koga world traveller forum

Koga World Traveller 2008

• All Categories
• 18.2K BikeRadar team
• 183.6K Road cycling forum
• 137.2K Mountain biking forum
• 28K Commuter cycling forum
• 1.3K Family & kids cycling forum
• 2.9K Stolen & found bikes
• 9.4K Buy & sell

Site footer

• Facebook White
• Terms & conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Manage Privacy Settings

CyclingEurope.org

Cycling | travel | adventure | podcast.

Visitor number:

The Koga (Signature) WorldTraveller Bicycle: Reviewed

A few weeks ago a woman contacted me on social media and pointed out that her husband was holding back on buying a new bike until I published a review of the Koga WorldTraveller bicycle that I purchased back in the early summer of 2019. I have to admit that I have promised a review on several occasions but never actually got around to writing one. Well, finally, here it is. Much to the relief of the husband concerned… Let’s start with a video that will put the whole buying-a-new-touring-bike thing into perspective:

OK. I’ve now promised, so I’d better deliver. Here is the review…

As noted above, I’ve now been riding the Koga WorldTraveller called Wanda for just over two years. The initial motivation for investing a sizeable chunk of cash in the new bike (and it was sizeable – you’ll have to visit the Koga website to work out how much I shelled out…) was a planned trip to Japan in the summer of 2020. Well, that clearly never took place in 2020 and won’t take place in 2021 either. 2022? Perhaps… But that doesn’t mean the bike has been resting idle. Far from it. The first expedition with the Koga was along the EuroVelo 12 here in Yorkshire , followed by a trip around the Isle of Wight , a cycle from Santander, Spain to the end of the Douro Valley in Portugal , a four-capital tour of the United Kingdom in the coronavirus summer of 2020 and a jaunt around the Yorkshire Dales in early autumn of last year. Indeed if you’d like to see Wanda in action, that trip to the Dales might be a good place to start. Here’s a film I made about the three-day cycle:

There are more films of Wanda in action on the CyclingEurope.org YouTube channel .

Although you can purchase Koga ‘Signature’ bikes direct from Koga themselves, I would recommend going via a dealer as they will be able to advise you on what choices to make. And when it comes to Koga dealers in the UK, David Stainforth of CycleSense in Tadcaster is difficult to beat.

I’ll make some more general comments about the bike at the end of the review but I thought I’d use the following image from the initial video above to organise my comments:

Some areas merit more comment than others, as you will see, and some comments will no doubt see me veering off on a tangent that is not particularly specific to the Koga WorldTraveller bike itself. I will also give each component area of the bike a score out of ten. On with the show!

Aluminium Alloy (6061) Frame

One of the first things that people notice when they see the Koga WorldTraveller is just how robust the frame looks. And it is. In fact, over the past two years, many people have assumed that it is hiding a battery and that I must be riding an eBike. This is obviously not the case (although you can buy a Koga WorldTraveller eBike – more details here ) but, combined with the ‘look’ of the Rohloff hub (see below), it is an understandable mistake to make. This can be a little frustrating if I am passed by someone on a hill as they bask in their smugness at not only cycling more quickly than me, but cycling more quickly than someone on an eBike… Little do they know that they should only be smug on one of those counts. The frame’s chunkyness (if such a word exists) gives it strength. I think… Combined with the wide tires, it’s a very comfortable thing to ride. Lots of bounce, although I do suspect this has more to do with said tires. A point of vanity, as you may have noticed in the initial video above, is that I have my website, CyclingEurope.org, embossed on the upper bar. I’m not a fan of tattoos but in this case I’ll make an exception. The weldings are beautiful and merit comment and because the bike that I have comes with a belt rather than chain, the frame contains a little removable piece that allows for replacement of the belt when needed. Very neat!

Score: 9/10 (If it didn’t look like an eBike, it would score 10)

Brooks B17 Saddle

They are a Marmite topic of debate. I love them and they look so good. I don’t think people appreciate that in order to stop things rubbing (i.e. your back side), you need to reduce friction. Spongey saddles may keep you bouncing along but what you need is a bit of slide. A well-maintained Brooks saddle gives you plenty of slide and minimal friction. Don’t forget, however, that the wax they supply should be applied on the underside of the saddle with just a little on the top. Common mistake to make.

Score: 10/10 (Can’t be bettered)

Tubus Pannier Racks

Well made and, so far, have had no issues with the racks. They have plenty of places upon which to place your panniers, irrespective of which make of pannier you are using. The rear pannier has two upper bars so you can opt for either a higher or lower position for your pannier. As far as I’m aware, these are about as good as it gets with pannier racks. They have become a little discoloured after only two years but is that a big issue? I think not.

Score: 9/10 (I’ll knock off a point for the discolouring)

Ryde Andrea 28″ Wheels

I don’t really have much to say about the wheels aside from not having had any issues with them in the past two years. They look as good as they did upon delivery and, with a multitude of spokes, they are as strong as you can get I imagine. Having had issues with spokes before, I hope I’m not tempting fate by handing the wheels a maximum score. Fingers are crossed.

Score: 10/10

Rohloff 14-Speed Hub

Well if you ignore the vast expense, what’s not to like? I first saw a Rohloff hub up close and personal a few years ago at the Bike Show in Birmingham. The display model had been sliced in two and you could see all the internal workings. It blew my mind. I have no idea how you can possibly put everything that normally requires a chainset, cogs, derailleur etc… into such a small space. ( This chap does! ) But that’s why I’m a French teacher and not an engineer… It has worked perfectly for two years. Well, I say ‘perfectly’… It very occasionally misses a gear but a twist of the shifter gets things sorted within seconds. There is no maintenance required by me although when the bike went in for its annual service last year, I seem to remember that the oil was changed. The sound of the workings is sublime and the ability to grind to a halt and change gear whilst stationary (at traffic lights for example) is cool. It’s the the bit of the Koga that puts it in the same league as an Aston Marin. If James Bond were ever to ride a bike, he’d have one fitted with a Rohloff hub. No doubt whatsoever about that. I thought I might have had an issue with the hub last summer when I noticed that there was sometimes a pool of oil on the ground after the bike had been stood up overnight (apologies to the folk at the YHA hostel in London…). I wrongly assumed this was a leak from the Rohloff. Turned out it was water draining through the cable housing that is next to the hub. How could I have ever doubted it? ‘Reassuringly expensive’ is a term invented not just for Stella Artois but also for the Rohloff 14-Speed Hub.

