Finally I have my Strida 5!

[Chop!]

Hi Chapparoonies

Ordered my Strida 5 from Strida NL in Amsterdam, but then got an e-mail to say that I needed permission from Strida UK, they refused so got in touch with their MD who said it was because they had no intention of selling it until their stock of Strida 3s was sold & that I couldn't buy one from NL because they (UK)could not service it or carry spares. I'm in Amsterdam more often than Cardiff!!!
Then I realised that Sean, one of my colleagues had moved to Leiden, near Amsterdam with his girlfriend.
So I got him to bring me one back last weekend, finally got my sticky mitts on it yesterday, took it out in London, much better than my Strida 3 because :-
The freewheel is now on the back wheel so the bike coasts much further because of the reduction in drag,
The belt doesn't jump on hills because of the little pinch roller.
The disk brakes are excellent
The bottom bracket is solid aluminium with a built in snail cam to tension the belt

On the negative side, it is not the latest incarnation, as it does not have the webbed bracket on the folding pin, or the wavy disks, nor does it have the Strida name embossed on the steering head.

Went in search of a Brookes sprung saddle, but the shop in Kensington, London had closed down, been up to my eyes with work so no more chances to ride it yet.



Safe riding Chop!

[coolthought]

You might want to let whoever owns the Strida company or Mark Sanders that these people are a stick in the mud. They wouldn't let you own a Strida 5 just because they couldn't finish selling the Strida 3 in their stock.  You have already own a Strida 3!! I'm glad that you have finally got what you wanted. Hmmm... you have no chance to ride yet...seems like you are drowning in work.

There are a few things that I couldn't understand. What do you mean by freewheel is now on the back wheel? Doesn't most bikes including the Strida 3 are able to coast along without pedalling once it is moving because of the freewheel mechanism? Does this mean that the belt mechanism is still moving together with the wheels even when you have stop pedalling and the bike is still moving? I have yet to notice it. Gotta check it out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_Gear_Bicycle (for the benefit of those who does not know what is a freewheel  )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freewheel

After checking through all the pictures I can find on the Strida 5, I still couldn't find any little pinch roller or snail cam. Do you have any pictures on these?

Are these Brookes sprung saddle more comfy or harder for better performances?

Thanks a million if you can take some time to answer these questions. (Maybe after you are able to "breath" better at work )

[Chop!]

You might want to let whoever owns the Strida company or Mark Sanders that these people are a stick in the mud. They wouldn't let you own a Strida 5 just because they couldn't finish selling the Strida 3 in their stock.  You have already own a Strida 3!! I'm glad that you have finally got what you wanted. Hmmm... you have no chance to ride yet...seems like you are drowning in work.

There are a few things that I couldn't understand. What do you mean by freewheel is now on the back wheel? Doesn't most bikes including the Strida 3 are able to coast along without pedalling once it is moving because of the freewheel mechanism? Does this mean that the belt mechanism is still moving together with the wheels even when you have stop pedalling and the bike is still moving? I have yet to notice it. Gotta check it out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_Gear_Bicycle (for the benefit of those who does not know what is a freewheel  )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freewheel

After checking through all the pictures I can find on the Strida 5, I still couldn't find any little pinch roller or snail cam. Do you have any pictures on these?

Are these Brookes sprung saddle more comfy or harder for better performances?

Thanks a million if you can take some time to answer these questions. (Maybe after you are able to "breath" better at work )

Hi Coolthought

The Strida 1, 2 & 3 had the freewheel mechanism on the bottom bracket (between the pedal cranks) This is the reason it has been difficult to fit gears to a Strida.
The Strida 5 has it in the back wheel hub, like a 'normal' bike.

The Strida 1, 2 & 3 (before the 3a) had a tendency to jump the belt, especially when climbing a steep hill
The Strida 3a & 5 have a tiny roller which traps the belt against the rear pulley, which stops the belt from Jumping (on the 5 it's hidden behind the disk brake)

The Strida 1, 2 & 3 had a plastic bottom bracket, which slid along the frame. Heavier riders said it flexed too much and it was difficult to get a happy balance between
the belt being too loose (belt jumped) & too tight (which lead to problems with the bearings)
The Strida 5 has a welded aluminium bottom bracket, the crank is slightly off the centre, when you look at the bottom of the bottom bracket, you'll see a slot with a screw,
if you tun this screw one way it loosens, the other way it tightens the belt.

