Ghost launches Poacha 180 mm travel freeride bike

Ghost has launched the Poacha, a 180mm travel freeride bike with a carbon frame and adjustable geometry, designed for “steep lines, big drops and high-speed trails with absolute control”.

Ghost points out that the Poacha has been built to be “agile yet tough”, coming with a mullet setup, the brand’s Traction Link 3.0 system and adaptable geometry – with the aim of making it a bike that thrives in the toughest conditions.

The carbon frame relies on Ghost’s Traction Link technology, with new kinematics – a virtual pivot point that aims to deliver “maximum traction, reduces unwanted rear-end movement and keeps control even under heavy braking.

With 180 millimetres of travel front and rear, the Poacha offers the reserves needed for big mountain lines yet stays nimble for quick changes of direction and playful moves.

• The Reach Adjust lets riders fine-tune the bike’s length, while the adjustable Acros headset allows for a 5mm shift in reach and wheelbase.

As found across a host of bikes, an integrated flip chip makes it easy to adapt the geometry to terrain and riding style.

• Delivered in the High setting, the Poacha can be switched to Low, lowering the bottom bracket by 7mm, relaxing the seat angle by 1° and the head angle by 0.5°.
• In High, the steeper seat angle boosts climbing efficiency; in Low, it’s dialled for rough descents and technical trails.

Ready to have its neck rung

From the ground up, the Poacha has been designed and built for no-compromise riding – the only way to go with a 180mm rig. Its LC carbon frame is tested to Category 5 standards and rated for a total weight of up to 120 kilograms.

The bike’s kinematics are, as you’d expect, said to “come into their own in rough terrain”, with an optimised shock angle that keeps the suspension responsive and controlled even under heavy hits. The low-mounted shock unit drops the centre of gravity, noticeably boosting agility – especially in corners, during quick transitions and on steep, technical descents.

Ghost relies on what it calls “a finely tuned balance of pedal efficiency and sensitive rear suspension performance”. The result is said to be a bike that “grips irrespective of surface, transfers power efficiently and stays precisely controllable even at extreme lean angles”.

Adaptability engineered in

The Poacha also comes packed with features designed to make it perfect for long sessions and demanding terrain:

• Barspin-ready with no blocklock or downtube bumper
• coil-shock compatible and equipped with multiple frame protectors – built for no-compromise riding.
• Approved for dual-crown forks with up to 200mm travel
• For even more capability, rear travel can be bumped up to 190mm by using a shock with a 75mm stroke instead of 70mm.
• Thoughtfully placed mounting points in standard bottle cage format let riders carry tools, a spare tube or custom accessories right on the frame – smart, integrated and ready for anything the trails throw your way.

One bike, three versions

With three versions, Ghost has optimised the Poacha for freeriders, short and tall.

The base model features a tough RockShox setup with a ZEB Select fork up front and a Vivid Select shock at the rear. The Pro version levels up with a Fox 38 Factory Grip X2 and TRP DH-R Evo brakes for added precision. And for those who won’t settle, the Poacha Full Party leads the pack with RockShox ZEB Ultimate, Vivid Ultimate and the wireless SRAM GX AXS T-Type drivetrain – plus an integrated XLC multitool hidden in the steerer tube.

• Each Poacha model runs a mullet setup with Continental Kryptotal tyres for maximum speed and control.
• Weighing in at only 3.8kg (painted, size L).
• With sizes from S to XL, the Poacha is built for a broad spectrum of riders.