Score: 10/10 (I’d happily score it higher)

Gates Carbon Belt

When I was talking to David Stainforth prior to buying the Koga, the carbon belt was something that got discussed at length. If truth were to be told, however, I think I was secretly hoping he would persuade me to include the carbon belt on the specification when we finally placed the order. As with the Rohloff hub, it wasn’t cheap but I think I got to the point where I thought ‘what the hell!’. When will I next buy such an expensive bike? Perhaps never. In for a penny, in for many pounds… The lack of required maintenance is, for someone who isn’t very interested in fiddling with the bike, a big plus. No oil is required. In fact, it’s prohibited! When I took the bike to Spain in 2019, I did experience some squeaking of the belt and I found that throwing some water on it sorted the problem, for a period at least. Since returning from Spain, I’ve lubricated the belt with silicon lubricant. A quick spray every few weeks and the squeaking isn’t an issue. Yes, it’s true that if the belt does break and you happen to be in the middle of nowhere, you are in trouble. If I ever were planning to go to the middle of nowhere I would probably carry a replacement belt. That said, Gates designed these belts for motorbikes originally. How often do they actually break without outside intervention of a sharp object? I hope never to find out.

Score: 9/10 (The squeaking was annoying)

Shimano PD-T8000 Pedals

Over the years I have dabbled with SPD’s but I think I have finally come to the conclusion that, when cycling, I prefer to wear a solid pair of trainers or, when it’s hot, my Merrell sandles. These are all incompatible with SPD pedals which isn’t a problem for the PD-T8000 pedals as they have a flat side for people like me who think that SPD’s are just an invention too far. I may change my mind at some point in the future, but I doubt it, especially when I remember the extent to which the metal plates on the shoe can so effectively transfer cold to my feet. I’ve had no issues with the pedals. They get a top score.

Shimano XT Hydraulic Discbrakes

I first used discbrakes on a Cannondale bike that I rode a few years ago ( remember ‘Dale’? ). My main criticism of the brakes was that when going downhill they could be painful on the hands on the drop handlebars. They used cables. The Koga’s brakes are hydraulic. What a difference! Wonderfully smooth… Very easy and not painful to apply even on the steepest of Pennine hills. Yes, the brake pads are not easy to replace; I’ve only done that myself once and it did take a while (I usually ask for the brake pads to be changed whenever the bike needs a service using the expression ‘ oh and while you are at it, could you… ‘ to casually hide my fear of anything technical) and all brake pads are not equal! Some can be very noisy. It’s also difficult to see if the pads are worn down and whether they need changing. But these are criticisms of the brake pads rather than the brakes themselves which are excellent.

Score: 9/10 (Would get a 10 if Shimano invented a way of easily changing the pads…)

Son 28 Dynamo Hub

This is one of the things on the Koga that is a bit of a luxury but it does make life easy. No more batteries to change in the lights (see below) and a drip, drip of energy via the USB connection into my iPhone. I don’t think the charge would ever be sufficient to recharge the iPhone from low charge to high charge, especially if you are using the phone during the day to track your ride, check directions, take photos or capture video etc… but it does a decent job of keeping it topped up. I dare say this is an area in which technology will continue to improve, but probably at the battery end rather than the hub end. This, I suppose, future proofs the device. It’s a very useful thing to have and as far as I’m aware, the Son 28 does as good a job as any available dynamo hub.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour Tires

When I bought the bike, I didn’t opt for the Marathon Plus tires and I can’t remember why that was the case. Was I mad? I’ve used Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires for many, many years. Indeed on the three long trips across Europe, I only ever suffered one puncture and I put this down to the Marathon Plus tires. So why did I opt for Schwalbe Almotion tires when I bought Wanda? I replaced the Almotion tires earlier this year as I thought the tread was wearing a little thin and I had a slow puncture on the rear wheel. The tires – both Almotion and Marathon – are very wide, and standard Marathon Plus tires don’t come in such a wide format. The Almotions were ever-so-slightly wider than the Marathon Plus Tour tires that replaced them but the tread on the Marathon Plus Tour tires is just gorgeous. (How often do you hear people refer to tire tread in such terms?) I’m never going back. They make for a super-comfy ride.

Score: 10/10 (Marathon Plus Tour), 8/10 (Almotion)

Busch & Muller Lights

Combined with the Son dynamo hub, they are great. Very bright and they do what it says on the tin. However, I can’t understand why the rear light cuts out when you stop cycling. The front light remains lit. Not so with the rear light. Bearing in mind that when you are stationary the rear light is probably more important than the front light, it’s a design fault that gives the lights the lowest of any of the scores on this page. When I have been cycling at night (which isn’t very often – usually on the commute home from work), I have always attached a battery rear light as well. Which is a pity.

Score: 7/10. (Due to that pesky rear light cutting out)

Koga ‘Denham’ Handlebars

I love the wideness of these bars. It’s difficult to appreciate just how wide they are so here’s a picture taken in Northern Ireland last year as I cycled north along the Antrim coast:

As you can see, they are almost as wide as the carriageway… OK, not quite but they are wide! And that’s what makes them so wonderfully comfortable. (I note that I have used the word ‘comfort’ or ‘comfortable’ several times so far – you can clearly see where my priorities are…) There’s also plenty of room for the accessories on the ‘dashboard’ so as to speak. The name ‘Denham’ comes from the fact that they were designed in cooperation with Alee Denham who is a brand ambassador for Koga (see comments below) and one of his main innovations with these handlebars are the small bars protruding forward from the main bar. To be honest, I rarely use them. The position of my wonderful Crane Bell on the left doesn’t help. They are, however, useful for hanging things on. I’m sure Alee didn’t have that in mind when he slaved over their design…

Score: 9/10

Alee Denham appeared on episode 008 of The Cycling Europe Podcast which was dedicated to the purchase of a new touring bicycle.. Here is the full description of that episode:

“The Cycling Europe Podcast returns with a new touring bike special. Andrew P. Sykes visits CycleSense in Tadcaster, Yorkshire to pick up his new Koga Signature WorldTraveller bicycle and chats to the owner David Stainthorpe about his purchase. We hear from Koga brand ambassador Alee Denham from the website  CyclingAbout.com  about his experiences of cycling across South America on a Koga WorldTraveller bike. Andrew also chats to the master frame builder Richard Hallett about his life as a bespoke bicycle manufacturer and to one of his very satisfied customers, Andy Johnson. We hear an extract from Andrew’s first book – Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie – in which he wrote about buying his first touring bicycle, a Ridgeback Panorama. Finally, the author reflects upon his first ride on his new touring bicycle, a bike called Wanda.”

