Macina Joy review: Can KTM’s affordable e-bike hold its own in everyday use?

​BIKE verdict: A good everyday bike at a fair price

The KTM Macina Joy 2027 isn’t a bike for long-distance touring, but it cuts a fine figure as a down-to-earth e-bike for everyday use. The Cues gearbox, Bosch motor and Shimano hydraulic brakes offer excellent value for money in this price range, whilst the weight remains pleasantly moderate at 23.6 kilos, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The bike is a 2027 model and is expected to be available from dealers from then on. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor

Bosch Hub Line: A fresh start with a hub motor

The Austrian firm KTM Bike Industries has been renowned for years for its Macina range – reliable e-bikes for everyday use and leisure that get the job done without making a fuss. With the Macina Joy for 2027, they’re taking an interesting step: rather than relying on Bosch’s familiar mid-drive systems, the bike is making its debut as one of the first production models featuring Bosch’s new Hub Line hub motor (reviewed here). A genuine paradigm shift – for Bosch and, consequently, for KTM as well.

The hub motor is discreetly housed in the rear wheel and radically changes the bike’s appearance. The down tube remains slim, the chainline looks neat, and the integrated 400 Wh Bosch CompactTUBE battery blends harmoniously into the aluminium (AL6061) frame. Handy: the small battery can be easily removed from the top of the down tube. This is by no means a given for an affordable, minimalist e-bike. Visually, the Macina Joy is therefore a very understated bike and could almost be mistaken for a classic trekking bike without a motor. The bike is operated via Bosch’s LED controller, which displays the battery level and assistance level using coloured LEDs and also enables the use of Bosch’s Flow app.

Circuitry: The Cues do their job

The rear derailleur used is Shimano’s CUES U4000-9 – the entry-level model in the new CUES range with nine gears (reviewed here). The gear lever with integrated display looks the part, and the gear changes are smooth and precise enough for everyday use. The 42-tooth chainring on the Samox crankset (170 mm) works well with the hub motor, and the range of the nine gears is sufficient for relaxed day trips and commutes.

Anyone familiar with the CUES U4000 from the Shimano ecosystem of recent years will know that, whilst it is not a high-end component, it does the job reliably. When used in conjunction with a hub motor, the drivetrain is actually more robust than with mid-drive motors, as the chain is subjected to less mechanical stress.

Chassis: Suspension and brakes

The Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes (2-piston) perform to the standard we’ve come to expect from them: reliable, consistent and with a good bite point. For a bike in this price range, hydraulic brakes are a clear advantage in their own right. However, you shouldn’t expect too much from the Suntour NX-1 fork fitted to this bike. It certainly takes the edge off kerbs and deep potholes. But with their moderate responsiveness, budget suspension forks are hardly any better than rigid forks on rough terrain, whilst being heavier and requiring more maintenance.

Workmanship and weight

The AL6061 frame is well-built, the welds are neat, and the paint finish (matt dark grey on the bike we tested) is robust and suitable for everyday use. The system weight is approved at 142 kg; according to KTM, the bike’s kerb weight is 23.6 kilograms – an acceptable figure for a hub-motor e-bike with a suspension fork and hydraulic brakes.

Value for money: The argument

2,299 euros. That’s the KTM Macina Joy’s strongest selling point. In this price range, you rarely find an e-bike with hydraulic disc brakes, a suspension fork and a branded drive unit. Yes, the Bosch Hub Line isn’t quite as powerful as the one on a Performance CX – but it’s new, it’s made by Bosch, and it should be reliable. For commuters, occasional cyclists and anyone looking for a straightforward everyday bike, this is a compelling package.

​Technical Specifications