Anyone have a Strida?
#26
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
I have owned my 2 speed stride for about 5 years. Not really that great of a bike. Its really slow and the rear wheel joint flexes too much. I liked the idea of it and that's what sold me on it. It did take some getting use to. The good points: 1) it folds really easily and ease to wheel around in this way 2) the "cool" factor is high 3) small enough to bring inside anywhere 4) Belt drive therefore low maintenance 5) Cable disc brakes. Other than these things, I ended up buying a Tern. Faster, belt drive, heavier (not so good), hydraulic disc brakes and true folder with lots of neat accessories.
#27
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 533
Likes: 72
From: Alameda
Bikes: Xootr Swift
I had one. Sold it soon after.
The carryme was more comfortable, more compact, and arguably about the same speed.
The Strida is beautiful, excessively rigid, impractical, took up almost as much space as my Xootr swift, and rode poorly.
Aside from smashing my genitals, you feel every bump ride up your spine and palms.
The carryme was more comfortable, more compact, and arguably about the same speed.
The Strida is beautiful, excessively rigid, impractical, took up almost as much space as my Xootr swift, and rode poorly.
Aside from smashing my genitals, you feel every bump ride up your spine and palms.
#28
Thread Starter
Lucille

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 95
From: Texas
I do too. I am hoping that it will work well for the specific reason I bought it- I can no longer drive a motor vehicle, and this seems like the perfect bike to use when visiting friends and not wanting to leave a bike in their driveway, or to go to the store which is a mile away for one or two items. I have 4 other bicycles and a tricycle so have different rides for different times.
When I was younger I had a Dahon Mariner and it was very nice, but I can no longer carry a Mariner. The Strida is lighter and much easier to carry, and it can be toted like a folded stroller with its wheels on the ground. I ordered a nice canvas bag for it with handles so when I get to someone's house for a visit I can just fold, pop the Strida in the bag and zip it up.
When I was younger I had a Dahon Mariner and it was very nice, but I can no longer carry a Mariner. The Strida is lighter and much easier to carry, and it can be toted like a folded stroller with its wheels on the ground. I ordered a nice canvas bag for it with handles so when I get to someone's house for a visit I can just fold, pop the Strida in the bag and zip it up.
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 799
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, California
Bikes: Pacific Reach, Strida
I've been riding a single-speed Strida for about a year. It took me a while to get used to the handling. When I bought it, I had to walk over to a park and practice starting and stopping for an hour before I could ride home without wobbling like a drunkard. I have 2 other bikes, but I use the Strida for commuting because it's much easier to carry up and down stairs and fit onto the train. A typical round-trip commute is 13 miles of riding broken up into segments with a train ride in the middle.
The longer I've had this bike, the more I've grown to like it. I no longer find the handling weird, and I can do things that I could never do on a normal bicycle, such as back up while sitting on the bike. That's surprisingly useful in an urban environment. It's a belt drive, so there's almost no maintenance and you never have to be careful about leaving black chain marks on things.
I never found the bike uncomfortable in any way. I don't feel bumps much more strongly than I do on either of my other bikes, and they both have full suspension. (I am short and lightweight, though.)
One of the best features is the instant fold/unfold that can be done in a single motion. By the time other people on the train have unfolded their bikes, I'm halfway down the platform with mine.
The longer I've had this bike, the more I've grown to like it. I no longer find the handling weird, and I can do things that I could never do on a normal bicycle, such as back up while sitting on the bike. That's surprisingly useful in an urban environment. It's a belt drive, so there's almost no maintenance and you never have to be careful about leaving black chain marks on things.
I never found the bike uncomfortable in any way. I don't feel bumps much more strongly than I do on either of my other bikes, and they both have full suspension. (I am short and lightweight, though.)
One of the best features is the instant fold/unfold that can be done in a single motion. By the time other people on the train have unfolded their bikes, I'm halfway down the platform with mine.
#30
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#31
Life in Mono
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 498
Likes: 3
From: London
Bikes: 5 bikes, all the usual types
'Strida' thats a bike not heard much on here, nevertheless a fab bike, I'm now on my 3rd 
1st: Mk3 from about 2003 stolen
2nd: Mk3 given to son - still in use, very useful for aircraft travel as it goes for free as 'Golf clubs' and with plastic wheels etc its pretty 'handler proof'
3rd: Mk5 now getting on for 10 years old and in almost daily use. We have several other bikes but Strida is the 'go-to' as its simple, light, and easy to use, and has a great upright, 'Dutch' riding position. It is especially good on shared paths where short wheelbase, and face forward is a bonus.
My wife has an LT, the newest, the cheapest and IMHO the best . It fits her perfectly and she wont ride anything else now.
These bikes have improved massivley over the years, so comments and experiences about bikes that are now 15 - 20 years old should be taken with a pinch of salt.
[MENTION=214700]Lucillle[/MENTION] Enjoy ! you will stand out riding on a triangle - but in a good way. Yes the bike (on its own) looks 'different', but with someone on it, it looks 'right'.
Below are some links and pictures you might find useful (although I just googled and its much more popular than I imagined).
Strida Forum (help and tips) Strida Forum ? Index page
Ming Cycle (makers) https://www.mingcycle.com.tw/en/
Mark Sanders (designer) https://mas-design.com/
Manuals and articles (about the bike and its design) https://issuu.com/mark77a
Here are some pictures which show how it is best enjoyed



