Many of the bikes I collect, restore and write about are many decades old, and often require extensive research for me to even to accurately identify their model and year of manufacture.  The IF Mode is not one of those. It won a Eurobike award when it debuted in 2008, followed by iF Product Design GOLD Award in 2009, where its designer Mark Sanders was honored alongside Steve Jobs, another winner that year.  Manufactured by Pacific Cycles, it is described as “the Aston Martin of folding bikes.”  I picked up this one in 2020 and gave it a series of upgrades to make it a perfect urban commuter.  Read on to learn more.

This is Mark Sander’s second iconoclastic bicycle design, having already achieved success and accolades for the Strida folding bike.  Like the Strida, the IF Mode is an example of a bicycle design reconsidered in nearly every way.  The “tri-spoke” style wheels are one of the most immediately noticeable innovations, with rim tension handled by the three bolts visible where each spoke connects with the rim.  The spokes themselves are thin, flat sheets of metal (hollow in between) and not solid, thus staying light weight.  The wheels do not need to be removed to change a flat or install a new tire.  At 26 inches, they are the same size as mountain bike wheels and can handle more diverse terrain than most folding bikes, which have far smaller wheels.

Hidden inside the bottom bracket is a Swiss-made Schlumpf Speed Drive.  The rider can switch between two speeds by tapping their heel against the buttons at the top of the crank arm (tap with your right heel to cruise, your left to climb hills).  It’s dead simple, but takes a few rides to get used to.  Shifting with your feet is convenient but unlike any other bicycle I’ve ridden.  This is one of those cases where a less experienced cyclist might find it easier to use than a serious rider, since they don’t have the same expectations of how a bike should work.

The coolest trick of this bike is that it folds into a compact package in seconds. The patented single-action automatic folding system requires no tools and automatically guides the wheels together.  No parts need to be removed, including accessories like fenders, bag or lights.

Here’s a good demo video on folding the IF Mode.  The rider opens a quick release lever which frees the hinge on the crossbar, allowing the bike to fold and twist so the wheels are side by side, where they are held in place by magnets. Then they fold the handlebars, the pedals, and lower the seat.  Done!  Once folded, the IF Mode looks like a futuristic unicycle, with the folding handlebars and pedals further narrowing down the total package.  The built-in handle makes it easy to wheel around even the tightest crowds or elevators.  The folded package measures just 102cm(H) x27cm(W) x 66cm(L) and weighs 14.7kg. It will even fit in a suitcase with the wheels removed.

If I have one quibble with the IF Mode, it was the cheapo vinyl saddle, handlebar grips, and plastic pedals it comes with.  I replaced them with a Brooks Cambium C17 saddle, matching Brooks Cambium grips, and MKS FD-7 folding pedals.  When I found out that Pacific Cycles makes a kickstand, custom fender and rear rack set for the IF Mode, I bought a set and added them.  As noted earlier, none of these additions affect the folding process.  I also installed a rack bag and a high-powered headlight, the USB-charged Flux model by Specialized, with a matching rear light integrated into the rear rack.  Here’s a photo of the IF Mode with all the accessories:

The rear rack and fender replace the seat post collar, so they can be removed with no tools at all.  The front fender is held on with two bolts and is also easy to remove, as is the kickstand.  However, I think they add a lot to the convenience of the bike without detracting in any way, so I’ve never removed them.  The mechanical disc brake w/160mm rotors on each end to provide plenty of stopping power, but a nice upgrade would be some hydro-mechanicals.

Originally retailing at nearly $3,000, these bikes are rare in the USA.  Whenever I take it for a ride, people compliment it and sometimes ask for photos!  It’s what I’d call a “head turner” for sure.  In 2013, Pacific Cycles launched a similar line called IF Move, with smaller wheels and a belt drive.  Mark Sander’s next bike was a foray into electric motorization, called the “Mando Footloose” which wasn’t as successful but sounds like the makings of a great Star Wars miniseries.  Check out the gallery below for more close-up photos.