Yes, I was very dissappointed that after buying a Strida , then 2 Strida 3s (1st was stolen), and after trying to buy a 5 from Strida UK, I was told that I was still not allowed to
have one delivered directly to me, but that I could buy one from the shop in Amsterdam (which BTW moved to new premises last weekend)

I find that the main restriction on the distance that I can ride a Strida is the seat, it's very hard on my poor old arse!!!!
When I fitted the sprung flame saddle to the 1st Strida 3 it transformed the comfort factor & allowed much longer journeys, looked cool too 

I did the same to the 2nd Strida 3 (I bought them both in Christiania, in Copenhagen, Denmark)
I may buy another for the 5, or I may go for a more classical look..............

Hope this explains things OK.

Safe riding, Chop!

[coolthought]

Hi Coolthought

The Strida 1, 2 & 3 had the freewheel mechanism on the bottom bracket (between the pedal cranks) This is the reason it has been difficult to fit gears to a Strida.
The Strida 5 has it in the back wheel hub, like a 'normal' bike.

The Strida 1, 2 & 3 (before the 3a) had a tendency to jump the belt, especially when climbing a steep hill
The Strida 3a & 5 have a tiny roller which traps the belt against the rear pulley, which stops the belt from Jumping (on the 5 it's hidden behind the disk brake)

The Strida 1, 2 & 3 had a plastic bottom bracket, which slid along the frame. Heavier riders said it flexed too much and it was difficult to get a happy balance between
the belt being too loose (belt jumped) & too tight (which lead to problems with the bearings)
The Strida 5 has a welded aluminium bottom bracket, the crank is slightly off the centre, when you look at the bottom of the bottom bracket, you'll see a slot with a screw,
if you tun this screw one way it loosens, the other way it tightens the belt.

Hi Chop!!
Thanks for taking the time to answer my queries. 
Initially, I was wonder how will one going to change the belt after 50,000 kilometers (if you ever get to ride to 50k km )
It seems like Strida 3 (and before) require to loosen the triangular bracket to do this and then you have push it hard to tension the belt before tightening. (No brainer???) So far, I think the local Strida does not experience any belt jump even climbing steep inclined as well as no flexing. (As far as I know) Maybe the local Stridas have the belt properly tensioned and the brackets are well tightened to the frame.

I did see a slot on bottom of the aluminium bracket of the Strida 5. Initially(again), I did thought that this one screw is to be loosen to change the belt and retighten while the belt is properly tensioned. So, this screw is connected to a cam inside, right? This way, the belt can be precisely tensioned without using any outside equipment. (Good design!!) (but maybe some sort of cap or cover to prevent fouling at this area will be even better, after all, it is at the bottom of the frame)

Btw, does anyone knows how much should the belt be tensioned?

Yes, I was very dissappointed that after buying a Strida , then 2 Strida 3s (1st was stolen), and after trying to buy a 5 from Strida UK, I was told that I was still not allowed to
have one delivered directly to me, but that I could buy one from the shop in Amsterdam (which BTW moved to new premises last weekend)

I find that the main restriction on the distance that I can ride a Strida is the seat, it's very hard on my poor old arse!!!!
When I fitted the sprung flame saddle to the 1st Strida 3 it transformed the comfort factor & allowed much longer journeys, looked cool too 

I did the same to the 2nd Strida 3 (I bought them both in Christiania, in Copenhagen, Denmark)
I may buy another for the 5, or I may go for a more classical look..............

Hope this explains things OK.

Safe riding, Chop!

Chop! Does your Strida 5 comes with a pair of 100 PSI Kwest tires?

Ahh... Brookes sprung saddle is to comfort those delicate arses 
However, a number of us here uses this Velo Gel seat cover to protect our behind from getting sore. (it goes over the original seat and tighten down with strings like your pants) Notice the triangular recessed in the middle, I think, the designer factored in the requirement for guys who have big "balls". A must have for guys who spend lots of time on the saddle and have yet have any children!!

[Chop!]

