Koga 2020 Project Tokyo Track Review
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This week Koga bikes teased a number of photos of the Koga 2020 track bike. The frame has been in development for a number of years for the Netherlands track cycling team’s Tokyo Olympic campaign.
Image by @_timdeboer_ on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BxccW3BCaCt/?hl=en
As mentioned on the Project Tokyo website - “The track bike will guarantee Olympic success”.
The designers have been particularly focused on aerodynamics for the new design. It is expected that the new frame can save a time gain of approximately 0.5 seconds on the team sprint.
Half a second is huge for the Netherlands team considering they placed first over their competitors by more than half a second at their last world championship race in Poland back in February this year.
The new frame is claimed to be 35% stiffer, 15% lighter and 24% more aerodynamic than the previous Koga frame from 2006.
Comparison between the new Koga 2020 and the previous model designed in 2006.
As well as developing the new frame, the design and engineering team has crafted each rider a custom a one-piece bar and stem combo. These appear very stiff and aerodynamic.
Footage: Project Tokyo - Chapter 7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1hnU7DjyBQ.
The current design trend in bars for a sprint set-up is to go long and shallow. This bar position aims to stretch out the rider for a lower and more aerodynamic form. The race position reminds me of the superman type geometry of a lo-pro pursuit bike from the 80’s and 90’s - but falling under the current UCI rules.
The stem sits flush with the frames top tube - achieving a sleek transition that does not look at all disjointed. This takes reference from the Avanti track frames from a few years ago. I am pleased Koga has paid homage to the curviness with a subtle arch spanning across the top tube.
I am excited to see the Dutch team out on the track with this new bike. I expect to see some great results.