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EB14: Koga Unveils Road Disc & 40th Anniversary Kimera Road Pro – Plus Amazing Original Shimano Dura-Ace Retro Builds!

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2015 Koga Solacio Disc Brake Road Bike

For 2015, the Koga Solacio road bike will get a hydraulic disc brake model. It’s the one they’ve used to tease their new flat mounts with, and it’s finished off with the new Mavic Aksium disc brake wheels, an Ultegra compact group and Vredestein Fortrezza Duo Comp 25mm tires.

The bike is laid out for endurance racing, combining a lightweight frame with slightly relaxed geometry. All the usual modern standards are here: PFBB30 and tapered headtube, plus a chainsuck preventer behind the cranks.

Even more impressive was the collection of anniversary road bikes leading up to the all-new 40th anniversary Kimera Road Pro. The oldest, a Miyata Road Pro raced in 1981, was decked out with original first generation Dura-Ace, a group that had far more parts to it then than the modern iteration does. In between was a 25th anniversary build, all fitting neatly together since Koga (’74) and Shimano Dura-Ace (’73) almost share a birth year…

2015 Koga Solacio Disc Brake Road Bike

A few different angles of the Shimano Flat Mount disc brake standard. Frames are getting ready, but actual compatible brake sets may be a little ways off. The Solacio Disc should be available later this year.

2015 Koga 40th Anniversary Kimera road bike

The 40th Anniversary Kimera Road Pro, at left, gets the latest Dura-Ace Di2 group with carbon Fizik Antares 00 saddle and Cyrano handlebar, alloy Cyrano stem and Koga’s UD carbon seatpost.

2015 Koga 40th Anniversary Kimera road bike

It’s running Shimano’s powerful direct-mount brake calipers, with the rear hidden under the chainstays.

2015 Koga 40th Anniversary Kimera road bike

The frame is 40T hi-mod carbon with a UD outer finish. All cables are run internally. Other features include full carbon dropouts, replaceable derailleur hanger and chain suck protection.

2015 Koga 40th Anniversary Kimera road bike

The wheels are custom, UD carbon rims from a well-known manufacturer that shall remain unnamed (basalt braking surface). They’re laced to polished black White Industries T11 hubs with Sapim CX-Ray spokes and internal nipples. The entire bike comes in at claimed 6.6kg (14.55lb, size 56 without pedals) and will retail for €7,999.

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

Until 2010, Koga’s frames were produced by Miyata, and their name was placed as a suffix behind the Koga branding on those models. Stepping back in time fifteen years, the steel Koga-Miyata Road Pro was built with the then-latest Shimano Dura-Ace 7700.

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

Only a limited number of 25th Anniversary branded components were made, coming in an aluminum suitcase with full color book and more. The group included a DA-branded headset and seatpost, something you don’t find on Shimano’s modern high end collections.

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

Shimano didn’t make the stem or handlebar, but this build got the commemorative graphics.

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

All 25th Anniversary components received a polished finish. Other than internal cables, the functionality of the STI shifters hasn’t changed much over the years.

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

Pristine 25th Anniversary groups are selling for $3,500 and up these days!

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

2015 Koga 25th Anniversary Dura-Ace road bike

Now, let’s step back in time further…

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Koga started small, as most brands do, with founders building a few frames by hand, and also becoming an early importer of Shimano cycling components for the Netherlands. The brand is more storied than we realized, and their history page is worth a read (H-ball rode them!) for the true fan. Above is the Koga-Miyata Road Racer, which debuted in 1976.

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Yes, once upon a time, Shimano had Dura-Ace stems.

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Check out the locknuts for the threaded DA headset.

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Quick release lever was there from the outset.

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Forget Campy seatposts, the Dura-Ace seatposts are the real find!

Koga miyata full pro original dura ace road bike

Originally called the Crane derailleur, the first Dura-Ace refined Shimano’s materials selection and design to create a top level group, a good idea since 1973 was the first year they set up their own domestic Japanese pro cycling team.

2015-Koga-Tour-d-afrique-rohloff-mountain-touring-bike01

Tweaking the BeachRacer concept they launched last year, the new Tour d’Afrique bike was built for a four month, 12,000km bicycle race through continent.

2015-Koga-Tour-d-afrique-rohloff-mountain-touring-bike02

This one gets full rack mounts at the rear with a carbon rigid fork and Rohloff internally geared hub. Check out the event’s page about Koga’s team here for more of the story.

Koga.com

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Steve Young
Steve Young
9 years ago

Just mentioned the Dura Ace AX pedals this morning during a sales meeting. Never mind the stem or seatpost, the DA AX pedal conversions are the real gems.

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

That’s not a locknut on that stem. It’s just a dust cap.

mudrock
mudrock
9 years ago

No that is a locknut, came with their own wrenches. I worked on them.

Tyler
Tyler
9 years ago

That’s not the stem they are referring to, it’s the headset. Look at the non-hex race and lock nuts.

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

@mudrock

For some reason I read the locknut thing with the stem.

PBJoe
PBJoe
9 years ago

I love the 105 number card. I guess 600 would be too obvious.

Nick Gritton
Nick Gritton
9 years ago

The headset did use its own special tools to avoid slippage. The stem has a dust cover for want of a better word. You take that off and there is a an Allen key access for both the expander for the steerer tube and one going towards the bars to tighten the bars. It was really neat idea.

Bob Flemming
Bob Flemming
9 years ago

I see a bloke on the train commuting on one of those older Miyata’s just like the one in the pictures. Time hasnt been kind on his example and it looks very tired. I will have take a closer look tomorrow.

James Rozzelle
James Rozzelle
9 years ago

I just acquired a 1981 Team Miyata, not knowing a lot about the marque. It’s not been ridden in a long time, but it doesn’t have a speck of rust anywhere. I think it just needs its bearings repacked, new rubber, and new chain. That 40th anniversary Koga-Miyata is amazing. How might someone in the US acquire one?

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