Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM launched their mountain bike range at this year’s Cycle ’08 Show, and their massive selection ranges from ‘sport’ hardtails to their almost six grand full suspension race bike.
We take a closer look at the highlights in the KTM 2009 mountain bike range.
Ultra Fun
The Ultra Fun is an entry level hardtail likely to be competing for attention for the 'want-to-get-into-mountain-biking' brigade and is priced at £474.99. The Ultra Fun has a Suntour SF9-XCM HLO fork, Shimano Deore shifters and front derailleur, SLX rear mech and Continental Race King 2.0 tyres. Upgrading to disc brakes is possible with the disc-mounts on the frame.
KTM's entry-level hardtail
Myroon Prestige
Dripping in top-end finishing kit, this carbon framed hardtail race beast tips the scales at 8.3kg. Shimano’s XTR bits take care of the shifting and stopping while the DT Swiss XRC-80 RL fork smoothes the bumps at the front. Schwalbe’s Furious Fred 2.0 tyres cover the DT Swiss XRC 330 carbon wheels, and the Ritchey bars, stem and grips finish the package.
Myroon Prestige
Other notable features include carbon cable guides and dropouts. How much I hear you cry? £4,859.99
Score Prestige
The Score Prestige is KTM’s flagship full suspension race bike and uses a monocoque carbon rocker out back with a DT Swiss SSD carbon shock. Weighing in at 9.6kg, the frame is decked out in Shimano XTR and Ritchey finishing kit.
KTM’s flagship full suspension race bike
Lycan 1.0
The Lycan range sits between the ‘race’ and ‘all mountain’ categories, and with Fox 32 Talas RLC forks on the front, and a DT Swiss rear shock, this bike is made for both marathon and big country riding.
Shimano’s XTR takes care of the shifting and stopping. Save your pennies, because this costs £3,149.99.
Caliber
The Caliber 32 is KTM’s base level freeride bike, and uses the same frame as its bigger (higher specced) brother, the Caliber 38. With a colour scheme based on the famous Gibson guitars, it’s all about being bombproof with huge gussets and rock hard dropouts.
It’s got Avid Code disc brakes, a Fox DHX 3.0 rear shock, Marzocchi 66 RCV forks and Shimano XT shifting kit. £1,399.99.
Tribute
The Tribute (£2,429.99) and Aphex (£3,299.99) are KTM’s two downhill-specific bikes and both use the same 4-bar linkage aluminium 6061 frame. The Tribute is made up of Marzocchi 888 RCV forks, Fox DHX 4.0 rear shock, Synchros DPS32 wheels, Avid Code brakes and Shimano Saint shifting.
Upgrades on the Aphex include Fox 40 forks, Fox DHX 5.0 rear shock and Mavic Deemax UST wheels.