August 17, 2016 (Delft, Netherlands) – IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer, has added bicycles to the list of products it sells. The company, founded in Sweden, but now based in the the Netherlands, is doing a global launch for the SLADDA utilitarian urban bicycle which is supposed to be in IKEA stores this month. The name “Sladda” translates as “to skid sideways” from Swedish.

This low-maintenance, unisex bike has a sleek minimalist design. The concept was developed by Oskar Juhlin, Jan Puranen and Kristian Eke from the Veryday design studio. So far, the SLADDA has won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Essen, Germany.

The aluminum frame SLADDA comes with 26-inch wheels. An innovative feature is a drive belt, replacing the chain, that needs no oil and is under limited warranty for 10 years. The SLADDA frame is under a 25-year limited warranty. While the bike’s weight does appear to be listed in product specifications on the IKEA website, we understand it is light enough to be easily carried up-and-down stairs; a good fit for those living in apartments. Equipped with adjustable handlebars, anyone over age of 12 can use it claims Ikea.

The Canadian retail price for SLADDA is $999, but a discounted IKEA Family price of only $599 is also listed. On August 14, the SLADDA was listed as unavailable on the website and also unavailable in many stores we checked across Canada. Optional accessories include a U lock ($34.99), rear bicycle bag ($59.99), helmet ($49.99), a front rack ($45) and a bike trailer ($329).

Not surprisingly for something sold at IKEA, the SLADDA description includes the notation “this product requires assembly…”.

More info here.