Folding Bikes - Birdy & Go-Bike

Got a chance to ride a Birdy Blue 3x8 speed and a Go-Bike "Antracite" during last week along the famous Lewis & Clark trail at Great Falls Montana. The distance is about 12 miles with steep hills,paved and gravelled path that began at Gibson Park down town GF to Giant Spring Park ( a natural cool spring that is amazing ).
The fold/unfolding: definitely a learning curve for both. GB employed a device that allows the rear wheel to rotate further left/inward from median therefore allows a tighter front wheel fold. How ever the bulk of the bike 20" wheel somewwhat negate the advantage. I can fit 2 Birdy plus a Bommie in my Thule. Go-Bike will not fit!
The ride: More stable, less twitchy than the smaller Birdy. Both climb hill well.
Technology: The single fork front seems sexy but technology is unproven. Disc brake, front and rear certainly are the future. Birdy ride smoother from the exchangeable shock absorber.
Price: $1300 from the Rep. in Canada. $1350 from Rad-Innovation in WA. Both manufactured in Taiwan.
Suggestion: Should provide with folding pedal for GB and carry on back pack for Birdy. A $250 wheeled BIG suitcase came with the GD as a promotional offer.
The Rep.: 'Christian' North American GB Rep. is also a Dentist. Very pleasant, a true Gentleman 'Quebecquois'. David at Rad-innovation needs no more Intro.
Conclusion: My better half love both Bikes.
Cheers

....
The fold/unfolding: definitely a learning curve for both. GB employed a device that allows the rear wheel to rotate further left/inward from median therefore allows a tighter front wheel fold. How ever the bulk of the bike 20" wheel somewwhat negate the advantage. I can fit 2 Birdy plus a Bommie in my Thule. Go-Bike will not fit!
The ride: More stable, less twitchy than the smaller Birdy. Both climb hill well.
Technology: The single fork front seems sexy but technology is unproven. ...
A $250 wheeled BIG suitcase came with the GD as a promotional offer.
..

Conclusion: My better half love both Bikes.
Cheers


wubrew,

thanks for that. The Strida's a cantilever & that seems just fine, brilliant for tyre changes, so is the GB considerably different, or do you mean unproven in another context?

Do you think air travel would be a problem with the large GB case?

So what about *your* conclusion on the ride quality for both bikes - any preference? :-)

wubrew,

thanks for that. The Strida's a cantilever & that seems just fine, brilliant for tyre changes, so is the GB considerably different, or do you mean unproven in another context?


Do you think air travel would be a problem with the large GB case?
So what about *your* conclusion on the ride quality for both bikes - any preference? :-)

Strida, as I can recall, use 12" wheel. The physics behind the Go BIke front fork/Cantilever looks so vulnerable.

The provided case is definitely air travel worthy. My 5'7" 110 lbs daughter can easily fit in. The size can be attention getter as oppose to getting attention riding the bike!:D
Definitely will need a porter to help you with transfer to check in check out.

I bought the GB for my daughter because she like a bigger one than a Birdy. I like the ride, the look, and the technology such as the brakes, the device that allows tighter folding. I however am still a hopeless Birdy aficionado. Still justifying reasons to get a Rohloff Birdy:rolleyes:

If you are planning to travel by air Brompton or Birdy are the least cumbersome and most useful folders. I carry my 2 birdy and the Brommie in the roof top Thule. Had to put the GB along with the luggage in the rear.
Cheers

Thanks for the wubrew review! The pics looks great. Do you have a rough estimate of your measured dimensons of the Go Bike?

Thanks for the wubrew review! The pics looks great. Do you have a rough estimate of your measured dimensons of the Go Bike?

GoBike® Motion ELX 8 compact folding bicycle with front and rear suspension with GoBike® Flight Case

Although it folds or unfolds in a mere 25 seconds, making it a marvel of convenience for our fast pace lifestyle, the GoBike® Motion is first and foremost a sophisticated bicycle that rides and performs like a full-size one. With it's forward-minded features like front and rear suspension, disk brakes and lightweight aluminum construction it is sure to please avid and recreational cyclists of all ages and size.
Features and benefits:

