The perfect commuter?

[dasgeh]

I’m not the only one here who has dreamed of the perfect commuter – belt drive, IGH, step-thru/mixte style, disc brakes, dynamo hub…

Looks like we’ll get our wish (minus the dynamo) from Ikea of all places… http://www.core77.com/posts/51805/Ikea-to-Begin-Selling-a-Chain-less-Bicycle

Topic

[Mikey]

Looks about as useful/reliable as a metal tube book case.

[Sunyata]

Interesting idea… (Granted, I already have the perfect commuter, minus the step through frame)

I would be curious to know if it is using a Gates belt drive system or something proprietary. Also… 28″ wheels…?

But, for the price… It might be a good deal for some folks, especially those looking for an alternative to short car trips.

[ginacico]

@Sunyata 138344 wrote:

Also… 28″ wheels…?

Remember when the store first opened here, and sold beds that required special non-standard-size sheets? I’m quite sure you’ll have to go through them to get any replacement parts or attachments. It’s the Ikea way.

This bike looks so….. so….. typically Ikea. The utilitarian cranks and pedals, cheesy kickstand attachment, boring white color. And what’s with that front disk brake and cable?

That said, I kinda want one (with the cargo capacity)!

[GovernorSilver]

I think its kind of exciting Ikea is releasing a low-cost Belt drive bike. I would have been part of the target market if this thing was out a year ago – as I didn’t really learn how to ride a bicycle until May of last year.

At that time, I definitely would have gone for an unintimidating, utilitarian-looking, forgiving bike over “sexier” bikes. Road bikes were pretty intimidating to me back then.

[dkel]

@ginacico 138346 wrote:

And what’s with that front disk brake and cable?

The rear hub looks like it has a coaster brake built in. Otherwise…front brake only?? :confused:

And BTW, this is the perfect belt drive, front brake only commuter (racks and fenders yet to be installed):
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11519[/ATTACH]

[Guus]

Yes, it has a coaster break in the rear wheel.

[huskerdont]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]11520[/ATTACH] @dkel 138357 wrote:

The rear hub looks like it has a coaster brake built in. Otherwise…front brake only?? :confused:

And BTW, this is the perfect belt drive, front brake only commuter (racks and fenders yet to be installed):
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11519[/ATTACH]

Bonus points because it’s a Soma and it’s orange. (My mountain bike is an orange Soma.)

[hozn]

@Sunyata 138344 wrote:

Also… 28″ wheels…?

I am pretty sure that is just euro speak for 700c.

[hozn]

@dkel 138357 wrote:

And BTW, this is the perfect belt drive, front brake only commuter (racks and fenders yet to be installed):
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11519[/ATTACH]

I hope to someday build a bike as elegant (and orange) as this when I don’t “need” gears for my commute (i.e. post trailer-towing). This does indeed appear to be the perfect commuter.

[bentbike33]

@hozn 138363 wrote:

I am pretty sure that is just euro speak for 700c.

I thought that would be “ISO 622mm”.

[hozn]

@bentbike33 138368 wrote:

I thought that would be “ISO 622mm”.

Sure, yes, it’s euro for ISO 622mm, which I figure most people call 700c around here.

If others are interested, here’s the reference http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

[TwoWheelsDC]

My Schwalbe 29er studded tires are advertised as “28×2.00” on Schwalbe’s website….

[dkel]

@hozn 138364 wrote:

I hope to someday build a bike as elegant (and orange) as this when I don’t “need” gears for my commute (i.e. post trailer-towing). This does indeed appear to be the perfect commuter.

Thank you for the compliment; your opinion means a great deal to me. BTW, the bike is steel, you know…

[hozn]

@dkel 138374 wrote:

Thank you for the compliment; your opinion means a great deal to me. BTW, the bike is steel, you know…

Ha, I know! Yeah, I would have to backtrack on my desire to avoid steel. But painting ti would be wrong and the orange is awesome.

[vvill]

Love the idea and love that this exists. My only fear is that the quality will be a disservice to utility bicycling. The belt looks like it doesn’t have a center track, and I wonder how serviceable the design will be for belt tensioning and fixing flats… can’t quite tell what they’re using to tension the belt, or how you remove/install a new belt.

@hozn 138363 wrote:

I am pretty sure that is just euro speak for 700c.

I wouldn’t be 100% sure on that. The Flying Pigeon (massively mass produced bike) uses 28″ 635mm rims, and since Ikea has most of their stuff made in China…

I did see it says 26″ or 28″ inch wheels, so maybe it will just be 622.

[Author]

Replies