Comments on: Strida 5.0: Out of box experience http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:35:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: bathroom mirrors http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-150028 bathroom mirrors Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:56:21 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-150028 Thanks for posting this, lifted my day. Thanks for posting this, lifted my day.

]]> By: Gavin Edwards http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-137410 Gavin Edwards Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:19:28 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-137410 I managed to obtain a set of genuine Strida spokes in about a week for around £10 including postage care of the very helpful people at Deen's garage in England. A local bike shop rebuilt the wheel and re-tightened the spokes on the other wheel (the front one) where several were found to be loose. So far I haven't had the chance to ride the bike much but I will post here if there is anything much to report. The bike shop expressed concern about the design of the (genuine Strida) spokes and wheel. Apparently a lot of tension is placed on the part in the spokes where they bend - that is where three of mine failed. It will be interesting to see if the genuine ones fail too! I wish the Strida 5 had kept the plastic wheels of the earlier models. I guess converting them would not be easy unless I went back to the old brakes also - not a good idea. I'll keep posting. G I managed to obtain a set of genuine Strida spokes in about a week for around £10 including postage care of the very helpful people at Deen’s garage in England. A local bike shop rebuilt the wheel and re-tightened the spokes on the other wheel (the front one) where several were found to be loose.

So far I haven’t had the chance to ride the bike much but I will post here if there is anything much to report.

The bike shop expressed concern about the design of the (genuine Strida) spokes and wheel. Apparently a lot of tension is placed on the part in the spokes where they bend – that is where three of mine failed. It will be interesting to see if the genuine ones fail too!

I wish the Strida 5 had kept the plastic wheels of the earlier models. I guess converting them would not be easy unless I went back to the old brakes also – not a good idea.

I’ll keep posting.

G

]]> By: RideTHISbike.com http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-137050 RideTHISbike.com Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:32:16 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-137050 A new, real & authentic Strida will soon be available in the USA for just $499. At this price, it's senseless to buy a fake. Estimated arrival time is 1 March 2009. More details at RideTHISbike.com. LL A new, real & authentic Strida will soon be available in the USA for just $499. At this price, it’s senseless to buy a fake. Estimated arrival time is 1 March 2009. More details at RideTHISbike.com.

LL

]]> By: Barry Burr http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-136597 Barry Burr Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:57:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-136597 The "clones" Gavin mentioned are cheaply made by a company in China, selling then in quantities through the Alibaba Trading Company. These pictures show the difference between real Stridas and the cheap knockoffs. http://stridasingapore.com/forum/index.php?topic=2162.0 hth, Barry The “clones” Gavin mentioned are cheaply made by a company in China, selling then in quantities through the Alibaba Trading Company.

These pictures show the difference between real Stridas and the cheap knockoffs.

http://stridasingapore.com/forum/index.php?topic=2162.0

hth,
Barry

]]> By: Jim http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-136555 Jim Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:50:30 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-136555 Spokes often come much looser than spec. That is one reason why it is a good idea to have an experienced mechanic have a quick check of a new bike purchased from mass-market sources. Spokes will tolerate several times the specifed tension but if they are too loose the flexing will fracture and then break them way prematurely- they should last for years of normal use if they are tensioned properly and not damaged or nicked. Spokes often come much looser
than spec. That is one reason
why it is a good idea to have
an experienced mechanic have
a quick check of a new bike
purchased from mass-market
sources. Spokes will tolerate
several times the specifed tension but if they are too loose the flexing will fracture and then break them way prematurely- they should last for years of normal use if they are tensioned properly and not damaged or nicked.

]]> By: Gavin Edwards http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-130712 Gavin Edwards Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:39:58 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-130712 I have an almost new Strida 5.2 clone - purchased for £120 on Ebay, including a carrying bag. It looks great and I loved it to bits (that was probably the problem) until after about 70 miles use, and about two miles on a canal towpath, two rear spokes snapped and others are very loose. Tomorrow I have to take it into a local repair shop to have the rear wheel rebuilt with good quality spokes. I hope that fixes it because I still love the bike. Overall the quality of the metal used seems to be poor - I have replaced a number of the stainless nuts and bolts with higher quality items. I'll let you know if it turns out to be a good buy or a Turkey................. Gavin I have an almost new Strida 5.2 clone – purchased for £120 on Ebay, including a carrying bag. It looks great and I loved it to bits (that was probably the problem) until after about 70 miles use, and about two miles on a canal towpath, two rear spokes snapped and others are very loose.

