Experts say it is easier to analyse Egyptian hieroglyphs than to understand KTM model names. KTM MACINA KAPOHO 273 11 PT-CX5I – it couldn’t be more cryptic. However, we managed to crack the riddle, and we found out how the bike rides too.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB around € 4,500 – 11 exciting and affordable bikes go head to head

KTM MACINA KAPOHO 273 11 PT-CX5I | 23.02 kg | € 4,399

Let’s start at the beginning: KTM is a well-known brand. However, it is interesting to note that the Austrian bicycle manufacturer KTM has nothing to do with KTM motorcycles. KTM calls its ebikes MACINA, and the word KAPOHO describes the model. In this case, it is a full-suspension bike with 160 mm of travel. The number 273 is the model variant, 271 being the top model; 273 is the entry-level model going for € 4,399. Eleven is the number of gears the bike has, and PT refers to the integrated Bosch PowerTube battery. The abbreviation CX refers to the Bosch Performance CX motor and the 5 to the battery capacity of 500 Wh.

  Service roads only! Demanding trails quickly bring the bike to its limits.

The “I” at the end is there merely to confuse: it stands for “Integrated” and refers to the battery beautifully hidden in the downtube – thanks KTM, but we already got that from PT. What the name doesn’t reveal is that the bike rolls on mixed wheel sizes (29″ front, 27.5+ rear) and comes with a Shimano XT drivetrain and XT brakes. Unfortunately, the 720 mm handlebar is too narrow, and the 65 mm stem is too long.

The KTM MACINA KAPOHO 273 11 PT-CX5I in detail

Fork SR Suntour Aion 35 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Monarch RL 160 mm
Motor/Battery Bosch Performance / Bosch Powertube 500 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT
Brakes Shimano Deore XT 203/180 mm
Seatpost KTM Comp 125 mm
Stem KTM 65 mm
Handlebar KTM 720 mm
Wheels DT Swiss H1900
Tires Schwalbe Fat Albert 2,35″ / Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.8″

Plush
The rear linkage is very sensitive, but it doesn’t provide much feedback either. This means you’re in the dark as to what the trail is doing beneath you.
Long and narrow
The 720 mm handlebar of the KTM is far too narrow. On top of that. the 65 mm stem is on the long side – the bike thus handles nervously and inspires little confidence, especially in steep terrain.
Mixed
KTM relies on a large 29″ wheel to provide good rollover characteristics and precise handling at the front, and a wide 27.5+ tyre at the rear for more traction and comfort. Unfortunately, the bike couldn’t fully exploit this innovative concept due to its nervous handling.
Solid
The SR SUNTOUR suspension fork can’t keep up with the best models in the test field, but it performed solidly on the KTM

The geometry of the KTM MACINA KAPOHO 273 11 PT-CX5I

Helmet Leatt DBX 3.0 | Shirt ION Tee LS Seek Amp | Short iXS SEVER Short | Backpack Deuter Attack

The seating position on the KTM MACINA KAPOHO is upright and compact. Due to the short front triangle, a lot of weight is placed on the saddle while riding. For less ambitious riders, who ride mainly in even terrain and up moderate climbs, this is good. However, when the climbs get a bit steeper, your bodyweight is placed too far back, the shock sags excessively, and you lose control and grip on the front wheel. Going downhill, the bike only scores on very easy trails. As soon as you pick up speed, the MACINA KAPOHO starts getting nervous. The narrow cockpit provides little control, and while the rear triangle absorbs bumps very willingly, it quickly bottoms out and provides very little feedback. Over larger obstacles, the bike has a hard time holding its line, and you’ll automatically be hitting the brakes. Because of its unstable handling, the bike can’t exploit the supposed benefits of the mixed wheel sizes. The short front triangle makes it very agile – despite its very long rear end, the KTM is nippy in changing direction and surprisingly light-footed. Although the SR SUNTOUR fork can’t keep up with the competition, it never reaches its limits on the KTM due to the nervous handling and the slow speeds you have to ride because of it.

Conclusion

Das KTM MACINA KAPOHO eignet sich trotz seiner 160 mm Federweg nur bedingt für den Geländeeinsatz. Es punktet auf gemäßigten Wegen mit viel Komfort, gerät aber schnell an sein Limit, sobald die Trails anspruchsvoller werden. Wer ein Rad für entspannte Forstweg-Touren sucht, kann mit dem KTM happy werden. Wer damit jedoch ins anspruchsvolle Terrain will, nicht.

Strengths

– upright, comfortable seating position
– high-quality drivetrain and brakes

Weaknesses

– nervous handling
– not confidence inspiring
– vague rear linkage

Uphill
Downhill
Stability

Agility
Value


For more information head to: ktm-bikes.at

The testfleet

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB around € 4,500 – 11 exciting and affordable bikes go head to head

All bikes in test: BULLS SIX50 EVO AM2Conway eWME 627FLYER Uproc 4.10FOCUS JAM² PlusGiant Full-E+ 1.5 Pro LTDHaibike XDURO AllMtn 7.0MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 800Moustache Samedi 27 Trail 6SCOTT E-Genius 720Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie

This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #013

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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl