The Pacific IF (integrated folding) Mode bike is a sleek combination of efficiency and artistry. Designed by the same people who brought us the Strida bike, the IF Mode features a svelte look without all the clutter of a traditional folding bike. Pacific Cycles has created this bike with the reluctant commuter or reluctant folding bike commuter in mind by eliminating a few of those tiny annoyances that can come with commuting on a standard bike. But if you like to turn heads, the Pacific IF Mode is up for the job.

The drive train is completely covered, which means no more chain grease on your pants and no more skirt caught in the chain. The unique Swiss Schlumpf 2 gear drive system is located inside the bottom bracket and you shift by tapping a side button with your heel- left side when you need to tackle a hill, right side when you need to giddy up. With full-sized wheels and an S-shaped frame to absorb shocks, the IF Mode is made to ride like a regular bike. The bike folds quickly and easily and doesn’t have all that unsightly chaos of bike parts that other folding bikes seem to have. At 27 pounds it’s not the lightest commuter you can find, but it can roll on the wheels while folded, like a suitcase. Pacific Cycles has some nice demo videos on YouTube, but we were partial to this one from NYCeWheels:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QLRlznMUYE&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Pacific Cycles has succeeded in creating a functional, efficient folding bike that would be great for apartment dwellers, on a college campus, or just tooling around town. The IF Mode folding bike does come with a hefty price tag of $2,500, but this may seem modest in comparison to those surging gas prices.

For more see Pacific Cycles and NYCeWheels.