Ultimate Group Folding Bike Tour

by Larry Lagarde

If you could, would you enjoy cycling and hanging out with the world's leading bike designers and manufacturers?

For some time, RideTHISbike.com readers have been asking and encouraging me to organize folding bike tours. As both a cycling enthusiast and advocate, creating group tours to the world's best cycling destinations is very appealing, provided I can ride along too.

Since I can only participate in bicycle tours during the winter or fall, I have been wondering which destinations would hold the greatest appeal. Then it hit me: Vegas!

Why Las Vegas
Although Vegas is touted for gambling and night life, it offers an unusual and stunning variety of outstanding places to go for scenic and fun bike rides (Rails to Trails just added the Lake Mead River Mountains Loop to their list of notable bike trails; 2 other local & car free routes: the Historic Railroad Trail to Hoover Dam and the Red Rock Loop). Plus, epic rides in Grand Canyon, Zion and Death Valley, Prescott (and even on the Las Vegas Strip itself) are all within easy reach. Then of course there's Interbike...

Every September, the world's elite bike makers, racers & shop owners come together in Vegas for Interbike. Although the show is an industry only event for bike dealers, it is one of the few times when the best and brightest in the bike industry are all in the same place, presenting a unique opportunity for a truly memorable experience.

By timing a Vegas region bike tour to coincide with Interbike, it's entirely possible that cyclists could meet and ride with bike makers, designers and racers outside the bike convention. What I need is YOUR feedback.

Would you go to Vegas for a group folding bike tour? What type of riding would you like to do - road, car free paved trails, unpaved/mountain or a combination)? How many days would you have for the tour? Any other comments or suggestions?

Let me know and together, we can craft the ultimate bike tour experience.

Strida SX, Slip Cover & Commuter Train

A Great Combination.

by Larry Lagarde

Pictured below is an interesting slideshow demonstrating how one RideTHISbike.com customer uses a folding bike to cover part of his 1.5 hr commute.

Gregg B. is a Chicago area resident that commutes into the Windy City by METRA Rail. Gregg lives and works far enough from Metra to rule out walking to/from the train station. Rather than drive his car and park it at the station, Gregg felt the best solution was to ride a folding bike that he could take on the train. Once the train arrived downtown, he'd unfold the bike and ride it the last mile to his office.

To make the idea work, the bike would need to be light and fold compactly for storage; yet, it would need to be sturdy and comfortable too.

After lots of time looking over bikes online, Gregg called and explained his needs. My suggestion was to get a Strida SX. Here's what I wrote to him about this folding bike:

I love the SX. Color. Options. Ride. All good.

The tires on the SX are low rolling resistance. Combine that with the taller gear ratio and the bike moves - much faster than a Strida 5.0 and possibly slightly faster than the Duo. Will know for sure soon when I ride both over the same course & compare the results. The Duo is faster from a total stop because of the low gear.

After speaking with Gregg a couple of times by phone, he ordered a Strida SX. Once he got to ride the bike some, this is the note he sent regarding the SX folding bike:

WOW! This bike is great!! Within the first 20 feet I knew that the SX was a keeper. At 6'1" and 240 lbs, it is amazing how much difference a few modifications make in the ride quality. Larger high pressure tires, bent handle bars, and spring loaded seat makes for a much more comfortable, stable, and faster ride. Riding it seems much more intuitive and I will be able to ride longer distances with it. Thanks for suggesting the SX!

Also the new cover bag is perfect and well thought out. The Chicago area Metra train requires folding bikes to be covered and this cover is so light that it easily folds and can be placed in the rack to carry while riding. Additionally the bag can be put on upside down and the bike will roll while folded and covered.

Although the Strida SX is a great fit for Gregg B., everyone has different needs. So if you're considering a folding bike but are unsure which bike may be right for you, call or email me. I'll be happy to share my knowledge and experiences to set you in the right direction.

Authentic New Strida Folding Bike For $499

For this price, buying a fake Strida is just foolhardy.
by Larry Lagarde

It's official. A new, authentic Strida folding bike will soon be available here for just $499.

Known as the Strida LT, this bike is based on the Strida 5.0 platform.

What's Happening
A combination of rising US Strida sales, more streamlined production, a drop in component costs, and fewer standard features is allowing the American distributor to offer a slightly lighter but much more affordable version of the Strida 5.0 (as the Strida LT).

Differences Between the Strida LT & Strida 5.0:
The LT (for light) will be offered in black or silver, with molded black rims, a less costly saddle and a nylon (rather than cnc'd) bottom bracket. Some features now on the 5.0 (spoked wheels, carry rack, fenders) will become optional (full option list coming soon) and the many, varied colors of the Strida 5.0 will only be available on more expensive models like the Strida SX or Strida Duo folding bikes (the SX & Duo will also come standard with the new Strida quick release saddle adjustment system).

Given the almost $300 price difference between the Strida 5.0 and LT, I expect that the LT will generate huge demand for Strida products, giving Ming Cycle (Strida's maker) the opportunity to innovate even further, keeping the Strida relevant for years to come. That also means LT's will be flying out the door as soon as they come in.

If you want to be among the first to own a Strida LT, I'm accepting pre-orders now based on a 25% deposit with the balance due when the bikes clear US Customs (estimated time of arrival is 1 March 2010 but the bikes may be in sooner). Alternately, you can take advantage of our new layaway plan, a flexible, debt-free payment program that lets you decide how much each month to pay. For more or to place a pre-order, call 504-324-2492 today.

