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KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

02.03.21 14:21 3.589Text: Luke Biketalker
Lukas Schnitzer
Klicke für alle Berichte von Luke Biketalker
(translated by Carola Felchner)
Fotos: Erwin Haiden
Agile companion with classic geometry for tours between alpine pastures, forests and winding terrain.02.03.21 14:21 3.697

KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

02.03.21 14:21 3.697 Luke Biketalker
Lukas Schnitzer
Klicke für alle Berichte von Luke Biketalker
(translated by Carola Felchner)
Erwin Haiden
Agile companion with classic geometry for tours between alpine pastures, forests and winding terrain.02.03.21 14:21 3.697

Lycan is short for "lycanthrope" – the technical term for the mystical werewolf. Lycanthropy (ancient Greek λύκος lýkos, "wolf" and ἄνθρωπος ánthrōpos, "human") thus describes the transformation of a human being into a wolf – a myth that has been passed on across all cultures for thousands of years.
We don't know what prompted KTM to name their 140 mm all-round e-bike after this scary mythical creature. Maybe the bike is not named after the werewolf at all, but after the small village of Lycan, located in the vast loneliness of Colorado, that consists of two town signs and a crossroads. What’s for sure is that Macina Lycan is specced with a Bosch Performance CX motor, agile 27.5" wheels and 140 mm of travel.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

The Mattighofen-based company offers their 2021 Macina Lycan in four versions. Their specific women's models, which our test bike is one of, carry the adjunct "Glorious”.
Attracted by the distinct colour scheme - and due to the pandemic-fuelled bike shortages - we decided to give the bike a try despite the test rider being a man - Ergon's women's saddle is definitely comfortable for male riders, too.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

Like they do with the majority of their aluminum frames, KTM hydroformed the tubes of their Lycan 271, and used material-efficient Gravity Cast technology around the drive unit. On the one hand, this allows for nicely ragged frame shapes and good integration of battery and motor, but on the other hand it leads to one or two welds that take some getting used to – for example the one in the lower third of the down tube.
The rear suspension offers 140 mm of travel and is designed around 27.5" wheels. All cables are routed internally, and – very SUV-like – a light link allows for the integration of a front headlight with battery connection.
Speaking of batteries: the 625 Wh Powertube is made by Bosch and also fully integrated into the down tube. There is a large flap made of metal instead of the often-used plastic underneath the down tube to remove the battery. This makes for high-quality appearance but also has some disadvantages we will get back to later on.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

Bosch's Performance CX Gen.4 motor is the heart of Lycan 271. Being a powerful and reliable drive unit, the Austrian-based company opted for the long-time bestseller. Its 85 Nm torque and an extensive service network make the system a reliable choice.
It is operated on the Macina Lycan 271 Glorious via handlebar remote control and Kiox display - whereby the accurate eMTB mode makes changing modes superfluous - except for situations in which you need to save as much power as possible. The Kiox display is easy to read and offers comprehensive on-board computer functions.

Tech Specs

Frame Macina Lycan 27.5" Alloy6061 SLL-E 140mm; PT625 Bosch Gen.4 / M-0196 Rear derailleur Shimano Deore XT M8100-12 SGS shadow+
Sizes S/M/L/XL Shifters Shimano Deore M6100
Engine Bosch Performance CX Gen.4 - 25km/h, 85 Nm Cassette Shimano Deore M6100-12 / 10-51 Z
Battery Bosch PowerTUBE 625 Wh Handlebar KTM Comp Trail35 rizer15; 760 mm
Display Bosch Kiox Stem KTM Team Trail35 Kiox
Rear suspension RockShox Deluxe Select+; 230 x 62.5 mm Saddle Ergon SMA10 Gel Women
Front suspension RockShox 35 gold RL 27.5" 140 mm; 15 x 110 mm Seatpost KTM Comp dropper internal
Brakes Shimano Deore M6100 / M6120 4-Piston, 203/180 mm Grips Ergo GE10 Evo ergonomic
Wheels KTM Line - Shimano SLX M7110B/Ambrosio E30 Trail 584x30TC Weight (KTM claim) 24.8 kg
Tires Schwalbe Nobby Nic Perf. Folding 65-584 Weight (Bikeboard) 25.3 kg
Crankset KTM Trail Isis 170 mm, FSA Megatooth Steel, 38Z. Price 4,799 Euro SRP

