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Strida is a portable, belt-driven, folding bicycle with an 'A'-shaped collapsible frame, designed by UK engineer and designer Mark Sanders. The first model, Strida 1, was released in 1987 and the latest, Strida 5.2, in 2009.
Design
[edit]Targetted primarily at commuters and city dwellers, the Strida is designed to be easy-to-fold, compact and low-maintenance.
The chain found on most bicycles has been replaced by a kevlar belt more commonly found on motorcycles or in car engines.
This aims to avoid exposing the rider to grease by simply not having any address one of the problems originally solved by chain enclosures, namely exposing the rider to grease.
It also lacks a gearing system, opting instead for a simpler single-speed design. Its folded configuration also places the two wheels side-by-side, allowing it to beto 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 (see belt-driven bicycle)
- minimalist design (single speed, aluminium-triangle frame, etc.)
- low-maintenance brakes (drum brakes on the Strida 1, 2 and 3; disc brakes on the Strida 5 and 5.2)
- 16-inch wheels, upgradable to 18-inch wheels.
Optional upgrade kits for Strida 3 included 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.
Strida 5 includes upgrade kit of Strida 3, and adds disc brakes, eccentric belt tensioner and high pressure tyres. A 2-speed gear option has been added in 2009, based on cableless, Schlumpf front crank operated epicyclic gearbox.
The authentic Strida is made by Ming Cycle in Taiwan. There was a key patent which covered the early Strida 1 onwards. The U.S. version of this patent was issued in 1988 and expired in 2008, which means the design used in versions 1 and 2 of the product are now in the public domain. Several other aspects of the latest Strida 3 and 5.x versions, have current patent cover in various countries, including the folding handle bar system US7243573, hub and locking system US7367632, other patents are pending. The Patents, Trademark, Copyright and other IP is owned by Ming Cycle, Taiwan.
He has been criticized[by whom?] for purloining the idea for his Strida design from the A-bike created by British inventor Sir Clive Sinclair.[citation needed]
Series
[edit]- Strida 1
- Strida 2
- Strida 2.5 (with folding handlebars)
- Strida 3
- Strida 5
- Strida Special Edition
- Strida Elite Edition
- Strida Mini (for smaller riders)
- Strida SX (with 18" wheels)
- Strida Sport Duo (with ATS speed-drive)
- Strida MAS (Mark Sanders Special Edition)
- Strida LT (with glass fiber reinforced nylon wheels)
External links
[edit]
- Strida.com Official Website
- Ming Cycle Strida Manufacturer
- Inventor Mark Sanders talks about the Strida on Google Video
- Pre-Strida, RCA bike & young inventor in 1985 (YouTube)