thanks guys! 
i think i will pay a bit more and go for strida mas. the best prices i’ve been able to find are at
‘the bicycle man’ - http://www.thebicycleman.co.uk/folding-bikes-8-c.asp.
if anyone has some better leads for the uk distributors, please let me know. i’m going to a conference tomorrow, will be back in a week and hope to be able to sort things out and get my bike soon afterwards - looking forward to it so much 
i’ll keep you posted
best,
ivanesque