Test KTM Mini Me SX 24: The Austrian sports brand transplanted the Bosch Performance SX, which was only introduced in summer 2023, to the children's MTB and scored a direct hit. Around the compact unit, a super-light E-MTB for youngsters is created that ignites the turbo uphill and also appeals with good features and an attractive price.
Smaller, lighter, more child-friendly: That's what e-bikes have to be for young riders. When it comes to the drive system, this concept usually reaches its limits - the motor and battery just weigh what they weigh. KTM is now relying on the latest Bosch technology for the new Mini Me and is equipping the children's MTB with the Performance Line SX. And this sports motor, developed for modern “Light E-MTBs”, has it all: it weighs a whopping 900 grams less than the Bosch CX, is significantly more compact and, last but not least, 18 mm narrower. This is of course particularly pleasant for children, who then don't have to drive with their legs apart.
KTM Mini Me SX 24: Faster uphill than the big ones
At 55 Newton meters, the SX is not quite as torquey as the Bosch CX, but it does produce the same peak power - a whopping 600 watts. The software is particularly sensitive to driver performance and rewards dedicated cooperation with an extra boost. On a children's e-bike, maximum torque doesn't play a major role anyway, because significantly less weight has to be accelerated than with adults. And so the Mini Me with Bosch SX offers young drivers a real advantage: on terrain that doesn't require superior driving skills, our test driver simply raced away from her tall companions uphill.
KTM combines the motor with a permanently installed 400 watt-hour battery, whereby a range extender can provide an additional 250 Wh. The “CompactTube” battery developed specifically for the SX should be good for sufficiently long ranges. And last but not least, the battery, which only weighs around two kilos, ensures that the KTM is extremely light overall - without pedals it weighs just 15,2 kilos. This is of course also a real advantage for children.
Air suspension fork and rear thru axle
KTM lives up to its high standards as a sports brand with an 80 mm air suspension fork, and the bike is also equipped with a thru-axle at the rear and completely internally routed cables. The drive is operated with the state-of-the-art LED remote, and the compact, easy-to-read display is located in the middle of the stem.
The price that the Austrians are asking for this bike is quite tight at 3.099 euros. Ultimately, the Mini Me only proves to be somewhat economical when it comes to the gears: with 11-40 teeth, the range of gear ratios on the eight-speed cassette is not very large - easier mountain climbing would definitely benefit the performance of the drive. But then the kids on the KTM would be even faster...
