By request here is my rider report for the Strida Evo
Some observations Total real bike weight: 13.3kg (including 33cl of water)
My modifications
new saddle, grips and tyres.
I have added extra weight added by the Brooks flyer special at 810grams, stock saddle although comfortable it doesn’t match the comfort of a Brooks saddle that really moulds to your shape.
My longest single ride at 32kms was a pleasant experience and easily completed.
I used the middle gear ratio (100%) most of the time, for hills the first gear at (78.7%) has been very well conceived and very effective. Riding on the flat the (125.7%) really makes this bike faster than a 3 speed Brompton (thanks to a good friend and Brompton owner).
My normal commute at 5 miles in London traffic (8.04kms) has reduced by nearly 5 minutes using the SX to 25 minutes, so average speed on the Evo 19.3kmh up from (16.09kmh on the SX).
I have just fitted Schwalbe Kojak and dropped the Innova stock tyres as these faster and lighter and reducing the overall bike total back to 13kg even with the addition of the brooks saddle. So highly recommended but also handling is much better.
The gears changes smoothly but I did notice the same sensation as highlighted from (keps) when peddling in low and high gears initially but this has dissipated with use so this is down to running the bike in.
The Evo is an evolution of the Strida design making it fully developed we have all requested and waited for the extra gears so now its here…But I do sometimes miss the simple SX because of the weight, no gears making this a perfect urban bike (Mark Sanders was right) but in this ever changing world we are now working more and faster the Evo reflects this…
My negatives for the Evo is the extra weight which is a trade off of the gears, and changing my riding style. Now at stops and red lights I would always lead off on the right side peddle by braking and peddling backwards to position myself for when the light turns green…of course with the Evo it changes the gears so I have occasionally tried to peddle off in the high gear!!
Overall the Evo is highly recommended what should Ming do to develop the model…? my vote is for making it lighter…anyone else???
I only noticed this when I changed shoes to a thin sole and I could feel a slight roughness in the sensation through the peddles in the low and high gear but after a +100kms it has become smoother…but you have to search for it as it is very slight…So those thinking of purchasing an Evo should not be put off by this at all.
could you please advise me where did you buy your Schwalbe Kojak tyres for the strida?
are they the same surface as a roadbike type of tyres? I am new to strida, I goet my evo last month.
what type of saddle did you change to?
they sound like good improvements could you share the information?
I just want to ask if what to expect in the package when you buy your EVO, i do know that it will be different per distributor, but atleast i know what to look for.
I want one as well, but i would like to know if the gear box for the transmition contains any plastic materials or is it pure steel or alloy like material instead?
Does the freewheel, chain and crank set are all alloy?
Maybe I dont tried my best to search the web for the answer to my questions, but any response would be appreciated.
Well I don’t think the differences will be that great, stock standard model is 18inch wheels, alloy freewheel, crank set is not alloy.
My mods seat and kojak tyres are additional and down to personal preference.
As for the transmission I cannot say how what materials it contains.
I got my Strida Evo a few days ago, Australian version black with neon yellow down tube, as a late xmas present to self to scrape in on bikes for 2012, moratorium on n+1 new bikes for 2013 is one of my new year’s resolutions =P
Like OP’s report, my first test up hills of local street a few times I didn’t notice difference through 1,2,3 but wasn’t looking for it, just a feel for the ratios and speed. I definitely don’t regret paying the weight penalty for the gears.
Here it is in a badly stitched panoramic photo of my ‘little wheel crowd’
Like most first ride impressions coming from regular bikes, short wheelbase twitchy steering, I feel the desire for some short bull horn bar ends for some finer control, being used to much wider bars on other bkes. I really like the sequential gears, sister rigid “lefty” to my hooligan, “righty” rear, use of bearings instead of bushes, really everything about it (honeymoon phase).
Ours already comes with 1.35in Kojaks on it, bonus for the month was a bike bag included, no immediate need for me but I’m sure I’ll find a use for it in the future.
For twitchy steering, Although I’m already used to the steering, when I placed a bag on the front somehow the weight of the bag helps stabilize or dampens the twitchy steering.
I’m thinking of wrapping leg weights on the front tube or the handlebar stem as a damper.
But then again you’ll get used to the Strida the more you ride it.
I have just purchased an Evo whilst in Sydney (Oz). 18" wheels made this little beastie fly, but as these are not readily obtainable in NZ, have swapped out the wheels for the resin/aluminium ones.
I have now done a couple of return trips to work. My commute is about 8km, so not very long. The justification for the strida for me was the upright riding position, which I find more comfy than my Speciailized Expedition semi-cruiser(which has just appeared on trade me as a result). I would not have considered the Strida but for purchasing a 3.3 earlier this year, and loving it. The Evo is quite an evolution. When I place them side-by-side, the extra gusset reinforcing the steering head is the first obvious difference, then the beefed up seating mount, and of course the freewheel/gears. The Evo seems a little sudden in the braking after the drums, but I am getting to prefer it over the drums now, after only a few days. I have the bent bars, which is a real improvement for my legroom. So far, quite intoxicated with this brushed aluminium machine!
This is a very good review and summary of the Strida EVO. I agree with many of the observations here - now at start of 2018! (I purchased my EVO in Q1 2017) and only saw this now…
Thanks for the tip on tyres - I will plan to swap mine out to Schwalbe Kojak and drop the Innova stock tyres.
As the Schwalbe Kojaks are so far also my personal favourites I’d like to add a few hints here:
Please keep in mind that Kojak’s can be dangerous on wet or sandy road surfaces.
Kojak’s are not that puncture resistant, if possible add a spare tube to your bike-bag.
High pressure tyres work best at their upper pressure limit (at least I think so); that means the ride is really hard but the rolling resistance very low.
Kojak’s are a bit smaller than the Innova’s; therefore is the gear ratio lower and it is easier to pedal - but in fact you are riding slower (at the same cadence) than with Innova’s.
Don’t really drop the Innova’s - better you keep them for the bad weather months.
And nothing is more easy than swapping tyres on a Strida - compared to most other other bikes
Even lighter than Kojak’s should be Panaracer Minits Lite PT; they are very rare in Europe and most likely in Asia easier to find
(The search terms “Birdy” or “BD-1” are perhaps helpful.)
