News

iruka Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Masaki Mark Kobayashi, Founder and President) launches sales this December of its new iruka C, a value model joining iruka’s highly evolved folding bicycle product lineup superbly adapted for urban roadability, fold-up portability and storability. The iruka C features the same unique jackknife frame structure as the original iruka lineup, with even greater optimization for comfort in urban riding, and a price about ¥36,000 lower* than the existing model.
Based on a comparison of after-tax purchase costs in Japan. Price differences in other countries may vary with differences in taxes.

A new model with comfort specs

iruka C is a value model created in pursuit of comfort in urban riding. Equipped with STePS Nexus Inter 5, Shimano’s latest internal 5-speed gear hub, the new model’s comfort features also include a riser handlebar that curves up and to the rear, a 1.50-inch tire width for excellent shock absorption and a thick-type cushioned saddle. Compared to the existing model with flat handlebars, a 1.25-inch tire width and a thin-type slim saddle, the iruka C facilitates a more comfortable riding posture with less leaning forward of the upper body, resulting in a ride that has a gentler feeling of mildness to it. With a domestic retail price in Japan of ¥179,800 (tax not included), it costs about ¥36,000 less than the existing model.

Production continues of the existing model, which has been renamed “iruka S.” The move creates a lineup of two models in the iruka series, the 8-speed iruka S with sport specs, and the 5-speed iruka C with comfort specs. The main specifications and characteristics of each are shown below. For more detailed specifications, see Overview｜Lineup and Specs.

Adding vivid Blue and Red hues for five color choices

The coloring of iruka frames is not performed with ordinary paint. We use the same anodizing process as on Apple MacBook and iMac devices, in which the item is first submerged in an electrolyte. An electric current is then applied, which causes the formation of a protective film that has micropores with diameters of about 10nm (a millionth of 1mm). Applied pigments then adhere firmly to the micropores.

The iruka series color options began with Silver, our signature color since iruka’s launch, as well as Storm Gray, and Black, which were added with our second lot. To these, we have added Blue, our brand color used in iruka’s logo, and Red, a custom color for Indonesia that Flippers (iruka owners) in other countries loved so much that we promoted it to a standard option. With the addition of these last two options, iruka bicycles are now available in five color options.

Silver

Storm Gray

Black

Blue

Red

Coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, realizing concept after a long hiatus

iruka founder and president Masaki Mark Kobayashi was a founding member and CFO of OPT Inc. (now Digital Holdings Inc., TYO 2389), one of the largest online advertising agencies, when he bought a folding bike and began riding it to work. That experience inspired him to fixate on the idea of creating the best folding bike in the world. In 2008, with zero experience in the bicycle industry, he left the company to found iruka Inc.. For more details on the history of iruka development, see Overview｜Story.

iruka made its debut in the summer of 2019, after a ten-year development period. Two years later, the sales area expanded beyond Tokyo to all of Japan, and then to five countries overseas, giving rise to communities of passionate Flippers in each region.

iruka has earned a strong reputation for providing both functionality and beauty in its design. Last year, iruka was selected for inclusion in the Japan Industrial Design Association’s JIDA Design Museum Selection vol. 22, alongside products by such major manufacturers as Honda R&D Co. Ltd., Sony Corp. and Snow Peak Inc. as the only bicycle to be selected for the first time in 2 years, and as a non-electric assist bicycle for the first time in 8 years.

Meanwhile, a severe worldwide bicycle parts shortage resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic led to a production schedule delay last year, and a stockout of parts for existing models. In the midst of that, Shimano released its latest internal 5-speed gear hub, the STePS Nexus Inter 5, sparking an eager call for this new component from the ranks of all the pre-Flippers out there. We recognized this opportunity to act on an idea we had harbored since before the previous model’s launch, for a relatively inexpensive model built for comfort. That led to the sales launch of the iruka C.

“I’ve had a lot of chances to take my iruka C out lately, partly to test it, and this one provides a different character of ride from the previous sporty model,” said Kobayashi. “It rides with a milder feel that has made me into a solid iruka C fan. Following the existing model, I feel proud to have sent into the world another bicycle that’s just as wonderful. I’m also painfully aware that I’ve made the decision that much more difficult for pre-Flippers who are considering buying an iruka. And yet, no matter which model and which color you choose, iruka will surely be an indispensable partner to you. I hope you’ll enjoy the whole process, starting with pondering the choices.”

Sales area expanded to 8 countries — steady progress as a global brand

Until now, iruka has been available in six countries: Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines. With the launch of the iruka C, the sales area will be expanded to eight countries with the addition of Mexico and Malaysia. With 46% of shipments to locations overseas, and 76% of Instagram followers at non-Japanese accounts, it’s clear that iruka is making surefooted progress in its journey as a global brand originating in Japan.

iruka’s characteristic 4 folding modes (both models): Run, Wait, Walk and Sleep

iruka features an all-new folding structure formed by an eye-catching arcing jackknife frame and contrasting left-right elements including a bold lefthand cantilever front fork. It’s form can change to fit the situation, using any one of four folding modes to greatly extend the user’s mobility.

Run mode: Astonishing riding performance

This is iruka on the run. While featuring small-diameter 18-inch wheels, iruka provides superb riding performance on a par with large-wheeled sports bikes. Without any hinges in the top tube, which forms the backbone of a bike, its frame structure is highly rigid. This is a well-thought-out geometric design whose true value can be fully attained with the right parts choices, especially in urban settings like Tokyo.

Wait mode: Sit-down style for smart parking

This mode is good for parking, with only the rear wheel folded in. Able to stand on its own, and extending only about two-thirds of its full length, iruka can park in this mode using about half the space of an ordinary bike. That saves the user a lot of trouble finding parking spots.

Walk mode: Roll it along wherever you go.

With the front and rear wheels folded, as well as the handlebar, this mode is good for taking it with you. With the wheels folded up flat against each other, side by side, you can roll iruka along with you like a carrying cart, using the extended saddle as a handle. That makes it easy to get around in airports, office buildings and other places where you’d have to hoist and carry a conventional bike.

Sleep mode: Nothing’s more compact.

With everything completely folded up, this mode is for storage. With a folded size of W78 x H48 x D35cm, iruka is about 30% smaller than an ordinary folding bike.* The folded form is a beautifully proportioned rectangle, with height-to-width measurements close to the golden ratio. It fits with ease on a desktop, in a car trunk, or just about anywhere. Stand it up, and you can take it with you to your Shinkansen seat, where it fits between your feet.

Based on a comparison with the W x H x D measurements of a standard 20-inch folding bicycle.

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About company

iruka Inc. is a bicycle company based in Tokyo. We create the products that make our travel time happier such as iruka folding bike and iruCart compact cycle trailer to achieve our vision, “a world where biking is considered cooler than riding a Mercedes would be slightly different.” For more about our company, see Corporate.

Contact

info@iruka.tokyo