Strida

The Strida is a portable folding bicycle with a distinctive 'A'-shaped collapsible frame, designed by UK engineer and designer Mark A Sanders. The first model, Strida 1, was released in 1987 and the latest, Strida 5, in 2007.

Aimed primarily at commuters and city dwellers whose storage space might be limited, the Strida is designed to be simple to use, quick to fold, and easy to maintain. A folded Strida can be wheeled on and off trains and buses easily, and can provide greater mobility between other forms of transport.

A distinctive characteristic is that the Strida folds into a "wheeled walking-stick" that can be pushed along, much like a folded pram/baby-buggy whose folding concept provided the inspiration for the design.

Other notable characteristics include:
* a greaseless kevlar belt that replaces the traditional chain drive to avoid mess
* minimalist design (single speed, aluminium-triangle frame, etc.)
* low-maintenance brakes (hub brakes on the Strida 1, 2 and 3; disc brakes on the Strida 5)
* 16-inch wheels Optional upgrade kits offer folding handlebars, a gel-padded seat, folding pedals, rear rack, and mudguards.

In May 2003, "The Daily Mail" newspaper ran an article that pictured Viscount Linley riding a Strida 3. In November 2006, a Strida 3 was featured on the UK television programme The Gadget Show, alongside the Sinclair A-Bike. In 2007 the Strida 5 won a design award at the Taipei International Bike Show.

External links

* [http://www.strida.com Strida.com]
* [http://www.stridabike.ch/ www.stridabike.ch] Swiss Retailer
* [http://www.strida.us/ www.strida.us] US Retailer
* [http://www.areaware.com/ www.areaware.com] US Distributor
* [http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-344646924407298798 Inventor Mark Sanders talks about the Strida on Google Video]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5tFFIBDzVs Pre-Strida, RCA bike & young inventor in 1985 (YouTube)]
* [http://www.mas-design.com MAS Design Products]
* [http://www.stridaforum.com/forum www.stridaforum.com] Forum for Strida owners
* [http://www.zdche.com China Strida User Team] China Strida User Team
* [http://www.strida.org Taiwan Strida User Group] Taiwan Strida User Group (TSUG)
* [http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2008/06/guest-post-by-mark-sanders.html Guest post on 'Bicycle Design'] by Mark Sanders