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by: Threefour (sun nov 7 '99)
pros: Great for short trips, fits into small spaces
cons: Belt drive doesn't handle quick starts
The Strida folding bike is a fascinating design and has been mostly a pleasure to own. This review takes the form of a log, so you can see how my real-world experience with the bike unfolded.
Monday, October 04, 1999
Day one with my Strida bike...
Details about the bike are available from Strida's web site (http://www.strida.co.uk). In short, it's an original, innovative design for a folding bike. The frame is made of aluminium and the rest is injection-molded plastic, so it weighs in at only 22 pounds. It has a belt drive instead of a chain so there's no grease anywhere to get your clothes dirty. It has front and back drum brakes that are plenty strong.
Because the bike only has one gear (or "speed") it's only practical for short trips on relatively level terrain. If you plan to ride for more than an hour at a time or up steep hills you should probably consider a folding bike with gears like the Bike Friday.
Just for the record i'm dealing with the Strida 2 here, not the original Strida which i don't know much about. Mine's serial number 000951 - the exclusivity of it makes me giddy :-)
I ordered the bike from their web site and was happy they use the excellent yahoo! stores for e-commerce. The marketing part of the site is well designed and executed but could use more detailed information for detail hungry types like bike fanatics (i'm assuming people willing to try an unusual bike like this lean toward the fanatical state of mind, though they certainly don't have to in order to appreciate this bike).
The original order was back ordered a week (the bikes are made and shipped from england). They notified me promptly of the situation. In fact, there was no lack of helpful phone calls throughout my experience with them, though their email response averaged 2-3 days which could be better).
I did experience one problem with the shipment. I wanted to have the bike shipped to my work address and included the company name with my address on the order. Strida mistakenly didn't put my company name on the address label and UPS was unable to deliver it to my workplace, which delayed the delivery 7 days (an eternity when you're waiting for something this cool). Luckily UPS stored the package locally, sent me a postcard notifying me of the problem (how did the postcard make it to me without a company name i'm not sure) and then redelivered once they had all the information. Again Strida's assistance was as helpful as possible, but the original mistake was a drag.
My initial out-of-the-box impression was as exciting as i'd thought it would be. The folding/unfolding procedure is easy (see their web site for an animated demonstration), though locking the wheels together takes a little more effort than expected and the two plastic pieces that clip together seem kind of fragile, but there's been no problems yet.
The whole thing reeks of good design. Every piece feels solid and rounded and pleasing to the touch. It's as if the designer brain stormed saying "wouldn't it be cool if..." and came up with a ton of great little ideas, most of which made it into the final design.
There's a slick little hole in the seat "post" that holds an allen key for making adjustments, though it's too small to fit to adjust the seat, contrary to what the manual states. I called them and they said a second allen key should be taped either to a postcard in the manual or, in my case, inside the packaging box (good thing it hadn't been thrown out yet!). I guess they increased the size of these bolt heads. Wonder why - increased strength? Supply problems?
They have a couple of really big stickers with the usual warnings: no wheelies (they'd be very dangerous on this bike), stunts, etc. I applaud their safety efforts, but they're a bit annoying to take off.
Tuesday, October 05, 1999
Day two impressions of my Strida bike:
I should start by stating what the purpose of my purchase was. I commute by train between New York and New Jersey, usa which is about 15 miles. Although my house is very close to the train stations, the destination station in New York City is 1-2 miles from work, so the bike would be nice for this leg. Additionally, i'd like to use the bike for getting around town, to do everything from going to church to picking up a few groceries. My regular bike, a bianchi eros road bike, is too valuable and too loaded up with touring accessories for these purposes. A simple, foldable bike for short distances seemed the perfect solution. Recently i've been traveling between my company's two offices in New York City, and the bike cuts a 20 minute walk down to a 9 minute ride.
Incidentally, i'm 6 feet 3 inches tall and weight about 190 pounds - definitely on the high end of Strida's range. Even in it's highest position the seat can't be adjusted in the same way you'd adjust a more conventional road bike with regard to the distance between the seat and the pedals. But since the bike is only intended for short distances it doesn't bother me much, even with my problem knees.
I took the bike on it's first ride today. It was an exhilarating ride. One guy on the sidewalk shouted "nice bike!" and another approached me at a stop light and asked a few questions about where to get one. This thing is it's own rolling advertisement.
The ride, for having such small wheels and an aluminium frame, is surprisingly supple. The seat is mounted on small springs that bounce a bit, cushioning your butt. Even over the local cobblestone streets in the soho section of new york city the ride wasn't bad and handling was good. The steering is quick and reminded me of being 7 years old again (a beautiful thing) what with the short wheelbase and small wheels. I thought this was a function of age and motor development but I guess it's more a function of bike design.
Though the bike is small and folds into a relatively small size i'm still hesitant to take it onto a crowded subway train, even in it's bag.
Wednesday, October 06, 1999
Day three with the Strida ...
I figure out that the Strida bag is assymetrical and the bike will only fit in one way. The other way it's like trying to get a futon cover around a futon mattress, only impossible.
Carrying this thing on the subway is weird. In the case it's a drag on a crowded train, too much of a hassle. On a non-crowded train without the case i get even more wild-eyed looks and smiles and questions. This is good or bad depending on your need for attention or how self-conscious you are.
I forgot how much i enjoy riding through New York City on a bike. It might sound weird to others, but it's a thrill. Part of it is definitely the risk involved; bike messengers are the closest thing we have here to the tough, romantic image of a cowboy.
Everyone keeps commenting on the bar that rises up from between your legs that curves into the handlebars. The fear is that, in an accident, your crotch would be pressed into the bar. While i see the possibility i don't think most accidents force the body into such a simplistic straight-forward motion.
Sunday, November 6, 1999
Day 34 with my Strida folding bike....
The left pedal started unwinding itself for some unknown reason about a week ago. I tightened it and now it's fine. Now the left crank is loose. Odd, but nothing disastrous.
Everything else has been working fine and provides a great ride. Others I work with plan to buy one because they like it so much.
My biggest complaint with the Strida is that the belt drive doesn't handle a lot of torque - if you're at an intersection and want a quick start at a green light then pressing too hard on the pedals could cause the belt to skip. It doesn't seem to hurt the belt, but it's wasted energy. I've taken to pushing off on the pavement with my feet to get a head start before i start pedaling. I'd still rather have this belt than a greasy chain.
I'm still getting lots of looks and comments on the bike wherever i go - the design is universally praised.
If you read my report on the Strida and end up buying one please let me know (victorlombardi@yahoo.com). I'm providing this report as a good internet citizen but would appreciate compensation in the form of their referral program. I probably won't make squat from this epinion due to the small audience for the bike.
purchase price: $395.00
ability level: beginner
overall quality: good
ease of use: excellent
recommended use: daily rides
recommends to friends? yes
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