A
Alan Weiss
Guest
Hi, folks, I know this is off topic, but I recently needed a folding bike to do some "intermodal"
travel (train & bike). I thought that a recumbent folder such as a SatRDay would not fold small
enough, and I didn't really want to buy such an expensive bike for short trips. So I ordered a
Strida http://www.strida.com This isn't such a cheap bike, but it costs less than a recumbent
folder. It's pretty, and can be rolled while folded (saving my ever-weakening back). So I thought
I'd give it a try.
Well, they are no longer sold by a US distributor, you order through a UK web site, and it's mailed
out from a guy in the US. But he doesn't help if there are problems. Which there were. My Strida
came without assembly instructions (but I could figure it out), without the fenders I paid for, and
with a bent piece of metal as part of the hub which looked in their pictures as if it should be
straight. But all of that was nothing compared to the real problem: every time I tried riding
uphill, the belt fell off! (The Strida uses a belt instead of a chain.) I simply could not get any
satisfaction by sending emails. No fenders, no instructions, no clue as to how to make the bike work
for me. After a few frustrating weeks I sent it back. Fortunately, they did refund all the charges
except shipping both ways.
As far as riding the bike on the level, it wasn't so good. The bike handles poorly. I felt very
unsafe going downhill at anything above 12 mph or so. Also, it did not make a compact package when
folded. On the plus side, it is indeed a very clean machine, and folds and unfolds quickly.
I am much happier with my new Dahon Piccolo. http://www.dahon.com/piccolo-us.htm The Piccolo handles
well, folds reasonably compactly and quickly, and has a backpack for use on trips where you don't
want the bike exposed. I've used it quite a bit this past week, and it only gets better as I get
used to it. But it sure isn't as comfortable as any recumbent!
Alan Weiss NJ Gold Rush, E2 tandem, and Leitra rider
travel (train & bike). I thought that a recumbent folder such as a SatRDay would not fold small
enough, and I didn't really want to buy such an expensive bike for short trips. So I ordered a
Strida http://www.strida.com This isn't such a cheap bike, but it costs less than a recumbent
folder. It's pretty, and can be rolled while folded (saving my ever-weakening back). So I thought
I'd give it a try.
Well, they are no longer sold by a US distributor, you order through a UK web site, and it's mailed
out from a guy in the US. But he doesn't help if there are problems. Which there were. My Strida
came without assembly instructions (but I could figure it out), without the fenders I paid for, and
with a bent piece of metal as part of the hub which looked in their pictures as if it should be
straight. But all of that was nothing compared to the real problem: every time I tried riding
uphill, the belt fell off! (The Strida uses a belt instead of a chain.) I simply could not get any
satisfaction by sending emails. No fenders, no instructions, no clue as to how to make the bike work
for me. After a few frustrating weeks I sent it back. Fortunately, they did refund all the charges
except shipping both ways.
As far as riding the bike on the level, it wasn't so good. The bike handles poorly. I felt very
unsafe going downhill at anything above 12 mph or so. Also, it did not make a compact package when
folded. On the plus side, it is indeed a very clean machine, and folds and unfolds quickly.
I am much happier with my new Dahon Piccolo. http://www.dahon.com/piccolo-us.htm The Piccolo handles
well, folds reasonably compactly and quickly, and has a backpack for use on trips where you don't
want the bike exposed. I've used it quite a bit this past week, and it only gets better as I get
used to it. But it sure isn't as comfortable as any recumbent!
Alan Weiss NJ Gold Rush, E2 tandem, and Leitra rider