Test: Last season, KTM entered the highly competitive enduro bike market with the Lycan LT series. For 2015, the Austrian manufacturer is sending the second generation of the Long Travel Enduro into the race for the attention of riders. The entry-level model is the KTM Lycan LT 273, which we put to the test in a tough test.
Fact check
[tab:Overview]
RRP: 2499€
Weight: 13,9kg
Frame material: Aluminium
wheel size: 27,5"
Suspension travel front/rear: 150 / 160mm
[tab:Geometry]
[easy table]
Dimension, S, M, L
Horizontal top tube, 570mm, 588mm, 605mm
Seat tube length, 430mm, 480mm, 530mm
Seat Angle,74.5,74.5,74.5
Steering angle,66.5,66.5,66.5
Head tube length, 120mm, 125mm, 137mm
Chain stay length, 438mm, 438mm, 438mm
Wheelbase, 1156mm, 1179mm, 1198mm
Stack,601mm,605mm,616mm
Reach, 419mm, 439mm, 454mm
[/easy table]
[tab:Equipment]
[easy table]
component, model
Fork, RockShox Revelation 2 position
Shock, RockShox Monarch RT
Wheels, DT Swiss M1900 Spline
Tires in front, Schwalbe Hans Dampf TrailStar
Rear tires Schwalbe Rock Razor PaceStar
Brake, Shimano Deore M615
Brake discs, Shimano RT66 180/180
Rear derailleur, Shimano XT M786 Shadow Plus
Front derailleur, Shimano Deore M616-D 2-speed
Shifter, Shimano Deore M610
Crank, Shimano Deore 615 38-24
Cassette, Shimano HG50-10 11-36
Stem, Ritchey OE Trail 0°
Handlebar, Ritchey OE Trail Rizer 760mm
Seatpost, KS Lev-DX 100mm
Saddle, Selle Italia SL
[/easy table]
[tab:END]
The heart of the strikingly designed frame is certainly the KTM PDS II rear end with floating damper. With 160 mm of travel at the rear and 150 mm at the front, realized by the Rock Shox Revelation fork, the rider should be carried over the trails like on a sedan chair. Of course we were very excited! As befits a modern enduro, the Lycan LT 273 naturally rolls on 27.5 inch wheels. The internally routed trains are also up to date. It is noticeable that KTM mounts different tires, but more on that later. A look at our scales shows a weight of almost 14 kilograms for the size 43 bike.
On the trail, the KTM Enduro acts with exemplary smoothness. Neither root carpets nor stone fields are able to upset the bike. The sensitively responding chassis gives the rider an extremely good feeling of security, even at high speeds. The rear end acts very linearly, but offers sufficient end progression to protect against bottoming out. The interaction of the KTM PDS II rear end with the Rock Shox Revelation 27" suspension fork works perfectly. The bike glides over the trails and is easy to push into the corners. The KTM only reacts a bit sluggishly in the event of rapid load changes and thus loses some of its agility. The bike also seems a bit bulky in very tight bends and serpentines.
The KTM Lycan LT 273 scales even the steepest climbs with the composure of a mountain goat. The drive-neutral rear end consistently converts muscle power into propulsion. The 27.5 inch wheels also show their strengths here with their good roll-over and roll-over behavior. Thanks to the wide transmission range with 30 gears, there is the right gear for every incline. Gear changes are precise and reliable with the Shimano gears, a Deore/XT mix. The Rock Shox Monarch damper as well as the fork can be blocked if necessary, the latter conveniently from the handlebars.
KTM has a good hand when it comes to the choice of equipment. The hydraulic Vario seat post KS LEV-DX can also be operated from the handlebars and impressed with its flawless function in the test. The steering center with the short stem and wide handlebars gives a very pleasant steering feel. For the brakes, KTM relies on the inexpensive hydraulic Shimano Deore M615 disc brakes, which - although sometimes a bit loud - can score with decent braking power. The thru axles of the wheels ensure additional stability and rigidity.
The tire mix of Schwalbe Hans Dampf 27.5×2.35 at the front and Schwalbe Rock Razor 27.5×2.35 at the rear harmonizes wonderfully. The bike remains balanced and predictable at the limit. In mud, however, the Rock Razor reaches its limits faster than the Hans Dampf. It would be worth considering using the slightly narrower Schwalbe Hans Dampf 27.5×2.25 at the rear. With this configuration, the bike should continue to offer good propulsion and act in a balanced manner, and also ensure more traction and grip in muddy ground conditions.
Conclusion
In our test, the KTM Lycan LT 273 proves to be a touring-oriented all-round enduro. The strengths of the bike are the smooth running, the good climbing properties and the very sensitive chassis. Slight weaknesses became apparent during rapid load changes, where the bike reacted a bit too sluggishly in our opinion.
product Highlights
- Tour-oriented equipment
- Remote dropper post
- Sensitive and well-tuned chassis