Folding Bikes - fake strida vs real carryme?

While my Swift rides like a dream, I'm looking for something small for multi-modal riding.
I'm ~175 lb (180 with my clothes on), and I have a 29" inseam so I'll fit either the carryme or the strida.

After a PM, Bruce Metras recommended looking into a fake strida. Today, I noticed a STRDA on ebay.

Any thoughts?

While my Swift rides like a dream, I'm looking for something small for multi-modal riding.
I'm ~175 lb (180 with my clothes on), and I have a 29" inseam so I'll fit either the carryme or the strida.

After a PM, Bruce Metras recommended looking into a fake strida. Today, I noticed a STRDA on ebay.

Any thoughts?

Here's one in San Leandro .. maybe go take a ride..

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/1049049320.html

From what I know, these copies are made in different factories and quality varies depending on who made it. I read one account somewhere of a bike that was falling apart right out of the box - very badly assembled. I bought one myself which was made by the Yonkiang Bicycle company - the name is much longer than that, but I can't remember it. Mine has been pretty good. I really like it, but there were a few minor issues - mostly of adjustment. The worst thing was that the rear wheel had some loose spokes and while I tweaked them up a bit, I rode it about 150 miles without giving that wheel proper attention. When I looked at them again, I found six broken spokes which I had to replace.

The thing is - the bike is VERY good for the money. Mine cost £110 on ebay on a best offer deal. At the time, the seller was hoping for £135 buy it now, so I was pleased with the price. The bike is great fun and as long as you are prepared to give it a tune up and check things like belt tension, brake adjustment, the tightness of everything - including spokes, if it is like mine, you'll get a bargain.

You'll likely get a better price than I did since here is Europe we pay VAT and there is a 100% anti dumping tax on Chinese bikes.

Bruce is right - take a ride on one if you get the chance. The bike looks extremely stylish, but the riding style and handling might not suit everybody. You soon get used to it, but it is a pretty unusual bike.

Yeah, I saw those STRDA's too. Tempting. If I could justify another bike, I'd go for that.

EvilV's warnings about quality are well justified; if the thing is junk, it is junk. But be aware that genuine Stridas also have issues with quality, durability, availablilty of replacement parts, etc. My (genuine) Strida has been at or near the end of its useful life for so long that I now hesitate to ride it at all.

The Carryme is quite a bit smaller than the Strida and I can vouch that it's also quite a bargain in itself as the quality of design and manufacturer is just as good as top shelf folders like the Birdy.

Hell, the frame is the same as the Greenspeed Anura and that costs $2,500!
http://www.greenspeed.com.au/anura/ianura.jpg

I know that many of the folder addicts around here would disagree, but I personally don't think there's enough difference between a 20" wheel and a 16" wheel to justify owning both. Like it or hate it the Carryme is in a class of its own.

Yeah, I saw those STRDA's too. Tempting. If I could justify another bike, I'd go for that.

EvilV's warnings about quality are well justified; if the thing is junk, it is junk. But be aware that genuine Stridas also have issues with quality, durability, availablilty of replacement parts, etc. My (genuine) Strida has been at or near the end of its useful life for so long that I now hesitate to ride it at all.

I probably ride my Strida as much, if not more, than anyone over here, in all winds & weather and on roads & trails, I have had no probs whatsoever mechanically (not including crash damage! LOL!)

All parts are easily available here, down to the last screw.

Not only is my Strida 5 still going strong but so is my Strida 3 and my old Strida 2 (now on it's 3rd owner, though this is suffering wobbly bars and belt jumps)

Mlau:

I have real Strida and a Strida clone (like BruceMetras'). If you want to try them both, you're welcome to come and try them. I'm in Half Moon Bay.

I just stopped by Warmplanet bikes and tried out the Strida 5.

It's a faster bike than I expected. It's also much bigger (about half the size of my Swift folded).
The fold is fairly fast and straightforward (but I kept bonking my face trying to get the tube off the magnet.
The ride's not bad at all.

However, I think that I'll probably get a Carryme sometime instead (the Strida is too big).

I just stopped by Warmplanet bikes and tried out the Strida 5.

It's a faster bike than I expected. It's also much bigger (about half the size of my Swift folded).
The fold is fairly fast and straightforward (but I kept bonking my face trying to get the tube off the magnet.
The ride's not bad at all.

However, I think that I'll probably get a Carryme sometime instead (the Strida is too big).

Since this a multimode commute I want to make several points.

1. Bus/Bike - If you have to enter with a folder and it involves a bus, the Carryme without a doubt is the best way to go. The Strida is fine but certain buses especially long distance commuter buses have no room for a large Strida to fit between your legs. If there is an over head rack, check to see if it's large enough to fit the Strida or CarryMe. The last thing you want is to board the bus each day and have to stand becuase the bike won't fit between your legs like the CarryMe can. The Strida will probably not be able to fit between your legs.

2. Hills --- If your multimode commute involves hill(s), the Strida is the better bike. The CarryMe requires you to use more energy than the Strida, which is a big issue when you don't have gears.

3. Train/Bike --- Under most circumstances, both bikes will fare well here. There's usually more space on a train than a bus so if your commute involves this form of transport, either bike will do. Look for handicap locations and overhead racks to put the bike.

4. Affordability -- If you can't afford a Strida, get the CarryMe and forget the knockoff. There's nothing worse than having a commuter bike which is constantly giving you problems.

But be aware that genuine Stridas also have issues with quality, durability, availablilty of replacement parts, etc. My (genuine) Strida has been at or near the end of its useful life for so long that I now hesitate to ride it at all.

Just wondering if you could be more specific. I ride my real Strida pretty much every day and in the rain, and don't have problems yet, but I would like some details as to what to watch out for, what some of the first things to go are, etc.

Btw, I bought my Strida at Warm Planet. I work near there, and am always Strida-ing around the city on a black Strida 5 with the rack removed (I haven't seen anyone else in the city on one yet), so if you see me, feel free to say hi :).

Jon