Sport Duos: Second Impression
The STRiDA 2-speed SportDuos are here. It’s my 2nd impression since I tried one about 1 1/2 years ago in a parking lot for all of 45 seconds.
For those who would either like a little more top-end speed from their STRiDA, or even better hill climbing ability, the Sport Duo is amazing.
The gears are changed with a tap of the heel. At first, I needed to look down, think about where, when and how I would tap. During the first day though this became much more natural with little need to look down to see what your feet are up to.
1st gear at 47 gear inches ( vs. 52 on the single speed bike) is a terrific hill-climber. For acceleration from a standing start, you’ll find yourself shifting to 2nd before getting to the other side of the intersection. 2nd gear gives you much more speed at a reasonable cadence.
If you add 18″ wheels to your Sport Duo, 1st gear becomes the same as the single speed at 52 gear inches and 2nd is almost too tall, but amazing for speed (see gear chart below).
I really enjoy what happens when, on occasion, a cyclist who may take themselves fairly seriously assume that because my STRiDA is a nice small folder that they will need to crowd in front of me at a stoplight; then I out-accelerate them, click into 2nd and they never catch up.
| Model | 16″ | 16″ | 18″ | 18″ |
| Strida 5.0 | 52 | 59 | ||
| SportDuo | 47 | 77 | 52 | 86 |
12 Responses 
i saw someone on a 2 speed strida. do you have demo bikes?
Yes we do have a Sport Duo demonstrator. It’s a busy bike.
Hi I was wondering will you be selling a retrofit kit for this anytime soon? this is for the people that bought the 5.0 and thinking of getting more speed without going to a bigger wheel. (i like the small size).
I can likely source the mechanism from Schlumpf, if there is enough demand for it from Strida owners. I think they have kits for Bromptons already.
I recall that it is something like $400USD for the drive alone. For the same $400, the Strida Sport Duo gives you the drive, alloy pedals, alloy belt-wheel and alloy freewheel. -Steve
Hi.
How does work the change of speed? Can you change in movement, in any moment, in any pedal positionO? or must you change when the heel is in the maximum back position? (horizontal-back pedal, no pedal movement)
You can change the gears in any pedal position, at any time. Instead of just a button as provided by Schlumpf on the Speed Drive, the Sport Duo has a plate on top of the button, covering the length of the crank. this plate makes changing gears easier, allowing you to use any part of your foot.
It is most practical however, to change when the heel is in the back (3 O’clock) position. Then it is a very simple tap motion with the heel.
I got my Strida-SD through Areaware and they have no ETA on when they will have the larger wheels in.
do you know if there are any places that have them for immediate shipping in the U.S.?
I do not know of anyone that currently has them – they have been extremely popular.
We are currently sold out, having sent our last set to Chile.
We are expecting them in two weeks.
Correction, they have just arrived and can be ordered here. Please choose $USD or $CDA currency.
Hi again, Steve.
I have bought a new SD, and I think the ratio speed is not very well ballanced. The lower speed is too much low while the second gear is high. I miss the well ballanced ratio of the original Strida between the new first and second gears. I am thinking to improve the SD with 18″ wheels, so, I would get the original ratio again for the first gear, although I think the new second gear would be too much high and difficult for normal use. What do you think about it? How hard is the second gear with 18″ wheels?
Best regards.
Hydra
Hydra,
While I agree that the low is pretty low, I think that good decisions were made.
There were both many requests for a gear low enough to climb steep hills and for a gear tall enough for good top end speed. This would be pretty easy to achieve with a multiple gear setup, and of course the jump between gears wouldn’t be so significant. When there are only two gears the difference will be beyond subtle.
If you like the original Strida ratio, you will like the low on the SD with 18″ wheels, as it the same. If you are thinking that the tall gear on the 16″ is already high, it is even more so (12 1/2%) with 18″ wheels.
Personally, I like the SD with 18″; I shift out of 1st rather quickly,then I enjoy the speed in 2nd and can cover longer distances more easily. If I encounter a long route with a steep enough incline, it can get tiring. So, I can always drop back down to 1st.
I would check with your retailer and borrow an SD with 18″ wheels before you buy. -Steve
Hi Steve.
.
Thanks for your quick reply.
Unfortunattely, I have already bought the SD with 16″ wheels. As my city is absolutly flat, I will go for the 18″ wheels upgrade kit. So, I will get my old ratio in the first gear, and I will ride quicker than Lance Armstrong in the second one
Regards.
Hydra.
Hi Steve
After fitting the 18″ wheel set, I have found that the new ratio for the 1st gear is lower than 52. May be it depends of the tyre. I use Schwalbe Kojak, and you use Schwalbe Marathon that seem to be bigger diameter than the kojak ones.
Anyway, the gap between 1st and 2th gear is too much high.
Regards.
Hydra