Bicycles

Ikea rolls out customizable, chain-free bike for urban folk

Ikea rolls out customizable, chain-free bike for urban folk
The Sladda bike will reportedly retail for just under US$800
The Sladda bike will reportedly retail for just under US$800
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The Sladda bike will reportedly retail for just under US$800
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The Sladda bike will reportedly retail for just under US$800

Ikea is taking its design prowess out of the home and into the city streets, with the unveiling of a customizable unisex bike. It won't be released until August, but the Sladda bicycle has already notched up an esteemed "Best of the Best" Red Dot Award and, as is typical of the Swedish furniture maker, appears to tastefully strike a balance between simplicity and functionality.

The unisex Sladda looks like an ordinary-enough pushbike, but there are a few subtle points of difference. Rather than a conventional bike chain, it stays on the move through a rust and oil-free belt drive. Not only will this help avoid blackened hands in the event of a chain-related mishap, but Ikea says it will last for up to 15,000 km (9,320 mi).

It also features what the company has dubbed simply a "click system." This gives Sladda owners the ability to easily click accessories onto the bike to suit their needs. These can include racks, a bag that can also serve as a backpack and a trailer.

In building the bike, Ikea teamed up with Swedish design studio Veryday and focused on building a transport option for urban dwellers that requires little maintenance, is environmentally sustainable and well-priced. How well-priced? Inhabitat reports that Sladda will hit European stores in August for US$797.

Source: Ikea

10 comments
10 comments
William H Lanteigne
That's a bit pricey for a single-speed bike. I want at least three speeds, preferably six or seven in the low range.
swaan
William, what made you think it is single speed?
It has a SRAM Automatix 2-speed automatic gearbox.
TobyChurchill
Front mechanical disc brake - lever on the wrong side for UK, and presumably a backpedal rear. (Hate them!) Apart from that, looks like a nice practical bike with sensible front carrier, and I like the trailer.
rtandrews
Looks like it might have a problem with the trailer when making a right turn.
unklmurray
I almost always read other peoples comments B4 I write mine.......I want to comment on their comments as much as On the article, One of the things II have noticed about every machine I have owned has to be ''After market customized''......I have no clue why it matters what side the brake is on,... since there is only one lever .....move it wherever you want it put, at least it has one.......as for gearing you don't have to keep it made in the style it comes in the box,you can change it to have an 8 speed shimano hub drive and a disk brake in the rear.......Yeah you might have to weld a hook-up for the brake but you are FREE 2 customize it however you want.....or do they ''Brow Beat'' you so much in the UK,that your stuck with whatever it has on it from the git-go??
Keith Reeder
"or do they ''Brow Beat'' you so much in the UK,that your stuck with whatever it has on it from the git-go??" No, we simply expect the things we buy to comply with UK law and UK standards. Maybe (I don't really need the "maybe") you Yanks are just less discerning and more easily satisfied to accept whatever's put in front of you...
telocity
I was first going say it seemed like a good deal for everything you get. When I realized the picture is with all the accessories and the price quoted is probably just for the bare bike. At least they used a disk brake in front.
YouAre
No doubt the IKEA marketing department has done an extensive research to come up with what we see. Hopefully Sladda 2 will be a cargobike priced under $999 though.
LakeeshaGobeatcha
For a bit less money you can get a new Electra Townie 21-speed bike (the world's most comfortable ride!), a cargo trailer with full cover, a Wald rear rack with two folding baskets, and a quick-release front basket. I think the Ikea bike is worth about half what it lists for, and that's including the trailer and baskets. I will say that I like the looks of the wood trim.
agulesin
@LakeeshaGobeatcha: "I think the Ikea bike is worth about half what it lists for" - isn't that true for everything under that name?