Koga Colmaro Extreme: Made for bikepacking

With the Colmaro, the Dutch use a frameset for several quite different bikes, even on 26 and 28-inch rims. On the gravel version we find the only 26" wheels together with the fattest tyres in the field. Together with the saddle a little further behind the bottom bracket and the sloping seat post, which is split in two at the top, the seat is comfortable, almost luxurious, even if the frame's measurements are only average. With the second most weight on the rear wheel, the front wheel rolls loosely; this costs a little control in difficult bends, but takes the strain off your arms and torso.

The position on the Koga Colmaro Extreme is extremely suitable for long distances, not least because of the multi-curved handlebars, the front and rear grips of which are almost 22 cm apart. Relaxed strolling is therefore just as possible as a low position against the wind, for example. If the wind blows from behind, you can pedal along at speeds of up to almost 50 km/h thanks to the 2x cranks, and there is even a significant gear reduction on climbs.

You hardly miss a twelfth sprocket here. Most of the rather high weight comes from the hydroformed aluminium frame with polished, corrosion-protected seams. This gives the bike so much stiffness in all planes that you can confidently max out the 120kg system weight. Depending on the load distribution, the great straight-line stability may suffer somewhat. A top bike-packing candidate.

The concept with smaller rims and thicker tyres is bold, but it works. The overall comfort is great and the components for relaxed, long rides on any surface are well chosen. However, the Colmaro lacks the sharpness and balance to be a top all-rounder.

Big comparison: 16 gravel bikes in the test

• 3T Exploro Primo (Tip: sports equipment)
• Bergamont Grandurance Expert >> available here
• Bulls Machete
• Canyon Grizl CF SL 6 AXS (Tip: Test winner)
• Conway GRV 9.0
• Corratec Allroad C2
• Fuji Jari Carbon 1.3
• Giant Revolt Advanced 2 (Tip: All-rounder) >> available here
• Koga Colmaro Extreme >> available here
• Marin Headlands 1 >> available here
• Megamo West 10 >> available here
• Merida Silex 700 (Tip: Offroader)
• Rondo Ruut AL1
• Rose Backroad GRX RX820 (Tip: Test winner) >> available here
• Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 (Tip: Price/performance) >> available here
• VSF Fahrradmanufaktur GX-500 >> available here

Koga Colmaro ExtremeNote & Details

• Note: 2,7
• Price: 2499 Euro >> available here
• Weight of complete wheel: 10.82 kilos
• Frame sizes: S / M / L / XL (test size greased)

Geometry

• Seat/top/head tube: 555 / 575 / 182.7 millimetres
• Stack/Reach/STR: 619 / 377 millimetres / 1.642
• Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 657 / 537 millimetres / 1.223
• Wheelbase/caster: 1040 / 69.5 millimetres

Equipment

• Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX 810 (2 x 11; 46/30, 11-34 t.) | Grade: 2.5
• Brakes: Shimano GRX 810 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
• Tyres: WTB Venture RoadPlus TCS 47b-650c (eff.: 48 mm) | Grade: 2.0
• Impellers: DT Swiss G 1800 Spline 650B
• Impeller weights: 1750 / 2253 grams (front/rear)

Advantages and disadvantages of the Koga Colmaro Extreme

• Plus: variable handlebars, good seating comfort, top wheels, long warranty
• Minus: heavy frameset, only 4 sizes, few sporty positions

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