I'm thinking about buying a Strida for commuting and for use while travelling; I have a few questions, and I'd appreciate any other advice for new Strida owners as well.

How does the 5.0 compare to the 3.2 for longer rides? Do the metal bottom bracket, metal wheels and different freewheel make a noticeable difference?

It appears that some vendors in Asia are selling Strida 5.0s for less than what a 3.2 costs in the US. For example, Yahoo in Taiwan appears to be selling 3.3s for US$320 and 5.0s for US$480. Does anyone know of a shop in Asia that's willing to ship to the US?

Speaking of Strida 3.3s, what is a Strida 3.3? It looks like a 3.2 with metal wheels, but are there any other differences?

Any recommended accessories? I'll definitely need a water bottle holder, and it'd be useful to have a basket or panniers or a rack bag too.