IKEA to start selling bikes this August & yes it’s flatpacked…

The offering will initially be limited to a single model. The Sladda will be available in 26-inch and 28-inch versions and will cost €499 or €699 for non-members.

Designed in partnership with Oskar Juhlin, Jan Puranen and Kristian Eke of Veryday design studio, the Sladda was recently named Best of the Best in its category at the Red Dot design awards.

An aluminium unisex bike, it is described by Ikea spokesperson, Annique van der Valk, as being, “like a tablet with apps: there’s the possibility to endlessly add accessories for enhancing the ease of use.”

A click-system means that a bikebag, carrier or trailer can easily be added. Gears are sealed within a hub in the rear wheel, while a corrosion-resistant, supposedly maintenance-free cogged drive belt is employed instead of a chain.

In 2014, Ikea announced plans to sell an electric bike. However, this was only a trial in two stores in Vienna in Austria. Priced at €749, it featured a 250W electric motor with a range of 60-70km.