‘Fashion fades, only style remains the same’ - Coco Chanel -
UNDERSTAND THE ART
The best and most beautiful bikes for passionate riders, without compromise. That was the vision of Koga’s founder Mr Gaastra in 1974, and it is still the target we put heart and soul into achieving. For any moment and for any person there is a perfect Koga: for the extremes of expedition touring, for record-breaking on the track, or simply for relaxed rides around your region. We build bikes for people who demand the finest quality. For the long distance rider, for top athletes, and for everyone who loves cycling.
Koga is dedicated to the art of building bikes on which every ride is an experience. A Koga stands out from the crowd with its innovative technology, comfort and stylish design, achieving an expression of the rider’s own personality. A bike to be proud of!
In this book we will show you what we mean by ‘The Art of Cycling’. We hope you enjoy reading all about it!
WOUTER JAGER, MANAGING DIRECTOR
BY PROFESSIONALS FOR PROFESSIONALS In 1974 Andries Gaastra laid the foundations for Koga today, then under the name Koga-Miyata. The brand swiftly became a household name for its quality lightweight bikes, especially because of sponsorship deals with various professional racing teams. A high point was the Alpe d’Huez stage victory by Peter Winnen in the 1981 Tour de France. Koga-Miyata had a mission to produce a top end product for enthusiastic and high-mileage committed cyclists: for connoisseurs. Almost forty years and countless satisfied customers and sporting successes later, Koga’s mission remains unchanged – we intend to build the best bikes there are!
ESCAPE THE ROUTINE With a Koga you can escape the everyday routine. There are Kogas ideal for challenging expedition touring, for technically demanding trail riding, or just for a relaxing cycle ride in your own region. Outstanding quality and striking design are key. We never take short-cuts when it comes to quality and beauty, that’s what makes a Koga!
I CREATE
‘Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings’ - Salvador Dali -
BY INDIVIDUALS FOR INDIVIDUALS
Technical know-how, design and innovation are the ingredients which we employ in creating our bicycles, and to elevate ourselves from the competition. All Koga bikes are built by hand at our premises in Heerenveen, The Netherlands. A single technician is responsible for the full assembly of each bike. The ‘handbuilt by Koga’ logo on the frame is the guarantee of this unique working practice. By individuals, for individuals. This close relationship to the product is reflected in the results: perfection down to the finest detail.
We realise that the expectations of our target audience keep growing. Our bikes are becoming ever lighter, faster and more stylish. Our attention is also on rider comfort. Naturally there are limits, but we aim to deliver the optimal mix of qualities for carefree cycling.
EXCLUSIVE, PRIZE-WINNING DESIGN Our starting point when developing new models is always to produce the very best product for the passionate (and high mileage) cyclist. We dedicate much attention to the specification, and carefully select a harmonious set of components. If that isn’t possible with existing components, we develop our own. This gives our bikes their distinctive appearance and stylish look. Less is more! FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
Koga has its own in-house designers who are responsible for classic, yet innovative, designs. The most important design principle is ‘form follows function’: the functionality of the bike determines its final form. Local market preferences and trends have a significant influence, but the over-riding factor is in the end the exclusive and stylish appearance: perfection down to the finest detail. The numerous design prizes won by Koga demonstrate that this effort is noticed and valued by the consumer. Our most recent award is winning two 2012 iF Product Design Awards for the new Koga SuperMetro and E-Tour models.
PERFECTION DOWN TO THE FINEST DETAILS
‘What could be better than making your hobby your job’ - Arrie Bregman -
ARRIE BREGMAN, KOGA FACILITIES MANAGER
‘I’ve been a fan of cycling ever since I was thirteen. For twelve years I was a fanatical competitive rider at amateur level, and ever since I have ridden intensively, both for sport and touring. Over the last five years I have also cycled to work, 26 km there and 26 km back, whatever the wind and weather, summer and winter. That’s around 12000 km per year.
I started working in the cycle trade at a young age. Eleven years ago I came to Koga, first as head of production and now for three years as Facilities Manager. In this role I work closely with the people in our R&D department who handle research and further development of particular products. A Koga has to stand out in appearance and specification down to the finest detail, and this takes Koga-exclusive inventions.
