Filed under: Transportation Alternatives, On Two Wheels
Strida folding bike that collapses in six seconds
Riding a bike to work is a great way of avoiding the hassles of traffic, parking and high gas prices. Unfortunately it can bring along its own problems. You need a place to stash your bike, and there is of course the issue of getting chain grease on your pants. British designer Mark Sanders has designed a new type of bicycle with a triangular frame that breaks down in only six seconds. The pedal power is transferred to the rear via kevlar belt instead of the typical metal chain. The belt means no grease and the fold-up design makes it easy to store. The Strida isn't cheap, with two models available at $499 and $799. The more expensive one is a little lighter and uses disk brakes in place of drums.
[Source: Strida, via GizMag]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 11:36AM (12/07/2007)
Strida 1 Promo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxYTYdFMopI&feature=related
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Tim 11:42AM (12/07/2007)
Strida5 2007 Incl. fold demos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7W8d4JCw6c
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Domenick 11:47AM (12/07/2007)
It's cooler in Japanese.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKZNN6Z2xMg&feature=related
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rgseidl 12:10PM (12/07/2007)
Does that belt still work when it's wet out or after you've stretched it out a little? I don't see any tensioning mechanism. Besides, you still need to make sure it doesn't touch your clothes as it may gather dirt and also chafe against the fabric - or your skin, if you're wearing shorts.
For commuting by public transport plus bicycle, I'd prefer a foldable electric bike with a chain guard, e.g. the Powacycle Lynx LPX or eZee Quando. These are more expensive and also heavier than the Strida, but they'll get you to the office without working up a sweat - especially if there are any hills to climb. Perhaps future designs will feature a lightweight monocoque frame that can double as a casing for the battery cells, protecting them from the elements as well as theft. A NuVinci CVT hub would also be a welcome addition.
A second, compatible idea would be a stowing kit plus charger that you could mount in the trunk of your car. Hook it up and your foldable bike's battery would be recharged while you drive, at a minimal fuel economy penalty. Then park the car and run errands around town or enjoy a ride in the country on the bike.
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Joe 1:43PM (12/07/2007)
It's a toothed belt, so it works just like a chain would. Water wont bother it, and it last a while.
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Larry Lagarde 7:28PM (12/27/2007)
The Strida folding bike does have a tensioning mechanism.
I'd love to see more bikes offered with the neat NuVinci variable transmission including the Strida. FYI, Ming/Strida have noted that a multi speed version of the Strida is in the works.
Another option I'd like to see on the Strida is a seat mechanism similar to that on Sir Clive's A-Bike (as well as a heavier duty carry rack). If the seat could be collapsed against the frame, the whole bike would fit in a soft sided carry case for golf bags, which would probably result in preferential treatment by airline baggage handlers and less hassles with mass transit employees that hate bicycles...
By the way, I just received a new, yellow Strida 5.0 folding bike and am in the process of reviewing it. I've already published some photos, a description of the assembly process and my initial impressions. I'll soon be posting a video of the bike being ridden as well as folding/unfolding the Strida and placing it in an aftermarket golf bag.
ridethisbike.com/2007/12/strida-5-folding-bike-unboxed.html
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Larry Lagarde 7:34PM (12/27/2007)
Here's a link to all my Strida 5.0 folding bike posts...
http://ridethisbike.com/labels/Strida-5-folding-bike.html
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chainstrainer 3:33AM (1/04/2008)
The Strida 5.0 is a unique folding bike; its appearance is as distinctive as its folding design is innovative. Instead of the four-tube frame, four-tube rear stays and two-tube front fork of a typical bike, Mark Sanders, the designer of the Strida, reduced the form of a bike to the simplest, most stable geometric form - a triangle. Ten tubes become three and the visual result is either awkward or elegant, depending on your view but one can’t help appreciating the art and engineering that went into its creation. The three-tube frame works through a clever system of custom stem, pivoting ball hinge, locking clasps and magnetic hubs that allow the frame tubes and two 16-inch wheels to stack next to each other when folded. In six or fewer seconds you can switch the Strida from transportation to transportable, from riding it to pushing it. There are origami bikes available on the market that may fold more compactly but the Strida is small enough for public transit systems or for the trunk/boot or your vehicle but unlike other folders, you need not carry it but rather can wheel it along in front of you like a narrow golf club bag. It is easy to lift it up stairs or into bus because its folded shape is compact (only 9 inches wide), lightweight (under 20 pounds/9 kg) and easily grasped (along the stem/handle, seat or down tube).
The craftsmanship and finish of the Strida are superb, every design and manufacturing detail is top-notch. The single-speed Kevlar belt-drive is pure simplicity. There are no gears or chain to maintain and no greasy gunk to smear your clothing or hands - and the belt does not slip or wear out. The new ergonomic grips add both to comfort and control. The switch to disc brakes and spoked alloy wheels is a big plus, adding to the quality of build, control of ride and overall weight savings.
As for ride handling, the Strida feels disconcertingly twitchy at first due to its extreme upright position and short seat-to-stem distance but it quickly becomes easy to master after a few minutes of riding. The low seat position allows the feet to be planted on the ground while seated but at some sacrifice to pedaling efficiency from the resulting leg extension limitation. The single speed allows a comfortable 10-12 mph pace and is adequate for short, moderate inclines. I wouldn't want to ride this bike more than 5-7 level miles due to the single-speed gearing, 16-inch wheels and very upright position, however, the Strida was designed for exactly that kind of short, level commute between public transport and destination (and vice-versa). In that regard the Strida 5.0 fills its goal well.
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Strida 2:32AM (6/10/2009)
To experience the disk brakes Black, Skin Wall, Reflective Stripe Alloy, Cold Forged SS, Four Spider Cast Aluminum, Welded AL Mount Internal, Rear Hub Freewheel in your strida
http://www.myfoldingbike.com
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