@chdot and @cb "swung open" Is there some trick that I just don't get? A lever to open the gate completely? I really couldn't work it out, and when I spoke to a ranger who happen to be there, she just told me to go somewhere else.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Ikea to sell bikes in UK
(60 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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The padlocks on the left suggest something could be swung open (if the padlocks weren't there).
Posted 8 years ago # -
Since Ikea avoid paying their fair share of corporation tax in the UK, perhaps they could instead contribute to society by building a fully protected bike route from their store to, let's say, the Innocent path...
Posted 8 years ago # -
if the padlocks weren't there
Well, 2ft bolt cutters are a lot easier to carry on your trailer than an angle grinder.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I only observed it from a passing car so couldn't see how it had been opened,
Posted 8 years ago # -
Just been along here on a lunchtime jaunt to Ikea. The Loanhead railway path is great - nice smooth surface. The off road path linking the railway path and Straiton is a bit boggy just now, certainly slippery with slicks - but passable.
The gate is odd, it works like a traditional wooden kissing gate, but on a bigger scale. My bike just fitted in the gap - and it has 26 inch wheels and a fairly compact geometry. Anything bigger is liable to cause trouble.
Posted 8 years ago # -
So... back to the original topic after a short break of 9 months.
Has anyone seen / tried / bought one of these?
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/ikea-family-products/bicycle-bicycle-accessories/sladda-bicycle-grey-art-30326733/Going at £450 for two speed with belt drive. Coaster brake rear and disc brake front. Various accessories available.
"The automatic 2-gear system is integrated into the rear hub, so there are no wires that rust, break or need regular maintenance."
The pdf has lots on the front disc brake of course. Drum brake would have been better but less 'sexy'.
It does have some virtues (mudguards!) but can Ikea get a premium price for their Swedish (Taiwanese?) machine? Cycle is a fashion business and brands/models come and go.
Of course the units sold don't really matter as 99.9% of Ikea customers would drive but a bike story is good PR? (No I'm not getting paid by them - just curious).Posted 7 years ago # -
It's not bad for the price, to be fair. I like the optional rack extras, which are quite well priced. I see they have panniers too: oh it converts into a backpack, nice touch.
Trailer is interesting as the boom arm can be positioned either horizontally (to attach to bike) or vertically (to use as hand cart). Also has mudguards! The wheel axle looks similar to the Carry Freedom Y-Frame: maybe the wheels are removable for storing the trailer? I have a Carry Freedom, but if you didn't have that this could be an interesting option.
Definitely worth joining the loyalty card scheme to get those discounts!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Saw one in Edinburgh IKEA last week.
Tha management thinks I have several bikes so I've not been allowed a shot on one.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Aye I got a comment while browsing on IKEA site: "You're not buying ANOTHER bike are you? Don't we have enough already?" To which the answer, in all honesty, was yes (we have enough, not yes I am buying one)..
Posted 7 years ago # -
I'm enjoying the entirely wordless instructions on how to calibrate the disc brake, fit new pads, adjust cable, etc. Pure IKEA in the graphic style.
Posted 7 years ago # -
This bicycle is powered by a belt drive
And I was so looking forward to the model with infinite improbability drive...
A bike with only two gears isn't going to get much use in 'Mbra. Not unless the rider has calves of steel.
Is this this the rear hub?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Happened to be in Ikea today and saw the poster, didn't know they had one in store.
Looked incredibly good value to me, I'd maybe even consider one as a replacement for the Pashley when that needs to happen.
Posted 7 years ago # -
"A bike with only two gears isn't going to get much use in 'Mbra. Not unless the rider has calves of steel."
It depends. I imagine if you want to go fast, it will be a disappointment. If you're just pootling I can't see it would be a problem.
"Looked incredibly good value to me, I'd maybe even consider one as a replacement for the Pashley when that needs to happen."
I agree. I like the headset mounted rack, the sturdy rear rack, the belt drive, the lack of complexity. If I wasn't already at peak bike it would be a good candidate for a general purpose city and shopping bike.
Posted 7 years ago # -
According to this article on the Sheldon Brown site:
"The shift point with 36 holes is around 135 RPM, or 10 mph (16 km/hr) on a bicycle with a 26" wheel. "
So effectively it will be a single speed until you're going at a reasonable pace. How low the lower gear is will depend on the crank/drive ration (we can't really talk about cogs as this is a belt drive). Can it deal with a really steep hill? IKEA information provides no clue, however checking the photos the "chain ring" on the crank doesn't look huge. So maybe it will be fine, if a bit slow. There's always the option to get off and push: I know this isn't popular with "real cyclists" but you know, is this bike really aimed at that group?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Funnily enough I was in IKEA today, saw the same thing and also wondered if I was at 'peak bike' or not. It also has the option of a trailer.Almost worth joining IKEA Family, just to get the discount on the bike.
Of course it does depend a bit on whether it uses 'standard' components for its consumables (i.e. ones you can get from a bike shop, rather than only available from IKEA)
Posted 7 years ago # -
I would imagine the disc brake pads, tyres, brake cable, saddle, bar grips, etc. are all standard. The lights run on AA batteries. As the hub and belt drive are supposed to be low/no maintenance, the other stuff shouldn't really need replacing.
It's certainly tempting at the discounted price, but unless I get rid of some bikes I really can't justify this.
Posted 7 years ago # -
25-year guarantee on the frame and 10-year guarantee on the belt drive.
Choose from 26" or 28" wheel size.
That might appeal to some?Dave used a Sturmey Archer two speed hub for a while. 'I' on forum has a NuVinci variable geared bike. Both Dave and 'I' used the SA drum brake/ hub dynamo on front wheel. Ikea though chose disc and battery lights.
Ikea though are looking at something less technical and within reach of a bigger market. They are maybe the only global brand to try this? If it increases the market then good.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I was also in IKEA today - looks intriguing. From a close look at the online photos it seems to have some decent kit - rear hub is SRAM, front disk is a mechanical Tektro, the belt drive is by Continental.
I just have a feeling that the 2-speed hub is better suited to the more laid back Dutch/Danish style of cycling (aided by fantastic infrastructure and a generally flat terrain).
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Morningsider: seems like everyone who's anyone was in IKEA today. The small Greenroofers spotted their school headmaster there too...
Back to the bike. It seems to have an eccentric bottom bracket, but no adjustment on the dropouts, which would make maintaining accurate wheel alignment and belt tension interesting.
It weighs 16kg...
Posted 7 years ago # -
decent kit.....mechanical Tektro
Four words that don't belong in one sentence. I've yet to meet a cable-actuated disc brake worthy of respect. I don't doubt that one could be made, just seems that no one bothers.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Plenty of reviews of this bike on the net, also unboxing and assembly videos on YonTub as you might expect...
Posted 7 years ago # -
I have a three speed sturmey archer on my shopping bike. Struggle up some hills with the shopping, though as I am usually just at Scotmid in Balerno it is rarely A problem.
There is something in the atmosphere of IKEA that induces buying of stuff? Usually for me very cheap stuff but might end up with a bike I do not need if I had a spare hook in the garage. Does anyone want a very old teenage girl's bike for free? The bike is very old the teenage girl is about to enter the year that makes her not a teenager at the end of it. So actually parsing that sentence either way works. The teenager is very old for a teenager. Though that only refers to number of years.
I do not think free from the special IKEA atmosphere that this bike would work as a commuter with my hills?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Does anyone want a very old teenage girl's bike for free?
I will take any opportunity to do the 'cyclist pushing a second bike' thing as it instantly transports me to 1930s Deeside even though I've never been to the 1930s. Yet.
Perhaps I could fetch it to the Bike Station that it may reach a young teenager?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Aye gumbo there was a good review (in French) by a young lady for HuffPost (on YonTub) where she pointed out the issues with trying to go uphill on the SLADDA bike. Also she thought it was "trop cher" though I think I must disagree there. Belt drive, frame mounted porter rack, hub gears etc. are good features for the price.
I reckon it will do quite well in relatively flat urban areas. Perfect city bike for that environment. Edinburgh can be quite hilly in places (not everywhere) so a 3-speed handier here for that lower hill spinning gear.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Does anyone want a very old teenage girl's bike for free?
Thanks Gembo, you're just a month too late. My eldest bought a Raleigh Pioneer Classic five speed step-through from Gumtree before Christmas for £60. It's a really nice bike for the money. Gears and brakes work well now I've adjusted them. Basket, bell, mudguards. Hard to recommend the Ikea bike when there are second-hand bikes to be had for a fraction of the cost.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@cyclingmollie, ah, that one sounds a bit better, though the one I have would have been sixty quid less but quite far from Musselburgh.
@iwrats, only t'other day when I had two bikes at work was in in my reverie about the days of yore when a double bike one person combo was seen quite often. More than happy for it to go to bike station. About ten years ago they did a Balerno bring out your dead bikes which I took several bikes to (a cordoned off area in school carpark where bikes were just dumped for collection)
Posted 7 years ago # -
https://www.citylab.com/amp/article/562145
"In the end, the Ikea bike wasn’t tough enough for the streets. The Swedish furniture company announced last week that it’s recalling all of its Sladda bicycles due to safety issues and canceling all production. Them’s the breaks."
Posted 5 years ago # -
When was in Ikea 2 weeks ago still had the poster up for this bike. Shame its recalled dont all those belts snap on occasion, chains snap as well.
Posted 5 years ago # -
That's a pity, looked a decent product.
Posted 5 years ago #
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