Strida Folding Bike Update: Three New Models, New Colors for Spring 2009
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA 
on 09.18.08
It doesn't get much better than the folding bike for flexible, convenient two-wheeled human-powered transport, and the Strida 5.0 is near the top of the list for small-wheeled folding bikes. The diminutive, angular folder weighs less than 25 pounds, and can fold and unfold in 5 seconds flat, making it a great option for storage to street to transit and back again.
Now, Strida is getting some updates, to be officially unveiled at the upcoming Interbike Expo, September 24-26 in Las Vegas. The new "MAS Special" is the fastest Strida to date. Inventor Mark Sanders has stripped the bike down to its simplest, most elegant form while adding some slick high-performance technology. At the heart of MAS’s speed and agility is the Schlumpf 2 speed drive – a sophisticated Swiss engineered drive system that allows the rider to shift seamlessly between high and low gears with a simple tap of the heel. Keep reading to see more pics of the slick shifter, and the other new versions of the folding bike.
Strida 5.0 MAS Special folding bike
The MAS Special, above, also includes a custom black anodized finish on frame and parts, an ergonomic racing saddle, and alloy cranks, chain ring, and pedals. Riders interested in similar two-speed performance with fewer bells and whistles will like the "Sport Duo," pictured below, which will offer the same Schlumpf 2 speed drive.
Strida 5 Sport Duo folding bike
Other new innovations in Strida include the XT, which has larger, 18-inch wheels and a larger frame to accommodate larger riders, plus some new colors. In addition to the brushed aluminum, black, white, yellow, pink, red, blue, special edition cream, and orange (currently only available at the Museum of Modern Art), the 5.0 now comes in eye-opening neon green -- y'know, so drivers will see you better.
Strida 5.0, now available in neon green
You can see all these slick new features in person at InterBike -- our pals from AreaWare will be there to show them off (booth #245); word on the street is that they'll be available in Spring 2009. Thanks to Noel at Areaware for the tip! ::Strida
Read more about Strida and other folding bikes
Strida 5: The World's Simplest Folding Bike
BuyGreen: Small Wheel Folding Bikes
Strida vs A-bike: Folding Bicycles Battle it Out
From Sketchbook to Street: The Evolution of Strida Folding Bikes
See the Strida in action
Hang Your Folding Bike in Your Closet
Off To ICFF On a Wing and a Strida
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With Mark Sanders' appreciation for minimalism, the MAS Special is very true to where Mark's heart lies. Personally though, I'd rather have the Strida Sport Duo. Fenders and a carry rack make the bike so much more practical with no noticeable difference in cruising speed. Now if only the Sport Duo came in black...
Larry
RideTHISbike.com
By the way, AreaWare has authorized me to offer a PreSale on the $1400 MAS Special and $1200 Speed Duo on RideTHISbike.com. The soonest that these bikes will be going out for delivery is January of '09 and quantities will be very limited (no more than 200 MAS Special's total and just 20 are coming in January).
Larry
IKEA could make it for less!
i would like to ride one just to tryout (but live in back of beyond)...
also, wouldn't you come a cropped if you had to brake quickly?
ouch!
With one of the most unique looks out of all the other folding bikes you would defiantly have to go with a bright flashy color for this folder!
Not sure how much I like the Schlumpf drive system though, hands are always more accurate than feet!
Ha, cas, I was thinking the same thing. That doesn't not look to forgiving on my man-parts.
The folding bike is not a new idea and has been around for at least forty years. The original idea was to use it for travel or on your boat so that when you docked at a foreign port you had a convient cheap means of geting around. The cost at the time was around $100.150. dollars.
The wheelbase is a bit short, but this strikes me as the kind of urban bike that is unlikely to spill due to road obstacles. First - you're likely traveling at a slower speed in urban areas, second, the very short turning radius allows active safety - ie swerving easily to avoid (small) obstacles - thirdly urban roads tend to be in pretty good condition, it's rural roads and highways that get potholes.
Gents,
take a ride and do not fear, as the Strida is no more dangerous to men, as an ordinary, high-frame bike.
I tried out one of these things. They are idiotic: hard to control, the small wheels transmit shock from any road imperfection, gearing is inappropriate for moving safely in traffic, and the taller you are, the closer your hands get to you as you move the seat up. This bike is an example of when industrial design purism trumps real functionality.
Very cool bike! I'd love to give one a spin around the park.
Just for the record, my 25-year old Schwinn has a two speed that shifts by a quick back pedal.
I have one and it is a great bike. My only complaint would be that the chain slips if you push too hard, but mine is an old model so that might be fixed now. Great machine.
Just wanted to add my kudos for the Strida, especially the 5.0 model which improves on the drawbacks of earlier models (the belt does not slip as easily, for example.) It performs exactly as I need and I find the ride handling to be simple, nimble and an overall pleasant experience, certainly not "idiotic". I have found that the Strida's clever design "purism" does not come at the sacrifice of "real functionality". Quite the opposite actually - its design is an asset of its functionality. To each his own opinion - I suppose it's the only one that matters.
I really like Strida's new color scheme (esp the tan ones). I recently took one out for a spin and the feeling is definitely unique especially when turning. I think maybe due to the handle bars distance to the front wheel.
As maker of belt-drive foldies ourselves, we know that the tension of the belt can be adjusted to alleviate the belt slippage but I didn't encounter any problems at all when testing it on slightly hilly terrain.
Cool nifty ride - looking forward to try out their 2 or 4 speed (?)!
Teck
www.abiobikes.com
I just got back from a two week trip to Japan with my Strida -- the version sold by MOMA. Japan is, of course, very bike friendly -- even Tokyo. I thought the bike was awesome in that urban setting. In addition to the obvious advantage of being able to get it there easily, the two things I liked best were its acceleration and its small wheelbase. The wheelbase allows one to stay on it even as the street begins to get a little more crowded without feeling like a boor. For example, it would work well in Central Park on a beautiful Sunday. The acceleration is, of course, the flip side of the low top speed. In the "broken field running" situation of a busy street/sidewalk I'll take the acceleration. I can understand how some commentors might initially feel the ride is a little squirrly, but hey, that's why they call bicycling a sport!