2014 KTM Macina Fun 10-400
This a generic photo of the model, but shown in high cross bar format. The bike as reviewed, is the low step version.
Whilst this bike is detailed as a 2014, so is a last years model, this ex demo bike still looks and feels up date in all respects.
As usual with the KTM range of bikes, opening the box revealed a high quality, well finished bike. The white paintwork exudes quality, and the finish is perfect.
Even un-packing it, it’s odd how little details catch your eye. The rear mudguard was rubbing slightly, but the mudguard stays are fully adjustable, meaning that it only took a matter of seconds to have it adjusted back into it’s correct position. With this out of the way, it was time to suspend the bike and give it a quick check over, and as with other bikes, I like to remove the wheel set to see how end user friendly that day to day aspects such as that might be.
The bike comes fitted as standard with a Busch and Muller dynamo set, which is powered via the front wheel. To remove the front wheel it’s simply a matter of un-plugging the connector block that is located to the right-hand side, then it’s just a case of undoing and removing the skewer. The rear simply has a skewer.
With the wheels put back in and the bike placed on the ground, it was time to take a look at the specifications of the bike. This bike comes with everything that a day to day utility bike should have, and it’s generous specification includes front and rear mudguards, a very well constructed rear rack, upper chain guard, an adjustable side stand, B&M dynamo set, a suspension seat post, along with a very comfy (perhaps if you are a lady)Selle Royal Freeway saddle, an adjustable handlebar stem, an array of reflectors, and bell.
Stopping is handled by Shimano RT54 hydraulic disc brake set up, 180mm at the front, and 160mm at the rear. This size appears to now be pretty much industry standard. A Shimano Deore ten speed derailleur and cassette handle the transmission side of things. Front suspension is taken care of by a set of Suntour SF14 coil forks, with 63mm of travel and lock out. Tyres are Schwalbe Energizer Plus.
The motor aspect of the bike, is handled by a Bosch Active Line centre motor, with a Bosch Intuvia display, and the whole is powered by a 36volt 250W 400wh battery. The maximum torque supplied by this motor unit is 48Nm.
The bike was advertised on this forum and I took advantage to buy it, thinking that my wife would use it, but she hasn't!
I have now ridden the bike for the best part of 200 miles, so have a reasonable feel and impression of the bike, and first off the frame size of 46cm is not ideal for my height of 1,790mm. The seat post is also raised beyond it's maximum height, and ideally the saddle also needs moving back by about 50mm. I had thought that the saddle would be super comfy, but it isn't. The suspension aspect of it works brilliantly, but I'm used to rock hard narrow racing style saddles, and found the comfy feel, not so at all.
The bike is a pleasure to ride though, and even with the drag from the front dynamo, it cruises at quite a rate. Obviously the reason for this is the 28" wheel set and road biased tyres. The high speed handling is also very good, and tonight saw the speedo reading an indicated and very stable 42mph (41.6mph according to Strava).
I've never been a fan of Suntour forks, but weight aside, I can't fault the ones as fitted to the bike. They seem very compliant, and effectively soak up all but the worst bumps.
The ergo style grips also remain very comfy and I'm now thinking of fitting set to the e-mtb.
The gears operate as smoothly as any mid drive Bosch system is ever going to allow. There is no getting away from the fact that gear changes are always followed by a very definite clonk, and smoothness of change comes from a hesitation/release of pedal pressure. I think that it is just one of those things that you get used to, and the Macina Lycan is just the same.
I'm not going to pretend that I like the small front sprocket as fitted to the Bosch motor, I still feel that Bosch have got it wrong. I haven't yet investigated the size of the front sprocket as fitted, but I have intentionally avoided my regular 1 mile long hill climbing test route, which has and average gradient of 7% and a maximum gradient of 14% as I know that I would be down to first gear in turbo mode, and would be left wishing that that the climb would end. Yes I could make it up the hill, but it wouldn't be the pleasurable climb that it should be on a pedelec, and with my knee in it's current state, I'm not risking it.
There isn't a great deal more that I can currently think of to add to this short review, other than the key question, Would I recommend one. It's a definite yes, as it it's such a lovely bike to ride, and it would make a brilliant day to day ride to work/shopping bike. The build quality and finish is very good, but the one major issue for me, is the Bosch motor. I'd love to have a ride again on a bike that's fitted with the old Classic line of motor, just so that I could evaluate it better.
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