EB15: Koga goes overland w/ new World Traveler S & Mark Beaumont’s record setting cross-Africa bike packer!

For a brand from tiny Netherlands, it’s surprising how Koga always has something amazing in their booth. Last year it was a gorgeous anniversary road bike with an era-correct Shimano build…from 40 years ago. The year before, their beach racers, something only few people could love, but those that do love them with a passion.

This year, their booth was headlined by Mark Beaumont’s bike, which he used to set a world record for the fastest ride across Africa. Men’s Journal has a great story on his adventure, but we’ve got the details on his bike. Where most folks choose a metal frame for such back country rides since those can be more easily repaired, the carbon Koga Solacio formed the foundation for the 41 day odyssey.

Check out the details, plus their new WorldTraveler overland bike for anyone looking to take on such travels without the stopwatch looking over their shoulder, plus new road builds, below…

The bike was outfitted with a suite of Apidura frame, saddle and handlebar bags. Up front is a Pro Vibe handlebar and PRO Missile aerobars, and Kore stem. A Selle SMP Pro saddle rounds out the cockpit.

Wheels are custom built with a SON dynamo front hub and White Industries rear, Pacenti hubs and Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires. Even so, he suffered a number of flats along the way.

That’s about 6,718 miles, besting the prior record by 18 days.

While not nearly as aggressive as Ghost’s full suspension concept overland bike, the new top of the range Koga WorldTraveler S (for Signature) seems up to the task. It builds on past models to add internally geared hub, belt drive and other upgrades.

A steerer stop prevents the handlebar from flopping to far off center, especially helpful if the bike’s loaded down with bags.

An internally geared Rohloff hub is turned by a Gates Carbon Belt Drive, which enters the frame through a tightly fitted, two-bolt seatstay break. The replaceable dropouts let you run a traditional derailleur and cassette system, too.

The front gets a dynamo hub to power…

…front and rear lights. All cables, hoses and wires are hidden inside the frame, including the wiring all the way along the rack to reach the taillight. Some models get adjustable stems.

All models have an EBB, which lets them set chain or belt tension depending on the build.

It’ll also come in a step-through frame. Either frame variant will fit up to 55mm wide tires with fenders. Starting in November, these will be added to their Koga Signature program where you can custom build your own dream version, too. Delivery of those will start in March 2016.

Bridging the gap between those and the pure racing road bikes is the Durado, an endurance carbon disc brake road bike.

Koga was among the first to announce a disc road bike with Shimano’s new flat mount standard.

For racing, the Kimera series carries over with the same frame, which launched last year. The Kimera Road Prestige gets a team paint scheme to match the kit of SEG Racing:

Note the clear coated head of the beast. Presumably there was only room for one, not three as the model name suggests.

For 2016, they’ll have a lower level Kimera Pro build that comes in at €4,999, a substantial drop from the special order Anniversary edition with full carbon wheels and complete Fizik cockpit.

You still get a full Dura-Ace group, including direct mount brakes…

…FFWD carbon/alloy wheels and a Koga cockpit. Oh, and this:

Koga.com