Test: The trekking bike is based on the mountain bike, but has often remained at the level it was ten years ago. The KTM Urban 12 SX is different: With a twelve-speed gearbox, it is based on the latest MTBs and thus ensures ease of use and lots of riding fun.
Trekking bikes have also been tried and tested as everyday bikes for a good two decades. Robust components from the mountain bike sector, combined with equipment suitable for everyday use - light, carrier, mudguards, stand - this is the patent recipe for a wide range of applications. However, the classic MTB circuit in particular did not meet with everyone's approval. Three chainrings at the front, seven to ten sprockets at the back - beginners don't always get along with this variety of gears or can't use them optimally, and for many cyclists the chain remains permanently on the middle chainring, so that a large part of the gearing remains unused. In any case, particularly long gears such as 48-11 on a trekking bike are not very useful - you have to be driving at over 45 km/h to pedal them smoothly. And last but not least, the triple chain ring has long been on the decline on mountain bikes - most modern bikes are equipped with 2×10 or 2×11 gears, or even with just one chain ring at the front and ten to twelve sprockets at the back. Apart from being easier to use, off-roaders have a few other advantages; However, the following finding is more interesting: If twelve gears are sufficient in mountain biking, why not on everyday and touring bikes as well?
KTM Urban 12 SX: Sporty and fully suitable for everyday use
Following this insight, KTM presents the Urban 12 SX model - a sporty everyday bike that differs from the trekking bike only by the lack of a suspension fork. Many cyclists who sit dynamically on the bike and don't need the heavy shock absorber at the front will think "great". Driving comfort is also possible with a rigid fork, and on top of that you save a lot of weight. And last but not least, the slim fork in the same color as the frame also improves the look - with its unusual color and the matt black components, the KTM looks extremely chic. Gear cable and brake line are routed in the down tube, which also looks elegant; The assembly of the luggage rack and rear fender without additional struts is very successful. And of course the front derailleur along with the gear cable and two chainrings are no longer needed.
1×12: That's all you need
In return, there is a gigantic sprocket set on the rear wheel: The twelve-speed cassette of the Sram SX comes with 11-50 teeth, which corresponds to a full gear ratio of 454%. Sure, that's less than a typical 3×9 circuit can muster. However, the lowest gear of the twelve-speed circuit (38-50) corresponds almost exactly to that which is commonly found in 3×9 (26-34), and the highest gear is still sufficiently long for everyday use. The individual gear jumps are not larger either – unless you would constantly shift front and rear at the same time on a 3×9 in order to always get the smallest gear jump, which is impossible in practice.
In any case, the innovative 1.078-speed shifter is pleasing with its solid precision and ease of use. All shifting steps are smooth and relatively quiet, and gears can be changed even under load. This goes well with the handy rigid bike, which can be moved quickly through everyday life and seems made for brisk commuting tours, especially since the technical reduction also reduces maintenance costs and susceptibility to defects. At exactly 12 euros, the Urban 3 SX doesn't cost any more than a classic 9×XNUMX trekking bike with a suspension fork, but it is much more modern and the better choice, especially for sporty riders (there is also a trapeze model).