KTM adapted the 2021 Lycan's available sizes to S, M, L and XL. Frames remain unchanged however, they are just labelled differently. The smallest frame height is still 38 cm (S), followed by 43 cm (M), 48 cm (L) and 53 cm (XL), i.e. our 2021 test bike in size L would have been an M back in 2020.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

KTM added the term "Glorious" to their women's line. Though Macina Lycan 271 Glorious has the same frame as the "standard model", it got a different, very nice paint and contact points got adapted to the female target group. It is specced with Ergon’s SMA10 Gel Women saddle and KTM’s own Comp Trail 35 handlebar.
That’s it for women specifics though. The bike furthermore features RockShox 140 mm suspension with switchable platform (35 Gold RL fork/Deluxe Select+ shock) and 12-speed groupset which is a mix of Shimano XT and Deore components. Also, the reliable M6100 / M6120 brakes and 203/180 mm discs are from the Deore family. The 170 mm cranks, handlebar and stem are KTM’s own, wheels are a mix of SLX hubs, DT spokes and Ambrosio rims. All in all, our test bike weighed in at a hefty 25.3 kg. Price: € 4,799.

Geometry

Size M L XL
Frame size 38 cm 43 cm 48 cm 53 cm
Seat tube (mm) 400 430 450 480
Head tube (mm) 120 120 125 137
Top tube (mm) 565 585 605 635
Chainstays (mm) 450 450 450 450
Head angle (°) 66,5° 67° 67° 67°
Seat angle (° eff./real) 74.5° (72.4°) 74.5° (72.3°) 74.5° (72.2°) 74.5° (72.1°)
Wheelbase (mm) 1,150 1,164 1,185 1,217
Stack (mm) 595 598 603 614
Reach (mm) 400 419 438 465

Getting started

This KTM model is a sporty, touring-oriented bike, but very well balanced. Neither bottom nor back and shoulders hurt after hours in the saddle, hands do not get numb, either. With the saddle rails at front stop, an efficient pedalling position can be found. The 48 cm frame is a good choice for a body height of 1.80 m and a seat height of 74.5 cm, if you prefer a rather compact and classic geometry.

Build quality is basically good and the paint seems to be of high quality, too; however, the rough weld beads on seat- and down tube in the drive unit mount area sort ill with the otherwise elegantly crafted frame of the Macina Lycan 271. Since we are already nagging: Considering its suspension travel the bike is rather heavy though its weight is not really noticeable while riding.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

On the ride

The KTM offers a very touring-friendly riding position. Considering that modern bikes tend to become increasingly longer, flatter and lower, this bike’s compact geometry appears almost unusual. Once in the saddle, this bike brings back positive memories of the 2012/2013 Trek Remedy.
It is a classic, but by no means an old-fashioned ride, a bike that also makes the journey to the trail enjoyable, even if you go faster than the electrically supported 25 km/h limit on the flat. Of course, an e-bike is fast on uphill forest roads. What’s more interesting is the performance on uphill trails and hiking paths – a challenge the Bosch/KTM combination masters excellently.

Schwalbe's new Nobby Nic tyre offers good traction both wet and dry, as well as on reasonably solid snow; self-cleaning works well unless you ride on deep, soft meadows. The – sorry for saying it once again – compact riding position rounds off the uphill fun. The Lycan is a particularly fun ride on undulating forest climbs with winding bends, fast straights in between and rocky counter-climbs. Agile and lively, the bike intuitively follows the steering and control impulses even when the rider remains on the saddle, and always provides feedback on the ground, thus ensuring a high level of safety.
The front wheel also remains steady on very steep ramps – provided there is enough weight on the handlebar. The only reason to switch the shock to platform mode uphill during test period would have been on long asphalt climbs, if ever. All in all, the bike is a good and steady climbing partner and a high precision ride on trails.

