ONE - Arctic to Argentina A2A

2009 Koga-Miyata World Traveller, an Expedition Cycle

• Commuter Bicycles of Santa Barbara, California, USA.
  North American distributor of Koga-Miyata World Touring Cycles.
• I would like to thank Eric for providing exceptional pre-service, consultation, and delivering an incredible bike for an expedition. Delivering a 2009 Koga-Miyata World Traveller cycling expedition bicycle. The complete expedition package with Tubus racks and an assortment of tools and spare parts. Thank You Commuter Bikes of Santa Barabara, California!
• Maker: Koga-Miyata
• Model: WorldTraveller
• Segment: Trekking
• Weight approx. 15,7 kg
• Frame size: 54cm
• Frame: Completely hand-built Super Smooth TIG-welded 26″ frame. Tubes manufactured in triple-hardened and triple-butted 7005 aluminium. Top- and down tube oval and super oversized for extra stability. Equipped with integrated headset, built-in attachment point for all accessories, integrated kickstand, disc brake connection in rear-end, and a replaceable rear derailleur hanger.
• Front fork Koga Wide Bone aluminium 1?”
• Head set Tange Seiki ZSLT threaded industrial bearing 1?”
• Color: Brush polish silver
• Handlebar ITM Lite Luxe semi-rise bar Black
• Stem ITM Trekking 4-Bolts adjustable (Quill) Black
• Grips Ritchey WCS Foam
• Brake (front) Shimano Deore XT
• Brake (rear) Shimano Deore XT
• Shiftlever (r) Shimano Deore XT
• Shiftlever (l) Shimano Deore XT
• Brakelever (r) Shimano Deore XT
• Brakelever (l) Shimano Deore XT
• Chain Shimano Deore XT 108 links
• Front Hub Shimano Deore XT
• Rear Hub Shimano Deore XT
• Tyres Continental TravelContact 47-559 with reflection
• Tube Continental 32/47-559
• Rims Koga KM21 559-21 36H Black V-brake
• Rim tape H.P. 650C 20mm
• Spokes Sapim Leader 2×36 Black
• Saddle Brooks Flyer Black incl. Brooks maintenance set
• Seat pillar Ritchey Comp Mountain V2 Black ø31,4x400mm
• Seatclamp Koga aluminium
• Crank set Shimano Deore XT 44x32x22T with chain guard
• Pedals Shimano Combi PD-M324
• Cassette Shimano Deore XT 9-speed 11-12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32T
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT
• Front Derailleur Shimano Deore XT
• Derailleur guard Koga Stainless steel CNC dropout (MDER1024)
• Pump Topeak Roadmorph Small
• Bottle Elite Lysso aluminium Silver 2x
• Bottle holder Elite Taki 2x
• Bell Widek Decibel II Black with Compass
• Mudguard (front) SKS P-50 26″ Duo Tone, Black outside/Silver inside
• Mudguard (rear) SKS P-50 26″ Duo Tone, Black outside/Silver inside
• Headlight Cateye HL-EL135 with Battery incl. mounting plate
• Rear light B&M DToplight XS senso
• Rear carrier Tubus LOGO Black
• Lowrider Tubus ERGO Black
• Low-rider kickstand JD Tranz X Black
• Rubber strap Widek Triobinder T Black
• Kickstand Pletscher Comp Black
• Ring lock AXA Defender RL Black, with folding key
• Saddle bag Koga Medium Leather look with straps

Other notes: Arctic 2 Argentina 2012-2013

The expedition kit has finally arrived (another story, to be told another time). The good news is, there is enough equipment to prepare for the next stages of winter training in Korea (and camping year-round too).