Again, once more details about the LT are available, they'll be posted immediately at RideTHISbike.com.

Beware of Fake Strida Folding Bikes

By Larry Lagarde

Just today, I was notified of yet another fly by night operator attempting to sell fake Strida folding bikes to gullible consumers in the USA. For bait, they're offering the knock off Strida bikes for as little as $299.

While the price may be tempting given the current economy, these knock offs are made in mainland China (not Taiwan) from lower quality materials and components. As a result, the safety and durability of these fake, knock off Strida folding bikes are questionable at best.

For the record, authentic Strida folding bikes are made in Taiwan. The company that manufactures the Strida is Ming Cycle and they are very proud of the brand. As a result, real Strida folding bikes are top quality machines and the Strida logo will be visible in a variety of locations on both the bike and packaging (see photos for knock off warning signs; click to enlarge).

The worst part of a fake Strida is that the real differences are in parts that are mostly unseen - the critical joints and pins that hold the bike together. Exceed he knock off Strida's carry capacity or hit a nasty pothole and the fake bike can literally implode below you.

Can't Afford An $800+ Strida?
If paying $799 for a real Strida is too much, I have good news. You'll soon be able to get a real Strida for $300 LESS!!! More details tomorrow.

EZ Pack Folding Bike + Toyota MR2

Fits in the MR2 spare tire well!

by Larry Lagarde

At least once a month, a customer sends me photos of their folding bike. The following photos are from Jay H. (source for the recent tips on bicycling in San Diego).

Jay has ridden a variety of folding bikes including the A-Bike and the CarryMe. Unfortunately, he's also been the victim of a bike thief.

After his last bike was stolen, Jay called me to learn more about the EZ Pack folding bike. He wanted to know if the bike was suitable for a multi-mode commute via light rail and if it would fit in the spare tire hold below the hood of his mid-engined Toyota MR2 sports car. As you can see by the photos, it does and Jay is quite happy (for comparison, note the pics of the A-Bike & CarryMe in the MR2).

Thanks Jay for the photos.

San Diego by EZ Pack Folding Bike

Planning to visit San Diego? Want to go cycling?
This should help.

The following info was compiled by Jay H., a San Diego resident and new owner of an EZ Pack folding bike.

Pro's & Con's of Bicycling in San Diego:

-Pro's:
Good year round weather!
Bike friendly public transportation.
Lots of bike paths and bike routes.
Relatively safe, relaxed-paced city/county.

-Con's:
Outside of the coastline, San Diego is mostly hilly terrain.
Public transportation doesn't go everywhere.
Many bus routes only run once an hour.
San Diego is very spread out.

Bicycles on Transit:
Busses and Trolleys are very bike friendly - no time of day restrictions. Although San Diego mass transit's literature says 2 bikes per Trolley, I've seen up to 6 on each car (3 at each end) with no complaints and no problem at all!
Transit Tip: Best way to go: buy an all day unlimited pass ($5 as of Nov 2009)

San Diego Transit Links:
-Overview: Getting @ S.D. by bike+other transportation
-Bikes on Metro Transit buses & trolleys
-San Diego Trolley map
-San Diego points of interest by MTS bus

Flying into San Diego?
Bicycling from the airport into town is scenic and easy. Exit the airport going southeast on Harbor Drive and you'll see a bike/pedestrian trail on the bay side of the harbor. Turn left on Broadway and the Santa Fe Depot Amtrak/local light rail station will be on the left (after crossing the tracks). Total ride distance is about 3 miles.

Great San Diego Bike Rides:
-Around San Diego Bay
-Around Mission Bay
-Bicycling in San Diego: Organized group rides & DIY routes
-Separated bike pathways in San Diego

By the way, many of the above routes can be accessed by the local MTS bus/trolley system.

Many thanks to Jay H. for the super San Diego bicycling info & links!

LL

Cultural Economy Summit Inspires Hope For World

by Larry Lagarde

Last week, readers that follow RideTHISbike on Facebook or Twitter may have noticed a flurry of posts and quotes from world leaders concerning the importance of developing and supporting an economy around culture.

I attended the World Economic Forum and the Louisiana Cultural Economy Summit to gain insights and contacts that would help me promote folding bikes as practical and sustainable transportation.

Here are 4 points that reflect the gist of both events:
- Though often over looked, cultural diversity is a vital economic engine.
- Factors like climate change and sea level rise are leading cultures to extinction.
- Louisiana's rich cultural tapestry tops the list of those being swept away.
- Focusing on culture's economic impact can improve livelihoods and quality of life worldwide.

Given the seriousness of the situation, were these events held in another city, the mood could easily have been somber. Instead, by being hosted in New Orleans, it was a celebration, both positive and uplifting.


There were brass bands, song, dance, great food and break out sessions on a multitude of cultural topics, allowing artists, academics and bureaucrats from around the world to rub shoulders and focus on solutions rather than doom and gloom.

As a result of the Summit, I'm one step closer to doing a video series showing how folding bikes are a fun, fit and practical way to improving quality of life. Plus, NPR has expressed interest in a story concerning an innovative approach to increasing transit use via folding bikes.

My heartfelt thanks go to Louisiana's Lt Gov. Mitch Landrieu, Nobel laureate Dr. Sergio Trindade, James Carville and everyone else that made both the World Cultural Economic Forum and Louisiana Cultural Economy Summit so inspirational.