KTM Myroon Prime review

An XC hardtail in 2026? Absolutely! At least if you don't see it merely as a relic from the days of narrow bars, long stems and spinal discs of steel, but as what a modern race hardtail can be in the right terrain: a light, direct, surprisingly comfortable tool for long days of speed and elevation gain. The sharp edge for quick laps. We put a true classic among the very fast hardtails to the test: first impressions and a reality check for the KTM Myroon Prime.

On the road, the KTM performed exactly as its makers officially position it within the segment: lots of wide forest roads, lonely bike paths, rough field and forest tracks and the occasional short trail section. Classic XC-marathon terrain — or somehow what is commonly attributed to a gravel bike? As someone who is admittedly devoted to the gravel mindset, but who even after more than ten years on various gravel bikes combining drop bars with long, steep and fast gravel descents (unfortunately common on my local routes) never truly found happiness, I've long held the view that especially when gravel tours don't just run along the valleys and through the hilly surroundings of big cities, but include real mountains off paved roads, an efficient hardtail (or even a gravel bike with flat bars) can be the better "gravel".

Tech Specs

High-quality carbon frame, Fox 32 SC Float fork with the class-standard 100 mm travel, Shimano XT Di2 drivetrain with a 30T chainring and a 9–45T cassette, plus a lightweight, proven Mavic Crossmax SL S 29 CL wheelset with a 25 mm internal width and Schwalbe Racing Ray Evo and Rick XC Pro Evo tires in 2.25 inches. The Shimano XT 2‑piston brakes provide stopping power with standard 160 mm rotors. On paper the KTM Myroon Prime already makes a big impression. The specification is rounded off by a secret author favorite: the ESI Chunky silicone grips are always a highlight. Your backside is pampered by a Selle San Marco Shortfit Open Fit Wide saddle — also an editor’s pick. The 720 mm wide carbon handlebar, the stem and the carbon seatpost carry KTM logos.

Our test bike in size M weighed in at a pretty exact 10.01 kg — without pedals and bottle cage, but with tubes. The Mattighofen-based company is asking €4,299.00 for it.

At 180 cm body height, an 86 cm inseam and a 74.5 cm saddle height, I almost always face the agony of choice: Medium or Large? For a long time I tended to pick Large on mountain bikes — length works. But in recent years I've leaned more toward compact geometries, so I gave the KTM Myroon in size Medium a chance. On paper it lists 443 mm reach, a 610 mm effective top tube length, a 604 mm stack, a 69.5° head angle and a 74.5° seat angle, a 430 mm seat tube length and a 430 mm chainstay length.

Geometry

Let me say this up front: the Medium is, for me, very well balanced dynamically, but not without caveats. The seatpost extension I need is considerable (up to just before the final mark on the stock post), and the saddle ended up as far forward as possible. For continuous use, a seatpost without setback would be the cleanest solution for me. What remains is a look that takes some getting used to—caused by the long post extension—and a flex in the long post that is noticeable during hard, seated accelerations. In return, the Medium rewards you with the kind of agility you look for in a hardtail: eager in tight turns, direct on acceleration, lively at the handlebars.

Uphill, the Myroon rides exactly as you’d expect from a 10-kg carbon hardtail — only with more traction in rough terrain than the stereotype would suggest. On long climbs you sit efficiently; during attacks — in my case mostly against myself — the bike responds willingly and encourages you to hold the pace during intervals. Even rooty and twisty uphills are managed surprisingly controllably. The rear wheel sticks to the ground (please always compared to other hardtails, not to full-suspension bikes), the front stays down, and the rider may briefly imagine that the just-mastered section was entirely down to his skill. Especially in direct comparison to my theoretically particularly traction-strong steel hardtail, it stands out how smoothly the Myroon rolls over roots and steps despite significantly less voluminous tires, almost swallowing them without feeling like it "hangs up" on them. Well done!

In terms of ride feel the Myroon is a precise scalpel, not a coarse sword.
What I mean by that: it is agile, subjectively more agile than some adventure-gravel — a factor that makes it so tempting for my use between marathon and gravel.
However, partly because of the relatively steep head angle by 2026 standards, it is also not quite as stable on rough terrain.
Not bothersome, and with the right rider probably XCO-capable as well.
But still relevant for buyers who are looking for a fast hardtail for more technical descents.
There are models with a slightly slacker geometry that better support a pure XCO focus and frequent trail descents with more stability.

The KTM’s equipment basically fits its character very well. The Fox fork only offers basic adjustment features – absolutely sufficient, with a low risk of user error, but with a practical handlebar remote. The Shimano XT Di2 shifts unobtrusively and precisely, even under load on steep climbs. No battery, app, or pairing dramas, no electronic fuss – just shift. What I particularly like about Shimano’s long-awaited wireless Di2 push: the trigger is slim compared with the competition. Its close position on the bar keeps the control unit away from my knees even in tight uphill turns – which isn’t always the case with other wireless triggers. The stock 30-tooth chainring with a 9–45 cassette is sufficient uphill, but personally a bit short at the top end. A 32-tooth chainring would probably be my first upgrade.

The brakes are typical race kit: Shimano XT 2-piston with 160 mm rotors front and rear, nicely modulable, clean bite point, fundamentally suitable for XC and marathon. At a ready-to-ride rider weight of 90 kg and during longer steep descents they do reach thermal limits. For heavy riders, alpine use, or regular long descents, at least a 180 mm rotor up front would be the safe bet.

My biggest tuning wishes concern, besides a setback-free seatpost dictated by my anatomy, the tires. The stock Schwalbe tyres in slim 2.25" roll easily, fit the lightweight philosophy and also suit my borderline-gravel use. If I converted to tubeless I would, however, go straight to tyres with 2.35 or 2.4" width. In my view: more comfort, more safety, more reserves – without the Myroon losing its sharp character. On the contrary: it would probably suit the type of riding that convinced me most even better. If you stick with the OEM Schwalbe and their XC tyres, stepping up to the next width would add about 70–80 grams. Yes — for true racers, at the extremes of rotating mass, absolutely relevant. For me personally, however, this doesn’t matter compared with the larger volume and all its advantages — warning, bad pun on the way — weight.