Twelve years ago, the first series-produced e-MTB off the production line. Do you remember: Was it a fully or a hardtail? Wrong, it was a fully. During the development of the E-MTB, it was possible to skip the hardtail stage, as it was possible to benefit from the technical achievements of classic MTBs. And there it had long been proven that Hardtails are inferior to full-suspension bikes in terms of off-road capability. So why are there Hardtail category in e-mountain biking at all? The question is not entirely unjustified. Especially since some of the main arguments in favour of the rigid rear for purely muscle-powered bikes are not really convincing for the motorised descendants: Weight and drive influences, for example. Both play a smaller role on the E-MTB due to the motor power. And if you put the two contenders in this test on the scales, you will notice that the difference to the affordable e-bike fullys around 4500 euros is irrelevant anyway. So why do without a full-suspension chassis?
2 e-bike hardtails from BESV and KTM for 3699 euros
The e-bike hardtails in this duel should help us find the answer. The BESV TRX 1.3 and the KTM Macina Team 773 enter the ring, and the lower price could be a good argument in their favour. At 3699 euros, both hardtails are 700 to 900 euros cheaper than the Five entry-level MTB full-suspension bikes in our test. However, according to our reader survey, hardtail buyers spend an average of € 4536 on a new e-bike. For this budget, you could also get a full-suspension e-MTB with comparable equipment - for example, one of the touring full-suspension bikes such as the Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC. The lower prices alone will not be the reason why 16 per cent of EMTB readers opt for a hardtail.
Use an e-bike hardtail for everyday use too
What other reasons make the pendulum swing in favour of the hardtail? For example, the higher reliability. For 81.4 per cent of the hardtail riders among our readers, one of the most important reasons is the simpler technology and the lower maintenance requirements. However, the most decisive purchase argument is the range of use. Although hardtail riders also define themselves through their sport, the universal use of an e-mountainbike is almost as important to them: 40 per cent also use their bike as an everyday vehicle, 36 per cent ride it to work. Only around half of the fully group do this. So it's no wonder that generous suspension travel, wide handlebars, flat geometries or massive tyres are viewed with mixed feelings by this target group. What brings advantages in sporty off-road use can be a hindrance in everyday life: Wide handlebars are too bulky on narrow cycle paths and in dense city traffic, coarse-profiled tyres are sluggish and flat geometries are unwieldy.
Suitability for everyday use and riding fun off-road - a conflict of objectives that is also noticeable on both bikes in this duel. The KTM with its compact geometry and narrow handlebars has a trekking bike feel on the one hand, while the 2.6-inch wide Nobby Nic tyres are intended to convey a touch of off-road feeling away from tarmac cycle paths on the other. However, the off-road ambitions are not really serious. In addition to the narrow handlebars, the KTM e-bike tested had weak brakes and an archaic steel suspension fork. The product managers have clearly prioritised the powerful Bosch e-bike drive with a 750 Powertube battery and a high-quality frame - which is, of course, prepared for attachments such as pannier racks and mudguards.
These assets are not missing from the BESV either. Nevertheless, the TRX 1.3 is much sportier than the KTM. On the fun list are, for example, a higher-quality air suspension fork, stable four-piston brakes and an adequate gear ratio with a wide range and low climbing gear. Only the more tame choice of tyres shows that the newcomer from Holland also wants to manage the balancing act.
Test summary of the e-bike hardtails by Josh Welz, EMTB Editor-in-Chief:
Suitability for everyday use and sporty skills can only be reconciled with a stale compromise. This is why both manufacturers have clearly focussed their e-bike hardtails on one of the two areas of use. The BESV focusses on off-road use, while the KTM aims to be more of an everyday bike than a true e-mountainbike. In the EMTB points system, the two contenders are very close together, but their characters are very different.
You can download the complete test of the two e-bike hardtails BESV TRX 1.3 against KTM Macina Team 773 with all the grades as a PDF at the end of the article.
Technical data BESV TRX 1.3:
General
- Price: 3699 Euro
- More info->
Measured values 2)
- Weight 2): 23.4 kg
- Reach altitude 1): 1293 (+34) hm
- Average speed: 14.53 kh
- Sizes / frame material: M / L / XL / Aluminium (tested in L)
Equipment
- Permissible total weight 3): 140 kg
- Fork: Rockshox Judy Solo Air
- Suspension travel: 120 mm
- Telescopic support: none
- Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear): Shimano Deore 4 piston / 203 mm / 180 mm
- Wheels: Shimano MT-400 hubs; WTB ST i27 rims
- Tyres: Maxxis Ardent Exo 29 x 2.4" tyres
Technical data KTM Macina Team 773:
General
- Price: 3699 Euro
- More info->
Measured values 2)
- Weight 2): 25 kg
- Reach altitude 1): 1843 (+0) hm
- Average speed: 15.4 km/h
- Sizes / frame material: S / M / L / Aluminium (tested in L
Equipment
- Permissible total weight3: 144 kg
- Fork: SR Suntour XCM 34 Coil
- Suspension travel: 100 mm
- Telescopic support: none
- Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear): Shimano Deore 2 piston / 180 mm / 180 mm
- Wheels: Shimano MT-400 hubs; KTM Ryde Riva 30 rims
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance, 27.5 x 2.6"
Download:
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
