Strida 5: The World's Simplest Folding Bike
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA 
on 10.18.07
We first spied the slick Strida 3 folding commuter bike a few years back and thought it was pretty cool; they're now ready to unleash the Strida 5 on the world ("the world's simplest folding bike," they call it), and have made some notable improvements. It's lighter at 19.4 pounds (compared to 22), uses disc brakes (instead of drum) and has alloys for the rims and hubs (instead of nylon and plastic). All this, and it still folds down in six seconds to a handy, diminutive size that lends itself oh so well to the short commute.
The 5 is scheduled to ship in silver and red on October 25, with all other colors (black, blue, orange, pink, white and yellow) on December 7; get more info and pics over at the Strida site. ::Strida via ::swissmiss
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The Strida 5 has some minor upgrades over the Strida 3.2, but it doesn't seem worth the $300 premium (60% more). Strida UK don't even sell the Strida 5.
Matt
I don't know where it's shipping to in your info, but my husband bought this two weeks ago and he LOVES IT! (we live in South Korea and everything seems to come out earlier here) It really is as fast and simple to fold as it says and is a good ride. It's 3K from our home to work and he it is totally comfortable for him. We bought it for daily riding but also so he can take it on the subway or high speed train.
When folded you can roll it right along with you (instead of having to carry it like most folding bikes) and is much easier to manage than every other bike that we tried.
The bike is suitable for people 5 ft 4 in to 6 ft 4 in. James is 6 ft and he's not sure if it really is ok for someone taller, but suits him just fine. The creator of the strida is 6 ft 4 in, so I guess that he probably wanted a folding bike that would fit tall people. Of course, that means that shorties are out of luck including me- I'm 4 ft 10 and there is NO WAY I can ride it safely. Believe me, I tried...
It cost about $520 US when we bought it in Korea if anyone wants a ballpark on the cost.
So, we have had a great experience with the Strida 5 and totally recommend it.
hey that bike looks cool! :)
While it's nice that it folds simply (you can tell how to fold it pretty much just by looking at it) for such an unconventional (read:awkward and silly) look, I would expect it to fold smaller than that. I'm of the opinion that if the bike looks goofy, it better be spectacularly light and fold extremely small. When I look at this bike, I feel like it should fold small enough to fit into a backpack or something given how unconventional the design is, but all it really does is fold up like an ironing board. I guess it would fit some people's needs, but even that moped looking folder posted a few weeks ago was a better choice, it folded the same way and looked much better doing it.
It looks more like something for disabled people than a commuter bike. Is it really so awful to have a bike with a few more folding steps that is far more attractive, functional, and versatile?
This has to be the best folding bike I have seen so far when it comes down to a combination of good looks and price. Anyone know of a place in the US where I can test ride one?
I owned a pair of the older Stridas, they took a bit to get used to when riding. The plastic (nylon?) wheels were the real weak spot. Glad to see they have gone for a metal spoked wheel.
Traded my units for a Sun folder. 3 speed and folds well enough for what I wanted. Sun is a lot less expensive as well. Dahon makes a nice folder as well.
I don't worry about looks as much as function and ease of maintenance. The Stridas are well built, if odd looking. Maintenance on the older units was minimal, to say the least. The new model should be a winner as well.
I've got the Strida 3 and I prefer it to other folding bikes for many reasons. I doesn't fold as small, but it also folds in just a few seconds as opposed to half a minute or so - this really does make a big difference in daily use.
You also don't have to carry it, you can push/pull it like luggage, and the belt drive does away with the greasy chain that makes carrying other folding bikes a messy ordeal.
The seat support also doubles as a handle for easy carrying when necessary (stairs, etc.).
I'm currently testing a Strida 5 and will be posting a review shortly. Meanwhile, I've posted the first in a series of photos of my yellow Strida 5 folding bike as well as assembly details and my initial impressions of this cool product ...
Strida 5 Folding Bike Unboxed
If the Strida 5 is unavailable in the UK you can thank the government's punitive customs duty and VAT for making it too costly to import - don't blame the bike. Yes, it is more expensive than the model 3, but for those of us in the U.S., any model of the Strida was virtually unobtainable regardless of price. After waiting almost a year for Strida to establish U.S. distribution, I got lucky and purchased a new sliver 5.0 on-line in October 2007, before Areaware became the distributor. The 5.0 has disc brakes, ergonomic grips, alloy-spoked wheels, metal bottom bracket shell and rear hub freewheel - all are improvements that increase performance and durability while reducing overall weight. So it costs more, as should be expected. I am completely impressed with the Strida's innovative design, thoughtful engineering and top-notch workmanship. It performs as I had hoped it would - as a comfortable, lightweight, short-distance bike that can very quickly and easily fold into a compact, conveniently transportable form. I even like its clean, uncomplicated look - the distinctive triangle shape should become a design icon for folding bikes.