Strida 5.0 vs Mobiky

[acwangph]

I was thinking of buying a small foldable bicycle to use for commute (~6 miles) I was wondering if anyone has used Strida 5.0 and Mobiky. Which is better interms of ride comfort? My commute is mostly through paved roads, but there are occasional dirt road. I also want to use the bicycle in park trails with my children.

Strida 5.0
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/strida_5_the_wo.php

Mobiky
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BVZHD8/ruggedelegance30407-20/ref=nosim

I personally am more inclined to buy Mobiky, but I am concerned about the size of the wheel (12 inch) and weight (30 lbs).

Any feedback is appreciated.

[makeinu]

I took the Mobiky for a test ride/fold and I didn't like it much.

Would you mind giving us more information? You said you plan to about 6 miles, but if that was all there was to it then there'd be no need to fold and no need to restrict yourself to a folding bike. What do you plan on doing with the bike while it's folded?

[chainstrainer]

I've had a Strida 5.0 for three months. It is my first and only folder. I've only read about the Mobiky.

I've ridden up to 12 miles on the Strida on fairly level, paved surface. It can handle short,moderate inclines, say a freeway overpass, but it can spin out at higher speed. That's because the single-speed drive belt is 56 gear inches. I've got the fold down to about 5 seconds, so it is quick in this regard. It weighs 19.4 pounds and measures 9" x 21" x 45" when folded.

The Mobiky, according to specs, has a three-second fold into 12" x 25" x 32". It is a three-speed instead of one. It weighs 28.6 pounds.

Both can be wheeled when folded, are easily carried, have ingenious engineering and are of high-quality. They each have earned awards in recognition of their innovative design.

Wheel size made the difference in my choice. My experience is that the smaller the wheel, the rougher and more potentially hazardous the ride can be. I was originally drawing the line at 20" but had to adjust my thinking from the numerous reviews of the Strida which has 16" wheels. I could not see the benefit of yet smaller wheels. If there are dirt roads on your commute, even 16" might be dicey. Did you consider the 20" wheeled models available?

I often have the Strida in the back of the Mini Cooper where it is available to me where ever I drive to. I'm not a commuter so I can't comment about public transit usage, however, I could see how the Strida could easily be a recreational ride when accompanying your children.

[Dahon.Steve]

I was thinking of buying a small foldable bicycle to use for commute (~6 miles) I was wondering if anyone has used Strida 5.0 and Mobiky. Which is better interms of ride comfort? My commute is mostly through paved roads, but there are occasional dirt road. I also want to use the bicycle in park trails with my children.
.

These bikes are ultra-portables. In other words, they are a huge compromise and only someone with highly specific needs would even bother with them. For example, if you had to board a crowded city bus, or train, these bikes would be practical. However, if you need to travel 6 miles and there was no need to board a bus, then any folder would do well. In fact, a 20' inch wheel folder should seriously be considered.

[chainstrainer]

I'm not sure what huge compromise I made with the Strida. I'm perfectly happy with it. I wasn't looking for the best folding bike that mimics a full-size bike because I wouldn't be touring with bags nor traveling more than a dozen level miles on it. I have other bikes for more demanding rides. I wanted a very simple, compact and quick folder to conveniently take along in my car - crowded city buses or trains had nothing to do with it. I do agree that 20" wheels have many advantages, especially if the OP will be on dirt roads, but to dismiss "ultra-portables" as something not to bother about is short-sighted. There are so many different types of folders because each design addresses specific needs. What folder doesn't? Does that mean they are each a huge compromise?

Were I looking now, I would also consider the Bike Friday Tikit. It is significantly higher priced, though.

[cyclistjohn]

I was thinking of buying a small foldable bicycle to use for commute (~6 miles) .........
I personally am more inclined to buy Mobiky, but I am concerned about the size of the wheel (12 inch) and weight (30 lbs).

Any feedback is appreciated.

