Like the existing STRiDA folding bicycles, these MAS Special, XT, and Sport Duo bikes feature lightweight aluminum construction, fold in just 5 seconds (yes, I regularly fold the Strida in that time), and utilizes a clean and quiet Kevlar belt instead of the traditional greasy and noisy metal chain.
According to Areaware, the new MAS Special is the fastest, most advanced STRiDA to date. Inventor Mark Sanders has stripped the bike down to its simplest and most elegant form while adding high performance technology. At the heart of MAS’s speed and agility is the Schlumpf 2 speed drive – a sophisticated Swiss engineered drive system that allows the rider to shift seamlessly between high and low gears with a simple tap of the heel. A custom black anodized finish on frame and parts, an ergonomic racing saddle, and alloy cranks, chain ring, and pedals top out the MAS’s list of high performance features. Retail $1400.
Learn more at Strida.US; outside of the USA go to Strida.com.
6 comments:
My corgi legs are too short for the Strida! But I can really only do sidecars anyway.
My apawlogies fur taking so long to tell you how much I loved your 8/15 comment on 'Your Car Is Your Cage.' The link you sent to that cartoon made my dog-ma laugh so hard. We still smile thinkin' about it.
Woof thanks, Tilin Corgi
The bike looks cool, but I don't see how it can possibly be comfortable and good for *real use*. To me it has two seemingly fatal flaws:
1. The distance from the seat to the pedals seems insufficient. This means your knees will be kinda bunched up while riding, resulting in greater discomfort and less efficiency (if you are not able to extend your knees fully while pedaling you won't get the full thurst).
2. The location of the handlebars. They are not far enough from the seatpost. Resulting again, in your elbows probably having to be bent while riding. Uncomfortable and inefficient.
Am I missing something? Can someone who has ridden a Strida share?
For the record, I ride a Dahon Curve (2007 model) folding bike (takes 10 seconds to fold), I have put ~800 miles on it, and I have had to replace one part. And it costs $1000 less than the Strida!
Thanks for dropping by, Tilin Corgi! For the benefit of others, Tilin is writing about this post.
Ramkun, you're correct that the Strida isn't the most efficient or comfortable bike out there, but the seat adjusts sufficiently to allow full leg extension. I posted my Strida reviews here and here. James @ Bicycle Design posted his review here. The Strida is okay for very short rides (less than three miles). It excels at multimodal commutes even on very cramped trains and buses -- I can throw a folded Strida into the overhead luggage bin. Dahon's are better for longer rides than the Strida. It's a little unfair to compare 2007 with 2009 prices; bike prices, especially folding bike prices, are shooting up significantly.
Fritz, thanks for the links to the Strida reviews. Those were helpful. I have to say the Dahon doesn't fold up quite as nicely as a Strida, and therefore is a bit harder/clunkier to carry in a bus or a train. And the Strida probably is a lot lighter too. I guess it probably will ride OK for short rides.
Btw, the 2008 Dahon Curve is still $529 (per Dahon US's website), so pricewise that's still pretty low compared to Strida. But the Strida is a lot more sexy, I'll say.
There is a good discussion of the Strida and its aims by its designer (to be more an everyday 'no-sweat' bike than sport), again on Bicycle design.
http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2008/06/guest-post-by-mark-sanders.html
Interesting ideas about Blue ocean theory and upright riding positions in places like Holland.
I do own one of these "oldskool" Strida's and i can tell you, it's a joy to ride! I use mine to get to work, riding to the trainstation and from the train to work. It's indeed folding in 5 sec's. it's not a bike you'll use on longer distances, but for your daily run to work, it's great. small, easy to pack or put into the cartrunk, healthy, clean and green. And when the going is tough, yes you can drive greater distances with this small piece of magic!
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