Folding Bikes - New US Distributor for Strida in 2007

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The downside is that Strida won't be shipping any new bikes to the US after March 15 this year, also, a hefty $100 price increase for US market...see message below:
strida - US market transition
big news for strida enthusiasts in the US market. strida has entered a deal with a major bicycle distributor. this distributor will begin selling the strida to US customers in 2007. as part of the deal, we have agreed to stop selling new bikes to US customers this spring, which gives us time for one more shipment.
if you would like to buy a new strida3 this year, or to take advantage of our upgrade program, your order must be received by march 15th.
our managing director is at the manufacturing plant now, and is personally inspecting every bike for our final US shipment.
don't worry - we will continue to offer the 60 day return policy. in addition, we will continue to offer parts and service.
there will be a price increase of approximately $100.00 on 2007 stridas, without any major change in specification. so order now to lock in best pricing!
Dahon.Steve
02-28-06, 10:30 AM
there will be a price increase of approximately $100.00 on 2007 stridas, without any major change in specification. so order now to lock in best pricing!
You have to be kidding me. They are increasing the price on a folder that doens't sell very well? Incredible?
Here's the actual cost of a Stida.
1. Bicycle ..........................................$325.00
2. Performance Kit ..................................$ 99.00
3. 98% assemble.....................................$ 39.00
4. Price Increase ....................................$100.00
5. Shipping ............................................$ 34.95
Total ....................................................$597.95 WOW!!!
That's $600.00 dollars for a Stida. You can probably save some money by doing the assembly but you really need the peformance kit to get the fenders! There's no way you can ride this bike in the rain without fenders. I like the Strida but they really have to move production over to China and bring down the price.
If you pay for assembly, shipping is free. Travel bag is ~$75. Fenders are sold separately if you so desire. What you really need in the performance kit is the folding handlebars if you want to travel with the bike. Production is already in Taiwan. I'd say the extra $100 is going to the new middleman, the US distributor.
Simple Simon
03-01-06, 05:13 PM
Before Strida3 was an awsome bargain, now its still great value for money. Maybe the new middle man will put it in stores so people can see it and try it.... I know there is a 60day return policy but, I would have still preferred to have tried one before I bought ..... in fact I bet if they did that, they'd increase sales many times - it looks good on paper, but its only when you try it that you notice the details ..... and the smile factor !
I think my Strida III is worth every penny, very handy in the town, you almost never have to carry it, as it rolls along so easily, maintainance free. Love it :love: There are often occasions when I use my Strida because it's quicker to fold & unfold than the GoBike or Brompton, it's cleaner (no oil or grease) & I can wheel it around a shop with one hand while carrying my shopping in the other! :)
If you pay for assembly, shipping is free. Travel bag is ~$75. Fenders are sold separately if you so desire. What you really need in the performance kit is the folding handlebars if you want to travel with the bike. Production is already in Taiwan. I'd say the extra $100 is going to the new middleman, the US distributor.
Taiwan is a far more expensive place to have bikes built than China. Shifting to China would help. I rode one recently... horrible.
Simple Simon
03-02-06, 10:06 AM
I rode one recently... horrible.
I'm curious what model was it - an early one ? ....... mine matches my brompton for speed on cummute, with some +/-'s (brompton has a higher gear - faster down hill, strida folds faster).
A test ride isn't really long enough to get the feel for a Strida. I would agree with Simon and would call the Strida ride different, not horrible. It takes a little getting used to but once you're attuned to the bike, I think it's a very good ride.
maunakea
03-02-06, 04:48 PM
The Strida permits, shall we say, only a very relaxed pace, probably the lowest-geared single speed folder on the market. However, if you unfold, ride 100 m, and fold several times a day... it's perfect.
The Strida permits, shall we say, only a very relaxed pace, probably the lowest-geared single speed folder on the market. However, if you unfold, ride 100 m, and fold several times a day... it's perfect.
Are you one of those 53/11 fixie riders or something? :rolleyes: Speed is not my objective with a folder. If the Strida was geared any higher it would be useless on hills. It's a great little folder and cruiser, and the 100m ride you mention is just lameness on your part (but I'll forgive you as a newbie). :)
maunakea
03-02-06, 10:34 PM
Thanks for forgiveness. I have 12 bikes ... including 3 Ti frames with 53/11 gearing, but also two folders, a DT FS and a Boardwalk D6. I rode a Strida in London. I am very comfortable at healthy lean angles on my folders, but the steering on the Strida was so twitchy on level terrain I would not attempt downhill speed on it.... thus my comment on fold/go/unfold for short rides. For that riding profile, the Strida would be one of the best.
I agree the Strida tends to oversteer, but if I ride mine regularly, I adjust completely to it. I've taken my Strida on downhill runs at speeds up to 40 - 45 mph no problem.
maunakea
03-03-06, 04:37 PM
45 mph on downhill twisties on a Strida. I'm impressed.
epeeist
03-10-06, 05:22 PM
I have ordered a Strida on Mar 3, but they won't ship it till early April (in the US). Long, long waiting. :(
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Yes unfortunately we are out of stock due to the fact that Stridas are only going to be available in the US and Canada up until March 15th of this year - then sales within the US will be stopped completely until we have set up a new distribution point and we estimate early 2007 for this, however, your order is safe and you will definitely be shipped a bike with the next container shipment, which we expect to arrive early april, therefore you will be in receipt mid-late april and your credit card will not be charged until time of shipment to you.
Paul_the_Seeker
05-24-06, 02:18 PM
I saw the above posts, but tried ordering one anyway last week. Ordering was kind of strange since I kept getting referred to the UK site, but prices still appeared in US dollars, so I trudged ahead, disregarding the messages saying bikes could only be shipped to UK addresses. I submitted the order and got a confirmation, though I figured it was automatically generated and someone would reply that orders were halted for the year.
Well, today I got an email stating "we apologize for the length of time you have waited for your order. but the bike you will receive represents the finest batch of strida bicycles ever built." The bike was shipped from Massachusetts. There must have been one left (hope it's not a return). There is another sentence stating "if you HAVE to own another strida, we are working on an allowance to ship bikes direct from UK during the transition."
So for those US customers who want one, you may still be in luck.
I think it will be a great bike for my upcoming trip to Bangkok (yes, I have ridden there before, and it is nuts).
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