Originally Posted by
SesameCrunch
EvilV:
Congrats on your latest acquisition. We have eerily similar bike choices....
One other caution worth bringing up. On my fakeStrida, the bottom bracket body is made out of a cheap plastic also. This caused a problem when I tried to tighten the drive belt tension bolt - the threads stripped. Not on the bolt (which was metal), but on the BB body. I replaced the BB with an original. Now, it rides very nicely. But, beware and be careful. I hope your fakeStrida is from a different mfg than mine.
Hi SesameCrunch,
I want to expand on your warning about over-tightening the drive belt tension bolt and give people the tip that you gave to me when you helped me with my bike. You suggested to me to put something in the front section of the slot; your thinking being that with something bracing the position of the screw against the rearward pressure on the bolt you don't have to tighten the bolt as hard and that way you don't end up stripping the plastic threads of the Base Bracket.
I used your idea and it worked well. I cut off ~1/4" of the tapered end of a disposable wooden chopstick and stuck it in the slot and got it positioned so that it doesn't fall out. It is being squeezed forward to back so it's not going to pop out, especially with some of it blocked by the width of the washer. After a a few miles of riding on the new bike the belt was stretched and it got a bit looser so I replaced it with another piece a little longer and the belt tension was good; all this without having to crank down too hard on the belt tension bolt.
Of course the real Strida is designed and built with better quality materials so it doesn't have that problem.