by "The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
Published 02/19/2017 at 20:08
by "The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
Published 02/19/2017 at 20:08
Tags: Bicycle democracy
; IKEA bike
STARS: 5
IKEA bike! $399, aluminum frame, belt drive, mechanical 160 mm Tektro front brake, Sram automatic two speed/coaster brake rear hub. The really neat part is the belt drive, which they imply is low maintenance.
There are a lot of accessories available, including a trailer, front and rear racks, panniers, lights, a pump, and helmets. It had lots of adjustability built in for different body types, and IKEA says it comes in 26" and 28" sizes, but I have no idea what that means. A neat concept to be sure, and time will tell how successful it is.
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
02/19/2017 at 20:19, STARS: 3
If I owned a bike, I would want to be this. It’ll probably become a collector’s item too, after what happened. I sure will miss Swedish design.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/19/2017 at 20:20, STARS: 2
26" and 28" are referring to tire sizes - I’d guess it’s 559 (26" MTB) and 622 (700C road bike) mm rim sizes.
Hopefully their Automatix hub is configured to upshift at a reasonable speed - most of them upshift too early, as I understand. I get the whole idea of it being simple like that, but I would’ve gone for a 3-speed, even if that meant manual shifting at their price point. (Shimano Coasting would’ve been ideal here - it would’ve meant a 3-speed automatic, and it would’ve meant that there’d already be a dynamo present for lighting.)
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/19/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 0
Is there no derailleur-type apparatus? If so, then we might be seeing the end of slipping chains.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:27, STARS: 0
Yep, no derailleurs or shifter to be found. The only controls on the bars are the front brake and a bell. It’s an automatic two speed with an integrated coaster brake in the rear hub.
"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
02/19/2017 at 20:28, STARS: 0
I want one. I would make it like a BMX cruiser except that coaster hub brake might be a deal breaker.
Or maybe I should just find a used one O’ these
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:29, STARS: 0
I think they’d make a really neat project foundation at that price. The want is strong.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/19/2017 at 20:31, STARS: 0
Internally-geared hubs are quite popular for utility bikes in Europe and Japan. There’s a few reasons for this.
Ability to shift at a complete stop (and I can bang out shifts faster than I can on a derailleur setup, even with having to stop pedaling to shift)
Reduced maintenance - the gearing’s in an enclosure that’s not exposed to the environment
Nothing to break if the bike is banged into or dropped
Room for a wider chain or a belt, increasing durability and further reducing maintenance
Chain or belt line stays in one place, so a chain case can more easily be implemented, reducing maintenance and protecting clothing
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/19/2017 at 20:34, STARS: 0
You could convert to a (handle-operated) drum rear brake, maybe. Disc and rim brakes look like they’re right out, though.
As far as gearing, it has vertical dropouts, but no provisions for a derailleur hanger.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:35, STARS: 0
Thanks for filling in some details. I hadn’t considered the possibility that they were using unusual nomenclature for the wheel sizes. I’ve never ridden an automatic hub bike. Are the shift points adjustable beyond the factory?
"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
02/19/2017 at 20:39, STARS: 0
hmm might not be worth it if I have to bust out my tig and weld on break mounts.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:39, STARS: 3
May we never forget the missing.
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
02/19/2017 at 20:42, STARS: 0
I’ll never buy another aluminum framed bike. Steel is real.
(Unless it’s a full suspension mtb or downhill monster)
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/19/2017 at 20:44, STARS: 1
On the Automatix, not easily. It involves opening the hub up and bending springs - it uses flyweights to command the shift. SRAM sets it to shift at a certain RPM (and therefore wheel speed), and I believe the bicycle manufacturer can custom-order that speed.
On electronic automatic hubs, it can be trivially adjusted - the Shimano Coasting group (which was a complete failure in the marketplace, and Shimano discontinued it) has a potentiometer on the control box that can be adjusted with a screwdriver to change the shift point. IIRC, the other automatic shifting systems (some Shimano and Bosch e-bike systems paired with Shimano Nexus/Alfine Di2 hubs, and the NuVinci Harmony) have controllers that allow either manual shifting or setting a target cadence from the handlebars.
And, in the 1970s or so, Shimano did a clone of the Sachs Automatic (the SRAM Automatix simply being a re-release of the old Sachs Automatic) that had an externally accessible knob to adjust the shift point.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/19/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 1
So the drive belt never needs lubrication and will never slip off due to unwanted derailleur movement. This is incredibly exciting.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 0
5" tires work wonders for the comfort of an aluminum frame :-D
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/19/2017 at 20:45, STARS: 0
Makes total sense. I’m super excited that you can now get that system at a reasonable cost in North America.
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
02/19/2017 at 20:48, STARS: 0
I bet! The added weight and rolling resistance kill it for me though.
To each their own of course, but I’m more of a steel cyclocross lover for my general purpose cycling needs.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:49, STARS: 0
IKEA specifically says not to lube it. All it needs is to be rinsed off occasionally.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:56, STARS: 2
Oh yeah. I did a few miles on snowmobile trails the other day. I loved it, but it absolutey kicked my ass. I’ve got quite a bit of training up to do.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 20:58, STARS: 0
That said, I really want a surly long haul trucker. That looks like a really comfortable frame to do some miles on.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/19/2017 at 20:59, STARS: 0
Do you get to assemble it?
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
02/19/2017 at 20:59, STARS: 1
I really need to get out and ride more.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/19/2017 at 20:59, STARS: 0
There’s been plenty of other bikes with 3-speed hubs and belt drives at similar price points, FWIW. (Although, it is a nice touch that Ikea’s including fenders and a front disc.)
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
02/19/2017 at 21:00, STARS: 0
Sadly, no. I’m currently bike-poor from a recent fat bike purchase, so I had to leave it there.
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
02/19/2017 at 21:02, STARS: 0
The Surly is a nice frame. It was one of the ones I was looking at while shopping for my bike, quite a few years ago. Ended up with a Campagnolo equipped Lemond Poprad though, which I like quite a bit.
29ers were intriguing too at the time, but they were few and far between and more moolah than I was willing to spend.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/19/2017 at 21:30, STARS: 0
Boooooo
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/19/2017 at 22:38, STARS: 0
But will the box fit in the car?
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
02/19/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 1
The most boring bike......in the world
My bike coming soon, being made, 1000w of POWAAAAAAAHHHH:
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/19/2017 at 22:59, STARS: 0
Nice.
"Straightsix9904" (Straightsix9904)
02/19/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 1
Aluminum has its place in cycling. Like in the beer cans I drink after a ride.
I miss my steel Colnagos; And my Ti Merlin. They were both magical to ride. That ride can’t be replaced by carbon or AL.
"Lenny Valentin" (lennyvalentin)
03/02/2017 at 08:42, STARS: 0
Alu frames won’t rust, I think that’s more important for the intended target audience of this bike, than any of the personal gripes about the material you may have. :)