Chop! Does your Strida 5 comes with a pair of 100 PSI Kwest tires
[\quote]

No, it comes with Kenda 65 psi.

Another difference is that there are 2 sprung buttons which locate the handlebars before you tighten the clamp

Just been to a Spanish Tapas bar in Nottingham on my 5, lot of hills, but easier with the 5!!!!

[coolthought]

Hi Chop!!

Ah... you might want to change your tires to kwest. Helps you to get to your destination faster. But will be hard on arse on bumpy ground.

Webbed bracket on the folding pin - how good is this compare to the one you have?
2 sprung buttons which locate the handlebars - how different are these compare to the ones you have?

Easier through the hill..... this means that it may not be necessary to get any speed hubs or gears to help to climb those incline.... don't you think so? It seems like it is easier to go the distance with the Strida 5.

Btw, (off topic) is Nottingham like in the Nottingham Hill movie? A nice town with its quaint rows of low terrace houses? I did remember in the movie, it is quite a hilly place.

[Chop!]

Hi Chop!!

Ah... you might want to change your tires to kwest. Helps you to get to your destination faster. But will be hard on arse on bumpy ground.

Webbed bracket on the folding pin - how good is this compare to the one you have?
2 sprung buttons which locate the handlebars - how different are these compare to the ones you have?

Easier through the hill..... this means that it may not be necessary to get any speed hubs or gears to help to climb those incline.... don't you think so? It seems like it is easier to go the distance with the Strida 5.

Btw, (off topic) is Nottingham like in the Nottingham Hill movie? A nice town with its quaint rows of low terrace houses? I did remember in the movie, it is quite a hilly place.

Probably change to Schwalbe high pressure tyres (when these wear out!!)

The spring buttons mean that once located you do not need to hold the bars in place while you tighten the clamp

Wales has a lot of very serious hills!

The movie was 'Notting Hill' (an area of London BTW) & coincidentally I have photos of one of the stars of that film, Rhys Ifans, on my Strida, he said that he would love a Strida for around London.

Hope you like these! Safe Riding! Chop!

[baru]

Was Rhys the scruffy scrawny house mate of High Grant in the film "Notting Hill"?

[coolthought]

Yup... should keep using the original tires till it wears out. Good for the environment. Go Green!!
The spring buttons - The manufacturer really takes a few bikes to iron out all the issues.
Hills - Wales must have lots strong cyclists!!
Those rows of quaint houses!! Must have lots of history in them. It must be real cool to own and live in one.
Rhys Ifans - he must still be a hyperactive "kid" You are having a tough time taking pictures of him on a camera phone.
Yup!! I like these photos. Thanks!!

Was Rhys the scruffy scrawny house mate of High Grant in the film "Notting Hill"?

I think so. He got famous for showing his posterior to the world in that movie. That is how I remember him.

[coolthought]

I was wondering why did the designer put the freewheel at the crank... doesn't makes much sense till I have saw the RCA video. A video showing the very first Strida prototype. The Strida 3 have what you might call a leftover design from its first prototype design. In the prototype, it uses an American system of continental coaster brake, sort of a crank brake which is back pedal to lock the rear wheel from turning. I think when the rear drum brake was added and the coaster brake removed, the freewheel at the crank was left there.

Anyone who has seen the RCA video will notice that the prototype still looks much like the most current Strida. It goes to show that the initial concept was really well thought out. Of course, there are still lots of tweaking here and there through the years to make it better. The prototype wheels really remind me of the BMX bicycles.

[Tinman]

Hi Chop,

May I have the name & addr of the shop in Christiania, Copenhagen where you bought the Brooks sprung flame saddle? I got a friend going to Copenhagen in last week of May. How much are they?

Had a ride on the Strida 5 after the first group ride last Sat, found the handling much improved from the 3.

regards
Tinman

[cyclistjohn]

Hello everyone.

I've only just found this localised forum. There are so many! :-)

Maybe a global English "speaking" Strida forum could be formed, with the local ones for local language & local interest topics?

That would save many replicated posts, yes?

Chop!  - we bought our Stridas last summer & they both have the snubber bearing & the push-in brass inserts in the handlebars. So, was your 3 one of the first models?

