SHOP HIGHLIGHT: STRiDA folding bikes

Today we are going to share with you a glimpse of what happens behind the curtains in our shop with the amazing bikes STRiDA. STRiDA is a portable, belt-driven, folding bicycle with a distinctive collapsible frame. Aimed primarily at commuters and city dwellers whose storage space might be limited, STRiDA is designed to be simple to use, quick to fold, and easy to maintain. Below is the short interview about the STRiDA shop on Chopni.com with Ivailo Dimitrov - official representative of STRiDA for Bulgaria.

What distinguishes STRiDA from all the other bicycle brands?

The one most distinctive trait is the unusual shape of the letter "A" and the unique design. What is fascinating about the brand is the substitution of the belt chain and the ease with which it folds, unfolds and carries.

Do you have a bike yourself? And what brand is it if it's not a secret?

I love cycling and do it daily and  it's not a secret that I am the proud owner of the first officially introduced in Bulgaria STRiDA, model LT. I got it around five years ago and since then I did not even looked at another bike.

What excited you most to pursue and start selling STRiDA bikes?

Several Things:

First, I saw a photograph of STRiDA bicycles of my acquaintances when I was living in Moscow which fascinated me;

Another thing that pushed me to pursue this profession was actually a theft of a bicycle from the basement and I know it sounds strange, but this kept me thinking how lovely it will be if I can carry my bike with me;

The need for a new storage place for the bicycle, namely the limited space of the dwelling I used to live in made me try and search for other options out there;

The possibilities of easy and uninterrupted transportation of the bike by car, but most of all I believe it was my non-standard thinking that made me start.

Since you have been so many years in this field, can you please share with us an insight or a story. We would love to know where does the name STRiDA come from?

The 9-year-old son of the factory director of the bicycle manufacturing factory invented the name STRiDA, which is the best name in comparison with those proposed by professionals hired to do the marketing.

We are curious to know in which country are the bikes produced?

Since the founder of STRiDA - Mark Sanders is from Briton, naturally the production of STRiDA started in the UK in 1987. In 1990 he moved to Portugal, and then in 1997 - again in the UK, and since 2002 until today, STRiDA is produced only in TAIWAN.

Which features of STRiDA models have precedence over others models from other famous bicycle manufacturers?

The most key features are the ease and the speed with which the bike folds and unfolds, the low weight and the ability to push as a trolley in a folded position. Last but not least the fact that the belt drive can not stain the trouser leg of your pants.

In conclusion, could you tell us what inspires you in your daily life

work?

In short the Beautiful and the unusual. What I also love and find inspiration in is the contact with people having "out of the box" thinking.