Lanao Universal
Origin
Ghost is a German bicycle brand founded in 1993 in Waldsassen, Bavaria, by Uwe Kalliwoda and Klaus Moehwald, who started building mountain bikes in a small workshop and grew Ghost into one of Germany's better-known MTB manufacturers before it became part of the Accell Group. The Lanao is Ghost's long-running women's hardtail line, and the 'Universal' is its accessible entry model - built to get newcomers, students and recreational riders onto a real trail-capable bike without a premium price. Ghost's philosophy of solid, value-focused aluminium hardtails with proven Shimano parts runs straight through the Lanao Universal, which has been sold across multiple model years (from roughly 2018 into the early 2020s) with steadily refined components rather than a full redesign.
Specifications
- Frame
- Aluminium (LANAO AL), women's-specific low top tube, 27.5" wheels, hardtail
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- 3x9-speed Shimano: Alivio RD-M3100 rear derailleur, Altus FD-M370 front, Alivio SL-M3100 shifters, FC-MT101 crank 44-32-22T, CS-HG-200-9 11-36 cassette
- Brakes
- Hydraulic disc, 180 mm rotors front/rear. 2021: Shimano BR-MT200. 2022-2023: Tektro HD-M275
- Wheels
- 27.5" (650B); Rodi Excalibur XC 19 rims; Shimano HB-TX505 / FH-TX505 QR hubs (100/135 mm)
The verdict
- Strong value for money - real suspension fork and hydraulic discs at an entry price
- 2022+ RockShox Judy air fork with lockout punches well above its class
- Forgiving women's-specific fit and wide 3x9 gearing make climbs and mixed terrain easy
- 3x front chainrings and Alivio/Altus tier feel dated versus modern 1x drivetrains
- Heavy for the category (~14.7 kg) - not a fast climber
- Entry components (Suntour coil fork on 2021, basic hubs) wear/flex under harder trail use
Generations
2021 era
- Original entry build - coil fork, basic Shimano brakes, ~649 euros.
- Brakes
- Shimano BR-MT200
2022-2023 era
- Upgraded to an air fork with lockout and wider tyres - noticeably better ride for ~799-829 euros. Prefer this era used.
- Brakes
- Tektro HD-M275
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | Lanao Universal 27.5 (2021) | Lanao Universal 27.5 (2022) | CurrentLanao Universal 27.5 (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Alivio 3x9 (RD-M3100) | Shimano Alivio 3x9 (RD-M3100) | Shimano Alivio 3x9 (RD-M3100) |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-MT200 180 mm hydraulic disc | Tektro HD-M275 180 mm hydraulic disc | Tektro HD-M275 180 mm hydraulic disc |
| MSRP | €649 | €799 | €829 |
| Purpose | Value | Balanced | Balanced |
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