​KTM Macina City 820 XL Belt: An everyday e-bike with a belt drive and well-balanced spec

KTM Macina City 820 XL Belt – our review

The combination of the Bosch CX (motor), Shimano Nexus (5-speed hub gear) and Gates belt drive is – alongside the high maximum system weight of 180 kilos – the key selling point of the KTM Macina City 820 XL. It can handle just about anything except very steep hill climbs.

The belt simply makes this bike more suitable for everyday use than a comparable chain-driven model. For 4,499 euros, the KTM offers a low-maintenance, fully equipped city bike whose design works well – provided the route isn’t consistently steep.

KTM Macina City 820 XL Belt 2027: Information & Details

Frame & Geometry

The low-step frame, made from 6061 aluminium, is designed to accommodate the belt drive: the slot is located above the rear axle in the seat stay. Only this allows the Gates belt to be fitted and replaced. The low step-through frame is a practical advantage in everyday use – for frequent stops, when loading the bike, or for riders with limited mobility. The grey paint finish is understated and well-suited to everyday use. We’ll have to wait and see whether other colours are offered.

The Suntour NCX32-D suspension fork, with 63 mm of travel, is fitted in the HD version, which is designed for higher system weights. The maximum permissible weight for the current model is an impressive 180 kg. The lockout function allows the suspension to be locked out on smooth sections.

The Ergotec stem can be adjusted between 0 and 60 degrees and allows for a customised handlebar height. When combined with the wide Ergotec Lady Town handlebars (690 mm), this creates an upright riding position that is ideal for city riding.

Operation and Display

The human-machine interface consists of three elements that are clearly distinct from one another. The Bosch LED controller on the handlebars controls the motor’s power level selection – compact, within easy reach, and without cluttering up the handlebars. The Bosch KIOX 500 TFT display is mounted on the underside of the stem and is therefore positioned centrally in the rider’s field of vision, without being attached to the side of the handlebars with a clamp – a cleaner solution that keeps the cockpit tidy.

The Shimano Nexus Revoshifter on the handlebars has a small viewing window that shows the gear currently selected. This is a mechanical gear indicator built into the shift lever – not a display in the strict sense, but useful in everyday riding.

Compared with last year’s model, which was also fitted with the KIOX 500 but featured the older Boch LED Remote, the operating system is now up to date. Mounting the display on the stem is a more sensible solution, both aesthetically and functionally, than mounting it on the handlebars using a clamp.

Drivetrain: Bosch CX, Gates belt, Shimano Nexus

The drive system is based on three interlinked components. Ever since its update, the Bosch Performance CX has delivered more than enough torque for city riding – even with a fully loaded luggage rack or an increased system weight.

The five-speed Shimano Nexus hub gear (reviewed here) It works regardless of the weather, does not require regular adjustment and suffers significantly less wear and tear than derailleur gear systems.

Five gears mean a limited gear range, and at the lower end there is a lack of fine gradation that could offer more. On flat and moderately undulating terrain, however, the CX motor effectively compensates for this shortcoming – the gear range is sufficient for typical urban cycling. The combination is less suitable for steep gradients or more demanding rides with significant elevation changes.

The Gates CDX belt on a 28-tooth sprocket requires no maintenance in the usual sense: no oiling, no chain grease, and less wear. One well-known drawback remains: a broken belt cannot be temporarily repaired whilst on the move, unlike a chain with a quick-release link. For everyday use, however, this is not a significant argument against the belt drive.

Brakes: robust 4-piston technology

The Tektro HD-T535 with four-piston hydraulics is a solid choice for a bike in this weight class. Four pistons provide greater braking power and thermal reserve than a two-piston system – certainly a sensible specification for a system weighing up to 180 kg and with a kerb weight of 30.1 kg. The brake performs reliably; as is well known, Tektro rarely has any shortcomings in this regard.

Comfort and everyday features

The bySchulz G.2 ST seatpost provides additional suspension alongside the fork – a noticeable improvement in comfort on city pavements. The 50-millimetre-wide Schwalbe Marathon E-Plus tyres offer reliable puncture protection thanks to the DualGuard insert and enhanced visibility thanks to the reflective strip.

The lights are by Busch & Müller: a Briq-S at the front with 60 lux, and a Toplight 2C at the rear – compliant with the StVZO and a tried-and-tested choice in this segment. The Ergon GP1 grips are among the most ergonomically designed options in the mid-price range. The KTM Snap-It 2.0 luggage rack is compatible with the Monkeyload system as well as with child seats, making the bike ideal for everyday family use.

Weight and system weight

The current model weighs 30.1 kg – unfortunately, rigid frames with a low step-through are heavy. Anyone who regularly has to carry the bike up and down stairs or manoeuvre it into tight storage spaces should bear this in mind. However, as the total weight has increased compared with last year’s model, so too has the permissible system weight – to 180 kg. That’s a lot, and it’s a practical advantage for taller people or when doing heavy shopping trips.

Verdict: KTM Macina City 820 XL Belt – a sturdy workhorse with a low step-through frame

The combination of the Bosch CX, Shimano Nexus and Gates belt drive is – alongside the high maximum system weight of 180 kilos – the key selling point of this bike. Five gears may not sound like much at first, but with the powerful motor, this isn’t a problem in town or on moderate inclines. It can handle just about anything except very steep hill climbs. The belt drive makes the bike quieter, cleaner, cheaper to maintain and more suitable for everyday use than a comparable chain-driven model.

The cockpit has been thoughtfully designed and updated: the Bosch LED Controller keeps the motor controls within easy reach, whilst the large Kiox display is neatly positioned centrally beneath the stem. It’s rather nice, because it’s still so delightfully retro: the Nexus Revoshifter indicates the gear – mechanically, as ever, without any electronics at all. For a price of 4,499 euros, you get a low-maintenance, fully equipped city bike whose concept works well – as long as the route isn’t constantly steep.