Nothing beats referring to yourself in the third person…

So there you have my thoughts after riding the Koga Signature WorldTraveller bicycle for the past two years. It’s a great bike to ride. Expensive, yes, but worth every penny.

What was the overall score?

Out of ten, I give it… 9.3

Would I recommend it?

Of course I would .

Since 2009, CyclingEurope.org has established itself as a valued, FREE cycle touring resource. There’s now even a podcast, The Cycling Europe Podcast . If you enjoy the website and the podcast, please consider supporting the work of CyclingEurope.org with a donation. More information can be found here . Thanks if you do!

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation, make a yearly donation.

Choose an amount

Or enter a custom amount

Your contribution is appreciated.

Spread the word!

• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Categories: Adventure , Cycling , Travel , Video

2 replies »

Thanks for the review, Andrew.

Looking at your rear light (Toplight Line Plus?) the spec. says “Standlight deactivates automatically after 4 minutes, or manually by push button when parked”. Might be a fault to get checked by supplier.

The Denham bar bullhorns are designed to “mimic the brake hoods of a drop handlebar .. helping reduce your body’s frontal area” (www.cyclingabout.com/koga-denham-bars), one to test next time you are confronted with a block headwind, though, as you say, you may need to rotate the bell out of the way.

Thanks Jon. I’ve just inspected the light and there is indeed a little button under the rear light. Can’t believe I’ve had the bike for over 2 years and only just discovered it!!! I’ll double check the light when I next go out for a ride. As for the handlebars, perhaps the bell needs a permanent repositioning. If the wind is so strong that it requires you to consider reducing ‘your body’s frontal area’ to help cut through the it, I would definitely not be using the bullhorns as keeping the bike steady would be much more difficult…

What do you think? Cancel reply

Support cyclingeurope.org.

Since 2009, CyclingEurope.org has established itself as a valued, FREE cycle touring resource. There's now even a podcast, The Cycling Europe Podcast. If you enjoy the website and the podcast, please consider supporting the work of CyclingEurope.org with a donation via Ko-Fi. Thanks if you do!

Follow Cycling Europe

Email Address

The Cycling Europe Podcast

Latest Episodes

Discover more from CyclingEurope.org

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• News, Current Affairs & Politics

• Cycling Forums
• Bikes & Buying Advice - What Bike?

Koga, E World Traveller

• Thread starter Slick
• Start date 11 Dec 2022

• 11 Dec 2022

Legendary Member

I can't say I have ever seen a delivery rider out on one of these. There is an option for a battery on the rear rack, but I reckon that is where my tent is going. I don't think the battery position will bother me, just not sure of the motor size. 🤔  

Slick said: I can't say I have ever seen a delivery rider out on one of these. There is an option for a battery on the rear rack, but I reckon that is where my tent is going. I don't think the battery position will bother me, just not sure of the motor size. 🤔 Click to expand...

Über Member

Not many e-bike charging stations in some parts of the world. Believe @steveindenmark has a non battery version.  

Cycleops said: Not many e-bike charging stations in some parts of the world. Believe @steveindenmark has a non battery version. Click to expand...

Carbon fibre... LMAO!!!

Vantage said: Any report I've read from owners with rack mounted batteries complain about the bike being too top heavy and problems fitting panniers. 75nm from the motor it's specced with is plenty for touring but you'll have to work hard up hills of 15% or more if heavily laden. I'd be more concerned with the battery size. 13.4ah lasting 140km? Unless Bosch motors are umpteen times more efficient than Bafang alternatives, that seems far fetched. My 20ah battery will power my 48v 750w Bafang motor to 144km IF I use it on minimal power (just enough to overcome motor resistance) on mostly level terrain with a tailwind for half the trip. I tested that. If I was buying that bike, I'd go for the non powered version and fit an aftermarket motor and battery for a good £100 less. Plus, if you wanted to ever go motor free, converting back to a normal chainset and BB is pretty easy. Not sure if a frame tailored to a motor has that option. Click to expand...

If it keeps you cycling longer why not! That's the real benefit if ebikes imho.  

tripletail52

Senior member.

I'm very interested in the regular one - the geometry seems spot on, i.e., slightly longer top tube than drop bar bikes, but nothing like an MTB; high-ish stack but not too high; long chainstay, etc. Looks like this one has the same geometry. But where can you buy them in the UK?  

steveindenmark

• 12 Dec 2022

tripletail52 said: I'm very interested in the regular one - the geometry seems spot on, i.e., slightly longer top tube than drop bar bikes, but nothing like an MTB; high-ish stack but not too high; long chainstay, etc. Looks like this one has the same geometry. But where can you buy them in the UK? Click to expand...

HobbesOnTour

Slick said: Charging on multiple day tours is a concern, but I'm hopeful I can manage that. Click to expand...

HobbesOnTour said: From all that I've read that's one of the great world touring bikes - at least the acoustic version. I think @Vantage is spot on to consider battery capacity and range. This is the thing. It's not clear if you're camping or not but camping may involve higher costs or different pitches or even skipping certain sites if you're needing electricity or longer breaks as you charge up at a coffee shop etc. If planning on going abroad it might be no harm to check out current regulations. As far as I understand it, E-bikes are definitely not allowed on planes and may not be allowed on ferries. But as for a bike designed for Laden adventures in most conditions? Perfect! Click to expand...