Coolthought, hello again ;-)

It's very easy to change or remove / attach the belt. No tools required, just use your thumb to guide the belt over the front chainring whilst turning a pedal with your other hand. I can post a video of that if it's not clear?

Presumably, the chain ring freewheel on models up to the 3 is because of the drum brakes? That is, there is no space in the rear hub for a freewheel!

Likewise, the 5 has *exterior* brakes, thus freeing up space for a freewheel :-)

Chop! maybe you can confirm or refute that?

Tinman, can you tell us a bit more about the "better handling" of the 5 please, as I am under the impression that the frame geometry has not changed from the 3?

Thanks for reading folks.

[coolthought]

Hello everyone.
Coolthought, hello again ;-)

Hi John Hope to "see" you around more often.

It's very easy to change or remove / attach the belt. No tools required, just use your thumb to guide the belt over the front chainring whilst turning a pedal with your other hand. I can post a video of that if it's not clear?

That will cool....  But I hope that your thumb will not be the only lead actor...

Chop!  - we bought our Stridas last summer & they both have the snubber bearing & the push-in brass inserts in the handlebars. So, was your 3 one of the first models?

Do you have any pictures to show us your inserts in the handlebars?

Presumably, the chain ring freewheel on models up to the 3 is because of the drum brakes? That is, there is no space in the rear hub for a freewheel!

Likewise, the 5 has *exterior* brakes, thus freeing up space for a freewheel :-)

I'm not too sure about the design intend of freeing up space for a freewheel but if you can check out a couple of these websites
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/drum-brake1.htm
http://stridasingapore.com/forum/index.php?topic=154.0
I think there should be sufficient space in the middle of the hub for a freewheel.
In fact the freewheel mechanism can be (or have to be) placed right outside of the whole drum brake mechanism.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#freehub

[Chop!]

Hello everyone.

I've only just found this localised forum. There are so many! :-)

Maybe a global English "speaking" Strida forum could be formed, with the local ones for local language & local interest topics?

That would save many replicated posts, yes?

Chop!  - we bought our Stridas last summer & they both have the snubber bearing & the push-in brass inserts in the handlebars. So, was your 3 one of the first models?

Yes it was one of the last of the 1st models & Strida UK sold me it after my original 3.2 was stolen, when I enquired about models with the bearing they told me the rest of there stock were all 3.2a models with the roller!!!
GRRRRRRRRR!  

Coolthought, hello again ;-)

It's very easy to change or remove / attach the belt. No tools required, just use your thumb to guide the belt over the front chainring whilst turning a pedal with your other hand. I can post a video of that if it's not clear?

Presumably, the chain ring freewheel on models up to the 3 is because of the drum brakes? That is, there is no space in the rear hub for a freewheel!

Likewise, the 5 has *exterior* brakes, thus freeing up space for a freewheel :-)

Chop! maybe you can confirm or refute that?

Yep! I can confirm that the freewheel is indeed on the backwheel & allows the bike to freewheel much faster & farther than the front freewheel did 

Tinman, can you tell us a bit more about the "better handling" of the 5 please, as I am under the impression that the frame geometry has not changed from the 3?

Thanks for reading folks.

[cyclistjohn]

Hello everyone.
Coolthought, hello again ;-)

Hi John Hope to "see" you around more often.

Do you have any pictures to show us your inserts in the handlebars?

I look forward to that, as the members here seem pretty enthusiastic :-)

Here's a couple of pic's:

[cyclistjohn]

I'm not too sure about the design intend of freeing up space for a freewheel but if you can check out a couple of these websites
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/drum-brake1.htm
http://stridasingapore.com/forum/index.php?topic=154.0
I think there should be sufficient space in the middle of the hub for a freewheel.
In fact the freewheel mechanism can be (or have to be) placed right outside of the whole drum brake mechanism.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#freehub

Coolthought, thanks for the links & pic's.

In case you (or anyone else who's interested) haven't seen one, here's the freewheel from my Strida 3

[coolthought]

errr.... didn't expect that you would go as far as taking it out from your Strida 3.
I notice that it has a sprocket fixed to a side. Are you changing yours to a chaindrive or the sprocket is something hidden somewhere inside?

