Review of Areaware STRiDA 5.0 Folding Bicycle, Red

Areaware STRiDA 5.0 Folding Bicycle, Red
By: Strida Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 9
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Exactly what I have been looking for

On: 2009-12-01

I have looked at folding bikes on and off for a couple of years and never found myself excited enough about any of them to seriously consider making a purchase. I needed something that would fit easily in the car, fold and unfold quickly, travel with me easily when walking and climbing stairs in the parking garage and inside a building, and then fit unobtrusively on the elevator and under my desk at work. I also dont want black stains on my pants from the chain. This is exactly what it gives me. It seems to me that it folds much faster than advertised. The single gear is also more than adequate for my needs. I was worried that it would be a pain on the slightest incline, but I rode it to the top floor of an empty six story parking garage without any kind of undue effort before getting kicked out by the security guards.

I was convinced that this bike was the one I was looking for after seeing several videos online, and reading about how the bike got started. I was not excited about the price, but I immediately fell in love with the design. Ive been riding it for about a month and I could not be more satisfied. I find myself looking for excuses to ride it.

Critical comments / room for improvement:

-I would say that this bike would have to be problematic for someone who is very tall. Im 511", and I may be pushing it with the knee vs. handlebar room, although what seemed like it might be a problem at first, I dont notice anymore.

-I find that the mechanism for folding the handlebars is not as elegant as the rest of the design, and can lead to some jiggling, but I also dont bother to fold them when its not necessary, as when placing the bike in the trunk. I do fold them when getting on the elevator and for saving space under the desk.

-Its possible to pinch yourself by holding the bike too close to the top joint when unfolding. I dont think theres a warning about this in the documentation which is graphics-only. I learned to hold it in the right place (closer to the handlebars) without seriously pinching myself, but I can certainly see where someone might self-inflict some real pain.

-The seat is definitely not easy to adjust, which is fine unless you want to share the bike. I imagine it makes the seat more difficult to steal as well.

-Standard front and rear blinky lights that I bought for the bike didnt come with mounts large enough to fit around the frame which must be stockier than a normal bike for structural reasons.

Otherwise, my silver bike is gorgeous and rides amazingly well.

Good design for intended purpose

On: 2009-08-03

I have one of the first Stridas made, a 1.0 from the 1980s. The details have changed over time, with the mechanical closure replaced by a magnetic one, the iffy internal brakes replaced by disks, the bottom bracket welded instead of bolted, and an extra bolt to secure the seat clamp. Also, the newer ones come with folding handlebars and pedals, making the collapsed bike smaller at the cost of requiring slightly more time for expansion and takedown.

Unchanged is the basic triangular geometry, a brilliant design for the purpose: to allow the bicycle to collapse to the size of an umbrella. It excels in its intended use - short trips with a need for extreme transportability at one or both ends. It is entirely inadequate for any other purpose. For taller riders, raising the saddle brings the knees too close to the handlebars. The handling itself is twitchy in the extreme, probably resulting from the relatively shallow "head tube" angle. This geometry induces "frame sink," the characteristic in which the front of the bicycle drops as the handlebar is turned. This occurs with any bicycle having a head tube angle greater than 90 degrees, however, in this case it is so extreme as to induce the Strida to turn at the slightest motion, as gravity pulls the front end downward.

The tubes themselves must be of unusually large diameter to withstand the forces on the bottom bracket, located here at a weak point in the center of a frame tube, rather than the stronger junction of several tubes as on a conventional diamond frame. The seat attaches in a similar way, necessitating a heavier gauge than otherwise needed. Because of the attachment, the choice of saddle is limited to the one the bike comes with.

The main problem is the lack of suspension, a real drawback on a 16" wheel bicycle. The Moulton, a pioneering design with this wheel size, is suspended. Adding this feature to the Strida would require a monoshock, adding additional weight and complexity to what is supposed to be a maintenance-free design. Possibly a spring on the seat clamp would help - I acquired my 1.0 at a huge discount as this part was broken, probably the result of the former owner taking a bump with too much weight on the saddle. A suspended saddle does not seem to be an option. On the positive side, the current distributor, Areaware, was able to provide a replacement, and even exchanged it without an additional shipping charge when the color was wrong (I had failed to specify a color).