Similar threads

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

Adventure Cycling Association Forum

Your username and password for these discussion forums are unique to the forums. Your forum login information is separate from your My Adventure Cycling login information. Also, please note that your login information for the forums is not connected to your Adventure Cycling membership number. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. We have blocked registrations from several countries because of the large quantities of spam that originate there. If the forum denies your legitimate registration, please ask our administrator for an exception. Send an email to [email protected] and we will follow up with you.

• Adventure Cycling Association Forum »
• Bicycle Travel »
• General Discussion (Moderator: ACA-Admin ) »
• Thorn Vs. Koga

Author Topic: Thorn Vs. Koga  (Read 16951 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

• View Profile
• Road Warrior

TwoWheeledExplorer

• World Traveler

• "I am well, thank God, and in high spirits"

tofubicycle

Biker_james.

Too bad, because aside from the aluminum frame, the Koga should be up to the task.  

• Posts: 1746
• © Copyright 1997-2024 Adventure Cycling Association SMF 2.0.19 | SMF © 2021 , Simple Machines

Page created in 0.209 seconds with 23 queries.

• Touring & Bikepacking Bikes

The 2023 KOGA WorldTraveller Touring Bike: Tougher and More Capable!

Table of Contents

Who is the koga worldtraveller for, who is the koga worldtraveller not for, my involvement with koga, suspension fork compatible, 180kg weight limit, more tyre clearance, sliding rear dropouts, koga front rack, koga rear integrated rack, modular rail system (mrs), complex frame shapes & super smooth welds, internally guided cables, the 2023 koga worldtraveller frame geometry, koga signature program, koga worldtraveller standard specification, how much does the new koga worldtraveller cost.

I’m excited to announce the all-new 2023 KOGA WorldTraveller touring bikes!

The update brings clearance for wider tyres (2.8″), suspension fork compatibility, thru-axles, an increased weight limit, a higher frame stiffness, a semi-integrated rack, and a taller and more stable geometry – among other things.

As usual, there is a standard build (lowest cost), as well as highly-customisable custom builds (KOGA Signature program).

In this article, I want to examine all of the details of this new design.

The 2023 KOGA WorldTraveller is a very strong, very capable, and very low-maintenance touring bike. It’s available in both a regular frame as well as a step-through frame design.

The aluminium frame and fork are engineered to be particularly stiff so that you can carry everything – including the kitchen sink – and still achieve a very stable ride. The selected components on the model you choose are the most reliable at each given price point. This ensures component failure is absolutely minimised.

The WorldTraveller can ride efficiently across different road surfaces around the world. It comes with 29″ x 2.2″ tyres (55-622) as standard, which is an ideal width for both pavement and smooth dirt roads.

But the frame is also capable of fitting a smaller diameter 27.5″ wheelset, albeit with wider 2.8″ tyres (584-72). Sand and rough 4×4 tracks should be no problem with a bit of extra volume.

You also can spec the KOGA WorldTraveller exactly how you like using their online bike configurator. It adds cost to custom build a bike, but you can choose from one of 10 colours, as well as a Rohloff 14-speed internal gear hub and belt drivetrain (my preference for world touring).

KOGA place a lifetime warranty on the frame for the original owner, which is much longer than comparable touring bike manufacturers such as Tout Terrain (five years) and Idworx (six years).

The WorldTraveller is a thoroughbred touring bike. If you’re not planning to travel with heavy loads, this bike might not be for you.

This frame is considered overbuilt for regular commuting or sporty rides. This means that when you ride a WorldTraveller without luggage, you will likely notice the high bike weight (more than 20kg/44lb depending on configuration) and high frame rigidity.

Luckily, KOGA has other much lighter and more suitable bikes in their product range for commuting or leisure. And the “WorldTraveller Classic” is still available and will shave 2-3kg off the bike’s weight.

I have been a KOGA Ambassador for over five years now, so there is no doubt some of my feedback has worked its way onto this new bike.

I’ve taken my KOGA WorldTraveller across the hottest deserts, into icy snowfields, through dense jungles, along beaches, up muddy tracks, and to the top of the highest road in the world (almost 6000 metres!). I recently calculated that I’ve cycled over 60,000km on WorldTravellers – mostly on dirt roads.

The only thing I’ve broken so far is one spoke (this doesn’t include the time I fell off a cliff with my bike and made a mess of things, or when a stick went into my spokes ). It’s best to watch my video review of the bike to see what has worked for me and what has not.

In terms of maintenance, all I do semi-regularly is change my brake pads and keep my belt clean. The Rohloff hub gets an oil change twice a year, and I give my hydraulic brakes new mineral oil every year. That’s about it.

Right, let’s look at the new features.

New Features

The new frame can use a suspension fork or a rigid fork, depending on your preference.

The new 63mm travel suspension fork will absorb bigger hits on the road and trail providing a smoother and more confidence-inspiring ride – with extra traction. But it will also add weight (800g/1.8lb), cost (€250) and require ongoing maintenance.

The rigid fork is the most dependable setup and is better suited to carrying luggage. It can fit a front rack, cargo cages, and even a kickstand. I will be using the rigid fork with a Vecnum suspension stem on my personal bike.

A suspension fork can, of course, be purchased later in the case of the standard build (about €400). Or you can configure the suspension fork from the factory with KOGA’s Signature program.

The KOGA WorldTraveller is now certified for 180kg/400lb.

That means you can weigh 100kg/220lb, your bike can be 20kg/44lb and you can still load it up with 60kg/132lb of gear, food, and water for crossing the Australian Outback. Your bike won’t care one bit.

It’s worth noting that while the previous KOGA WorldTraveller was only certified for 130kg, it was engineered to exceed this figure by a significant margin. The reason the weight rating is so much lower is simply that 130kg was the maximum test rating available when the frame was in development.

KOGA has increased the tyre clearance by a fair bit.

The frame will now comfortably fit in 2.2″ tyres (29″/700C wheels) or 2.8″ tyres (27.5″/650B) with full fenders. But based on the image above, the maximum tyre clearance looks like it could be as wide as 29 x 2.4″ with the right tyre and rim combination.

The 29″ rims have an inner rim diameter of 30mm (an ideal size), and the 27.5″ rims jump up to 35mm (also ideal).