I work with a team of enthusiastic colleagues, whose commitment is evident in the end product bicycle. We deliver a product which sells well because of its high quality, which also keeps our dealers happy. But the most important thing is happy and enthusiastic customers – in the final analysis we work for them!’
QUALITY CENTER
Koga offers an uncompromising guarantee of quality. We have invested heavily in our own testing laboratory where a team of specialists puts bikes and components through exacting tests. This equips us to make durable, low-maintenance cycles.
The lab is at the heart of Koga. Innovation is in our genes, and developments are increasingly produced in-house. Koga staff call the lab the ‘torture chamber’ because the machines there put parts through noisy extreme testing. This painstaking process is unique for a cycle manufacturer, but when you put quality first it pays to invest accordingly.
SPECIFY YOUR OWN DREAM BIKE
High mileage cycling connoisseurs with particular ideas requirements can specify their own personalised bike using Koga Signature, either online with their own computer, or at a Koga Signature terminal at a dealer. Whether it’s a touring, city, travel or racing bike, anyone can specify a bike which is made to measure. The bike takes shape step by step, and at every stage details are provided showing, for example, updated price and weight. The design software has been thought through in detail, and it prevents choices or combinations which are not compatible. Finally, your made to measure bike is assembled completely by hand in accordance with Koga’s high quality standards. As a finishing touch the designer/owner can have his or her own name applied to the frame. Could it be more personal?
I SHOW
‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way’ - John c. Maxwell -
PERFECT PRESENTATION A Koga deserves perfect presentation, so we work with a carefully selected network of specialist dealers who can provide our product with the space and atmosphere which it warrants. A Koga is a complete experience, and that starts in the shop. We enter into long-term partnerships with our dealers, encouraging good service and mutual understanding. Our dealers are always kept right up to date with the latest technical details of all Koga products, and are trained to advise customers honestly and with real expertise.
‘Koga blue blood runs in our veins’ - Brama Borne, father and son -
“FIETSCITY BRAMA” IN BORNE A PIONEERING KOGA DEALERSHIP ‘When my grandfather founded the business he decided on Koga because he appreciated that it is a special brand. My father continued this partnership because of the quality and superb service from Koga, like the guarantee on the frames. I grew up with Koga and now I work myself in the shop too. I am still always impressed by the consistent quality and continuous innovation, clearly visible in the detail design. We sell five brands, which we present according to market sector. Only the Koga brand do we present separately as a ‘shop in shop’.
We have a strong personal relationship with the Koga staff. We are invited every year to visit the factory, and also receive an update on the model range. We pass on our sales figures to Koga so that they can feed these immediately into their stock management, so that trends can be taken advantage of quickly. In previous years I was a keen cycle racer. I still ride my first Koga, on which I won an amateur race in 1994. So far it has around 150,000 km under its wheels.’
I ENJOY
‘I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring’ - David Bowie -
TREKKING
Travel by bicycle is a superb way to discover the world. Koga provides just the bicycles for the task: robust, durable and perfectly functional in every detail. Models which have been thoroughly proven on the road, always using the latest technology and equipped with clever, weight-saving solutions. This is the bike to ride the world!
‘I made my dreams come true with passion, and I love to share the experience’ - Mark Beaumont -
MARK BEAUMONT ROUND THE WORLD CYCLIST
‘You can certainly tell that Kogas are hand built with plenty of attention to detail. That’s what makes it so special to own and ride these bikes. I have seven of them, and every single one is fantastic! Koga is particularly well known for its expedition touring bikes. I have travelled the world on my Kogas, and even set a roundthe-world record. I also rode from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego: these bikes are unbelievably reliable. Over the last four years I have covered over 50,000 km in six continents without problems. Kogas can be built made to measure, so I got a bike which completely satisfied my wishes. I have had regular contact with Koga staff over the years, and they have always responded to my wishes and suggestions. I have realised my dreams with passion and I love to share the experience. I have had the opportunity to make several documentaries for the BBC, and I am also writing books about my experiences. The positive effect is to inspire people to cut loose and discover the world. Can you imagine anything finer than to inspire others to live more intensely?’
