# Two belts in two days **URL:** \ **Category:** Strida Problems and Answers\ **Created:** [March 7, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095 "2015-03-07T12:06:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2015, 12:06pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/1 "2015-03-07T12:06:13Z")
> [@M.S.](#): > > Strida replaced my broken bike last year, and in November I began to experience belt twisting. Yesterday my belt broke, and I replaced it with my old belt. > > This morning the belt twisted after riding down the street. I walked home, fixed the twisted belt, and after riding through the same intersection as before, the belt snapped. > > Anyone else experiencing similar issues? Seems the twist occurs when pushing off from a stop and when climbing. ![](https://www.stridaforum.com/uploads/default/original/2X/c/cde7483559acf1c543181414577095ee2bd299d1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2015, 12:08pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/2 "2015-03-07T12:08:02Z")
Reminded me striking on this post: [Belt twisted twice](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/belt-twisted-twice/831/1) > [@stridahd](#): > > Most likely the problem was part no. 338, where the “disc part” was bent. This allowed the rear wheel to twist several degrees under heavy load (=myself). Could you please check the condition of part 338? ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2015, 9:53am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/3 "2015-03-08T09:53:32Z")
> [@M.S.](#): > > Regarding the questionable part: I checked it after removing the wheel, and it did not appear to be bent. I did notice the bolt was very easy to loosen, requiring very little effort-- which indicates no Loctite was used. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2015, 11:00am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/4 "2015-03-08T11:00:37Z")
Do you have a pic of your freewheel’s tooth? ---
**Author:** ![Chester\_Tan](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Chester\_Tan](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Chester_Tan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2015, 8:15am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/5 "2015-03-10T08:15:10Z")
Twisting occurs when the belt tension is low or slack. ---
**Author:** ![ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/ImpairedVisions)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 12:14am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/6 "2015-03-21T00:14:02Z")
The new U.S. distributor had me send the bike to them. They determined the bike was improperly assembled, and replaced all of the hardware for the rear wheel assembly. They also adjusted the bottom bracket after discovering the front pulley was moving in an odd manner. I had noticed a sensation of rear wheel wobble when riding downhill, but could not see any play upon inspection. Turned out I wasn’t imagining things as the wheel had 3mm of play in it. I suspect the looseness allowed the belt to creep off the sprocket when under load. I’ll report back after I’ve had a few days with it. The Strida is a fun bike to ride, but my experience has been greatly undermined by careless workmanship. I think the use of clear plastic washers, as well as other plastic, makes the bike seem more like a toy than a bicycle. ---
**Author:** ![ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/ImpairedVisions)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/7 "2015-03-29T14:21:57Z")
Was able to ride a few times, but something felt wrong. The rear wheel has some lateral movement and the left handlebar has the same wiggle issue as before. So, my bike is boxed up awaiting UPS pickup. ---
**Author:** ![Bietrume](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/bietrume/32/16_2.png) [@Bietrume](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Bietrume)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 7:17am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/8 "2015-03-30T07:17:40Z")
This is obviously a problem due to the lack of preload of the rear joint, see the full explanation here: [url][Sideway movement of the rear wheel - #29 by Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/sideway-movement-of-the-rear-wheel/917/29)] BSA has developed some parts that solve the issue, please contact him. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 8:42am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/9 "2015-03-30T08:42:58Z")
@Bietrume To be honest…I didn’t think of this issue by now, guess I was detracted by the improper assembling ☹ But indeed yes - you will be right… @ImpairedVisions If you - or your mechanic - also believe that the behaviour of your bike matches above mentioned issue you might actually think about trying our parts. I’ve sent you already detailed info 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/ImpairedVisions)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/10 "2015-03-30T14:31:53Z")
Thanks for the information! Recently, Ive wondered why there isn’t a “Performance Kit” to improve the Strida. There is an entire cottage industry supplying various upgrades for Brompton. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/11 "2015-03-30T15:26:04Z")
> [@ImpairedVisions](#): > > There is an entire cottage industry supplying various upgrades for Brompton. And there’s the European bike market which supports Brompton, but not Strida. I’m sure behind Brompton and their friends are standing also advertising specialists. Ming cycle’s budget for European advertising will be truly different to that of Brompton. I believe the Strida is still too uncommon - in U.S. and Europe - to be of interest for bike dealers. Moreover that are - as I sadly had to notice - several Strida dealers across the world highly interested to sell Strida, but not to take care of service or spare parts supply. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/ImpairedVisions)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/12 "2015-05-29T04:05:24Z")
Just a quick report: Bike has been riding better since getting it back, but today the belt became twisted again. The new US distributor seems to be at a loss. During previous belt twistings the disc rotor became warped. I wonder if there is a warped spot that is behaving like a deraler, and causing the belt to be slightly shifted over – resulting in these twisting events. ---
**Author:** ![Bietrume](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/bietrume/32/16_2.png) [@Bietrume](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Bietrume)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 9:10am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/13 "2015-05-29T09:10:20Z")
What did the US distributor to temporarily solve the issue? If he just changed the belt, then it will come back for sure. I am convinced that your rear pulley gets misaligned (= not parallel to the front pulley) when you put effort on the pedals. The belt then climbs on the pulley flange and gets twisted. As suggested in my previous post (see above), the preload of the rear joint has become too low, which causes this lateral movement of the rear wheel and consequently the belt twisting. Several solutions exist: BlackStridaAustria will help you to choose the best one. ---
**Author:** ![Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/user_avatar/www.stridaforum.com/blackstridaaustria/32/12_2.png) [@Blackstridaaustria](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/Blackstridaaustria)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 9:19am UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/14 "2015-05-29T09:19:51Z")
@Bietrume You might be - exceptionally - wrong here… Of course I’d love to help ImpairedVisions, but the problem seems to be that he can’t find a local mechanic 😕 > [@ImpairedVisions](#): > > I wonder if there is a warped spot that is behaving like a deraler, and causing the belt to be slightly shifted over – resulting in these twisting events. I don’t think so: There are a few mm’s between belt and and disc; usually you would feel a disc dent of a half mm while breaking. If the disc would be that much bent to reach near the belt - then would your rear brake not be functional. You wrote above “they replaced all the hardware” - do you have verified info what exactly they did? I’d really like to know - - was the freewheel replaced? - what about part 338? - did they renew the cup spring, washer and the rear axle bolt? ---
**Author:** ![ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/9d8465/32.png) [@ImpairedVisions](https://www.stridaforum.com/u/ImpairedVisions)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://www.stridaforum.com/t/two-belts-in-two-days/1095/15 "2015-05-29T14:56:01Z")
Freewheel was not replaced, but all other hardware was. I think I have a lemon, and asked for a new bike.