Bergmönch by Koga
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 03:41
Who said that monks aren’t out for a good time? At least that doesn’t apply to the Bergmönch. This fun and useful combination of backpack and downhill machine is ready for any adventure. An innovative folding mechanism keeps the thrilling invention small and handy, and the 9.0kg (inclusive backpack) Bergmönch rests comfortably on the back, offering its bearer permanent access to his equipment and provisions in the backpack. But only on the peak does the companion reveal the full extent of its utility: In only two minutes, the backpack can be converted into a fully spring-mounted downhill vehicle that turns every descent, even on rough trails, into a thrilling experience. On forest roads you can smoothly glide downhill in a kneeling position and after a short time you’re ready for new peaks – all thanks to Bergmönch, the dynamic outdoor companion.
Der Bergmönch
There are about 40 million people climbing summits every year – and more and more people join in – hiking is becoming a trend sport. The dusty image is now giving way to a younger crowd which is open for changes and enthusiastic about technology. The scene is ready for an innovation – the “Bergmönch“. The result of a fusion of mountaineering and mountainbiking – walking uphill and wheeling downhill.
The challenge of mountaineering is to surmount nearly impassable areas -always a specific goal in mind: the summit. However, the descent is putting weight on the joints and therefore, is a necessary evil. Mountainbiking is completely different. The descent is a rewarding adrenalin adventure, which takes you down to the valley without much effort and which makes long distances possible. The “Bergmönch” combines both aspects. A piece of sports equipment which can be easily transported uphill and which changes into a downhill vehicle providing lots of fun.
A system solution combining backpack and scooter. Climbing uphill without any barriers, but with free hands and all senses. Afterwards, you wheel downhill, standing or kneeling. If the terrain is really rough, you stand on “Bergmönch“, bringing your centre of gravity as far back as possible. In easier areas you kneel on “Bergmönch” relaxing your muscles on your way
down to the valley. This geometry is the logical consequence of several theoretical and later also empirical evaluation steps. Standing straight with your weight as far back as possible and using wheels of different size result in an accomplished wheeling concept, which offers perfect handling and security when going downhill; therefore it is the ideal compromise
between compactness uphill and comfort downhill. The overview of the whole project and intelligent solutions for details allow that the “Bergmönch” can be transported conveniently and close to the back on the one hand. On the other hand, it realizes an enormous deconvolution, despite extremly little weight.
Benefits of the Bergmönch
While walking downhill, our joints have to cope with several times the amount of our own weight – the legs have to slow down the downhill movement of the body with every step. And everybody knows the consequences: tired muscles and aching knees. Walking safely is not
guaranteed anymore. At some stage, it is more stumbling downhill than controlled walking. Studies show that 67% of all mountaineers have knee troubles, followed by injured ankles, hips, shoulders or even damages to the spinal column. Taking the “Bergmönch” with you, solves these problems, as you wheel downhill, taking care of your joints.
The “Bergmönch“ offers an entirely new kind of fun in the mountains. Consequently, the product aims at a completely different target group of mountaineers and hikers. People fascinated by sports and nature have been missing a certain amount of action in this leisure activity so far. But now, they can experience an extremely varied and funny way of mountaineering with the „Bergmönch“. Of course, there are other adventurous ways of going
downhill, like rented bikes transported uphill by mountain railways or toboggan runs. But the “Bergmönch” can also be used in peripheral areas making a reasonable and lasting tourism in the Alps possible.
The “Bergmönch” reveals entirely new routes because – contrary to traditional mountaineering – longer distances can now be covered without much effort. There are special mountain bike tracks and paths which you can only take on foot. But there are also numerous tracks combining those two and therefore, they are perfect for using the “Bergmönch” and offer new challenges for the ambitious mountaineer.
The name „Bergmönch“ (Mountain-Monk) might be surprising, as it is not, as you now know, a pilgrim walking up a mountain. But its origin is nevertheless an inevitable consequence.
You carry the bike up the mountain and kneel like a monk when going downhill.
Incoming search terms for the article:
- downhill
- going downhill
- koga logo
- koga bike logo
- koga bergmonch
- koga mountain bikes
- koga bikes
- koga bergmönch test
- bergmonch-koga downhill scooter
- downhill step koga
Keep an eye on this posts:
