Popular for its ready-to-assemble furniture and appliances, Swedish company IKEA is growing its product line by launching its first unisex, chainless bike called Sladda.
According to the product's creators, Oskar Juhlin, Jan Puranen and Kristian Eke of global design consultancy Veryday, the bike is "designed to make life as easy as possible for the owner."
In a press statement, IKEA said (translated) it is the company's goal to provide consumers an affordable, low-maintenance and viable transportation option. Sladda targets both cyclists and non-cylists who enjoy urban, as well as green living. However, casual bikers seem to enjoy the product more because it does not require much in terms of upkeep.
The ultimate selling point of IKEA's Sladda is its corrosion-resistant, maintenance-free drive belt that is rated to last at least 9,320 miles (15,000 kilometers). The bike is also coated in two layers of lacquer, which protects it from dirt and scratches. Its frame is made from aluminum, which makes it light and easy to carry up and down the stairs.
Sladda's height-adjustable handlebar is another cool feature. IKEA offers a choice of 26- or 28-inch wheels that makes the product appropriate for consumers ages 12 and older.
Like any other IKEA product, Sladda has a "clever click system" add-on that is also available for purchase. This enables users to easily attach other bike accessories, such as a basket, cart, rack and panniers.
The bike product is scheduled to be released in Europe around August 2016 and will become available in the U.S. in late summer or early fall. The projected price for Sladda is $700 for non-IKEA members and $569 for those enrolled in the store's Family Loyalty Program.
IKEA's Sladda has already snagged a Red Dot Design Award for Best Product Design and was also recognized as the "Best of the Best" in the groundbreaking design category. It will just be a matter of time before we see Sladdas hit the road.
