invisiblehand

I wrote about it below.

https://washingtonwheelman.blogspot.c...ding-bike.html

ttakata73

Cool, I've been eyeing this bike for the same reason as you.
We have a skytrain and subway in Bangkok and this has a small footprint.
Sadly Strida is not officially distributed in Thailand anymore so I have to wait till I go to the US again.

Dynocoaster 

I saw these on Vancouver Cl and wonder if it is worth $99
https://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bn...040228483.html

Taipei Tony

Nice review. I've been seriously considering buying a Strida for the past few weeks. The Strida LT sells for over $100 cheaper in Taiwan compared to the states so that's even more incentive.

My one main concern is the weight. The reason I'm considering the Strida is because of it's lightness, more specifically the stated weight of 10kg. Would you be so kind as to weigh your bike and post how much it weighs?

invisiblehand

I'll get to it in a day or two. The 10 KG (22 lbs since I'm in the US) weight is not far off. If you wanted to make it lighter, I would change the tires, saddle, and probably the pedals.

Doonbiker

Very good review. You've highlighted all those points that made me a fan of the bike in the first place.

Congratulations! So how many folders does that make?

ttakata73

Bringing up this old thread since I just bought a new 5.0 in orange.
I have a 6kg Dahon Dove, but I have to bag and carry it in the Bangkok subways.
That got old very quick, so I caved in and decided to get an orange Strida 5.0

Pluses:
+I love how easy it is to fold and push through a train system.
+Great brakes
+Quality of finish. No rough burrs or shoddy welds, great paint finish.
+Robust design. I have the older (non-reinforced) frame style but it feels plenty stiff when riding.

Minuses
-Stock seat is junk. The optional Strida springer seat should be standard since the riding posture is so vertical. I swapped in a Brooks B67 springer seat the 2nd day riding.
-Heavy. Stock, my bike was 10.21Kg I would not want to carry this up stairs. Luckily my train stations have escalators.
-Non standard parts won't allow lighter upgrades.
-Low gearing (53.3 gear inches). The bike is very slow cruising (I prefer 80 gear inches on my singlespeeds).
-Reflective sticker on front tube is too wide so the edges are always peeling up.

In summary, if you are going to pack into a train or bus this bike is perfect so long as you don't have to carry it far or need to ride it fast.
I'm very happy with the bike, but I now debate getting an EVO 18" when better color choices come out so I can cruise faster.

How can Ming Cycle make this bike better? (wishful thinking)
1. Thinner reflective strip to prevent peeling.
2a. Make the eccentric BB accept BB30 bearings and then people can upgrade to any crank spindle they want.
2b. Make the chainring a standard 5 hole 130BCD so at least people can swap in lighter crankarms.
3. Optional carbon handlebars that are actually lighter than the AL ones. This bike is very low stress, it can take lightweight handlebars.
4. Bigger chainring/longer belt. With the EVO's front frame holder, there's plenty of extra room when folded for a larger chainring.
5. Optional carbon wheelsets. Imagine LT style wheels if they were all carbon. Since all the braking force is at the hubs, they could be very light.
6. Optional carbon frame. This bike's riding posture doesn't provoke aggressive riding/stunts so it would be perfect to make out of carbon fiber.
7. Design a lighter folding pedal, no one has for some odd reason.

I know I am dreaming but if this bike was mostly made out of carbon, it could be super light since there are custom 700c road bikes weighing less than 4kg.
A stock 2013 C-dale Supersix Evo Black is 5.2kg.
A carbon Strida would cost a ridiculous amount but some people would buy it just to have the lightest bike possible.

BruceMetras

Might be worth picking up the ERTO 355 Wheel SET .. I know when I installed them, it made all the difference in the way the bike rode.. higher g/i and faster, easier riding... probably lighter too ..

ttakata73

Thanks for the link.
I could have gotten a cream colored SX for $30 more but I wanted to put fat Big Apples on it so went with the 16" rims.
Plus I just love the orange bikes.

The 18" wheelset is cheap enough I may buy it in the future but for now I will try and cruise slow.

BruceMetras

You can get B/A's in 355 .. and your g/i would be about 69 ... comfortable and fast cruise ..

Azreal911

That won't work Bruce, the frame will touch the tire and he would have to ditch the fenders also. There's a space limitation on how wide of a tire you can go once you start using the 355 wheelset. Anything beyond 1.35" width and it'll rub the frame. I tried with a typical marathon tire at i think 1.5 or 1.6 and had to take them off cause of the frame was rubbing. If the op wants to go faster, the EVO model would be the best, 3 speeds and belt drive. it'll be great to handle minor hills and give you some good cruising speed until you hit terminal velocity sitting so upright . Headwinds really affected me when I ride my Strida.

BruceMetras

Good to know .. I only ran the Kojaks on mine, but it's been a long time since I've had the bike and I never looked to fatter tires..