The new WorldTraveller now comes with thru-axles.

While it’s hard to find someone who has had a problem with quick-release axles, thru-axles allow for an even stiffer frame and fork, better suiting the larger diameter 180mm and 203mm rotor sizes now on offer.

The rear dropouts are now sliding. This is not a particularly important detail for the derailleur version of the bike but will make belt tension adjustment a bit easier for those who opt for the Rohloff 14-speed hub.

The front lowrider rack is made by KOGA specifically for this WorldTraveller. The rack keeps your front bags low to the ground and is rated for 7.5kg on each side (you really don’t want any more).

There is even an integrated kickstand mount that helps to stop the wheel from flopping when the bike is parked.

KOGA have gone in-house on the rear rack too. This semi-integrated design is part of the frame and thus provides extra rigidity compared to a regular rack.

The load capacity is now up to 45kg/100lb, which is more than almost every rack available (for reference, Surly steel racks are 36kg/80lb).

I think I could’ve done with a bit extra rack stiffness when I was carrying 25 litres of water (heavy!) in the remote sections of Australia.

On the downtube, you’ll find the MRS or Modular Rail System.

This is actually quite cool as you can add mounting points wherever you like along the rail, making it suitable for multiple water bottles or cargo cages.

KOGA have used multiple new frame-building technologies to maximise the stiffness and strength of the frame – without adding too much weight.

The large-diameter hydroformed aluminium tubes have been optimised both in terms of shape as well as wall thickness. And inside the lower half of the downtube are three integrated “torsion chambers” that run the length of the tube, increasing the frame stiffness even further, and providing a small cavity for the cables to pass through.

Everything is held together with glassy-looking super smooth welds. A very impressive detail.

The KOGA WorldTraveller bikes have had fully-guided cables for a long time now.

While some bikes just have a big ol’ hole in the side of the frame for their internal routing (cable rattle!), the WorldTraveller frame guides the cables exactly where they need to go through one of the torsion chambers. This makes cable changes very easy and results in zero noise.

With a new frame design, also comes a slightly longer and much more upright frame geometry. The steering characteristics of the bike are just a touch slower than previously (<10% more trail).

The front height of the frame (stack) is taller by 25-50mm (1-2″) across the entire size range. This largely determines how high your handlebars can be set; a taller front end will help riders to get their handlebars to their preferred height, without resorting to a compromised adjustable stem or a bunch of headset spacers.

The chainstays (rear centre) have grown but it’s just 7mm to balance out the extra 40mm that has been added to the front centre. The resulting longer wheelbase will ensure the bike is more stable, even on rougher roads.

You can see the new frame geometry for the ‘gents’ frame HERE and the ‘mixed’ frame HERE .

KOGA allow you to customise a WorldTraveller exactly to your needs.

You’ll have a choice between the marvellous Rohloff 14-speed internal gear hub with belt drive (this is what I use), or a more common Shimano XT 30-speed derailleur drivetrain. You can also upgrade everything to the max (or remove it) if you like: dynamo hubs, dynamo lights, USB chargers, saddle, stem, handlebar, tyres and much more.

There are 10 standard paint colours to choose between, and you can have your name or a message painted on the frame. These frames are all painted in the Netherlands, and once the paint is dry, a certified mechanic constructs your bike from start to finish.

Once you’ve selected everything in the online configurator, you’ll see both the weight and price of the bike. If you like it, you can order it. After 10-12 weeks, your custom bike will be shipped anywhere in the world, direct to your door (via DHL). Alternatively, you can do this all through a bike shop that sells KOGA bikes (Europe only).

I made a film about the KOGA factory when I visited; you can see how the bikes come together  HERE .

The standard-spec WorldTraveller is fitted out with a Shimano Deore XT T8000 groupset. This 3×10 derailleur drivetrain has been around for a long while now, but is reliable, and offers a decent gear range, low climbing gear, and small gear steps.

The bike comes with well-known touring components such as Busch & Muller dynamo lights, an SP PD-8X dynamo hub, Ursus kickstands, an Axa lock, water bottles, SKS fenders, KOGA racks, and two water bottles.

To finish off the build, the bike comes with Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency tyres, which have been independently tested to be one of the fastest touring tyres available (they have a low rolling resistance plus great puncture resistance).

The price for the standard bike above is €2749 with all accessories included.

KOGA Signature custom bikes start at about €3500 with Shimano XT derailleur gears. Expect closer to €5000 for a bike with the extra low-maintenance Rohloff 14-speed hub and belt drive.

The new 2023 KOGA WorldTraveller is a step forward in many ways.

The taller and more stable frame geometry will allow you to ride even more comfortably without needing an adjustable stem or lots of headset spacers.

The bike is highly configurable, suiting both a round-the-world trip on paved roads (rigid, narrower tyres) or dirt roads (suspension, wider tyres). You really don’t need to worry about your body weight, water weight, or the gear you’re lugging about – the frame is built especially stiff and has a very high weight allowance.

You have a choice of frame design (step-through or regular), and through the Signature program, a choice of drivetrain, frame colour, and just about every component on the bike.

For more information, head on over to the KOGA website .

• koga worldtraveller

Background color picker

Welcome to oguka | Welcome My Forum

Join us now to get access to all our features. once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, and so, so much more. it's also quick and totally free, so what are you waiting for.

Latest Thread

• Another Love Easy Piano Sheet Tom Odell
• Training Season Sheet Music Dua Lipa
• Monograph Published: “East Meets West: Perspectives on Ageing and the Physical Environment”
• We Can’t Be Friends Sheet Music Ariana Grande
• Slow It Down Sheet Music Benson Boone

SMU-IRC Lecture | Women and Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities

• Thread starter Hoca
• Start date Mar 21, 2024

Administrator

• Mar 21, 2024

• Help Tables

Newest members

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Classifieds

Leave A Review For The Buyer

Marketplace review.