As the e-bike display is somehow part of the package (at least with the majority of manufacturers): Bosch’s Kiox does not only offer surprisingly good readability, but also a perfect screen option for ambitious riders: it does not only display watts and pedal revolutions per minute, but also the heart rate when using a strap.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

 A lot of safety on winding trails 

What applies to flat passages also holds true on the trail. This KTM is one of those bikes on which you seem to feel comfortable right from the start. It doesn't really need a longer period of getting used to it.
As uphill, the KTM turns out to be well balanced and agile on trails, both front and rear wheel provide a lot of feedback and are easy to load and unload. Schwalbe’s Nobby Nic does very well even on muddy winter trails with a predictable limit range at all times and quickly finds grip again after pushing beyond.
“Smooth” probably describes it best. The bike feels controllable, even in challenging passages. The pleasantly low centre of gravity due to drive unit and battery also contributes to the feeling of great safety on steep steps and loose grounds. Its high agility makes this bike the perfect companion on winding forest trails and undulating terrain.
With its 140 mm of suspension travel and its rather classic geometry, Macina Lycan is predestined as touring and trail bike with more than enough reserves. Riders who like to go hard and fast are probably better off with a longer bike, but for the classic profile of a touring rider Lycan perfectly covers any terrain you could come across.

Subjectively, the rear suspension tends to harden somewhat under braking load, which manifests in a premature locking of the rear wheel on loose and very steep ground. However, this is not relevant for the intended use of this KTM.
What’s more important is the shock setup. If you choose a comfortable setup, the rear end absorbs even small impacts well, but lacks some agility and feels a bit rigid when riding in a playful, active manner. With a more agile setup, responsiveness is slightly reduced, but the rear suspension will reliably absorb even larger impacts. Couch- or bunny-hop mode – the KTM masters both; only an ideal compromise between the two worlds is difficult to find. For classic tours and forest highways, we would therefore recommend "couch mode". If you want to emphasise the agility of Macina Lycan, rather opt for a little firmer suspension setup.

KTM’s battery cover also requires a little finetuning, as the cover is made entirely of aluminum and has no rubber coating. This means that it can get noisy when hit by stones.
More nerve-racking, however, is the fact that there seems to be quite a large gap between battery and lid. Therefore, the battery probably has minimal room to move inside. In case of small jumps or hard knocks, this movement makes itself heard by a dull noise, similar to that of a loose headset. A thin layer of foam between lid and battery may help.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 GloriousKTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious

Conclusion

KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious
Model year: 2021
Test duration: 2 months
Price: € 4,799 SRP
+ Women's and men's models
+ Motor
+ Handling
+ Tyre limits
o Rear suspension setting
rather complex
- Rattling battery
- Weight
BB judgement: Versatile touring companion

KTM knows their customers and builds bikes for riders, not for dreamers, i.e., not everyone needs the flattest, longest and most potent e-fully. With the 140 mm fully Macina Lycan 271 Glorious (or the "male" Macina Lycan 271), touring and trail bikers of classic – i.e., not Youtube-like permanently at the limit – speed get a versatile bike.
Agile and manoeuvrable even at moderate speeds, the KTM provides sufficient safety on mass-compatible trails as well as enough reserves for the rider not to go over the handlebars. It is a convincing ride due to its balanced riding position even on long tours and flat intermediate passages. The seat tube could be shorter and the dropper longer. Reach and angle fit the concept perfectly.
However, the bike feels most comfortable on undulating, playful climbs and descents. Uphill on the trail, the agile KTM will put a big smile on your face, ensure effortless "uphill flow" on forest trails and reveal itself as a loyal climbing partner in steeper passages. However, KTM should find a clean solution for the dull battery noise in case of hard impacts.

Being a Glorious model, our test bike is basically designed for female bikers, but only differs from its men's counterpart in terms of paint colour and contact points. It is a perfect SUV bike for touring rides on forest roads and a playful fully for forest- and meadow trails, but a bit heavy at 25.4 kg considering its suspension travel.
There are certainly better options for fast trail bikers and Enduro riders but if you like extended tours and/or flowtrails, the Macina Lycan is a versatile companion.

  • KTM Macina Lycan 271 Glorious