Like an espresso shot on an empty stomach: full of energy, fast and direct. That's what my first turn of the cranks on the new Scarp Exonic feels like. No long warm-up, no gentle acceleration - the KTM fires me up straight away. What explodes beneath me is no ordinary 08/15 fully, but the third evolutionary stage of KTM's cross-country spearhead. The centrepiece is the new EVO 3 frame platform. It is the result of years of development work, countless kilometres of racing and direct feedback from the XC front line. And this does not run through the everyman's race in the neighbouring village, but along the toughest race tracks in the world. Events such as the legendary Cape Epic in South Africa or the World Cup in Nove Mesto mercilessly expose weaknesses - and they have contributed to the Scarp's continuous development from one expansion stage to the next.
Facts: KTM Scarp Exonic EVO 3
| Category | Value |
| Field of application | Cross-Country / Marathon |
| Suspension travel (v/h) | 110 mm / 105 mm |
| Wheel size | 29 inch |
| Total weight | 10.52 kg (without pedals) |
| Frame weight | 1841 g (size M) |
| Impeller weight | 3712 g (incl. tyres, cassette, brake discs) |
| Impeller inertia | 2860 kg x cm² |
| Frame material | Carbon |
| Price (RRP) | 12,999 Euro |
| Component | details |
| Fork / damper | RockShox SID SL / SID Luxe Ultimate Flight Attendant |
| Circuit / bandwidth | SRAM XX SL Transmission / 520 % |
| Brakes | Trickstuff Piccola C22 / 160 mm (v/h) |
| Impellers | Mavic Crossmax Ultimate |
| Tyres | Schwalbe Racing Ray / Ralph Speed Super Race 29 x 2.25 |
| Seat post / stroke | RockShox Reverb AXS / 125 mm |
| Max. system weight | 110 kg |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
| Special features | Handlebar-stem unit, RockShox Flight Attendant |
The KTM Scarp is hungry for propulsion
Speaking of acceleration: this is the new KTM Scarp's speciality. The overall weight is less responsible for the sprinting power than the brilliant wheel acceleration. At 2860 kg x cm², the Mavic Crossmax Ultimate wheelset with its hellishly fast Schwalbe tyres is one of the best systems ever to have passed our test bench. The Rockshox Flight Attendant does the rest, automatically locking the suspension during sprints and thus enabling optimum power transfer. The riding position - just like the short suspension travel - is reminiscent of the virtues of classic race fullys. The 75 degree steep seat angle, the generous reach and the 65 millimetre long stem stretch the rider over the frame triangle in a sporty manner. Pressure on the front wheel? En masse! Uphill control? Likewise. Only those looking for comfort on long tours will come away empty-handed.
Technology overload
The RockShox suspension elements can only realise their full potential off-road when the automatic mode of the Flight Attendant system no longer intervenes and the platform or lockout is controlled manually. The technology often reacts too slowly or too insensitively, and impacts get through to the rider that the fork or shock would have filtered out cleanly in manual mode. By the way: XC World Cup rider Nicole Koller also criticises this system in the bike check on page 86.
Downhill, the KTM rides with restraint
On fast straights and gentle descents, the long geometry conveys a lot of confidence. However, as soon as things get technical and steep, the Scarp quickly forces the rider to take control. The low front end, the tame tyres and the tight suspension reserves hardly forgive any mistakes. However, apart from heavier bumps, the suspension elements respond perfectly and generate solid traction. With 25 per cent SAG, the rear suspension is very comfortable. However, due to the weak end progression, the already limited suspension travel is quickly used up on harder hits. We therefore recommend a little less SAG (15-20 per cent) or a volume spacer.
KTM Scarp Exonic Evo 3 - Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pro | ❌ Contra |
| Outstanding propulsion | Exorbitant price (12,999 euros) |
| Lowest weight in the test field | Moderate downhill performance |
| Noble, high-calibre equipment | - |
BIKE conclusion Max Fuchs, test editor
Fast, direct, demanding - the KTM Scarp Exonic Evo 3 is a classic race bike. Not a bike for everyone, but a high-performance machine for anyone who prioritises propulsion, efficiency and weight over trail performance. However, technical gimmicks such as the electronically controlled suspension, the saddle from the 3D printer and the Trickstuff brakes drive the price up unnecessarily.
Max Fuchs
Editor
