cheaper, but I'm not sure about the 160mm fork travel being a great thing. Specs for comparison:

• Frame - HPA Ultralight, Advanced Hydroform, Triple Butted, ETC 4-Link, ATG, Boost148, Tuned Drive Position, AXH
• Fork - Rock Shox Yari RC, Tapered, 15x110mm, 160mm
• Shock - Fox Float DPS EVOL, 200x57mm, Open/Medium/Firm Mode
• Number of Gears - 11
• Shifters - Shimano SLX SL-M7000
• Chainset - Race Face Aeffect, 165mm, 15T
• Chainrings - 15T
• Cassette - Shimano SLX CS-M7000, 11-46T
• Chain - KMC X11e, EcoProTeQ
• Front Derailleur - n/a
• Rear Derailleur - Shimano XT RD-M8000-DGS, ShadowPlus, 11-Speed
• Bottom Bracket - Integrated with motor
• Pedals - Not Included
• Wheelset - Answer Plus Atac, 15x110mm / 12x148mm, 584x35C, Tubeless Ready
• Front Tyre - Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.60, Addix Soft, Tubeless Easy, Super Gravity
• Rear Tyre - Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.60, Addix Speedgrip, Tubeless Easy, Super Gravity
• Front Brake - Magura MT Trail Custom, Hydr. Disc Brake 203mm
• Rear Brake - Magura MT Trail Custom, Hydr. Disc Brake 180mm
• Brake Levers - Magura MT Trail Custom
• Handlebars - Race Face Ride 35, 760mm
• Grips - CUBE Race Grip 31, 1-Clamp
• Headset - FSA Orbit Z-t, Top Zero-Stack 1 1/8" (OD44mm), Bottom Integrated 1 1/2"
• Stem - Race Face Ride 35
• Saddle - CUBE Race EXC 145
• Seatpost - CUBE Dropper Post, Handlebar Lever, Internal Cable Routing, 31.6mm (16", 18": 400x120mm; 20", 22": 458x150mm)
• Post Clamp - CUBE Screwlock, 34.9mm
• Weight - 23.3Kg

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

also worth considering, is the shop you're buying it from.

Most bikes these days are excellent, so you're looking at details, and the shop can be more important to your experience than the bike in some cases.

Personally I'd go with the Specialized.

 

[EddiePJ]

Bad experience with SRAM or just personal taste?
.

No not bad experience, and to be fair to SRAM and Guide brakes, my riding experience with them has been limited to a few Orange Bikes demo bikes, and the brakes could well of not been at their best.

 

[Doomanic]

I’ve ridden a Levo and found it to be somewhat under-braked. They are also, IMHO, very short and I at 5’9” I needed an XL to get the reach I wanted.

The smaller battery is also a bit off-putting. As a newbie e-biker myself, I’m still getting used to the bike but my first ride in the Forest of Dean left me with 1 mile range in eco mode after 19.3 miles in a mix of mostly eco, plus a bit of each of the other 3 modes. And that’s with a 500Wh battery.

The Ghost was on my shortlist, along with the new Vitus e-Sommet, before I got hold of my 2017 Powerfly LT for a bargain price.

 

[Frobisher]

I’ve ridden a Levo and found it to be somewhat under-braked. They are also, IMHO, very short and I at 5’9” I needed an XL to get the reach I wanted.

The smaller battery is also a bit off-putting. As a newbie e-biker myself, I’m still getting used to the bike but my first ride in the Forest of Dean left me with 1 mile range in eco mode after 19.3 miles in a mix of mostly eco, plus a bit of each of the other 3 modes. And that’s with a 500Wh battery.

The Ghost was on my shortlist, along with the new Vitus e-Sommet, before I got hold of my 2017 Powerfly LT for a bargain price.

^^^ That's amazing. Unless you have tiny legs and a long body! I sat on the XL in the bike shop and it felt very comfortable for reach at 6'5" and 34" inside leg!

Also amazed you find it under-braked as I thought it had twin 200mm rotors and 4-piston Magura MT5 brakes, which is pretty high up on the list of brake setups I think?

 

[Doomanic]

The Levo I rode had SRAM Guide R (or RS, it was a year ago) brakes.

The XL Levo has 4mm less reach than my L Nukeproof Mega 275 and only 6mm more than my Powerfly in 19.5” (L, I think).
I like ‘em long...

Oh, and I have very short legs.

 

[Danidl]

Oh, and I have very shortlegs.


I doubt that, do they not reach the ground when you stand?

 

[Doomanic]

Only when I wear platform soles...

 

[Frobisher]

After all that I've decided to buy the Cube I mentioned above. It's on offer £600 cheaper than the Specialized and Ghost so if it's not a good fit when it arrives I can send it back. If it is right then I've got a bargain as it has good components on it anyway!

• Drive Unit - Bosch Drive Unit Performance CX (75Nm) Cruise (250Watt)
  
• Battery - Bosch PowerPack 500
  
• Head Unit / Display - Bosch Purion
  
• Frame - HPA Ultralight, Advanced Hydroform, Triple Butted, ETC 4-Link, ATG, Boost148mm, Tuned Drive Position, AXH
  
• Fork - Rock Shox Yari RC, Tapered, QR15, 160mm
  
• Rear Shock - Fox Float DPS, 200x57mm, Open/Medium/Firm Mode, EVOL Air Sleeve
  
• Headset - FSA Orbit Z-t, Top Zero-Stack 1 1/8" (OD44mm), Bottom Integrated 1 1/2"
  
• Stem - Race Face Ride 35
  
• Handlebars - Race Face Ride 35, 760mm
  
• Grips - CUBE Fritzz Grip, 2-Clamp
  
• Brakes - Magura MT5, Hydr. Disc Brake (203/180)
  
• Gear Shifter - Shimano XT SL-M8000
  
• Rear Derailleur - Shimano XT RD-M8000-DGS, ShadowPlus, 11-Speed, Direct Mount
  
• Chainset - FSA CK-745, 16T
  
• Cassette - Shimano XT CS-M8000, 11-46T
  
• Rims - Answer Atac EM, QR15/X12 Boost, Tubeless-Ready 584x25C Rims
  
• Tyres - Schwalbe Hans Dampf Kevlar 2.35, TrailStar, Tubeless Easy, Super Gravity
  
• Saddle - Selle Italia SC1
  
• Seat post - CUBE Dropper Post, Handlebar Lever, Internal Cable Routing, 31.6mm, 458x150mm

 

[Doomanic]

600 quid cheaper? Nice. That's a spare battery right there.

 

[Frobisher]

600 quid cheaper? Nice. That's a spare battery right there.

Yeah, got it for £2,499 from cyclesurgery. Hope it fits when it arrives. Will think about spare battery if my riding habits expand!

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[Trevormonty]

I've a cube 2016 140 race, bar few issues with plastic engine cover chain clearance its been excellent. Cube are excellent value for money with race buil being well specced. Bike.discount and bike24 carry suspension bearing kits, bike24 had better range but slightly dearer. Ask supplier for cube part numbers for these kits.

I'll post parts list later for most common parts.

 

[Frobisher]

I've a cube 2016 140 race, bar few issues with plastic engine cover chain clearance its been excellent. Cube are excellent value for money with race buil being well specced. Bike.discount and bike24 carry suspension bearing kits, bike24 had better range but slightly dearer. Ask supplier for cube part numbers for these kits.

I'll post parts list later for most common parts.

Cheers fella!

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