RideTHISbike.com
Folding Bikes | Places To Ride | Reviews | Sitemap

Cycling news & info with a special focus on notable bike tours, bike trails, bikeways, lanes and bicycle routes as well as innovative bicycling products like space saving & easy to transport folding bikes.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Update: Integrated Folding Bikes From Pacific

by Larry Lagarde

Less than a week ago, I posted a video to YouTube of the group folding bike ride this year at Interbike. The video contained a variety of bikes from Pacific Cycles' new Integrated Folding line and some viewers are looking for more info concerning availability so here's the status.

IF MODE
Although there are only a few, the IF Mode folding bike is now in stock. These are the latest Modes produced with a new multi-directional freewheel hub.
Price: $2239

IF REACH
Both the white IF Reach Sport and the quicksilver IF Reach Urban folding bikes are in stock.
Price: Quicksilver (9 spd)... $1699; White (18 spd)... $1824

IF REACH DC
Currently, the folding electric IF Reach DC bike is out of stock. Four will be available in @ a month. If you want one, a 25% deposit will hold it until the shipment clears US Customs. Price: 2499

IF REACH URBAN
The fast, full size (700c) IF Reach Urban is out of stock (this is the bike I shot the Folder Frolic video from; see the stills in the video of the bike in front of the Venetian). More may be in by early 2010. If you want one, I'm not taking deposits just yet but will be happy to put you on the notification list. Once the delivery date draws nearer, I'll contact you. Just send an email using the "Email Us" link at the bottom of this page.

Labels: ,

Friday, October 23, 2009

Video - Vegas Folding Bike Frolic

by Larry Lagarde

One of the highlights of Interbike is the folding bike frolic, an early morning group ride of folding bikes through the streets of Las Vegas. This is my video of that ride (which took place about a month ago).



Notable bikes in the video include 3 Bigfish, a black Strida LT (the $495 Strida debuting in 2010) and several folders from Pacific Cycles that are just coming onto the marketplace (IF Mode full size slim folder, IF Reach, IF Reach DC folding electric bike, IF Urban 700c). The IF Reach DC in the video is the first production model (all black, silent/surge free electric assist, Swivel-head folding mechanism).

IF Urban 700c folding bikeI filmed the video from the saddle of the very cool IF Urban, a 700c folding bike with an internally geared hub and disc brakes for quick stops and ultra low maintenance. Ideal for commuters, the Urban is a fast and comfortable machine but my favorite is still the IF Reach DC folding electric bicycle.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Electric IF Reach Coming Soon

by Larry Lagarde

Yesterday, I received confirmation that Pacific Cycles was sending one of their brand new electric IF Reach folding bikes here for me to test and review. Due to arrive sometime next week, this will be the first IF Reach DC to hit American soil. Based on the specs, I expect it to be a huge hit.

Why This Bike Rocks
The IF Reach DC is among the lightest and most efficient of electric bikes; yet, this bike also folds effortlessly in 3 seconds, rolls folded, is fully suspended and has 8 speeds. In other words, this could be the ultimate commuter bike.

Light & Efficient Electric Bike
The IF Reach DC is said to perform as well as Currie Technologies' new, top of the line Izip Express; however, at 43 lbs, the IF Reach DC weighs up to @ 20 lbs LESS and will be available sooner (IF Reach DC's will be shipping in July; the Izip won't ship until Fall). In fact, Dr Yan of DownTube calls the electric drive "one of the best electric bicycle motors in the market." Here's Dr. Yan's video of the motor in action:



As someone that has ridden the IF Reach DC's predecessor (the Reach Trail), I can already vouch for the ride and performance of the non-motorized version. With the geometry of a full size bike yet possessing 20" wheels, the Reach is agile and swift. The same qualities should carry over to the IF Reach DC.

IF Reach DC Specs:
IF Reach DC weight including battery: 43 lbs (19.7 kg)
Range: 31+ miles (50+ km) per charge
Motor type: 250 watt pedal assist with torque sensors
Motor Location: Within bottom bracket housing

Top Speed:
(light pedaling/flat surface/ 4th gear): 15 mph (25 km/hr)
(light pedaling/flat surface/ 8th gear): est. 24 mph
(hard pedaling/flat surface/ 8th gear): est. 30+ mph

I will be eager to monitor true output speeds with my Garmin GPS.

Labels: ,

Saturday, April 25, 2009

IF MODE Shipping Update

by Larry Lagarde

Yesterday, I received confirmation that the first shipment of highly anticipated IF MODE folding bikes is almost here.

I expect to have the IF MODE bicycles on or about May 5th.

If you've been waiting for the MODE bikes to arrive and are feeling a bit impatient, perhaps this new IF MODE slideshow may help. These are recent photos of the IF MODE that were posted on the Pacific Cycles website. Most are from the recent Taipei Bike Show. Enjoy.


