Strida Riders' riding experience on MK5 - share and tell

[baru]

This is a new column for MK5 owners to share their riding experience on the MK5 so far.  Some had owned the Strida 3 previously and have since traded in for a MK5. Others have bought a second Strida, a Strida 5 to accompany their Strida 3.

Others just bought their first Strida, a Strida 5 no less.  Please share your riding experience with us and tell us of any reactions from the street, your neighbours, your office and your family.   

[spyder]

Spyder here. Just came out of "Shrek the Third" at Golden Village at Marina Square. Brought my Strida5 with me, wasn't stopped at the entrance. Bike was tucked under the my seat during the movie.

[minkhunk]

Well I should start with a little history then: Rode the Strida 3, and upon seeing the 5, thought that there wasn't really a need to upgrade, since it looked really similar. How wrong was I.....

Though it looked like slight improvements, the overall feel and riding experience on the 5 is sooooo different. It's smoother, easier to pedal, glides better, and did I mention the brakes? Oh so sooooo good... I haven't felt disc brakes for such a long time, and how I missed the feeling of superb breaking (stopped while at 30+kmh in a zip!).

I think there is a detailed explanation of the mechanics of the 5 somewhere else, so I won't bother describing it. It's just a stiffer ride, much easier to pick up speed and also improvement in terms of climbing upslope (since the belt no longer skips), and a safer ride from the much improved brakes.

A few friends did question me whether I modified my bike. Upon telling them I got a new one and the new price, they thought I was mad. But then they tried it, and they are really impressed. Loving it!!! 

[meesiammaihum]

I got the Mk 5 yesterday at the shop, where I tested both the Mk3 and Mk5. I am impressed with the pick-up speed (don't have to exert too much leg power as compared with the Mk3) and smoother ride of the Mk5, plus the smaller details like the molded handgrip and disc-brakes.
I brought it out for a spin this morning and of course got the usual stares and questions at the lift lobby (i got into a lift with someone who had a regular bike in it, and me with my folded Mk5 lol)

[cyclistjohn]

minkhunk & meesiammaihum, thanks for posting your findings. We don't have 5's in the UK ATM. Only 1 rider, Chop! has one to my knowledge. It's interesting to read the comment about belt slipping. Does this mean some of you have Strida 3's *without* the snubber bearing at the rear?

[KiaBoHe]

Awesome! Though initially skeptical and having rode road bikes many eons ago, I picked one up and was impressed after being psycho-ed by my mate who got a 3. 

Smooth, rigid enough, folds fast and best of all stands in one corner of my room with my other numerous toys.   

Just test riding it for 10km or so at East Coast park yesterday evening drew lots of curious stares and a couple asking where we got our new rides from. 

Absolutely cool!

[awcute]

minkhunk & meesiammaihum, thanks for posting your findings. We don't have 5's in the UK ATM. Only 1 rider, Chop! has one to my knowledge. It's interesting to read the comment about belt slipping. Does this mean some of you have Strida 3's *without* the snubber bearing at the rear?

Huh? I got strida 3.3 performance mod. what is this if not the snubber bearing?
Sorry, not related to strida 5, but need to reply to this posting.

[cyclistjohn]

minkhunk & meesiammaihum, thanks for posting your findings. We don't have 5's in the UK ATM. Only 1 rider, Chop! has one to my knowledge. It's interesting to read the comment about belt slipping. Does this mean some of you have Strida 3's *without* the snubber bearing at the rear?

Huh? I got strida 3.3 performance mod. what is this if not the snubber bearing?
Sorry, not related to strida 5, but need to reply to this posting.

awcute, that is the snubber, yes.

minkhunk says "also improvement in terms of climbing upslope (since the belt no longer skips)"
which surprised me, because it implies there's something new on 5 to do with belt slip. I thought the snubber on 5 is the same as later release 3's? I don't have a 5, so can't tell. Therefore I'm trying to find out why he made that comment :-)

[Chop!]

I think I've mentioned this before, please correct me if I'm wrong, the 3.2 didn't have the pinch (snubber?) bearing, the 3.2a did, 3.3 was with aluminium wheels.
My 3.2 was just about the last Strida sold without that bearing in the UK, GRRRRRR! (I had to buy it after it's predecessor was stolen) when I asked why it didn't have the roller I was told,
all Stridas in stock now have the bearing! Thanks a lot!
On a visit to Amsterdam Strida NL converted it to an Alu-wheeled 3.2 but not possible to add the bearing.
Since getting the Strida 5 I have used it in preference to my other folders. Even on a Folding Society ride.
Just returned from a weekend of mixed cycling, and for the first time, Jac, my 12 year old son wanted to ride the 5, he usually rides the GoBike, I rode the GoBike, Jane the Brompton.
Now is that a Mrs Cyclistjohn I see on Folding Society news page? & was that 8-speed Airframe mentioned a Cyclistjohn flavoured one? Tidy!!!

