lsberrios1 

Hey Guys,

Tried using the search button and all results came up with an error that said "oops! something something" so I'll just ask. Today I saw a post about somebody buying a 80's ktm bicycle and I found out that KTM actually made road bikes. Went into their website and fell in love with them. Being a big fan of their motorcycles I wouldnt mind owning one of these beauties. It seems to me that these bikes all use Shimano components and the whole groupset. When I mean the whole groupset I dont mean ultegra derailleurs and FSA crank. I mean Everything Ultegra. What leaves me thinking is what about the frame?

Anybody heard or experienced KTM frames? At 7 - 8 kg they seem to be serious about road bikes.

bigbadwullf

Did not know that. I have a lot of experience with a 520 EXC though

cardinalTrekky

No experience with them...I've never even seen one until now, but like you I love their motorbikes. I used to have a KTM dirtbike. It's my favorite brand as they've embraced two stroke technology while the Japanese bikes have moved away from it.

The components look good and they have the awesome KTM orange color scheme. Most frames come from a handful of factories so they're probably as good as anything else. I can't find any US dealers though so not sure if you can get them here yet...

bung

They look pretty good unlike the typical automotive/bicycle collaboration.

https://www.ktm-bikes.co.za/

Dux_Helm

No first hand experience, but if they are as serious about bikes as they are about motorbikes, then all I can say is there is a serious competitor entering the market.

edit:
Some internet research reveals that KTM has been making bicycles for quite a long time.
I was expecting to find some kind of collaboration with Giant or the like, but it seems they make their own frames..Who knew? Good looking bikes, too.

lsberrios1 

Sounds like seriously fun times.

Me myself ive never ridden a KTM but I've heard they are sweet machines and very unique. If I didnt have the option of buying my panigale back then I would have definitely chosen an RC8R. The Color Scheme is definitely a head turner.

As for dealers I found one called Free Flow Cycles or something like that in Glassgow UK that ships it to the US. Not sure how safe is that but I quoted a KTM Strada 5000 for $3,080 + $184.00 shipping costs.

Don't know but that McLaren Venge looks pretty sweet to me!


I agree with your statement of serious competition. I believe that they are incledibly well priced too. 3,100 bucks for a carbon fram with COMPLETE Ultegra Groupo seems good. Do not quote me on this but somewhere I heard or read that they actually build their frames in austria <-- that is quite a shocker.

bigbadwullf

A few of my KTM (dirt bike ) rides. Long before GoPro :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40vXV...7&feature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_J02...6&feature=plcp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzqdx...9&feature=plcp

First video: Very steep hill after the switchbacks start although its hard to tell such.
The second video explanation. It was set up beforehand to get a few seconds of each rider on the trail for a group ride video to be put together later and I was to "woo hoo" them after I captured a short section of video....I wasn't being a "dick"
Third video: Just doing my best to try to stay up with him. Very fast rider. And that is typical of the passing done in a woods race. You try to keep up pace and give the guy room to get by. If they come up behind you, they are faster. Let them by.

lsberrios1 

Very nice vids. I havent been in a dirtbike in a long time. Now I track my sportbike and it is fun. Used to have a Kawi KLX 250 that was load of fun and almost no power so I could throw it around everywhere. I'm sure its a different story with a ktm 520 though. Looks like its got some serious acceleration.

On the bikes, I found this website that sells them and ships them (I think)

https://www.freeflowbikes.com/Road/Co...-5000-DA-2013/

Found these reviews:

KTM Strada 4000

https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/c...-4000-12-46541

KTM Revelator Master

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...aster-09-34119

Edit: Spoke with one of the representatives at free flow bikes and he said that they do in fact ship to the US. Says it takes about a week depending on customs over here and there could be some extra charge on this side. The bike is assembled and ready to go with the wheels taken off and packed inside the box. This is sorta cool. Dont really know if I should pull it off for a bike I havent even seen or ridden but it is most def a unique and attractive bike.

Bike Gremlin

They make good SM motorbikes. Bicycles are as good as any other (Scott, Cannondale etc). Nothing specialy good or bad.

Aren't road bikes cheaper in the States, than in Europe?

lsberrios1 

I guess they are cheaper here but the KTM wont be much more. And besides its a good excuse to have a different bike that not everybody has. I am pretty sure that resale on that would be pretty good since I am sure there arent many around and it looks to be a really good bike.

Bradleykd

I just noticed them today watching triathlon on tv...

Khurkov

No personal experience but reliable sources tell me they are good.

ultraman6970

They looks like everything else in the market (aka asian made) or what everybody else is selling so doubt are bad.