Bikeman.com

Koga World Traveler

• Rohloff Speedhub 500/14
• Gates CDX Carbon Drive belt drive
• Ryde Hungary 27.5 rims, 36 hole
• SON Dynamo hub
• SKS fenders
• Shimano Deore XT disc brakes
• SON Edulux II front light
• SON K920 rear light
• Koga Denham handlebar
• Tubus rear rack
• Selle Italia Man saddle
• Gates Carbon Drive cranks
• Ergon GP-1 grips
• Frame size: 54 cm
• Top tube: 56 cm
• Seat tube (center to center): 48 cm
• Seat tube (center to seat post collar): 54 cm
• Chain stay: 46.5 cm
• Head tube: 16 cm
• Stem: 110 cm
• ?            
• 205.1K members

Top Contributors this Month

John Blundell's bike travel

Koga World Traveller – 21,000km review

Just to recap, I have the 2021 Koga World Traveller with Rohloff and Gates Belt. I’ve changed the handlebars and put on my trusty Brooks saddle but that’s about all that I’ve modified.

I’ve published earlier reviews here on this site.

TLDR: It’s a great bike. Both fun and dependable. Really well thought out and highly recommended. That said, I’m comparing it to a cheap steel frame build from 8 years ago, and also to my great love – my Surly Crosscheck – and this Koga is in a different league.

After 21,000 kms across Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia, and Europe, the bike was getting a little noisy, but still fine. Things needed to be cleaned, greased, tightened and adjusted. I was happy with the bike as it was but knew it could get better.

I look after the bike, but I’m not OCD about cleaning it and I do very very little maintenance. I simply get on it and ride it most days – for a year and a half so far.

I booked it in to Hans Van Stralen Bike shop in Bleiswijk, Netherlands. They’re a Koga dealer and my initial call with Michel was very positive. I also sent them a list of things that I thought needed attention and some parts to replace.

I dropped it off and had a great chat with Michel. It was clear he knew what he was doing, and knew the bike. So I left the shop with great confidence – on the loaner Dutch bike they gave me – a nice touch, considering I rode there.

When I picked it up after the service, I was really pleased. Yes, it was an expensive service, but some extra things needed replacing and parts are expensive. It was within the bounds of what I was expecting. The work was done very  thoroughly and the result is fantastic. What a great bike shop. Thanks !!

Here are my thoughts on the main components:

The belt looked in very good condition considering where it had been and how far it had gone. However, Michel discovered that about half of the teeth on the belt were hanging on by about one millimetre. I had expected to get another 10,000 kms out of it and I’m not sure why it wore in that way. I asked the people at Gates and they said that 21,000kms is good and that there wasn’t much I could have done to extend its life any further.

This meant replacing the belt and rear sprocket.

The (original) Deore XT front bearings didn’t need replacing – I’m amazed. So, the hub was cleaned and greased.

The wheels (Ryde Andra 210) are still true and the spokes haven’t been adjusted, which is a testament to their durability

Apart from the 800kms of the Mawson Trail, I’ve run tyres with tubes.

I’ve used three different Schwalbe tyres :

• Marathon GT. They came with the bike and I think they’ve been discontinued. I’ve used them on mainly paved roads for nearly 10,000kms (SE Asia and one of the Australian trips)

* Marathon Allmotion. I used these in Australia, NZ and through Europe for the remainder – 11,000kms). They’ve been great, but after 7-8,000kms they each developed a bump where the tyre wasn’t properly seated against the rim. Later I noticed that the bead was separating in part and I think this caused the problem. Before then, I was regularly deflating the tyre and reseating it. To be fair, they’ve been through a lot.

For the last 8,000 kms, I’ve also been running Tannus Armour inserts. They’ve been really useful as there were more than four cuts completely through the tyre, one of them being half a centimetre long – but I didn’t notice until much later. They also allow me to run lower tyre pressures where necessary.

* I have now got Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency tyres on – just before the service. They seem like they have more volume (which I like) than the Allmotions, and so far, they have been brilliant, but it’s still early days 

I got new grips as I’d worn through (completely through in parts) the old ones (Jet Black) from 99 bikes. These were very soft, absorbed lots of road shock and I loved them.

I got some Ergo GP1s and I’ve liked them so far.

Bottom Brackets

The bottom Brackets (regular FSA Max and the EBB) were cleaned and greased. There was a fair bit of grit in the EBB that was causing a lot of the creaking. I last cleaned and greased the EBB only two and a half months prior to the service, but there had been a fair bit of dirt and sand since then.

The one gripe I have, is with the EBB (I believe it’s a Bushnell type). From time to time, I’ll need to tighten it daily to stop the creaking, then it’ll be fine for a couple of weeks before needing to be tightened again.

The brakes (Shimano Deore XT hydraulic) were bled and new pads installed. This was last done about a year ago. That’s the third set of pads in 21,000 kms (2 X resin and 1 X sintered metal).

It’s the second time the brakes have been bled.

Not every squeak has been cured as a result of the service, but it’s 95% quiet. Apparently, they didn’t have the tool to separate the chain wheel from the crank, and that’s where the final remaining creak is – but it’s hardly a problem. The result is almost silent cycling like when it was new.

Seatpost  

Ah… the seatpost. The Koga Swan seatpost has been on its last legs for about 3000kms and it has squeaked since it was a few hundred kms old.

Sometimes I found the noise really annoying, especially when riding through lovely, quiet natural areas, or up hills. However, it was always an indication that the seatpost was doing its job. i.e. protecting my back from all of the bumps in the road.

Sound effects aside, I’ve loved it, but it was time to update after one of the bolts in the parallelogram started rattling. There was about 5mm of play in it. It started making death noises in the days just before it’s replacement arrived. It knew it’s time was well and truly up.

To be honest, it’s been fantastic. I could easily adjust the “springiness” and the suspension meant that I’ve had almost no back pain so far.

On the downside, it couldn’t be properly serviced. Koga sent me the details on how to service it, but the bolts in the parallelogram couldn’t all be removed. And I think that’s why it continued to squeak, and squeak and bloody well squeak. At one point in exasperation in NZ, I sprayed it with water and the squeak disappeared for a whole day. At other times, I tried spray grease, chain oil, Rohloff oil, silicone spray and even WD40.

