Very interested on the Strida

Strida Forum General Strida Chat
1

Hi Guys,

After reading this forum and seeing all the great posts I am very interested on buying a Strida but a couple of questions I would like to ask Strida users on:

  1. I heard that it’s hard to find tires on the Strida apart from ordering them Strida dealers?
  2. How fast can the Strida goes on road?
  3. I am thinking about the 3.3 model, but does the crank set on the 5.0 make a big difference?

Sorry, as I am quite new on bikes, many thanks for all your help.

Sar

2

Welcome to ‘the land of the flying triangles’ :mrgreen:

  1. Tires are standard - 16" x 1.5" or 1.75" lots of bikes and folding bikes use them (eg dahon etc.) so most regular bike shops should keep them.
  2. The standard 1 speed Strida has a nice gear (52" to 54" depanding on tires) this is perfect for around town, flat and reasonable up hills. I have clocked 22mph (with pedals going fast). Where it seems slower is down hill where multi-speed bikes can change to a higher gear and so go faster. Maximum speed depends on how fast you are willing to spin the cranks. Or Strida have just bought out a 2 speed version which has a slightly lower ‘low gear’ (for hill climbing) and a higher ‘high gear’ for cruising and down hill. I’ve not tried but if I can do 22mph, on 1 speed a 2 speed should do over 30mph, especially if going down hill. I have got used the the one speed and now prefer its simplicity, its what all the city ‘fixie’ riders use.
  3. The gearing size etc. on the 3.3 is exactly the same as a 5, the main difference is the 3.3 has a plastic crank bearing mounting, and freewheel in the front (so pulley rotates with wheels) and the 5 has a welded mounting and conventional rear freewheel. If you are heavy the welded crank mounting will feel better, but most I’ve tried feel the same. THE biggest difference is the brakes - the 5 has discs which are super strong - stop on a dime. So if you are around 200Ibs go for the 5 otherwise the 3.3 will feel just the same (and cost less).
3
  1. Even 16" x 2" As Big Apples will fit. In fact it is no problem to buy good tires. Problem is to buy good quality tubes - most are foreseen for child bikes.
  2. Speed - As PeteT wrote - Speed depend of this how fast you can rotate. In my opinion For >15km countinous rides Strida seems to be little to slow - as all singlespeeds with comfortable universal gear ratio. But when road is full of traffic lights good acceleration and brakes help and average speed is near to conventional bike. Moreover in the city in the rush hours any bike is faster than Porsche standing in traffic jam :slight_smile: If you would take Strida to public transport not standing in traffic - than in fact average speed on Strida + underground is bigger than to ride conventional bike on the same distance. With Strida you will fit to underground or train even in rush hours when there is crowd. Strida is not bike for speed lovers. It is for people who wants to effectively move in the city.
  3. I prefer to buy new things. The same with bikes. take into consideration that 5.x have more standart parts and for bike that is new spare parts will be longer available. I didn’t try 3.x but 5.x looks to be technicaly more advanced.
4

:smiley: Thank you very much PeterP and mtths for your info, I waned a Strida because I need to fold and unfold it every time as I need to carry it 3 stories from my flat downstairs and I was even thinking about the mini as its smaller but I am not sure it I am okay on it; I am about 5’7" and 135 lbs and my concern is the legroom if my knee will be hitting the bars while I’m turning. The 5.0 is certainly better by understanding how the crank and the breaks work but its a little over my budget.
The Strida suppose to be a ‘maintenance-free’ bike but there needs to be some maintenance sometime and what kind of maintenance I need to do and how often? Thanks.

5

Sar,
I’m 6’4" and have the saddle pushed pretty much all the way up so I get a good extension on the legs and my knees will only occasionally brush up against the handlebars. At 5’7" you shouldn’t have any problems.

I rode model 3.2 for around 4 years (just moved up to the 2 speed model a month ago). The only real difference between the 3.2 and 3.3 that I can think of is the 3.3 has a belt tensioner on the back to keep the belt from popping/slipping under load. I’m right right at 220lbs give or take (more give right now :slight_smile: ) and starting off on a slight incline I can pop the belt along the teeth a few times before momentum catches up with my peddle push. That is the only issue I had with the model 3.x The drum brakes and plastic crank housing gave me zero problems, but I will agree with Pete, the disk brakes are quite a bit more hefty on the stopping power.

So, really, I think it’ll come down to aesthetics more than anything else. If you don’t mind the extra plastics on the look the three will be just fine for you. If you want a more traditional looking all metal construction, go for the five.

6

sorry, missed the maintenance question. A little machine oil and white grease occasionally at points specified in the manual. Make sure the brake cables are tensioned correctly. Make sure the bolts holding the saddle aren’t loose. Proper air in the tires. Wash it when it get’s dirty. That’s pretty much it.

7

Mini is definitely too small for you. What’s more, it’s not easy to find decent 14" tires. As for tubes, I don’t think the more expensive ones, such as Schwalbe 16" tubes, are that much better. Bargain tubes may need more pumping but work just as well. I’d spend my money on good tires instead.

Without a greasy chain and derailer gear system, Strida is very low maintenance comparing to conventional bikes. If this is your main consideration, you can’t go wrong with a Strida.