by Larry Lagarde
Simply put, riding the IF MODE full size folding bike is pleasant and fun.
Folding/Unfolding
The first thing I noticed was how effortlessly the bike folds and unfolds. To fold it, unlock the release on the frame, nudge the front portion of the frame back and guide the wheels together so the magnets in the hubs click together. To unfold, place your fingers between the 2 wheels and turn your hand so the magnets release their grip. Then, pull the front portion of the frame forward until it's in place and lock the release. And yes; it does take about 3 seconds to fold or unfold.
On The Bike
Mounting the IF MODE, my first thought was how comfortable the leather grips and saddle were. The leather is supple and has the right amount of padding - enough, say, for your hands to sink into the grips a tad but not too much (ditto for your buns).
The Ride
The IF MODE is stable - just like a well built non-folding crossover bike should be. The enclosed drive train is almost completely silent, making noise briefly when switching gears. Low gear allows for quick accelleration. In high gear, I cruised at 18.5 mph. With disc brakes front and rear, stopping power is ample and immediate if need be.
Biggest Surprise
Although I was excited about the IF MODE long before it was in production, what surprised me most about the bike is the way it attracted interest from cyclists and non-cyclists alike. Urban bike commuters understandably admire MODE features like the bike's enclosed drive, fast folding/unfolding mechanism, ease of rolling when folded and the bike's clean looks; however, many non-cyclists simply gawked in awe when I demo'd the bike at National Train Day.
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2 comments:
Many thanks for this great thumbnail review, Larry! I think you hit all the things that the rest of us who are curious about the IF bikes want to know most urgently (as it it's been a few years since the bike first made an appearance on YouTube, it sorta does seem "urgent" ;-)
thank you much for the review,
this bike has been of great intrigue to me for close to a year, and i have been anxiously awaiting some more detailed shots, videos, reviews, and comments from first hand sources.
being the price is rather steep and the bike can't be found in most areas, i'm very curious to see (read) how it performs... i am a city biker and log quite a bit of miles on my bike. i dont use public transport unless conditions are terrible and i have a need for speed. i am wondering how the bike will hold up and if can perform well during daily 20 mile commutes ....
if you have any more comments on these issues, it would be greatly appreciated
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