The latest 5.0 version of the Strida is now availiable in the US and Asia markets. UK and European customers will have to make do with the excellent 3.0 version for a while longer. The 5.0 version is lighter at 19.4 pounds (compared to 22), uses disc brakes (instead of drum) and has alloys for the rims and hubs (instead of nylon and plastic).

The latest version also comes in a range of colours - silver, red, black, blue, orange, pink, white and yellow. All this, and it still folds down in six seconds to a handy, diminutive size that lends itself oh so well to the short commute.

The Strida folding bike has won both design awards and race awards. The latest version adds a few tweaks to an already excellent bike. The Strida was designed from the ground up to be a very low-maintenance folding bike. Once folded, you can wheel it around (instead of having to carry it like most folding bikes). This makes it easy to bring on trains or into the office. In place of a conventional bike chain, the bike has a simple cogged band to turn the wheels. There’s no grease involved.

There is no gear-system to fail, no brake pads to replace, no chain to stretch, no gear teeth to wear out, no rims to retrue, no head-set to loosen, no wheel hub cones to wear-out, no derailleurs to bend / break and virtually no parts susceptible to rust.

The bike is available for $475 (version 3.2) or $775 (version 5)in the US.

Reviews and where to purchase:

• BicycleDesign Strida 5.0 review
• Metaefficient.com
• rideTHISbike.com
• TreeHugger
• Buy in the US
• Buy in the UK
• Resource for Singapore