Folding Bikes - Xootr folder - question and observations about Birdy, etc

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jwlunt
05-04-08, 08:41 AM
I want to start commuting to work (downtown Chicago) on a folder and spent 3 hours at my local bike shop trying a Birdy, Tikit and Dahon Mu. I was surprised at how well the Mu rode - best of all IMO, but I have major concerns about reliability from reading various reports. The Birdy looks great and is light as a feather... the suspension is great as well. However the ride was very twitchy and the streering not at all neutral. It has a tendancy to dive into turns (alarming, in fact!). As a long term motorbike rider, I put that down to bad front end geometry. Shame, because everything else was beautiful! The Tikit Model T rides pretty well if you put wider bars on it but its soooo expensive and I need a weight upgrade so I'm in for at least $1300.

Which brings me back to the Xootr. I like everything about this bike except for one thing - it doesn't have folding handlebars like Dahon, Birdy or Bike Friday. This strikes me as a simple thing to introduce. Is there any market info on whether they will bring this in? I don't want to but a $700 bike and find that there is a massive enhancement just around the corner!

Thanks,

Jonathan

werewolf
05-04-08, 10:42 AM
But the Swift handlebar tube has a quick release. You can just pop the whole thing out or tuen it sideways. Better than folding handlebars.
jwlunt
05-04-08, 05:14 PM
That's OK I guess if you've got some velcro to keep it all together. I think I'd rather see a nice folding hinge on the stem like the Bike Friday or Dahon. Anyway, I think I'm going to take the plunge anyway and try a silver Xootr.

msincredible
05-05-08, 12:48 AM
The Birdy looks great and is light as a feather... the suspension is great as well. However the ride was very twitchy and the streering not at all neutral. It has a tendancy to dive into turns (alarming, in fact!). As a long term motorbike rider, I put that down to bad front end geometry. Shame, because everything else was beautiful!

Hmm, I'm a bit surprised by this comment. I too am a motorbike rider, and I find my Birdy very maneuverable, but I wouldn't call it twitchy. It is very stable going straight, and turns easily.