KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime – In our huge 2024 e-mountainbike test

KTM offer a whole range of bikes with the new Bosch Performance Line SX motor. This includes the Macina Scarp SX, which is the most capable full-susser in their lineup. However, in our 2024 eMTB group test, it’s still one of the lightest competitors, and has the second least suspension travel. How does it fare on the trail?

KTM are regulars in our group tests. While last year, the Austrian manufacturer entered the race with the heavy, long-travel Macina Prowler Exonic model, this year it takes on the competition with the Macina Scarp SX Prime, which is one of the lightest bikes in the entire test field, tipping the scales at just 17.7 kg. Despite the light weight, it comes equipped with a powerful Bosch SX motor, which delivers 55 Nm of torque and draws its power from a 400 Wh battery. Generating 140 mm travel front and rear, it’s also one of the bikes with the least travel in the entire test field – only the BULLS SONIC EVO offers less. Accordingly, the € 8,399 light eMTB exudes a strong XC DNA with slim seat stays and horizontally-mounted shock under the top tube.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

What sets the 2024 KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime apart from the competition?

The full carbon frame of the KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime relies on a subtle, sleek design language, though it is slightly bulkier than its light eMTB competition with TQ and Fazua drives – this is typical of bikes using the Bosch SX motor. That said, it’s still the slimmest SX competitor in this test, which is mainly due to the seamless motor integration. The battery can be removed from the top of the down tube, which makes the KTM one of only two light eMTBs in this test with a removable battery alongside the BULLS SONIC EVO. The battery is secured with a key lock, which doesn’t quite match the bike’s sporty orientation. Moreover, removing the battery is a little finicky and the cover rattles loudly on the trail. In return, the frame features three cage mounts, meaning that you can keep hydrated even while using the range extender on longer tours – awesome!

The cables are routed internally, disappearing neatly into the frame through the headset, contributing to the clean look of the KTM. The swingarm forgoes an additional pivot point, relying on flex in the stays for the suspension travel.The FOX 34 Factory fork relies on the superior GRIP2 damper, which might be an unusual choice for FOX’s slimmer, trail-oriented fork but an absolute treat in our opinion, as it delivers a tremendous performance on the trail. The fork is complemented by a FOX Float Factory shock at the rear, which forgoes a piggy-back reservoir in favour of a lightweight construction.

KTM clearly chose weight efficiency over performance with some of the other components. For example, the super-short 120 mm FOX dropper post, which restricts freedom of movement on the trail – we strongly recommend upgrading to a dropper with more travel for more trail fun! The narrow, 740 mm in-house carbon handlebars and super-long 80 mm stem also match the sporty XC character of the Macina Scarp SX Prime, but clearly limit its performance on the trail. KTM also rely on their in-house components for the carbon wheelset, and pair this with lightweight MAXXIS Rekon tires front and rear. The shallow profile offers very little rolling resistance, but at the same time struggles to generate traction, especially in wet conditions. The light tread is coupled with the thin EXO casing, which offers minimal puncture and impact protection. We would recommend upgrading to some slightly more substantial tires, with a more aggressive profile and tougher casing such as EXO+, to improve trail performance and reliability

Tuning tips:
– Wider handlebars and more aggressive tires for more trail performance
– Dropper post with more travel

What is the 2024 KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime capable of on the trail?

The KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime places you in a sporty pedalling position, with the low, narrow handlebars pulling you far over the front end and putting a fair amount of pressure on your hands. While this comes at the expense of touring comfort on level ground, it ensures plenty of pressure over the front when riding uphill, allowing the front wheel to track efficiently even on steeper climbs. As far as the suspension goes, the KTM is very comfortable and slightly more plush than the BULLS SONIC EVO, generating excellent traction in all situations. The Bosch SX motor is noticeably more powerful than the TQ and FAZUA drives but requires higher pedalling cadences to fully deliver its power. If you want to keep up with the full-fat bikes with Bosch CX and Shimano EP8 motors, you’ll have to work significantly harder though.

The KTM takes on the competition with a sporty, fast look. However, the key-lock battery doesn’t suit its character.

When the trail heads downhill, you find yourself well-balanced between the front and rear wheels, allowing the bike to be steered intuitively. It becomes clear that the KTM isn’t just built for sporty rides with lots of rider input, but can also hold its own as a nimble trail bike. Thanks to its low weight and narrow handlebars, it feels agile without making the handling too demanding. The mix of agility and stability is well-executed, and the KTM is notably easier to ride than its short-travel competitors, the BULLS SONIC and CENTURION No Pogo. With its low front end, you get plenty of pressure on the front wheel, allowing the less grippy MAXXIS Rekon tyre to find solid traction. However, when the trail steepens, you might start to feel like you’re going over the bars. While the KTM does offer more confidence than the BULLS and CENTURION, it still reaches its limits here. And as the hits get bigger, the suspension starts to struggle, passing more feedback to the rider. Back on the flowy trails, however, it delivers solid all-round performance, hugging the ground with enough support for pumping and pushing.

The KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime bridges the gap between XC and trail ebikes, combining a low system weight, sporty pedalling position and plenty of trail fun.

Who should take a closer look at the 2024 KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime and who should look elsewhere?

The KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime is an excellent option if you’re looking for a short-travel, lightweight trail ebike but still want a powerful motor. With its sporty riding position, it also appeals to those who want a slightly more capable XC bike that assists you on the nastiest climbs. It delivers a decent performance on the trail and impresses with comfortable suspension in all other scenarios. Overall, the KTM is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a bike with a sporty cross-country feel that’s also great fun on the trail.

Our conclusion about the KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime 2024

Despite being extremely light, the KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime impresses with a powerful motor and decent battery capacity, delivering a great performance not only on paper but also in practice, successfully bridging the gap between XC and trail ebike. Despite its sporty riding position and agile handling, it’s pleasantly composed on the trail. With a few simple upgrades, including the tires and handlebars, you could get yourself a real banger!

Tops

• Super light
• Agile handling

Flops

• Reaches its limits in technical terrain
• Short travel dropper post limits freedom of movement on the bike

For more information, visit ktm.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2024 – 27 of the most exciting models in our comparison test

All bikes in test: BULLS VUCA EVO AM 2 (Click for review) | BULLS SONIC EVO AM SX-I (Click for review) | Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD (Click for review) | Canyon Torque:ON CF Roczen (Click for review) | CENTURION No Pogo SL R8000i (Click for review) | CUBE AMS Hybrid ONE44 (Click for review) | FLYER Uproc X 8.70 (Click for review) | FOCUS SAM² 6.9 (Click for review) | GASGAS ECC 6 (Click for review) | GIANT Trance X Advanced E+ Elite 0 (Click for review) | KTM Macina Scarp SX Prime | Lapierre Overvolt GLP3 (Click for review) | Merida eOne-Sixty 10K (Click for review) | Mondraker Neat RR SL (Click for review) | Moustache Samedi 29 Game 11 FOX (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Shuttle AM Team (Click for review) | Propain Ekano 2 CF (Click for review) | RADON RENDER 10.0 HD (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.X 1000 Ultra (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Heckler SL XX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 ST (Click for review) | SCOTT Voltage eRide 900 Tuned (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon Pmax Pinion (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert (Click for review) | Specialized Turbo Levo Pro (Click for review) | Spherik E-SMT XX AXS (Click for review)

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Words: Simon Kohler Photos: Peter Walker