I’ve replaced it with a Cane Creek eeSilk+ which has more travel (35mm vs 27), but the the polymer in the middle means that it’s never going to travel the 35mm. It feels less springy than the Koga Swan, and has now started squeaking occasionally in the late afternoons (I have no idea why it’s only then). Most importantly, I still have no back pain, so I’m still happy. Longer term review to come in six months time.

The rear Tubus rack has been brilliant in that it hasn’t caused any issues whatsoever. 

On the front forks I have Zitto adaptors which  mean I can use a Blackburn Outpost cage and a standard bottle holder on each fork.

I replaced the adaptors after they had done about 15,000 kms. They’re made from cheap alloy but seemed to be quite durable.

I love these pedals, as I love being clipped in – I have a roadie background. If I’m on a very rough rocky section, I’ll unclip and use the flat side.

I’ve worn Shimano or Exustar sandals for all but three days of the whole journey.

I also wonder about moving to flat pedals. It would simplify my gear somewhat.

Rohloff Hub

What can I say ? It’s brilliant, I love it and it’s flawless.

It leaked oil for the first time after my flight from Sydney to Singapore in June 2022. I suspect the flight had something to do with it, but the temperature and high humidity would have played a role too. Since then, there has been some normal oil leakage on the QR skewer and it makes its way to the external gear changing box. I have to clean the grime off every month or so. And that, along with the regular 5000 km oil change is all I do. 

Because of this magical piece of equipment, I simply get on it and ride every day rather than do maintenance.

I’m very happy with the bike and its attachments. It’s my means of transport on this huge journey and can be relied on day in, day out while being fun to ride.

As well, the people at Koga have been responsive and supportive the whole way.

Share this:

Leave a comment cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Discover more from Bikexploring...

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• How we Pack
• Jon's Solo Cycletouring Gear list
• Our Touring Rigs
• Gearing for loaded touring
• Checklist Downloads
• Radio Intercoms
• Groundsheet Protector
• Charging electronic gadgets
• Food on tour
• Misc. Touring Tips
• GPS for cycletouring
• Electronic Mapping
• Custom POIs
• Installing TunnelPOIs into Locus Map
• Animal tick Bites
• Cycling Tops
• Attaching a headset to a Helmet
• Telemark 2 - Footprint attachment modification
• Bicycle Propstands
• Nordisk Oppland 3SI Review
• Nallo 3GT Review
• Stalon GT Review
• Garmin Etrex Vista Hcx GPS
• Garmin GPSmap 62s Review
• Book Reviews
• PMR Radio Reviews
• Nordisk Telemark 2 ULW - Review
• Vertix Velo Intercom - Review
• The 'VeloCharger' USB bicycle charger - Review
• Touring in Belgium
• Touring in Denmark
• Touring in Finland
• Touring in Germany
• Touring in Holland
• Touring in Iceland
• Touring in Ireland
• Touring in Norway
• Touring in Poland
• Touring in Sweden
• Touring in the UK
• Cycling Clubs
• Cycling Forums
• Cycling General
• Cycling Guides
• Cycling Holidays
• Cycle Manufacturers
• Cycle Retailers - Europe
• Cycle Retailers - UK
• Cycle Retailers - World wide
• Cycling Travelogues
• Camping Gear Retailers
• Cycling Video links
• Campsites/Accommodation Links
• Add Link Form
• North Sea Cycle Route
• NSCR - Holland
• NSCR - Denmark
• NSCR - Germany
• NSCR - Sweden
• Norwegian Tunnel Map & Information
• Norwegian Tunnel Map fullscreen
• Icelandic Tunnel Map & Information
• Icelandic Tunnel Map fullscreen
• Norfolk 1997
• Holland 1997
• Holland-Germany-Denmark 1998
• Denmark-Sweden 1999
• Holland 2000
• Germany-Poland 2000
• Finland 2001
• Sweden - Norway 2002
• North Sea Cycle Route 2003
• Ireland Tour 2004 - Dingle Peninsula
• Ireland Tour 2004 - Ring of Kerry
• Holland-Belgium-Germany 2005
• Norway 2006
• Iceland 2007
• Iceland 2008
• Iceland 2009
• Poland 2010
• Hebrides 2011
• Orkney 2013
• Shetland 2014
• Norway 2015
• Ireland 2016
• Denmark Mini Tours 2017
• Denmark Sweden Tour 2018
• Norfolk & Suffolk post Lock down tour 2020
• Orkney Islands tour 2021
• Denmark Tour 2022 - The Southern Islands Tour

Our new 'Koga Worldtraveller-S' rigs

We had always liked the Koga Worldtraveller-S and decided on our way back from Denmark to have a look at some in Holland. Fortunately there is a great place called ' De Fietser ' near Ede, Holland. They have over a 100 bikes from Batavus, Sparta, KOGA, Lapierre, Haibike and Van Nicholas. They are not there to sell you a bike so there is no pressure. The idea is that you can test ride various bikes on their test track and then you go to your local dealer and buy them. It was great there as they had the Koga Worldtraveller-S in various sizes with different set ups, with dérailleur and Rohloff gearing, with different handle bar combinations. The guys couldn't have been more helpful and were very good about measuring you and adjusting the bike to suit your size. They even swapped saddles around for us. We easily realised what size we needed and what specification we needed.

July 2019 we went to Cyclesense in Tadcaster as they are the one and only Koga dealer in the UK. David Stainthorpe the owner is a keen cycletourer and he was most hopeful in ordering exactly what we needed. Unfortunately we hadn't picked a good time to order our bikes as they normally take 6 weeks from build to delivery. However Koga shut down in early August for 3 weeks for their works annual holiday. They were therefore due to be delivered for 28th September, unfortunately there was a further delay as although Frank's bike was ready mine was delayed. Koga were out of stock of the 60cm WTS disc frames and new stock was expected in November. That rather curtailed our plans for a tour in October 2019. It wasn't Cyclesnse's fault it was just a combination of things and a problem with a buying a signature bespoke bike.

We eventually picked them up on 3rd December. It was certainly worth the wait as we have just come back from our first tour on them and they are lovely. Frank's riding position is so much better for her and the step through mixed frame is so much easier for her to get on and off the bike.

