Folding bikes: Strida Evo vs IF mode review
As an actual owner and user of both of these bikes, I will give my impressions about each.
Quick history: I first had the Strida EVO for about one year, and got it stolen. I then bought an IF Mode. It’s been a year and I still use it. I have used both bikes fairly often (2 to 3 times a week).
Strida EVO. About $1,300.
on amazon | on strida.fr | on strida.com
Review of the SX version (without the different speeds, but otherwise very similar)
Pros:
- Very low-maintenance
- Very good breaks
- Very good chain design
- Can stand by itself while on folded position
- Good folding design. Easy to walk with the bike folded.
Cons:
- Small wheels make the bike more janky and harder to control. It is also more dangerous where there are bumps on the road
- The triangular form of the frame means no standing on the pedals, and you cannot ride no-handed
- Changing gears by pedaling backwards is very unnatural and requires a lot of getting-used-to
- Somewhat heavy because of the gears
IF Mode. About $2,700
Pros:
- Very good folding design. Super fast to fold/unfold. Also easy to walk with the bike folded.
- Good build quality
- Acts like a normal bike, despite being a folding bike
- Stable because of large wheels
- Possible to ride no-handed
- Possible to ride standing on the pedals
- Good gear-changing mechanism by tapping with the feet
- Very cool looking (people sometimes stare at you)
Cons:
- Expensive. Which means it will empty your bank account, but also there is the fear of having it stolen, so you’ll need a very good, also expensive, U-lock. (Better to bring it indoors whenever possible)
- I had some small technical issues: the saddle sometimes creaks (greasing it fixes the issue), and when changing gears, if you do not tap properly, you can end up in a position where the pedals are fully disengaged with the chain. This happens very rarely but I have to mention it because it can be surprising.
- Slightly heavy
Overall, both are very good bikes, and I’m very happy with the IF Mode. If I had to remake the choice, I would go for the IF Mode again because it is so much like a real bike while still being able to fold.