Sorry…. Double message
Hi, Strida-World! (Especially to the BSA boss! :-D) I ended up in this land a bit by chance. Since 2003, I’ve abandoned diamond-frame bicycles, dedicating myself only to recumbents: semi-recumbents, recumbent gt (Flux s-800) and then trikes (Atomic Zombie Warrior). That remains my focus; I’m also one of the administrators of the “Bici Reclinate Italia” forum. But I’m always very curious… I had seen a Strida online in the past and it seemed at the very least an interesting object, even if I found it very expensive. In recent years, the concept of “intermodality” fascinates me. I live in the historic center of Venice (gondolas, canals and … feet!) and I keep my mechanical fleet in Mestre. I think that often we become passionate about things we have to put more effort into, and that’s a bit what happens for me with vehicles: two old cars (Subaru Forester €3 280 hp - Citroen Xantia V6 Activa), a very dated motorhome (Karmann MB100), an aged but still valid motorcycle (Honda VFR 1988)… The cars are starting to have traffic restrictions due to pollution; the motorhome too. Furthermore, to go and get my vehicles, I always have a 3/4 km walk on the mainland. Then, in the summer, it would be nice to go to Lido (the island where the Venice Film Festival is held, where you can drive cars and bikes: 14 km x max 1 km) bringing my bike from home by motorboat, rather than renting one there. And so, even though I’m now spoiled by the comfortable seat of recumbents… if you find something extremely compact to keep in the car or camper or in Venice, why not try it? And maybe cheap! On this subject, the folders aren’t really that cheap and used Stridas here are normally sold for around €250, with exorbitant peaks of €450 and more…
But a few days ago I came across a rather neglected ad; it seems like the typical ad from a person who found themselves with a “thing” they don’t know, don’t use, and just want to get rid of. And they do so by asking for a minimum price. So, why not? I get some information; they say it’s been used very few times and it’s like new; “everything works”. The rear fender is missing, but the tires seem original and still new. So, even though it’s 500 km away and only pickup is planned, I buy it and send a friend to pick it up. The friend, by the way, is going today: so for the moment, I’ve only seen my Strida in a photo. A gamble, maybe… but it was worth a try. From there, I immersed myself in reading Stridaforum. I understand that my Strida is almost certainly a 3.2, also because officially only those arrived in Italy. I’ve read a lot and I’ve formed this idea: the 3.2 is an excellent link. Pros: same frame as the later ones, with geometries revised compared to Mk1/2; cons: brakes that are difficult to service (while the front freewheel is still for sale). The risk is there…
The first thing I’ll do is change the saddle. I read a lot and came to the conclusion to buy this one: https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/selle-royal-drifter-plus-relaxed-saddle/139551123/p I would have loved a Brooks, but it could take me a lifetime to break it in. For now, the Royal should do: it’s wide and sprung, two fundamental requirements on a bike where you sit very upright. If I wanted to change the plastic wheels with 16" BMX ones to fit Big Apples, could I do it or is that an option only for Stridas with a rear hub?
I’m a bit worried about adapting to riding the Strida, but … only a bit: actually I really trust that my habit with recumbents will make it easier. I have a feeling there’s an affinity: on recumbents, all your weight must be on the seat; if you grip or hang onto the handlebars, they become impossible to ride. I think it’s the same on the Strida: I believe if you try to transfer weight to the front wheel, the vehicle becomes unstable like my semi-recumbent was, which I learned to ride holding the handlebars with two fingers. So I’m confident I’ll adapt quickly…
I’ll try to transfer my usual penchant for lights onto it. I’m also thinking of fitting it with a set of turn signals: I have them on my direct-steering trike (they are necessary, because having a brake for the front wheel on a slope you can’t let go of the handlebars to signal a lane change) and I find them great; I’ll see if I can fit them on the Strida too.
The last thing that could really appeal to me is the ATS Speed Drive: I’m of the idea that the more uses you can cover, the better. Especially related to use with the camper, knowing I could handle a bit of a climb would be great. I’ll wait and see if I use the Strida enough… Sure, the ATS isn’t cheap either, but given how little the bike cost me, the purchase could be justified.
So… precisely: how much did I pay for my “new” Strida 3.2? € 35. What do you say… would the risk have been worth it for you too? 
2 Likes
Hello Rahab,
welcome at Stridaforum 
Many thanks for your post, really interesting to have little look into a Venice citizens life
Well, first a few important things:
Same frame; not really - if you consider the front freewheel.
Front freewheel; there’s very special tool required to get rid of the old one, jfyi.
Most likely, you meant here “…only for Stridas with rear freewheel”
but even that does not help - there is no way to mount any BMX wheels.
The single sided Strida hubs are mandatory to build wheels with BMX rims (that would be possible - but you won’t be able to find such hubs…most likely…)
There is no way to combine ATS drives with a front freewheel.
Anyway, I hope you have some fun with yours 
Uhmmm… the issue with the hubs is indeed a challenge I hadn’t considered! But, who knows… maybe some “crazy artisan” is still out there. 
Instead, now that you make me think about it, I understand that the ATS issue is a pipe dream. So the “Plan B” to allow a 3.2 to handle some climbs would be a very light electrification that doesn’t drastically change the weight. By removing the rear fender and using a quick-release bracket, maybe it would be possible to use an Add-E Lite kit weighing 1.6 kg total; the most difficult part would indeed be the mounting bracket. Unless using the rear rack mounting points to lower a bracket from there that allows contact between the rotor and the tire… but I don’t know: until I see the Strida up close, this is just “pour parler.” Has anyone ever specifically thought about mounting an Add-E? 
Anyway, for now I plan to use it as a hyper-light vehicle and I think I’ll have fun with it! Do you think the saddle I linked to would fit well?
Sorry, I couldn’t tell exactly, for the first look I’d say rather yes than no.
I believe the Add-E would work, just a custom mount will be required.
Currently, my Strida has 1.75" tires that don’t fit properly in the rim. I believe they are 406 (the bike is at a friend’s place), having read on the forum that this is the most common but incorrect size… If I were to mount 47/305 tires (Continental Urban is a tire I really like: definitely more rolling-efficient than Marathon!), would the rim support it? If I’ve read correctly, would I still have a residual problem with the wheel magnets not engaging? Thanks!