When we announced Ikea's chainless bicycle last year, there was no word on a U.S. release date. But the company has just announced that the Sladda is now available here--at a lower price point than expected--and we've finally gotten a closer look at some of the features.

Enter a caption (optional)

First off, to refresh your memory the SLADDA is not a replacement for your carbon fiber racing bike; instead they've created a basic, utilitarian and unisex bicycle designed to encourage non-cyclists to use it for commuting or running errands. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Enter a caption (optional)

Enter a caption (optional)

Enter a caption (optional)

To make it low-maintenance, the chain has been replaced by a cogged silicone belt, obviating the need to oil it. The belt comes with a 10-year warranty.

Enter a caption (optional)

The frame, which comes with a 25-year warranty, is made from aluminum, with the aim being to make the bike light enough to easily carry up and down stairs.

Enter a caption (optional)

The bike's utility comes by way of accessories that can be mounted and demounted by the user, allowing a measure of customizability. They currently offer the following:

Front Basket

Enter a caption (optional)

Cargo Trailer

Enter a caption (optional)

Rear Rack

Enter a caption (optional)

Saddlebag That Doubles as a Backpack

Enter a caption (optional)

While the aft-mounted accessories appear to be attached by (of course) an Allen key, up front we see the basket has a bracket with two keyholes in it, which hangs onto two bosses:

Enter a caption (optional)

At first I thought this was a tool-less connection--a bad idea in New York City at least, where anything that isn't nailed down has a tendency to walk--but if we examine the photos closely, we can see that there's at least one hex bolt securing the basket to the frame.

Enter a caption (optional)

Enter a caption (optional)

In our write-up from last year, the U.S. price, converted from the projected price in Euros, was a pricey $797; but Ikea's now announced that the SLADDA costs $499, or $399 for Ikea Family members.

Here's Ikea designer Oskar Juhlin on what motivated them to design a bicycle:

The SLADDA is available for order now on Ikea's U.S. website, and you'll start seeing it in their stores next month. Lastly, yes, the bike arrives flatpack and is user-assembled.