By the way, I expect to revise the pricing on the IF MODE order page on Friday. From that point on, instead of charging a deposit, the full amount will be due.

Labels: ,

Monday, October 13, 2008

Mark Sanders Interview: IF Folding Bikes

Mark Sanders On The New IF Folding Bikes

An interview by Larry Lagarde

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Mark Sanders some questions about the IF (Integrated Folding) bikes, a brand new series of folding bicycles being produced by Pacific Cycles. The center piece of the IF brand is the IF Mode, a radical yet incredibly clean looking bike that folds. Mark invented the IF Mode as well as the unique means by which it folds.

Here's a slideshow I created of Mark's personal, copyrighted photos and sketches regarding the IF project. The Q & A session I did with Mark is below the slideshow.


Q: How long have you been working on the Instant Folding or IF idea?

M: It has been 'an itch that needs to be scratched', ever since designing the Strida 1 (masters project) and X-Bike (consultancy project). After a break from bike design, I was invited by Steedman Bass, the new owner of the Strida IP (intellectual property) to re-design Strida 2. The new design aimed to make improvements and make the bike more suitable for far eastern manufacture. This work is what is now the current Strida 3 and 5 series. Compared to other products we design (medical, industrial, kitchen etc.) ... I found I really enjoyed designing folding bikes, because they are a such an interesting challenge, right on the cusp of engineering/structural design and user focused design ie they have to work well, be easy to use and be cool/appealing ! As a plus, I love using bikes myself.

Anyway, I did not start the new project properly until my company,
MAS Design Products Ltd, had capacity between regular fee paying work, and could afford the time/money to 'indulge' (my wife’s term :-) ) in creating a new folding bike. This was 5 yrs ago in 2003. It took initially about 2 years of hard work to develop; Concept sketches, sketch models, models, CAD, FEA, prototypes, testing, repeat, repeat, etc.!; Patenting (supported by the British government); then some travelling for discussions with bike companies; more development, based on reducing costs and fitting in better with their process, and markets.


Q: What is the Swivel Head all about & did the IF concept flow out of the Swivel Head design or precede it?

M: The history was..
Having come up with the design, prototypes and patents for, what are now called the IF-Mode and IF-Cross, I courted some of the biggest players in the game. Most wanted to see the new technology (obviously), but getting commitment for the next, harder stage of manufacturing and marketing, was not easy. A few offers were made but without much real enthusiasm.
Ming-Cycle knew me and were enthusiastic about adding a 2nd own brand, after Strida, their 1st own brand, and an early MAS Design. Ming are otherwise 100% OEM, and are in the top 10 global bike makers .... a large proportion of bikes sold in the US are made by Ming, under various brand names. However, Ming are not used to developing their own products, and later gave up the project to concentrate on their expanding OEM business. So the whole project was returned it to me.

Fortunately, in the meantime I had met George and Michael Lin, President and CEO of
Pacific-Cycles. I was very impressed by their business; some of THE best mechanical engineering I've ever seen in the bicycle industry. Apart from extensive engineering and design skills, Pacific have, CAD, CAM, prototyping, testing, assembly heat treatment etc. all in one place. I learned they developed so many innovative folding bikes, many sold as other brands (eg Birdy, Airnimal). They also make mountain bikes, recumbents, special bikes, etc. for many other bike companies. Their own brands include the excellent 8” wheeled Carry-Me, and full suspension Reach ranges. Soon after Ming returned the IP to me, Pacific-Cycles, bought the whole project. Since then Michael and George, and their Chief Engineer, Ryan Carroll, have added their own bicycle engineering experience and excellence to re-design, improve and finalise the IF bikes for production.

'Swivel-Head' was simply the internal name Ming & I, first gave to the technology, when they had the patent. Now this is history, and IF for 'Integrated Folding' is both the name of the technology and the name of the brand. Both trade name and IP are 100% owned by Pacific-Cycles.


Q: Why design the IF Mode as a full size bike that folds?

M: Because although there are many excellent small wheeled folding bikes available, any straw pole, or even just observing cycle use anywhere will show 95% population choose and use full sized bikes. I am with you, other folding bike makers and enthusiasts in promoting small wheel folding bikes, but, I also feel that trying to re-educate the other 95% of the population is a bit like trying to swim upstream, hence this project.


Q: Wouldn't a folding bike with smaller wheels be better in terms of being compact and easy to store/transport.

M: Smaller IS easier to store, but not necessarily easier to transport, even 20lbs is very heavy to lug inside a shop, along a corridor or inside a train. Observing how luggage is now almost universally 'wheeled along' - I am convinced this is THE best way to transport a folded bike. Strida does just this, and it is now joined by the excellent Carry-me and Tikit folding bikes.

Also some small wheeled bikes just do not fold that small. The Brompton is THE best compromise, with a great folding ratio. But still, most importantly, even in Brompton’s back yard, London, 95% people prefer full sized bikes.

