Koga World Traveller

kogaworldtraveller

Price: About $3,000
Specs: Aluminium frame, Shimano Deore XT components, Tubus racks, kickstand, Cateye lights, Continental Travel Contact tires
Who has used it: Amaya and Eric, Mark Beaumont, Tim & Cindie Travis (they now tour on other bikes).
Upsides:
Good reputation for quality. Comes with plenty of extras like racks, lights and bottle cages, so the price is pretty much all-inclusive.
Downsides: The aluminium frame may be a deterrent to cyclists determined to have steel (which is easier to weld if your frame cracks). Tim & Cindie Travis dropped their Kogas because they said the headsets were non-standard and hard to replace.
For more information: Koga Website

See more Expedition Touring Bikes

Comments

  1. Wil Davies
    13th July 2011 at 8:00 pm #

    I have owned and been riding a koga world traveller, since 2007, and it has performed very well so far. Had a few falls, knocked over once, but no major damage. Minor problem has been spokes blowing out, and corrosion on nuts in the headset, otherwise I can recommend this bike.
    I had not previously owned a purpose built tourer, spent sometime researching, I went for the KWT as it was a complete package.
    Enjoying this site too. Currently riding the Philippines.
    In Adventure, Wil….semi-retired

  2. Tom Kelly
    4th September 2011 at 9:58 pm #

    In general, I’ve not been a fan or advocate of aluminum frames for bikes, especially touring bikes.

    However, I like the styling of the Koga-Miyatas, and the World Traveler, in particular.

    Also, the fact that Tim and Cindy travis both ride Koga’s WT, makes me rethink my reservations about aluminum touring frames for bikes.

    • friedel
      5th September 2011 at 7:19 am #

      Actually, Tim doesn’t ride a Koga anymore but as I understand it that decision was based on the custom parts that Kogas use (the headset specifically), not the bike material. I don’t know if Cindy is still cycling (they announced publicly some months ago that they were splitting up) or what she rides.

      That said, I think you have to look at how many touring bikes are aluminum. It’s not just Kogas. Santos is another big European touring bike brand and most of the bikes they sell are aluminum. People take these bikes all over the world, and if there were serious flaws with the material, we’d be hearing about it.

      Although we haven’t put the miles on our Santos bikes yet that Tim & Cindie did on their Kogas, they feel very sturdy to us and I’d have no problems taking them on a world tour. Also, Santos will ship you a replacement part (including a frame) to just about anywhere if necessary. Good customer service is as important as the frame material!

  3. James
    6th September 2011 at 12:30 pm #

    The best word in the oxford dictionary especially where cyclists are concerned is, warrantee! There are outstanding bike brands out there and I for one no-longer reach a decision by way of alluminium or steel. Those days have gone! My decision is based on the fine print to the warrantee. Globalisation means you park yourself up for a few days and wait for the delivery of your new part including a new frame set. See you all out there.

  4. j
    22nd October 2011 at 8:49 pm #

    I ride a KWT Signature and it is without a doubt the best ride I have ever had. I had a CCM Silver Ghost as my first bike, then a Bianci, Trek, then Raleigh, and a few top enders but buck for buck, the KWT ist prima!

  5. Nikki Recob
    11th April 2012 at 4:43 pm #

    A Koga Miyata from Janson Fietsen Breda found me and I could not be happier….

  6. Wil Davies
    21st April 2012 at 11:28 am #

    Happy to hear you enjoy the KWT Nikki…Safe Adventures…Wil

  7. Nikki Recob
    21st April 2012 at 3:51 pm #

    Thank you Wil.

    In the Philippines? Have a San Miguel for me 😉

  8. Wil Davies
    21st April 2012 at 5:39 pm #

    Nikki, I shall do that for you…You can message me via Facebook…Wil Davies (1 “L” in Wil))…Ceers Wil

  9. It
    18th May 2012 at 3:41 pm #

    Hi
    If i need to choose between Surl LHT and Koga traveller, what would you recommend me ?
    KOGA T – http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicycles/koga/touring/koga-traveller/burwood/nsw/102080161

    Thanks

    • James
      18th May 2012 at 5:25 pm #

      Either. Both are truly exceptional bikes. The main draw back for some riders has to do with the Koga having an
      aluminium frame. Personally though, I would tend to lean towards the LHT. It really does have a massive
      following. But if money was no object, I myself would
      buy the Tout Terrain Silk Road. Now that bike is
      designed to last forever. Bequith it to your grandkids after you have clocked up the first 100,000 miles.

      • Nikki Recob
        18th May 2012 at 6:20 pm #

        That Tout Terrain Silk Road looks really niiiice…..

    • friedel
      19th May 2012 at 6:30 am #

      We really like the Surly LHT in terms of value for your money but Koga bikes are great too. It’s best if you can take both out for a test run before you choose.

      • James
        19th May 2012 at 11:25 am #

        You’ll be hard pushed to find deciding factors from a short test ride as both these bikes are totally brilliant. If you want a test ride, see if you can take the bikes out for a day at least. Try asking you never know! My wife wanted a Bike Friday. She rode a friends for a day or so only to realise it was a little too twitchy for her!! From that decision came her desire to test the Surly. Now she rides a Big Dummy and loves it. You couldn’t write it as fiction. Well I shouldn’t complain, she could just as easily have fallen in love with an SUV!!!!!!

  10. Nikki Recob
    18th May 2012 at 5:39 pm #

    I have a Koga and LOVE it but you have to decide what works best for YOU–you may love the Surly (or something else entirely i.e., Thorn Raven, Salsa Fargo etc).

    N.B. If at all possible, actually RIDE both bikes before buying.

    Best of luck with whatever you decide to purchase.

  11. Bill Voelz
    10th August 2012 at 5:42 pm #

    Anyone heard how the steel Salsa Vaya, which is set up esp. for touring, is doing? Looking for a good touring frame to build up from scratch. Any thoughts??? Thanks. Bill In Tennessee.

  12. John
    16th May 2015 at 7:22 am #

    I am so glad the bike is mostly aluminium. I appreciate it because I spend much time travelling and camping along ocean front areas, with plenty of salt air and I have less worries about rust on the bike. The bike is very easy to look after in my case.

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