First impressions of the 2014/2015 KTM Macina Lycan gps + 10-s XT
I'm not going to run through the list of spec, as this can be seen on the following link to KTM's website..
http://www.ktm-bikes.at/en/bikes/e-...=17920&cHash=9602c173b1b6ea164954b68b706f985d
Opening the well packaged box, revealed what I had already expected, a drop dead gorgeous and superbly presented e-mtb.
Just opening the box alone, left me with no doubt that I had made the right decision in choosing this bike over it's competitors.
The finish of the hydroformed frame is superb, and it was refreshing to see super clean welds that flow almost seamlessly throughout. If like me you appreciate attention to detail, then that is an aspect worth closer scrutiny when making comparisons between manufacturers. The bottom bracket area is another key focus in that respect, and how the frame has been butted and finished. Again, the KTM does not disappoint in that respect either. In fact attention to detail runs throughout the bike.
Moving onto paint and decal finish. What can I say. It certainly puts my last two, non KTM bikes to shame and is first-rate in all respects. Obviously I can't answer the durability aspect of it yet, but I have high hopes of it being very good.
After straightening the bars, I suspended the bike to give it a thorough once over. The trueness of the wheels was first class, and credit must also go to Schwalbe for producing a tyre with very accurate fabrication tolerances, and no apparent influence over balance. The Shimano Ratchet system hubs with thruaxle also exude an air of quality. I'll practice the removal and refitting of both wheels over the next few days to get into the swing of using them.
All of the controls functioned exactly as they should, and gear selection was very slick and precise.
Front fork flex was also reassuringly un-noticeable under quick lock on braking, which is always good to see.
Checks completed and a few adjustments carried out, the bike was lowered, and it was time to cast an eye over a couple of other aspects of the bike, that seemingly all to often disappoint. Firstly the saddle. I already knew from the Ultra 1964 that KTM saddles are of exceptionally good quality and for me, offer possibly the best ride of any saddle that I have tried. Clearly everyone is different, but I can't find fault. The seat post clamp is also of high quality, and the orange anodised finish, adds a subtle bit of bling.
Next up is bar end grips. This is another aspect that often disappoints, but as with the Ultra 1964, KTM have done their homework, and fitted first-rate grips.
Pedals. As with all of my bikes, I shall be fitting my own, but KTM haven't failed in this department either, and the OE supplied pedals are very good indeed, and shouldn't be ruled out as a main option. Being both clipless and flat, is great to see.
Cable routing. To me, all e-mtb's should have internal routing for the majority of cables, and I wouldn't even entertain the idea of having the underside of an e-mtb top tube cluttered with cable and lugs. I'd soon get fed up of that when it comes to the inevitable lifting and carrying of the bike. And speaking of carrying, this bike appears to hide its weight of 20.9kg very well indeed. Clearly I'd love to see the day when all mid range e-mtb's weigh 15kg, but I'm a realist.
I expect that I have left details out from the above, but for now, my visual first impression of the bike have left me in no doubt that I have made the right choice, especially when comparing price V spec of other manufacturers, and it is something of note when considering an e-mtb purchase. E-bikes are an expensive purchase, so maximising component spec is definitely on the list of priorities, and this KTM has given more bike per pound sterling.
The hard choice now, is whether to hang the bike up on the wall or ride it! I think that I'll ride it, then hang it up on the wall.
The bikes first outing will be this weekend, and true to form I have entered an organised 'non competitive' mtb ride. Pedals aside, by then the bike will already have had one change to the original spec, and also the addition of one or possibly two extra accessories, neither of which I really want to fit, but they make life easier. I'll let you guess what they all are when you see the documented ride photos.
Items of note that perhaps should be addressed on later bikes....
Unlike other bikes that I could quite easily rip to shreds in this department, I have only found two things. The first is that the banjo fitting to the rear brake caliper hose, would be better placed and guided, if it were to be say a 30 degree elbow, rather than being straight. The second is the proximately of the Nyon cable to the pop lock on the forks. It runs uncomfortably close, but I'll address this tomorrow. It's a slightly tricky compromise between lock to lock steering use, fork compression, and suspension pop lock.
One final note... Yes the bike has Nyon, but this was not the reason for me buying the bike. I'm quite happy to do without it, as I'm more into riding than playing around with electronic gadgetry, and looking at a widescreen TV mounted to a handle bar... So don't ask me questions about it, as I just don't have the interest and won't answer. From a valid safety point of view, why would you want or need extra distraction. I'd rather concentrate on the task in hand of riding, than forever looking down at a screen, then back up again, just in time to see the hole, rock, root, hedge or whatever that I would be about to hit. Yes I could have just bought a KTM Macina Lycan Plus and not had the addition of Nyon, but I prefer both the component spec and colour scheme of the gps +
Not the best of photos, but hopefully I shall soon make up for that.
The Boardman isn't mine, I've just borrowed it to play on, and it should really be replaced with either an orange coloured CX bike, or an orange and black road bike.