[cyclistjohn]

I think I've mentioned this before, ....
Since getting the Strida 5 I have used it in preference to my other folders. Even on a Folding Society ride.
Just returned from a weekend of mixed cycling, and for the first time, Jac, my 12 year old son wanted to ride the 5, he usually rides the GoBike, I rode the GoBike, Jane the Brompton.
Now is that a Mrs Cyclistjohn I see on Folding Society news page? & was that 8-speed Airframe mentioned a Cyclistjohn flavoured one? Tidy!!!

Chop!, you did mention that, yes. I was just surprised at minkhunk's comment re' the 5, as you hadn't written anything (that I've seen) about less belt slip on your 5.

Well spotted, I didn't see the news bit on the foldsoc' site!
That is indeed Alison, (Mrs cj ;-) ) & yours truly near top left wearing blue trousers which had black greasy leg bottoms by the time we got home.
She left me in the dust riding her Strida, doing 29 miles! I should have ridden mine. The 8 speed hub was a continual problem & I'm hopeful it'll be sorted out by tomorrow afternoon.
The respect for Stridas went up quite a few notches on Saturday. One chap had a test ride, & we did a (un)fold demo' for a few interested folk.
Your name cropped up during the Strida discussion :-)
Until I saw your post about the NL price, I didn't think I'd be able to get a 5, but I think we might ride into Holland on our Belgian trip now :-)
Because of the price, I thought "Ok, I'll just buy the new bottom bracket tube, & fit it to my Strida 3", then realised "Ah, no freewheel", so I thought, "Wow, fixed wheel Strida 3" ;-) I mentioned that to Paul Evans (is his email address available?) & his eyes lit up - "That *would* be interesting to try" ;-)) Also saw a belt drive rohloff on a Moulton.

Tidy indeed ;-)

[qwerty]

I really love it .. no need to exert more power to paddle..another word effortless.. The feel of the handgrip is very firm yet comfortable .. The brake system also another plus to stride 5 which able to e-brake effectively..

[Bikey]

I have a Strida 5.1 and I simply love the ride. The simplicity of the folding and unfolding (takes a bit of practice ) and minimum parts to maintain makes it a +++ point for those looking for a "lazy" bike to cruise through the weekends. 

One thing to note though is the rear hub. Just went through a weekend ride (rainy day) and after that my rear wheel starts to give the "click clark" sound whenever I wheel it or free-wheeling down a slope.

Still trying to find out what's causing the sound. Anyone has similar experience?

[awcute]

I have a Strida 5.1 and I simply love the ride. The simplicity of the folding and unfolding (takes a bit of practice ) and minimum parts to maintain makes it a +++ point for those looking for a "lazy" bike to cruise through the weekends. 

One thing to note though is the rear hub. Just went through a weekend ride (rainy day) and after that my rear wheel starts to give the "click clark" sound whenever I wheel it or free-wheeling down a slope.

Still trying to find out what's causing the sound. Anyone has similar experience?

Same with my strida mini. it could be due to water going in? less sound now compared to that day.

[Bikey]

[Same with my strida mini. it could be due to water going in? less sound now compared to that day.

Mine still the same, with the "click Clark" noises.

Awcute, do u know how to fix this prob? Or anyone knows how to fix this prob?

Feels like a simple problem but yet don't know where to start. hee..

[awcute]

[Same with my strida mini. it could be due to water going in? less sound now compared to that day.

Mine still the same, with the "click Clark" noises.

Awcute, do u know how to fix this prob? Or anyone knows how to fix this prob?

Feels like a simple problem but yet don't know where to start. hee..

Bring back to Steven for some tender loving care? I have not ride my bike for quite some time liao after the Sat ride.

[coolthought]

Mine still the same, with the "click Clark" noises.

Awcute, do u know how to fix this prob? Or anyone knows how to fix this prob?

Feels like a simple problem but yet don't know where to start. hee..

Unless it is common problem but with the briefest description, it is like going to see a doctor and tell the doctor that you are feeling pain but did not tell the doctor where the pain is coming from and even knowing where the pain is coming from, the doctor may not neccessary be able to diagnose the cause without further probing......

The "click cluck" sound.... makes me think that there is a rachet hidden somewhere... maybe not (the freewheel maybe) but probably at somewhere where it is rotating and it tends to ride up at a point and spring back immediately or it could it the other way round whereby something ride down at a point and was pushed back up quickly thereby making the sound. It can from the brake disc (or inside the brake hub for 3.2), wheel or crank bearing, freewheel, pedal or maybe something that was rubbing against something rotating.

You have to find a quiet place and try to do spin the wheels or turn the crank or do whatever that will make the "click cluck" sound and use your ears to home in onto the sound to find the source or cause before determining the course of action to remedy it.