Quick Guide to the Strida folding bike

Introduction

The EVO with 18" wheels a.k.a. "KS3" offers a meter development of 3,45 - 4,38 - 5,51m by using a kickback bottom bracket by Sturmey Archer.

The distance between the handlebar and the saddle is approximately 400 to 550 mm (Brompton ~ 640mm), while the wheel base is about ~ 895 mm (Brompton ~ 1045mm).

Compared to the Brompton

Pros

• Belt drive
• Disk drive
• Low maintenance
• Folds a bit faster than Brompton
• Easier to roll folded
• A bit lighter (how much compared to the 3 speeder?)

Cons

• Unlike Brompton, no frame-based luggage block in the front; Using either the Brompton block (+ bracket) or the Klickfix Caddy adapter interfer with the folding
• EVO with 18" wheels as expensive as three-speed Brompton
• EVO: requires backpedaling to change gears, which is problematic in the city as backpedaling at red light means changing gear
• Gear inches too small if you live in hilly area
• Wheel base smaller than Brompton = less stable, especially at low speed in traffic
• Saddle - handlebar distance small, and can barely be changed
• Saddle: Body tends to move forwards, with no way to change saddle tilt
• Some/most saddles can't work on the Strida
• Can't stand on the pedals
• Magnet doesn't hold that well when rolling bike folded
• Schwalbe stopped selling Marathon Plus 355 tires, which are required for the 18" wheels; The Innova tires might be as strong; Otherwise, consider 16" (ETRTO 305) wheels instead

Must-have Accesories

https://stridacanada.ca/shop/

• Mighty Quick Release Bracket: Klickfix compatible? How much can it hold?
• M-Style Handlebar set
• Bent Handlebar kit
• Quick Release Pedals
• Travoy Trailer Hitch Bracket (CND$145.00)
• Quick Release Seat molding
• Alloy rear rack
• Pannier Alloy Rear Rack
• Custom Rear Rack Clip
• Rear Top Bag
• Pannier Bags
• Bike Stand
• Frame Protector
• Nylon Bag

Tips

How to change + choose saddle

Undo the nut + bolt, and use a flat screwdriver to pry out the saddle carefully from the seat. Note that some saddles fit the Strida seat molding, while others don't ("The crucial factor whether a saddle fits on the molding or not is the distance of the saddle rails to the the lower edge of the saddle nose"

To lower the seat, loosen and remove the three nuts and open the molding. If you often share your Strida, get the Quick Release Seat molding.

Due to the upright position and the fact that the rider cannot stand on the pedals, a saddle should be very wide in the back.

Wide in the back, and long enough to move body further from handlebar?

Investigating creaks and squeaks

The small clicks you hear while spinning the crank forward on the EVO is perfectly normal.

On the other hand, creaks and squeaks you hear while riding isn't. It often comes from the rear hinge, in which case:

1. Remove the cup spring (p.nr. 367) of the rear joint (Is there a groove in the frame? Can you take a close picture of it?)
2. Use sandpaper to break the sharp edge along the outer circumference of the cup spring
3. Put a little bit lube below and reinstall the cup spring.

Touring with a Strida

Infos

https://www.google.com/search?q=strida+touring&tbm=isch

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tAWcjiC7SzrUmeji9

Bill Wilby's "Traveling with Strida and Travoy"

Tips

• T-Bag on the head tube
• Handlebar bag
• Pair of panniers or saddle bag in the back
• Frame bag between the legs

Q&A

What kind of tires are available?

As of July 2018, Innova offers anti-puncture tires in ETRTO 32-355. Schwalbe offers the slick Kojak tires, but stopped offering Marathon Plus anti-puncture tires.

Is there a solution to hang a bag in the front like on Brompton/Tern/Dahon?

You might try a Klickfix Caddy adapter or a Brompton luggage + jubilee clips/hose clamps, but it'd have to be pretty high up to avoid getting in the way when folding the bike.

What saddles are recommended?

wide in the back and long, thin nose

How to increase distance between saddle and handlebar

Velo Newport S4 was recommended back in 2010

http://www.stridaforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2692

Resources

• https://www.strida.com
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strida
• http://www.stridaforum.com
• (French) From Morocco to Senegal on a single speed Strida (more)
• Kim's Excellent Trip through Canada
• The Strida folding bike turns 30