Used as intended, the Strida is more than adequate. The designer is to be commended for thinking outside the accepted parameters for folding bicycles.

fun fun fun

On: 2009-04-16

I own one of these in silver, almost looks like brushed stainless steel. A real head turner of a bike! Love the cool folding action, Belt drive, disc brakes. Very lightweight, you could fit several in a car trunk if you wanted.

The bike take a little bit to get used to, very quick turning. Stay centered, dont lean to far forward or back. Really fun to ride.

Its not a bike for long rides or hills. It is however the perfect bike for short commutes and recreational riding.

I can fit two of them in a convertible trunk! great for the beach

On: 2008-10-30

Warning this bike is not for hills. It only has one speed, therefore you are limited to flat areas.

I gave it five stars because of excellent design and convenience. I was able to put 2 of them inside a VW Eos convertible trunk. Recently rode it to work and it was quite a work out! got lots of compliments on the street. People were starting saying "cool bike".

Fashion wise, you cant go wrong. I suggest you try it first before you buy it. I bought 1 for a friend and after trying it decided to get one for me.

Almost perfect

On: 2008-09-10

It pains me not to give my Strida 5 stars. Sturdy, lightweight, fast and easy folding/unfolding, smooth riding, gaze-stopper, its all there, and more.
But, and heres the star dropper, the seat assembly, completely independent of the frame, needs to be re-engineered. There are claims that the seat can hold a 250lb person. Perhaps if the bike is standing perfectly still. I weighed myself with my lightweight bike clothing and shoes: 192lbs. Twice the seat failed me. On the third try I tightened the bolts so much that I feared they would snap. Now I check the tightness before each ride, carry the smallest water bottle I own, and keep my fingers crossed. So far so good. I dont know why the seat assembly is not integrated somehow into the frame. It would make it more sturdy. Then I might have to create a sixth star!

beautiful bicycle useful for urban riding

On: 2008-08-03

The strida bike is like a work of art... so much so that you are almost afraid of riding it to dirty it up by riding on it. The design is elegant and there appears to be no cheap parts here (like my army recon foldable bike). I love the fact that there is not grease you have to worry about.
That being said, there are a few cons - 1. it is expensive, 2. it is less stable than most other types of bikes (I wont say unstable, just less stable), 3. single gear makes this a slow bike, and 4. bike stand is extra.
That being said, I still love this bike. I just wont be really using it all that much because my other bike is more practical for long distances. The bike seems a little bit more stable if you put your weight on the back more (which means riding upright).

Thoroughly Impressed by the Strida 5.0!

On: 2008-05-28

Ive got to say, I wasnt sure whether the bike would live up to the hype. After my first three days of riding, I believe its all that and more! It rides great over smooth or broken roads as well as uphills and downhills. I find it to be very comfy even after spending an hour and a half in the saddle. Finally, as a city commuter, Im a huge fan of the portable, low-maintenance design.

At last a really cool folding bike, that works - for the rest of us !

On: 2008-01-19

Stunning bike ! .. I was a little sceptical at first, most advice was to stick to the more traditional fold-in half bikes, and to choose a bike with the best riding position. BUT I am so pleased I bought this as the it is actually better than the alternatives : I LOVE the riding position, really comfy, straight back .. great for visibility .. my old bike (with traditional riding position) now just gives me back and neck ache ! It folds so simply, more like an umbrella than a bike, and then because it rolls on its wheels, it is so easy to walk with. The only negative is the number of people who stop and want to know about it .. they are amazed to see it fold and looks so different for a bike.

It felt expensive at the time but now ive been using it for a few weeks its probably one of the best things i own .. looks great and works well. I just dont know why I havent seen them before - poor marketing ??

A really cool product - totally recommended !