We've recently started our holiday with Strida 3's, which I think are pretty similar to the 5's (I'm hoping to get a test ride of BF member Chop! 's Strida 5 in April, & in fact you could look for his posts, as he was one of the first to get a 5, I think) & as chainstrainer points out, we don't feel we made any compromises, & in my wife's case, she feels it's a better fitting bike than any of her previous "big bikes".

Like makeinu, I've test ridden a Mobiky & didn't like the ride at all. It is considerably heavier than the Strida, & that would be a show stopper for our travelling needs (buses, rail, planes), even if the ride was ok. It is of substantial construction, but so is the Strida, & so far both our Strida's have survived baggage handlers, but sadly the bags they were in didn't fare too well.

Be aware if you get a Strida, you'll be constantly asked questions by onlookers, fascinated by its design, & (un)folding. We're currently averaging 1 per 5 minutes here :-)

At home, we regularly ride off road, on canal towpaths & forest parks, with no problems. Clearly that's relatively light off road, but makes all the difference to enjoyment of the bike. About the same time I tested the Mobiky, I also tried a Carry-Me, which I liked, & the only thing stopping me getting one would be the wheel size, as it's essential for us to be able to use our bikes off road on a regular basis.

So far this week, we've ridden about 70 miles, sightseeing, taken our Strida's into our hotel room, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, malls, with absolutely no problems, other than the inevitable, "awesome, cool bikes - where did you get those?" :-)

My wife's Strida had a puncture yesterday, & it took 3 min's to fix, as it's almost trivial to remove & refit a tyre & tube because of the cantilever design.

HTH

[acwangph]

Thanks for the quick feedback. At the moment, my 6 mile bike commute does not need involve bus or train ride. My interest with ultracompact folding bikes is because they are very compact when folded, which makes it quite easy to check in planes.

But I guess mobiky is out of the question because of the small wheel size. I will check out the 20" folding bicycles as suggested.

[acwangph]

...So far this week, we've ridden about 70 miles, sightseeing, taken our Strida's into our hotel room, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, malls, with absolutely no problems, other than the inevitable, "awesome, cool bikes - where did you get those?" :-)...
HTH

Hi cyclistjohn,

That's cool bringing your Strida with you on vacation. How far and how long have you ridden your Strida non-stop? From your experience, would a 6 mile or 30 minute bike ride be confortable on a Strida?

Thanks,
acwang

[Mr. Smith]

Were I looking now, I would also consider the Bike Friday Tikit. It is significantly higher priced, though.

I really like the tikit. It's a very nice ride and as competent as a "real" bike. I justify the price in that it is very solid and the fold is very convenient. The tikit with the twidly handle post bolt is $300 less at $999. Much like the Strida, there is no need to readjust the seat post with each fold, also a big plus in my eyes. It seems to be the best blend of function and fold at the moment and certainly could go 6 miles or as long as your arss can handle. I do plan on upgrading the saddle and grips, however. They're not bad, but I've had better and therefore want better.

[Mr. Smith]

My interest with ultracompact folding bikes is because they are very compact when folded, which makes it quite easy to check in planes.


All the Bike Friday bikes go in a suitcase (and I would imagine several other manufacturer's bikes as well) but few beat the Brompton for speed and ease. The tikit and all the BF bikes still require a fair amount of disassembly to get into a suitcase. No modification needs done to the Brompton to get it into the travel case, just fold and go. I have been thinking lately I'd like to own a Brompton in addition to my tikit for those moments when size matters, so to speak. I have ridden some on a Brompton, but no dealer is nearby. It definitely is not as solid of a ride as the tikit and as comparable to a big boy bike, but still is very functional and would go 6 miles plus without much headache. The patent is also expired, so there are knock-offs about. I'd like to try a Strida, but haven't really considered it for my own collection. The Mobiky thing looks more like a toy than useful to me, but in all fairness I have not ridden one.

[cyclistjohn]

Hi cyclistjohn,

That's cool bringing your Strida with you on vacation. How far and how long have you ridden your Strida non-stop? From your experience, would a 6 mile or 30 minute bike ride be confortable on a Strida?

