The IF Folding Bike Series: Setting The Bar Even Higher

by Larry Lagarde

The IF is the new series of folding bikes from Pacific Cycles of Taiwan, a company that has been producing high end folding bikes like the Birdy, Reach and CarryMe. The IF series is a whole 'nuther ball game though and will soon be the new standard by which all folding bikes are judged. Here's why.

The folding bicycles in the IF series incorporate Mark Sanders' patented Swivel Head folding system, essentially two tensioned bars on either side of the 'top tube.' A quick release tensions the bars, making the frame super strong for riding. Open the quick release and the bike frame folds in 5 seconds.

Folded, the IF series bikes can be trolleyed like a piece of luggage. The handlebars and pedals fold too so the entire package is quite compact. In fact, the IF Mode is the most compact full size folding bike ever devised. Similar in appearance to the clay Cannondale Jacknife folding bike concept, the IF Mode has a mono fork and mono drop out on the rear wheel.

According to the Pacific Cycles' American distributor Alternate Vehicles, the first production run of IF Mode folding bikes will be here in a matter of months and I can hardly wait. I regularly ride a Pacific Cycles CarryMe DS and a Strida 5 for short rides (see my story about flying with a CarryMe as carry on baggage) and a Reach Trail for longer rides so I know the high quality of Pacific Cycles products and Mark Sanders' designs.

By the way, Mark Sanders and I talked at InterBike (he personally demonstrated to me how the Swivel Head technology works). Look for a coming interview with Mark here on RideTHISbike.com.

Labels: IF-folding-bike, IF-Mode-full-size-folding-bike