• Equipment list (updated, May 2011):

1. REI -20 Expedition mummy bag *(polyester liner), do-it-yourself blanket folded over and stitched. Liner previously tested for 16,000km
2. Lightweight REI compression sack (for mummy), 20L size fits perfect.
3. Merino Smart Wool complete base layer (expedition tube socks, long underwear top/bottoms, balaclava). Substitute polypropylene or HEAT generic brand, save 90%.
4. Snowpeak Titanium Multicompact cookset (very light weight pieces, robust like a stainless one-do-it-all MEC.ca but lighter weight in Ti)
5. Northface tent (tentative for 2012), 3-season Tadpole, also footprint accessory. Might replace this. Tarp required. Assembly of poles is difficult in extreme conditions, tested at -15 with gale winds and caused numbness in the hands, recommend Hilleberg Nanno to others.
6. Ortlieb Front-Roller, Ortlieb back-Roller Classic panniers (black). Lost 1 screw on HimalayasX2011 and replaced with television case screw in hotel. (:
7. Thermarest Prolite self-inflatable sleeping mat. (comfortable, tacks sleeping bag, good length/width). Tough and comfortable across the stones and rough
8. Blackyak Goretex low-cut hiking shoes/cycling shoes for cold weather. Footwear for cold climate cycling tested inadequate for -10 Celcius, would switch to platform pedals and Snow mobile boots if required to ride in winter conditions. Launch expected in summer, Pearl Izumi shoes (20,000km or so, still holding together) using neoprene shoe covers only for 2012
9. GoPro HD Helmet Hero Camera (modified battery kit*), Replaced with Hero2 HD camera.
10. NEW – Brunton 26w Solar power supply for all electronics. Cables went missing in China.
11. 2009 Koga-Miyata World Traveller complete with Tubus racks and accessories for expedition. Untested, never ridden, no recommendations except what is known of Koga-Miyata quality.
12. 1994 Kona Explosif complete with rear rack, Shimano XT rim brakes, Hayes Hydraulic front brakes/rotors (dual front braking). Steel frame inadequate for full pannier setup. In garage.
13. 2008 Blackcat MTB, a Korean branded bicycle, aluminum frame Made in China, 14,000km with replacement of all original components with recycled SRAM X9/X7 shifting and Avid Juicy Five hydraulic brakes, Bontrager Race Disc wheelsets, Fox RL front suspension fork 120mm travel. Against all popular recommendations, I completed the build with an inexpensive – aluminum Topeak Super Tourist DX rear carrier rack for panniers and aluminum clip on racks for front panniers attached with one U-clamp per side and PVC Zipties. Completed 3200km pounding in northern Himalayas of China, Desert crossing, and Sichuan and Yunnan China’s back country without mechanical failures. Rear Bontrager all-mountain rim cracked 360 degrees internally, wrapped in PVC electrical tape(whole roll) and went on to ride another 1500km without issues. Rear wheel realigned twice on expedition.
14. Cook stove – MSR expedition stove & two fuel bottles. Tested in China burning ethanol and alcohol purchased in pharmacy or drug stores, inessential for summer expedition where local food was either available, or stomach was so upset or water tainted to keep meals inside.
15. MSR water micro-filtration system, simple and effective and strongly recommended. Only downside and having time to slowing pump and filter all water intake proved impossible. I resorted to Chinese tonic given to me in the Taklamakan Desert by water well stations.
16. 13″ Toshiba notebook computer, Windows 7 PC version, 600GB HD, 4 GB ram. Essentially used to download video/photos from three devices (Sony Handycan HDR-550V, 240GB internal memory, GoPro Hero HD helmet camera, Canon IXUS 90is). All camera equipment was stowed in a rugged, padded nylon, Lowepro SLR camera hip bag from the 1990′s.

• Needs list (to be determined):

1. Headlights (D.I.Y.) *** Solar resupply, I will not be using Dyno-generator hubs, too costly to build and required modified wheels. Currently testing Solar recharge with Brunton 26watt blanket, need replacement cables and company not available to help.
2. Touring Trailer (BOB Ibex PLUS vs. Extrawheel). Tested with Kona Explosif, Failed to carry equipment without fishtailing, overloaded. SOLD!!!! Only 5 pannier set from Ortlieb (Frontroller & Backroller Classic waterproof, Ultimate large handlebar bag)
3. 13″ notebook computer, Windows 7 PC version.
4. SPOT device, GPS tracking for the wife and family.
5. Paper Maps definitely and possibly a GPS unit, like Garmin 705-805 series.
6. Rain tarp/ground protection for the tent
7. Bike cover for rain and all weather conditions.