International Award Winning Canadian Design. GoBike’s® fresh, modern design has won top international awards like the Red Dot Design Award in Germany, the Well-Tech Design Award in Italy, and the Design Exchange Awards in Canada.
Delivered 100% assembled inside its custom designed flight case. The flight case features an extruded reinforced body with 1200D Polyester laminated thermoformed EVA panels, 4 heavy duty wheels and a leash to wheel around airports and stations.
One-size-fits-all universal design. The telescopic seat post and stem adjust to fit rid-ers of all ages and sex from 140 mm (4 ft. 7 in.) up to approximately 190 mm (6 ft. 3 in.) and a maximum of 110 kg (245 lbs.).
Can easily be concealed in car trunks, boats, private airplanes, RVs, under a work desk, etc. When folded, it can fit in a W:30 in. x H:26 in. x D:15 in. box without removing any part.
Lightweight aluminum frame and fork construction with ultra durable textured silver anodized finish on the front and rear forks and stem. The unloaded bike weighs 12.9 kg.
Rides and maneuvers like a full-size bicycle thanks to its long wheelbase and biomechanically correct geometry designed with the rider’s comfort and efficiency in mind.
Performs like a full-size bicycle thanks to its compensated wide range 8 speed gear-ing. This bike can go fast as well as climb hills.
Full suspension ride featuring custom coil spring suspension units with adjustable pre-load in the back for safe and comfortable riding on all types of road surfaces.
Front and rear disk brakes for powerful worry-free braking in all situations, even in wet weather.
Anti-dive front braking feature for better control and safety thanks to the GO proprie-tary leading link monoblade suspension fork design. This means that the bike will not dive forward when braking in emergency situations.
High-quality 20 in. wheels featuring stainless steel spokes and alloy rims are stronger and quicker when accelerating and climbing than full-size wheels.
Built with high-end industry standard components from reputable manufacturers. This means parts are available everywhere and can be repaired anywhere.
Fully-accessorized design. A complete range of accessories including rear carrier, mudguards, carry bags and more available on gobikeworld.com
Specifications:
Head set 1 1/8 in., Ahead style, steel
Stem GO custom telescopic, alu.
Handlebar 530mm wide, alu.
Grips SRAM kraton rubber
Left hand bell GoBell, alu. dome
Saddle GO custom anatomic
Seat Post Hard anodized alu. with adjustable head
Brakes Mechanical disk brakes w. 140mm rotor
Brake Levers All alloy, adjustable reach 3 finger lever
Front Hub GO alloy monohub w. sealed cartridge bearings
Rear Hub All alloy sealed bearing Freehub
Rims All alloy, silver ano. rims
Spokes 2.0 mm Stainless Steel
Tires Kenda Krackpot, 20 x 1.75, 60 psi
Chainwheel GO all alloy 48t. crankset w. dual chainguards
Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge type w. steel cups
Pedals Composite body w. alloy cage, clipless compatible
Rear Derailleur SRAM SX4
Shifter SRAM SX4 Gripshift
Cassette SRAM Powerglide PG 830, 8s., 11-28
Chain Narrow chain w. special anti-corrosion treatment
Reflectors Cat-Eye reflector set
Tool Custom cast GoTool
Manual Bilingual Illustrated owners manual

I can scan the necesssary info from the manual if you need more.

Don't get me wrong from my less than usual maniacal enthusiasm about folder. Go Bike is a great folder. My heart is just somewhere else. Time to adjust my M=medication:D
Cheers

Very pretty bikes. There're very expensive. Congrudulations.

A decent bike is worth the extra cost. I'm over 3000mi in the past 6 months, and don't own a car. So, it's been critical getting things right. Especially with a folder; they are much more sensitive to minor flaws than full size bikes.

I'm sure most owners of the more expensive bikes agree. The Birdy frame is handmade and undergoes a series of precision adjustments. If something is off by a few milimeters, the thing won't fold. Is it worth it? For me it is! http://www.birdy.com.au/FAQ_general.htm#expensive.

I'm in the bottom 40% of income earners, but of the strong European bent that we should buy few things, and the few things we buy should be quality.

After commuting and riding on more trails, I am liking the Go Bike more and more! The bigger wheels make turning uphill and sharp corners more stable. The disc brakes are fantastic. Anti locking effect can be simulated for a very, very smooth stop. Once the folding mechanics are master this bike can be very endearing. Birdy like folding, Bompton like parking and Dahon like wheel size. All those good features, if not for the price, this bike will sell. I still have reservation about the single front fork technology. Some times when I look down while peddling up hill standing, seems like the front wheel is wobbly. Must be my imagination.
More pics.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2214.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2209.jpg

Folded in the heavy duty carry on luggage bag. Complimentary at the time of purchase. Normally $ 250. The parking position will be with the front wheel unfolded.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2208.jpg

Approximately 3 1/2 feet X 2 1/4 feet. Sorry, can't do metric.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2212.jpg

That special device that allow the rear wheel to fold almost 10 more degrees to the right from mid line. Therefoer more compact and secure.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2210.jpg

Single stem fork with locking mechanism that allow quick release of front wheel for folding. And similarly to keep it lock when folded. Advantage to Birdy, no locking mechanism when folded, therfore if not folded properly the front wheel can become unfolded.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2221.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/r1shot/DSCN2207.jpg

Head turning factor: A+++

Technology: A+++

Functionality: A++

Folding: Approaching A++

Reliability: Stay tuned

Price: Ouch!

Cheers

Can you give the dimensions on the bag? If it comes close to 62 linear inches with a basic fold, I would actually give the GoBike some serious consideration....

Very nice, especially for packed trail riding.

I would like to see a bike go in the other direction. The earlier Birdy frames are lighter than the Mu SL despite their full suspension. They got a lot heavier when luggage capacity was added. They seem also to have been reinforced for expanding waistlines. Our monocoque has 36 spokes on a hand built 355 wheel! What the hell? They seem to be designing the bike for adolescent elephants doing jumps.

A guy in a local bike store had a 1990s entry level green donated to him that was significantly lighter than my 105 equipped yellow!

Can you give the dimensions on the bag? If it comes close to 62 linear inches with a basic fold, I would actually give the GoBike some serious consideration....

32 1/2" x 27" x 12"

Go for it. It's a good one. Solid on good rollers.

Cheers

Very nice, especially for packed trail riding.

They seem also to have been reinforced for expanding waistlines. Our monocoque has 36 spokes on a hand built 355 wheel! What the hell? They seem to be designing the bike for adolescent elephants doing jumps.

A guy in a local bike store had a 1990s entry level green donated to him that was significantly lighter than my 105 equipped yellow!

Tragic. The size 30 pants fits like a size 31. Size 38 reg now fits like a 40 short. All just to accommodate the bulging wasitlines. I will bike harder!