iruCatch, the little giant
The three carrier attachments, iruCart, iruCarry, and iruCatch, are going to debut on the market soon. While I’m confident about releasing all three into the world, if I had to choose just one for my personal use, I’d probably pick iruCatch after careful thought (sorry, iruCart and iruCarry).
Today, as undoubtedly the world’s heaviest iruCatch user (ahem) and the biggest fan—having traveled extensively across Japan and abroad with my iruka and iruCatch combo—I’d like to introduce the details of iruCatch before its official launch.
Attach it to the handle post, and tighten the clamp to secure it. No tools are required. Thanks to the adjustable mechanism on the clamp, it can be used not only on iruka but also on other small-wheeled bikes.
Hook the handle of your bag onto the iruCatch hook, pass the handle over the handlebars, and hang it on the opposite side (in this case, the side facing the rider).
I often commute to work this way with my laptop bag. By passing the handle over the handlebars, the bag barely swings.
For vertically long items like backpacks, attach the hook facing backward, and hang it in front of the handlebars. I sometimes go to play tennis with my racket tucked into my backpack.
To use bags with long handles like tote bags, attach iruCatch lower down on the handle post.
For long trips, I use a 45-liter duffel bag from GREGORY. Hanging the bag in front ensures easy access to belongings, making it possible to retrieve a rain jacket from the bag without getting off Iruka when it suddenly starts raining.
It may look challenging to ride, but since the center of gravity aligns with the center of the handle, the riding experience feels almost unchanged. While the official maximum load of iruCatch is 3 kg, I might add that it withstood vibration tests at 10 kg without any issues.
iruCatch fits handle posts with a diameter of 22-35 mm, so it works perfectly with Brompton and most small-wheeled bikes, except the R&M Birdy Classic and Air models, which have handle post diameters exceeding 35 mm.
The appeal of iruCatch in one word is “incredibly convenient.” If I may add a bit more detail, it would be that it lets you head out by bike right away with your everyday bag whenever you feel like. Isn’t that what biking is all about?
Just hang and go!
Masaki Mark Kobayashi
Founder and President, iruka Inc.