‘One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things’ - Henry Miller -
COMFORT
Easy handling, relaxed riding position and huge levels of functional comfort: for the ‘Comfort’ range Koga has developed innovative products such as integrated, lightweight front suspension to cushion arms and shoulders, and also the astonishingly bright Rayo Senso front light with standlight and daylight running functions. What’s more, even fully equipped they weigh not one gram too much!
EVERY KILOMETRE A PLEASURE
LIGHT TOURING
For sporty touring cyclists Koga has developed a range of multi-functional, fully-equipped and relatively lightweight models. Elegant all-rounders with luxury appearance, ideal as holiday bikes or also for commuting. With the sporty riding position you’ll simply glide along.
KOGA E-BIKES
ACTIVE RELAXATION
Cycling made easy, even into a headwind or uphill. That’s the advantage of riding a Koga E-bike with user-controlled pedal assistance. There’s plenty of technical refinement behind the scenes: the removable batteries are integrated into either the frame or rear rack, and the near-silent motor is concealed almost invisibly in the hub. The Koga E-Tour has as a result been honoured with a 2012 iF Product Design Award. Koga E-bikes: in a class of their own!
‘By the work one knows the artist’ - Jean de La Fontaine -
CITY CAPABLE
Koga offers a chic collection of surprisingly lightweight city bikes with a stylish design: fast movers for daily riding in the city or suburbs. The flagship model is the SuperMetro, an elegant ‘naked bike’ for cyclists who appreciate lifestyle and comfort. The red design elements give this bike a very distinctive style. The SuperMetro was honoured with a 2012 iF Product Design Award.
‘The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls’ - Pablo Picasso -
PUSH THE LIMITS Our select range of mountain bikes consists of striking all-rounders whose qualities are best proven on the most technically demanding of trails – because no challenge is too great for mountain bikers! Your passion is to push the limits, to confront the impossible. Koga builds mountain bikes with the same passion, and the bikes stand out for their durability, low weight and smart styling.
‘I don’t want to be interesting. I want to be good’ - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe -
MTB Met een Koga breek je uit het dagelijkse stramien. Of je nu geniet van een grensverleggende trekkingtocht of het dichter bij huis zoekt, met een Koga is fietsen een belevenis. Dat heeft alles te maken met de superieure kwaliteit en het oogstrelende design. Als het om kwaliteit of schoonheid gaat doen wij geen concessies, want dát maakt een Koga nu juist tot een Koga!
THE WILL TO WIN
If you want to win, leave nothing to chance. Perfect preparation includes optimising both training and equipment. Our racing bike range is the result of intensive collaboration with professional racing teams and athletes, including the road racing riders of the KOGA Cycling Team and athletes from the Netherlands Track Squad. This has led to unique frame designs with visually distinctive features, super-sporty designs and optimal balance between rigidity and weight. Extensive experiments in our own test laboratory ensure that our technical innovations hold up to their promise when applied in practice.
‘As an athlete you are the one pedalling of course, but the bike plays a major role’ - Teun Mulder -
TEUN MULDER TRACK WORLD CHAMPION ‘I need a top bike to be able to win.’ Aerodynamics, weight and rigidity are critical. My Koga Kimera satisfies all of these criteria. In design, geometry and frame stiffness it’s a step above other bikes, so I’m very happy with it. In 2008 I became World Champion in the 1 km time trial riding the Kimera.
Koga has made top level bikes for years. It’s fantastic that I can ride a bike made by a Netherlands manufacturer. The people at Koga have plenty of experience with track racing and with cycle sport in general, and I also share my feedback with them. This exchange leads to good products.
I ride a Koga on the road, too. I am a member of the Koga Cycling Team, and I also ride a Koga in my free time. It’s great to ride a ‘normal’ gents bike through the Veluwe nature park. My dream is an Olympic medal. For that, I need a world class bike: a Koga.
KOGA B.V. P.O. BOX 167, 8440 AD Heerenveen The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)513 63 01 11 info@koga.com www.koga.com I N T 0 11 2
Š2012 KOGA B.V.