[cyclistjohn]

errr.... didn't expect that you would go as far as taking it out from your Strida 3.
I notice that it has a sprocket fixed to a side. Are you changing yours to a chaindrive or the sprocket is something hidden somewhere inside?

Ah, I see what you mean. No, I didn't actually take off my freewheel just for those pic's  :-)

Some time ago I went for a ride of about 7 or 8 miles, & was just about to turn back for home, when I realised I was pedalling, but going nowhere! The freewheel had jammed "disengaged" & so I had a leisurely walk back home (no downhills either!) ......

I think I was just unlucky as I've only heard of one other case of that happening. It's a pity it didn't jamb in the engaged state, as then I could have pedalled normally (but no freewheel).

So that freewheel is the faulty one. Strida UK promptly sent me a replacement, so I have that as a souvenir :-)

[Chop!]

Hi Chop,

May I have the name & addr of the shop in Christiania, Copenhagen where you bought the Brooks sprung flame saddle? I got a friend going to Copenhagen in last week of May. How much are they?

Had a ride on the Strida 5 after the first group ride last Sat, found the handling much improved from the 3.

regards
Tinman

It's Christiania Cycles, Chistiania, Copenhagen, Denmark Here is the actual model http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PDI086/ref=nosim/?tag=dealtime-sg-ret-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000PDI086&linkCode=asn

But Nirve do a range of comfortable seats with varied patterns as well

[coolthought]

errr.... didn't expect that you would go as far as taking it out from your Strida 3.
I notice that it has a sprocket fixed to a side. Are you changing yours to a chaindrive or the sprocket is something hidden somewhere inside?

Ah, I see what you mean. No, I didn't actually take off my freewheel just for those pic's  :-)

Some time ago I went for a ride of about 7 or 8 miles, & was just about to turn back for home, when I realised I was pedalling, but going nowhere! The freewheel had jammed "disengaged" & so I had a leisurely walk back home (no downhills either!) ......

I think I was just unlucky as I've only heard of one other case of that happening. It's a pity it didn't jamb in the engaged state, as then I could have pedalled normally (but no freewheel).

So that freewheel is the faulty one. Strida UK promptly sent me a replacement, so I have that as a souvenir :-)

I see... thanks for showing us the pictures. Strida UK are pretty efficient....
Err.... you could have clean it and it might become a paper weight
Actually, the locals are not so handy... we do not have a garage or space to do it ourselves.... usually pay to get a bicycle mechanic to do it... but some of us are pretty knowledgable or curious (like me....curious only )

[cyclistjohn]

Strida UK are pretty efficient....

Err.... you could have clean it and it might become a paper weight

Actually, the locals are not so handy... we do not have a garage or space to do it ourselves.... usually pay to get a bicycle mechanic to do it... but some of us are pretty knowledgable or curious (like me....curious only )

The lady in Strida UK is very courteous & replies promptly to emails, yes. They also have a keen engineer, who's a cycling enthusiast too.

Good idea. Over the last few years it's become more & more windy here, so when I take my papers outside I need a strong paperweight!

Oh? Can you elaborate on that please? (See, I'm curious too ;-) )

If you're interested in seeing the drum brakes in action, take a look at:

http://www.geocities.com/stridarida/

I put those short videos there to help a fellow Strida rider in the USA. I'll take them down soon, to be replaced with pic's etc..

They might help if you want to do your own maintenance :-)

Hope you can view them ok. I use a Macintosh®  here, & don't always have access to a pc.

[coolthought]

Hi CyclistJohn

Thanks for the interesting link.
I have a suggestion. Instead of replacing the video with still pictures, can you replaced it with a moving gif file instead? It will definitely be more interesting.

[cyclistjohn]

Hi CyclistJohn

Thanks for the interesting link.
I have a suggestion. Instead of replacing the video with still pictures, can you replaced it with a moving gif file instead? It will definitely be more interesting.

I'll see what I can do Coolthought :-)

[awcute]

Yo coolthought,
what he put is good enough man. You are asking too much. 

[coolthought]

  I'm trying to push my luck and see how far it can go.
Heh... its not the luck. We just happen to find someone(or rather he found us) who is friendly and willing to share.