Thanks,
acwang

Hello acwang.

I've probably ridden about 25 miles & just over 2 & a half hours non-stop, but my wife has ridden 34 miles on hers with a short break, taking about 3 & a half hours.

Our nearest shops are about 5 miles away (apart from a small local post office) so that's a fairly regular ride & is just fine.

Both of us changed our saddles & handlebar grips for extra comfort. Some of the regular BF folk like the standard saddle though.

BTW, another reason we like it for multi-mode travel is the low maintenance, & thus few tools it needs - the weight's seriously important!

[geo8rge]

I have done 40 mi + rides on a Strida 3. Dodging road imperfectins was monotonous, I felt it on on backside too. Strida is one size fits all too. Strida is very good for local shopping as you can fold and roll it easily.

You may not like the ride of Mobiky, or even Strida due to the steering.

Look at the parts about forks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_geometry#Mechanical_trail

[Weakling]

Several here have complained about how it feels to ride a Mobiky.

None of the reviewers on official sites have complained about Mobiky.

Whom could I trust? Are the official reviewers not honest about the bikes they review?


Although the scientific understanding of bicycle steering remains incomplete,
mechanical trail is certainly one of the most important variables in determining the handling
characteristics of a bicycle.

A higher mechanical trail is known to make a bicycle easier to ride "no hands" and thus
more subjectively stable, but skilled and alert riders may have more path control if the
mechanical trail is lower.

I wish they could include words like nimble or twichy in that text for us who are
not engineers and want ordinary words to get what they say.

I have not tried out the Mobiky but if it is as hard to ride as a Strida then it is
a scandal that no reviewer have mention that fact. Such should be included in
every decent review.

I would prefer if all makers of pedaled bikes do as they do in N.Dakota.
"4. All motorcycles, except three-wheel motorcycles, must meet the following specifications in relationship to front wheel geometry:
MAXIMUM: Rake: 45 degrees - Trail: 14 inches [35.56 centimeters] positiveMINIMUM: Rake: 20 degrees - Trail: 2 inches [5.08 centimeters] positive Manufacturer's specifications must include the specific rake and trail for each motorcycle or class of motorcycles and the terms "rake" and "trail" must be defined by the director by rules adopted pursuant to chapter 28-32."


Then one have at least measured figure numbers on how a bike behave.

Yes it is true that most people adjust to the bike and compensate its bad
behavior by getting habited to it but it is not fair to the other bike makers
to keep such knowledge hidden until one have actually ridden it.

[Simple Simon]

I use a Strida several times a week - its my preferred commutor (via train). I tend to use a road bike for longer, pure rides. Occationaly I've done 25mile+ runs on the Strida(3) which were surprisingly easy ... single gear only limited top speed. Although I'll never give up 700c's, the upright Strida riding position is great for the back and neck - feels like a good lower back massage !

I've never ridden a Mobiky (except for a couple of minutes at a shop) so cant really compare them for ride and handling .. the basic fold of the mobikky is quite slick, but then you have to adjust seat and fold bars etc. which all adds up. The mobikys weight is seriously heavy - which for me would put a limit on its portability ... I'm tall, and fairly strong but there is No way i'd be able to lift a Mobiky onto a trains overhead luggage rack ..where the strida often goes on crowded trains. Apart from the weight I doublt it would fit. Mobiky does look good though - like a civil engineer's wet dream - all rods and struts - very ingenious.

[Weakling]

both makeinu (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=71207) and cyclistjohn (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=62027)

reacted to how the Mobiky handled itself when they test ride them.
Makeinu you have long experience of Carryme. Is that one better
to ride then? You prefer to ride Carryme over Mobiky?

Hope the original OP doesn't mind me take up these questions?

None of the official reviewers seems to have anything bad to say
about Mobiky so it surprise me mightly. But I am so new to bikes
and how they get written about.