The 'Koga Worldtraveller-S' specifications

• Frame - Aluminium 6061 frame with Smooth Welded Triple Butted tubes and internal cable routing. With a divisible rear fork to enable the replacement of the Gates belt drive.
• Front Fork - Aluminium fixed front fork with integrated steering angle limiter (to protect frame, cables and headlight) and lowrider attachment points.
• Bottom Bracket - Eccentric bottom bracket for easy belt or chain tensioning.
• Drive train - Gates belt drive
• Gearing - Rohloff 500/14 14 speed hub
• Rims and Spokes - Ryde Andra 210 28"/ Sapim DB Silver
• Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Almotlon Evo 28" 50mm
• Brakes - Shimano Deore XT Hydraulic Disc
• Handlebars - Koga the Bird
• Grips - Brooks Etgo Leather Black
• Front carrier - Tubus Etgo
• Rear carrier - Tubus Logo
• Dynamo - SON 28
• Front light - SON Edulux II
• Rear light - B&M Toplight Une plus
• Mudguards - SKS Chromoplastics
• Rear Kickstand - Pletscher Comp Aluminium
• Ring Lock - Treloc RS 450

You can find pictures and details of our old Giant Expedition bikes here .

• Moscow Tourism
• Moscow Hotels
• Bed and Breakfast Moscow
• Moscow Holiday Rentals
• Flights to Moscow
• Moscow Restaurants
• Moscow Attractions
• Moscow Travel Forum
• Moscow Photos
• All Moscow Hotels
• Moscow Hotel Deals
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

How to buy tickets at Moscow metro? - Moscow Forum

• Europe    
• Russia    
• Central Russia    
• Moscow    

How to buy tickets at Moscow metro?

• United Kingdom Forums
• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Holiday Rentals
• Central Russia forums
• Moscow forum

Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request.

To follow-up with a silly question, will the ticket office give change or do you need exact cash? Thanks.

>> will the ticket office give change

Of course yes!

But, you may also want to maybe just walk down...it is maybe a 15-20 minute brisk walk, but some nice sightseeing on the way. Note also that, yes, you can make transfers between all lines that "intersect" (which your Metro map should show clearly) staying within the Metro (underground).

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

• Train Booking Moscow to St. Peter 29 March 2024
• Union Pay debit card 27 March 2024
• Russian trying to book a hotel in Jerusalem 14 March 2024
• Dual Citizen Arrested in Russia 12 March 2024
• about clothes 27 February 2024
• NOTE - border crossing from Finland into Russia closed 09 February 2024
• Snow boots in Red Square 04 February 2024
• Travelling to Moscow & Murmansk with toddle in winter 02 February 2024
• Anyone traveling from London to Moscow this week ? 27 January 2024
• Booking accommodation 11 January 2024
• Traveling friends (Designers preferred) :) 05 January 2024
• Are shops and things closed during Christmas and New Week ? 15 December 2023
• Traveling to Eastern Russia 17 November 2023
• Travel to russia september 2023 tips welcome 17 October 2023
• Moscow to St Petersburg train or air?? 32 replies
• How do you purchase Bolshoi Ballet tickets at a great price? 2 replies
• Just Go Russia Tour Company 43 replies
• Moscow 2013 World Athletics 5 replies
• 3 days in Moscow - Where to stay and what to do? 7 replies
• The Sleeper Train St Petersburg > Moscow 13 replies
• Select-a-room.com Are they legitimate? 3 replies
• New Sapsan Express Train from Moscow to St Petersburg 18 replies
• Best area to stay in Moscow 29 replies
• Moscow New Years Eve for 2011/2012 6 replies
• Where can I get initial answers to ANY question?

• Instruction manuals
• Previous collections
• Which framesize bike
• Track cycling
• Bike Awards
• Find dealer

Only for trekking bikes

WorldTraveller Classic

The above price includes VAT.

• A robust, lightweight, super-smooth, welded aluminium frame with integrated cable routing.
• Fitted with the high-quality Shimano Deore XT group.
• The powerful hydraulic disc brakes provide stable brake performance in all weather conditions.

The Worldtraveller bicycles can be put together completely according to your wishes. As standard you can choose from the variant with and without electrical support, but you can also put together the Worldtraveller yourself with the KOGA Signature program.

Learn more about the KOGA Worldtraveller trekking bikes >

Where possible, the welds of KOGA frames are perfectly levelled (smooth welding) so that a completely smooth surface is produced. This not only enhances the visual appeal but additionally reduces the risk of corrosion around the welds; an area which is traditionally susceptible to the formation of rust.

Beautiful and functional integration of the cables. As a result, the cables are better protected from the weather. Moreover, the bike is easier to keep clean and has an improved sleek appearance.

KOGA's SoleMate pedal ensures that the ideal foot position is automatically adopted. The concave shape of the pedal encourages the pedalling with the ball of the foot rather than the instep. The pedalling is therefore made more efficient.

A hub dynamo provides power to both the headlamp and rear lights. A sustainable and environmentally friendly solution with the additional resistance being negligible.

The spokes are fixed by means of nipples which are guided through both walls of the rim. This creates an extremely stable and durable wheel.

A luggage carrier from the Tubus brand is characterised by its high quality finish. The choice of material is also striking: instead of commonly used aluminium, Tubus carriers are manufactured from thin-walled tubing of the chrome- molybdenum alloy 25CrMo4. The carrier has a layer of plastic acting as a protective coating over its entire surface. The result is a strong, light and durable product. Ideal for the traveller that places great demands on their equipment.

The lowrider is equipped with an extra kick stand so that the bicycle can remain standing when carrying a full load.

The front fork is suitable for the easy and safe installation of a lowrider with brackets, so you can carry more luggage.

Bottle Cage Elite Taki combined with Elite Lysso Alloy silver drinks bottle. The bottle is made from aluminium and has a capacity of 700 ml. The mouthpiece is protected by a plastic cover and can be kept clean. The bottle cage with its resilient plastic construction fits the bottle perfectly so it doesn't rattle.

• Specifications

Other models

Yantar City

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 0
• Very Good 0
• English ( 0 )

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

YANTAR CITY: See Reviews and Traveller Photos (Elektrostal, Russia) - Tripadvisor