Folding Bikes - Birdy Riders???

My research into obtaining a folder has drawn me to the Birdy. I passed on the recent one on eBay that had a repaired hole in the frame, after discussing with one of the forum members here. Would like to speak with an owner, I've read all the reviews I can find. Once again, I'm kind of a big guy...6'3", 235.

Birdy owners (http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/birdybike/)

@Zonker - there are not too many Birdy owners on this forum, but I am one of them.

If you are worried about your size/height, you are pretty similar to me and I am comfortable on my Birdy Red. If you have any specific questions you can pm me.

@Zonker - there are not too many Birdy owners on this forum, but I am one of them.

If you are worried about your size/height, you are pretty similar to me and I am comfortable on my Birdy Red. If you have any specific questions you can pm me.


Make that two. As I wait for a Swift to be built. It's a sickness, I tell ya! ;)

Let us know how you find the new Birdy, as there are not too many reviews circulating.

A to B magazine could only find a few pages to review the monocoque bike (it dedicated far more copy to the new Brompton).

I also own a Birdy. It rides very well, handles with more surefootedness than any folder I've ridden and is light for a folder. On the down side, the fold is Rube Goldberg-esque. Though I suppose I should do the nine yards again as I haven't folded the thing in months. If I remember correctly, it is possible to roll it, once folded.

DG1

@DG1 - I no longer feel like a pariah on this forum!

I think it is possible to wheel the Birdy in a partial fold, but not when completely folded. However, R&M are adding wheels to the rack (I think) in order for the bike to be wheeled along when fully folded.

What make/model do you have and what upgrades have you made? Did you formerly own a much moded Dahon Jetstream XP?

If you plan to ride with panniers, I made a comment about my Birdy experience here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=2731951&postcount=2

My height is 199cm (about 9.5), so I've order a longer seat post which the shop will make for me. Your height may be just within the limit of the standard seat post. When it comes to weight I'm awfully skinny, but I still wanted the hardest spring and elastometer. If it is still not stiff enough for you I guess you can get some non-standard replacement.

It took me a little while to adjust my riding to not pull on the handlebar - I didn't know that I rode like that, but the front fork innovation on the Birdy makes such a movement be felt. But then again, I had to change riding style when I got front suspension on my hybrid as well (but that fork is hopefully replaced soon).

My Birdy setup is:
* Rohloff gear, which makes some noise on the lower gears, but that should be gone in about another 400 km
* SON XS hub dynamo with E6S light, which has a bright light, but doesn't have standlight technology like the Lumotec Plus
* Magura HS33 hydraulic brakes, which had a leak on the front when I got off the plane from Germany to Norway, but a little fastening and it hasn't leaked again since Easter, ableit its only been once on a plane since that.
* Front and rear racks and mudguards

My only worry is how long will the rims last, as I've got V-brakes on my hybrid now and the rim is soon broken after just 4 years of biking (incl. one full winter). As the rim is so much shorter (18 vs 28) I assume that the rim is worn quicklier than on the hybrid.

-Affi

What make/model do you have and what upgrades have you made? Did you formerly own a much moded Dahon Jetstream XP?

I still do own the JetXP and have modded it to a point that it can almost be modded no more. I love it but it is out of commision for the moment. The Birdy I own is a Birdy green and I've only done a few things to it - Shimano 105 Octalink crank with an Ultegra BB, a derailleur upgrade and a fancy titanium railed saddle.

I bought the bike because the Japanese have such a love for it and I wanted to see how I liked it. It rides well but seems a bit on the plush side to me and, as I've said, the fold is a bit much. One problem I've had with it that I find almost humorous, is that the seatpost is torture to adjust; I end up riding with the seat sticking nose high or nose low because I can't get the thing to level and still hold on to the seat rails tightly. It's embarrassing to have to LBS it for a saddle adjustment!

DG1

I bought the bike because the Japanese have such a love for it and I wanted to see how I liked it. It rides well but seems a bit on the plush side to me and, as I've said, the fold is a bit much. One problem I've had with it that I find almost humorous, is that the seatpost is torture to adjust; I end up riding with the seat sticking nose high or nose low because I can't get the thing to level and still hold on to the seat rails tightly. It's embarrassing to have to LBS it for a saddle adjustment!I have got used to the fold, but it certainly isn’t intuitive. That said, the folded package is quite easy to carry and it stays together.

I have swopped out nearly everything on my bike, and at 9kgs it is pretty light for a folder (but 8kg is achievable). Have you got a pic of your bike?

I agree, the saddle adjustment is finicky, but I have not had to visit the LBS yet!

I have a harder green elastomer and a red spring – both have made the ride less plush. However, stick on a pair of 120 psi stelvios and the ride becomes a lot harsher…

My only worry is how long will the rims last, as I've got V-brakes on my hybrid now and the rim is soon broken after just 4 years of biking (incl. one full winter). As the rim is so much shorter (18 vs 28) I assume that the rim is worn quicklier than on the hybrid.

I am on my second rear rim and it looks as though the front rim has limited life left as well. I put about 3000miles on the Alex rim before is cracked.

Let us know how you find the new Birdy, as there are not too many reviews circulating.

A to B magazine could only find a few pages to review the monocoque bike (it dedicated far more copy to the new Brompton).

It's the anthracite Birdy monocoque with 9 speed Capreo. I've been sick the last few days, so I've only ridden it around the neighborhood a few times. It really drew the neighbors out, who were curious about it and asked questions. Very swoopy and curvaceous, a real looker. Hope to ride it more this weekend. I'm thinking of getting the expedition rack and adding panniers...any suggestions? I'm thinking it might make a dandy little grocery fetcher!

The 'Expedition' rack already comes drilled out for rear wheels, and this is sold as an optional wheeled rack in Japan for example. Otherwise, just add skateboard wheels.

Another cool Bromptonesque design is simple addition of the same skateboard wheels to the top of the rear frame section as shown in the pics.

Let us know how you find the new Birdy, as there are not too many reviews circulating.

A to B magazine could only find a few pages to review the monocoque bike (it dedicated far more copy to the new Brompton).

F&T, thanks for the head's up. I've ordered a copy of that magazine from a shop here in the U.S. Will be quite interested in what they think of it.

That's a Birdy Ti, isn't it? Did you import that to the US?

The 'Expedition' rack already comes drilled out for rear wheels, and this is sold as an optional wheeled rack in Japan for example. Otherwise, just add skateboard wheels.

My expedtion rack (of this year) is not pre-drilled (at the rear end), and according to the updated (German) R&M Birdy accessories page they have made a separate device for adding trolley wheels: http://www.r-m.de/index.pl/btou_access_d If I understand the German text correctly, you would need the expedtion rack and mudguard before adding the rolling device. I just don't understand how it would look.

-Affi

Ah so ... something new from R&M. DOuble click the RM website photo and you'll get this (see attached).

Doesn't appeal to me ... I like the wheels on the rack thing; but good on em for putting some original accessories out there. More!