Some full sized folding bikes already exist, but these either; don’t fold without tools or unscrewing things like stems or wheels; are too large to easily take onto trains or into the office; or they are designed to be dismantled for packing, not really for multimodal travel.


Q: How long have IF Bikes been in field testing?

M: The Production IF Modes since March 08, early Pre-IF Mode prototypes since 2004, and IF Cross prototypes since 2005. and IF Reach Prototypes since 2007.

The IF-Mode was developed 1st, and the IF-Cross, 2nd to use a similar folding system in conventional frames, and in the IF Reach.


Q: Did any interesting surprises pop up while testing the IF Mode?

M: Yes, it fitted into bags and cases made for 20" folders.


Q: What reactions has the IF Mode gotten from people on the street?

M: Not much reaction in conservative UK, in fact it gets slightly less reaction than riding the triangle - Strida, until it folds, and then jaws hit the deck ... but by then, I'm gone ... onto the train ! In other countries, at bike shows in Far East, Europe and USA Interbike, people stop when they see the bike and crowds form when they see it fold .... Ryan can do the best demo, well under 2 seconds !


Q: The IF Mode's mono fork looks pretty slim from the front; can the bike survive daily use in a harsh urban environment?

M: Pedal axles have always been mounted on one side and take similar loads to wheel axles. So mounting a wheel on one side, with a similar tapered axle is absolutely no problem.

I really like the simplicity of one-sided wheel mounting, just like on cars. On a bike as well as the clean appearance, it also gives easy tyre changing and puncture repair. For folding bikes one-sided wheel mountings, allow the wheels to come closely together. So when folded they effectively form 'one wheel on a handle' - this feature is shared by both Strida and IF Mode.


Q: Do you envision any off-road versions of IF Bikes?

M: Watch THIS space !
Seriously, as Ryan has several
suspension patents and Pacific-Cycles have developed a huge number of mountain bike and road bike systems - it is a real possibility. The IF Reach, already has full suspension - initially tuned for the road. IF-Cross will probably be the 1st to offer full off-road capability, it is already light and takes standard wheels, gears, brakes etc. which lend themselves to upgrades and off-road versions.

Early road going, non-suspension pre-IF Cross prototypes were tested extensively, on and off road and even on many
downhill runs - I felt this was a good test for the technology ... (and very enjoyable).


Q: Is the IF series really targeted at non-cyclists?

M: Within the range of IF Bikes there is a bike to suit most tastes, from non-cyclists to cycling enthusiasts. The IF Mode is deliberately targeted at non-cyclists who like design, technology and do not necessarily want to change from their normal work clothes, or join a bicycle clan. Any cyclist who appreciates the design and folding benefits will also enjoy the IF Mode. The IF-Cross for is for existing or new riders, who want a bike that looks like and performs as any good full sized bike, it can be spec’d to be a perfect urban warrior! This bike is unique in it takes up to 700c wheels and can also fold, almost as fast as the IF Mode, without tools. It is also as compact as most 20" folders, and can be rolled into the office, shops and home. IF Reach adds the same folding, and rolling ability to the 20”, triathlete winning, full suspension, Reach. This means that this fast 20” bike can be also used for multimodal travel.


Q: Why would non-cyclists buy an IF type bicycle?

To get all the benefits of a modern folding bike. That is ‘take with me’ multimodal travel, small folded size, fast, ‘no tool’ folding, plus ‘rolls’ when folded (for easy portability), and the IF Mode and IF Cross are full sized bikes.


Q: Any chance of a 17 lb (8 kg) IF type folding bike in the near future?

M: Again - watch THIS space !
The IF-Cross in particular, can leverage 100 years of weight saving technologies, now applied to modern full sized road bikes.


Q: Any chance of a multi speed internal hub version IF model soon (such as with a Shimano Nexus 8 speed hub)?

M: Again - watch THIS space !
Pacific have the pick of all transmission suppliers, many of which are within a few miles of their factory.


Q: When do you expect that Batman style, remote controlled, servo assisted automatic folding bike to go into production (the one we discussed at InterBike)?

M: I am not sure about production, but I have some fascinating sketches and soon my CAD system will be buzzing with linkages, joints and lightweight actuators ! ... Don't believe me ? … They said the same about the fully automatic robotic Jar Opener which now sells in millions worldwide (but still not as interesting as a bicycle !).


Mark Sanders is the pricipal of MAS Design, a product engineering firm located in the UK. To learn more, visit mas-design.com.

Labels: , ,

Saturday, October 04, 2008

IF Series Folding Bikes From Pacific Cycles

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: ,

Folding Bikes | Places To Ride | Reviews | Sitemap

RideTHISbike.com
Cycling for fun, fitness & practicality.

PO Box 9025, Bridge City, LA. 70094
Ph: 504-324-2492
Email Us

© 2005-2010 Areafocus.com. All rights reserved. Website Terms & Conditions