Recently I sold my Strida 5.0 and got a Strida MAS. This is a Special Edition with a really nice feature - a two gear ATS Speed Drive. I upgraded it with 18" wheels and a new saddle.The Strida MAS is BLACK: black frame, black wheels, black pedals, black handle bars and NEON GREEN break callipers. It looks great. The MAS has a more sturdy frame, too. Check the stem and the welded connections on the pictures.
A Speed Drive changes the bike. With the 18" wheels the low gear is the same like my old Strida 5.0 with 16" wheels. But now I have a second gear. It makes the Strida faster, but requires more effort. You switch the gear with your heels. A gentle kick with the right switches up, a kick with the left down again. The Strida 18" wheel upgrade includes Schwalbe Kojak - thin, high pressure tires. I have an average speed of about 17 km/h and a top of 28 km/h, currently. I hope some training will increase that. :-)
From the people at Strida Forum I got the suggestion to use a saddle with springs. The Brooks Champion Flyer fits nicely and provides a comfortable ride.
It's getting dark early these days so I added some real lights. The included lights are a joke. I'm using a Sigma PowerLED and a B&M IXBack senso.The Sigma allows me to take routes without street lights. It has 3 settings: bright, brighter, brightest - but no blinking. (I really hate blinking front lights). You can use an removeable integrated battery holder (4xAA) or an special external pack (Li-Ion).
The IXBack rear light has a nice compact holder. The inner part (called lightbox by B&M) can be removed easily.If you have any questions about the bike, please add a comment.
Follow Up: Strida MAS Upgrade II