Koga World Traveller Rohloff on test: Heavy duty for long-distance travel

At the heart of the World Traveller Rohloff is the tried and tested Rohloff Speedhub 500/14. The 14-speed hub gear is considered the gold standard for cycle touring and offers a gear ratio range of 526 percent. In combination with the Gates Carbon Drive belt drive, the result is a virtually maintenance-free drive system that really comes into its own on month-long tours through dust, mud and rain. While chain drives have to be cleaned and lubricated regularly, the belt runs practically maintenance-free - an invaluable advantage when travelling long distances. Disadvantage: The belt cannot be patched. In the event of a defect, a spare part must therefore be included.

Frame concept: Integrated 45-kilo beam as a structural element

The frame construction is particularly interesting: Koga integrates the pannier rack directly into the aluminium frame. This design is particularly resilient. A full 45 kilos can be loaded at the rear. While conventional pannier racks are bolted to eyelets and tend to swing when heavily loaded, the integrated solution forms a structural unit with the frame. This is clearly noticeable with heavy loads. Such solutions are rare in the trekking sector. Only a few other manufacturers such as Tout Terrain with the Amber Road (test here) also rely on permanently integrated carriers.

Up to 180 kilograms: large and heavy riders in the sights

The geometry is designed for tall riders: With frame sizes up to 64 cm and correspondingly long top tubes, even people over 1.90 metres can still find a comfortable riding position. This is by no means a matter of course in the touring bike class. Larger bikes are only available from customised manufacturers or small series manufacturers such as Maxx, who have also just relaunched their Pacemaxx touring bike (test here). The permissible total weight of the Koga is an impressive 180 kilograms.

Weight and price: premium does not come to economy

At almost 23 kilograms, the World Traveller is really heavy. But being a lightweight was never the goal. By comparison, a fully equipped touring bike with mudguards, lights and pannier rack typically weighs between 15 and 18 kilograms. The Rohloff hub alone weighs around 1.8 kilograms, significantly more than a derailleur system. Added to this is the robust and high-quality frame construction with polished weld seams. In practice, the extra weight is put into perspective anyway: if you are travelling with a lot of luggage, you will hardly notice a few extra kilograms on the bike.

The price of the Rohloff version is in the region of under 5000 euros. A lot of money, of course, but the Koga is on a par with the competition. A comparably equipped Tout Terrain Amber Road or VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-1200 Rohloff cost a similar amount. For those who prefer derailleur gears, the price starts at 2499 euros. One thing is clear: either way, the Koga is a tool for travelling the world, not a compromise solution for occasional weekend tours.

Equipment: Well thought-out down to the last detail

The standard equipment includes hydraulic disc brakes, a hub dynamo and a complete lighting system. Parts from Shutter Precision and B & M are used as standard. Our test bike came with SON parts. There is maximum freedom when it comes to tyres: Our test bike relies on large wheels with a tyre width of 55 millimetres. If you install 27.5 inch tyres, you can even fit tyres up to 72 millimetres wide in the frame for maximum comfort on rough roads. Additional accessories (lock, bottle cage, pump & tools) can be attached to the MRS rail on the down tube.

On tour with the World Traveller: how the Koga rides

Almost 23 kilos, without a motor: But don't worry! If you simply get on the Koga, you will notice surprisingly little of the weight. The large bike feels balanced in the hand. The wide handlebars with adjustable stem and wing grips provide an exemplary blend of control and comfort. The Koga is not lively when setting off. But with a little patience, you can reach a comfortable cruising speed in no time and the kilometres fly by under the bike on flat terrain. The Schwalbe touring tyres roll well even with a little tread. The wind remains the real enemy of propulsion.

Typical Rohloff: The twist grip on the handlebars, which shifts through the 14 finely graduated gears. This means that the right gear is always available, even with minimal changes in gradient. The slight grinding of the gearbox in the climbing gears is technically harmless and should not deter Rohloff disciples. Only the MRS rail leaves us with a few headaches. Tools, lock and pump can also be attached to classic bottle cage threads. The double-walled construction of the down tube probably makes the frame heavier than it needs to be.

The powerful mountain bike brakes with four pistons and 200 mm discs are great, bringing the Koga to a safe stop even on long descents and with a lot of luggage. Unsurprisingly, this is exactly where the bike's strengths lie. The Koga is extremely stiff. Even with too much luggage, the bike hardly twists at all and the handling characteristics always remain perfectly controllable. A clear recommendation for heavy world travellers with lots of extra luggage. As a comfortable city and everyday bike, the Koga is of course not quite in its element.

Strengths:

• Enormous driving stability and high payload
• High-quality look and features
• Low maintenance thanks to Rohloff and belt

Weaknesses:

• Very high weight