Dutch comparison

And, of course, roll, never carry

Enjoy !
1st: Mk3 from about 2003 stolen

2nd: Mk3 given to son - still in use, very useful for aircraft travel as it goes for free as 'Golf clubs' and with plastic wheels etc its pretty 'handler proof'
3rd: Mk5 now getting on for 10 years old and in almost daily use. We have several other bikes but Strida is the 'go-to' as its simple, light, and easy to use, and has a great upright, 'Dutch' riding position. It is especially good on shared paths where short wheelbase, and face forward is a bonus.
My wife has an LT, the newest, the cheapest and IMHO the best . It fits her perfectly and she wont ride anything else now.
These bikes have improved massivley over the years, so comments and experiences about bikes that are now 15 - 20 years old should be taken with a pinch of salt.
[MENTION=214700]Lucillle[/MENTION] Enjoy ! you will stand out riding on a triangle - but in a good way. Yes the bike (on its own) looks 'different', but with someone on it, it looks 'right'.
Below are some links and pictures you might find useful (although I just googled and its much more popular than I imagined).
Strida Forum (help and tips) Strida Forum ? Index page
Ming Cycle (makers) https://www.mingcycle.com.tw/en/
Mark Sanders (designer) https://mas-design.com/
Manuals and articles (about the bike and its design) https://issuu.com/mark77a
Here are some pictures which show how it is best enjoyed



Dutch comparison

And, of course, roll, never carry

Enjoy !
Last edited by Simple Simon; 07-15-19 at 06:42 AM. Reason: added pictures
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 23
From: Lexington Park, Maryland
Bikes: Current: Origami Crane 8, Trek 1200 Former: 2012 Schwinn Trailway
Only having one contact point per wheen is definitely something; seems like it's fine, though.
With the pedal-back to change the gears, does it step down from 3 to 1 or does it reset to 1 after shifting from 3?
With the pedal-back to change the gears, does it step down from 3 to 1 or does it reset to 1 after shifting from 3?
#34
Thread Starter
Lucille

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 95
From: Texas
No, decided the already perfect Mach 2 was enough. And will not be buying more bicycles in the foreseeable future, I pretty much have a selection for all occasions, and no more room. Although the Strida takes up little space.
#38
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 16
From: Vienna
Bikes: Strida SD, SDe, Evo, Strida efneo
Congratulations, have much fun and a safe ride always.
Here's shown how to fold like a pro:
Please note especially the moment while opening the magnet connection between front and rear wheel (around 01:55 of the screen time counter upper right)
- it is just a very quick pull of the right hand backwards (or forwards - matter of flavour)
- there is no need to get dirty fingers (squeezed between the tyres to open the magnet - like beginners do).
Best regards,
Chris
Here's shown how to fold like a pro:
Please note especially the moment while opening the magnet connection between front and rear wheel (around 01:55 of the screen time counter upper right)
- it is just a very quick pull of the right hand backwards (or forwards - matter of flavour)
- there is no need to get dirty fingers (squeezed between the tyres to open the magnet - like beginners do).
Best regards,
Chris