Tomorrow I have to take it into a local repair shop to have the rear wheel rebuilt with good quality spokes. I hope that fixes it because I still love the bike.

Overall the quality of the metal used seems to be poor – I have replaced a number of the stainless nuts and bolts with higher quality items.

I’ll let you know if it turns out to be a good buy or a Turkey……………..

Gavin

]]> By: Renat Zarbailov http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-114137 Renat Zarbailov Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:59:02 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-114137 I recently made a usability video review of Strida 5 that will answer a lot of the questions you may have about this bike. In addition there's also an audio interview with the inventor of Strida - Mark Sanders. Both can be found on www.innomind.org Enjoy! I recently made a usability video review of Strida 5 that will answer a lot of the questions you may have about this bike. In addition there’s also an audio interview with the inventor of Strida – Mark Sanders.
Both can be found on http://www.innomind.org

Enjoy!

]]> By: Azreal http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-112772 Azreal Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:03:14 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-112772 You guys have to remember, the standards of Taiwan and China are completely different! Even though they are both china in the past. Taiwan is actually building their bikes with a higher standard and not entirely just for maximum profit with minimal parts. While China is just getting the shape and whatever cheap bearings and parts they can shove in there to fit. I've played with a clone vs a real one before I bought the real one. The clones brake calipers where kinda moving side to side like it was plastic as I locked up the brakes and tried to move it back and forth on the bike, while the real one didn't even budge when the brakes where on. Also I've noticed some rubbing on the belt to the wheel. Might've seen a pretty bad clone so it kinda turned me to get a real one. Also Taiwan is an island on it's own so you won't really find a factory making clones of it next street over, their government is less corrupt and cracks down on Intellectual property theft in their country while China you can do as you please cause they just don't care. You guys have to remember, the standards of Taiwan and China are completely different! Even though they are both china in the past. Taiwan is actually building their bikes with a higher standard and not entirely just for maximum profit with minimal parts. While China is just getting the shape and whatever cheap bearings and parts they can shove in there to fit. I’ve played with a clone vs a real one before I bought the real one. The clones brake calipers where kinda moving side to side like it was plastic as I locked up the brakes and tried to move it back and forth on the bike, while the real one didn’t even budge when the brakes where on. Also I’ve noticed some rubbing on the belt to the wheel. Might’ve seen a pretty bad clone so it kinda turned me to get a real one. Also Taiwan is an island on it’s own so you won’t really find a factory making clones of it next street over, their government is less corrupt and cracks down on Intellectual property theft in their country while China you can do as you please cause they just don’t care.

]]> By: Ed http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-111427 Ed Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:31:12 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-111427 That's true Ian even though the factories are across the street from each other there's very difference QC standards in each factory. Even the fake and real apple ipods they are night and day both from a factory in china. I'd rather just order a real one cause a bad ipod and i'm just out of money. But a bad bike I might end up in a neck brace! That’s true Ian even though the factories are across the street from each other there’s very difference QC standards in each factory. Even the fake and real apple ipods they are night and day both from a factory in china.

I’d rather just order a real one cause a bad ipod and i’m just out of money. But a bad bike I might end up in a neck brace!

]]> By: Ian http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-105431 Ian Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:43:54 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/12/20/strida-50-out-of-box-experience/#comment-105431 Albert, the noise in mine finally went away when the peddle bearings failed. I replaced them with folding peddles that are used on electric/peddle scooters. These are heavier but the only available in Baoding. Four spokes in the rear wheel broke but in Baoding no one stocks the correct length replacements. Also the plastic luggage rack cracked in Beijing's sub-zero weather. Anyway, coming back to Oz the baggage handlers must have thrown it out for the cargo hold onto the tarmac and destroyed the ball joint socket along with some other less critical damage. Re quality, different factories make things to very different QA standards even though the intended specs might be similar. I feel the clone is a little below par, and it wouldn't be my preferred choice had it not been the only available option in the PRC. Albert, the noise in mine finally went away when the peddle bearings failed. I replaced them with folding peddles that are used on electric/peddle scooters. These are heavier but the only available in Baoding. Four spokes in the rear wheel broke but in Baoding no one stocks the correct length replacements. Also the plastic luggage rack cracked in Beijing’s sub-zero weather. Anyway, coming back to Oz the baggage handlers must have thrown it out for the cargo hold onto the tarmac and destroyed the ball joint socket along with some other less critical damage. Re quality, different factories make things to very different QA standards even though the intended specs might be similar. I feel the clone is a little below par, and it wouldn’t be my preferred choice had it not been the only available option in the PRC.

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