Folding Bikes - Uncomfortable riding position of a Birdy

It may just be me, but I have recently purchased a new Birdy which came as standard with the comfort stem, I have tried changing the saddle to my well used Brooks, adjusting the height of the handlebars, seat height etc and putting bar extensions to increase the reach, but I just cannot get a comfortable position, I am just under 6ft and wondered whether changing the stem the the standard one which doesn't look to give you any height adjustment would be the answer. The ride position just seems too cramped. I had planned to take it touring this year, but so far my old tourer beats the Birdy hands down on comfort value.

Any advice would be well received.

I sounds as though you have the adjustable height 5 deg "comfort"stem but need the 25 deg stem which is I believe available in fixed height and adjustable height.

This web page http://www.foldingbikes.co.uk/birdy.htm shows 2 bikes with the 5 deg adjustable stem and 2 with the 25 deg adjustable stem.

I am 6'2" with long limbs and I have an older Birdy with a fixed height 25 deg stem. I had planned to replace it with an adjustable stem but it has turned out its geometry works pretty well for me.

IIRC, the adjustable height stem cannot be adjusted to be quite as low as the fixed stem. Perhaps it can be modified to do so.

David

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+1 on the sports stem riser - I am 5'10" also couldn't ride my Birdy with the comfort version. It all depends on what you're used to - make sure your body-bicycle contact points are at identical geometrical relationships to your other bike, and you will definitely be comfortable.

I was able to swap cost-free on my new Birdy. See the Birdy Thread.

It may just be me, but I have recently purchased a new Birdy which came as standard with the comfort stem, I have tried changing the saddle to my well used Brooks, adjusting the height of the handlebars, seat height etc and putting bar extensions to increase the reach, but I just cannot get a comfortable position, I am just under 6ft and wondered whether changing the stem the the standard one which doesn't look to give you any height adjustment would be the answer. The ride position just seems too cramped. I had planned to take it touring this year, but so far my old tourer beats the Birdy hands down on comfort value.

Any advice would be well received.

If you ask around -- blackdogbicycles (http://www.blackdogbicycles.com/) has it -- you can find the old, old stem post which lets one attach an ahead-type stem.

I have the first free service coming up soon at AVC in Bath, I think I will ask for the stem to be swapped back as none of the changes I have made with the comfort stem helps with the riding comfort, even turning my knees hit the handlebars. Thanks for the feedback time for a change

Andrew

Yep your knees should definitely not be close to the bars.

AVC is the same company that calls itself foldingbikes.co.uk on the interwebz, (see link above) so you should be fine .

I have since spoken to AVC who will swap the stem over on Friday when the bike has its free service, hopefully this will resolve the problem.

As a final followup, AVC swapped the stem today without a fuss, and lent me a similar style for the duration of the service, ended up cycling almost 40 miles along the bath to Bristol cycleway, the new stem has completely changed the geometry of the bike, much more comfortable with the steering feeling more responsive.

If you ask around -- blackdogbicycles (http://www.blackdogbicycles.com/) has it -- you can find the old, old stem post which lets one attach an ahead-type stem.

Beware! Some of the old stems were prone to shearing at the weld above the hinge, I had a very scary experience of this. R & M supplied a new improved stem FOC, which was fitted FOC by AVC in Bath, England

As a final followup, AVC swapped the stem today without a fuss, and lent me a similar style for the duration of the service, ended up cycling almost 40 miles along the bath to Bristol cycleway, the new stem has completely changed the geometry of the bike, much more comfortable with the steering feeling more responsive.Excellent!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/56/Mr_Burns.png

Beware! Some of the old stems were prone to shearing at the weld above the hinge, I had a very scary experience of this. R & M supplied a new improved stem FOC, which was fitted FOC by AVC in Bath, England

I didn't realize that there was an update. Certainly asking about this would be prudent.

I didn't realize that there was an update. Certainly asking about this would be prudent.

I wasn't trying to start a panic! It was on my Birdy that was stolen, it was several years ago & R & M are aware of the problem and have fixed it in all newer models, but it was the reference to 'old stock' that made me mention it.