IKEA jumps into the bike/bike accessories market, and...WOW!

I am THRILLED and amazed to see what IKEA has introduced in the US market for bikes.

As an advocate for everyday/everyone biking, this is what dreams are made of... and many of us already everyday-ers, there are super affordable accessories that I am dying to check out IRL. 

Looks like all will be available next month. Field trip?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/ikea_famil...

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Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on January 17, 2017 at 6:28am

According to Sheldon Brown, a 28-inch wheel can be 622mm, which is the common 700C size.  However, it can also be a 635mm, also known as 700B, which is used on a lot of Dutch roadster bikes, which resemble the one here.  There are a million 700C tires.  For 700B, not so much.  We might be able to tell if we knew the exact tire width, which we don't.  How about if you wanted a new seatpost or handlebars?  Where are the sizes?  I understand Ikea's idea of getting its bike out to new riders.  I find their attitude that new riders don't actually care about the details of their bike to be a bit condescending.  I wonder if they even let you know what size the replacement belt is or how to replace it.  Since you can't put a link in a belt, the frame itself must split open at the back.  I would love to see the manual for this thing, but it's nowhere online that I've found.  Just because cyclists are new doesn't mean they're stupid or don't want to learn.  I agree with you about the hub, too.  I mean, really, how hard is is to use a three-speed hub?     

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 19, 2017 at 10:02am

The appeal of a two speed automatic isn't all about the difficulty of using a three speed hub. It is also about ease of maintenance and a nice clean look (sans cable and shifter). I've have a SRAM Automatix on my daily rider and while it isn't perfect, (ideally for me it would have a much higher shift point) it has been 100% maintenance free for four years of all season riding.  

As a counterpoint, the three speed Archer-Sturmey* that it replaced lasted less than a year before it locked up on me mid-intersection - junk!

*new Chinese version 

Permalink Reply by Ethan N-G on January 20, 2017 at 7:47am
Yeah, I have bought wheels in Europe before and despite being on the metric system my 700c wheels were being marketed as 28 inch. It's odd
Permalink Reply by Bradford Smith on January 20, 2017 at 1:03pm

In Sweden and some other countries I've visited, both 700C/622mm and 635mm roadster wheels/tires commonly referred to as 28 inch and 559mm mountain bike sized wheels.tires as 26 inch. Television, phone and computer screens, car wheels and some plumbing/hardware are also commonly labeled in inches.

Permalink Reply by Bradford Smith on January 17, 2017 at 12:44pm

Link to IKEA's assembly instructions for the bicycle.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/manuals/sladda-bicycle__AA-1877543-2_pub.pdf

Permalink Reply by Tiberculosis on January 18, 2017 at 1:38am

Those are pretty good. Great illustrations.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on January 19, 2017 at 11:00am

It would be great if IKEA started selling a low cost Newton Meter wrench to pair with this.

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on January 21, 2017 at 10:38am

A low cost torque wrench is not very accurate especially at low torques.  If you want a cheap, not very accurate wrench, go to Harbor Freight.  For this bike I doubt you really need accuracy.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on January 18, 2017 at 10:34am

Keeping IKEA fresh.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 19, 2017 at 6:24am
Permalink Reply by Tom Lang on January 23, 2017 at 8:41am

Though IKEA, with its broad marketing reach, may bring new households into the urban bike mix, plus cargo-capability, it's still a Big Box store with no service or support.

So anyone with experience would say "fuggetabahtit" unless you are truly willing to chance a short-lived bargain... The IKEA basic specs are not that bad:

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30326728/

more at: http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/reviews/whoa-ikea-bikes

Permalink Reply by Bradford Smith on January 30, 2017 at 4:59pm

I was at IKEA today. The tires on the display model are Kendas and the belt is Continental. The frame opens near the rear dropout to get the belt on/off.

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