MidlifeDad

Hi there!

New to the forum and am searching for the right bike. I have fallen in love with the Birdy, but have a hard time justifying the price.

Basically, I want a fast bike that I can fold up and take on business trips. These trips are mostly done by car, but am known to travel by plane to reach my clients. In the evening, I want to explore the towns and cities I am visiting and get a good workout while I do it. I also want to use my bike on the short commute that I have to work. Mostly road or bicycle path, but with there are dirt paths by the waterfront that are quite nice to cycle along. I also want to get out and train on my bike as I used to do when a little younger. I also want to commute in the winter so need to fix some studded tires onto the bike. Just the front will do, really. 10 years ago, I didn't even bother with that so...

Having looked around, I discovered this video on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJl9N5mvJJ0

And this is EXACTLY what I want!


The problem is that the Birdy is so damn expensive and I feel that if I splash out on the bike I am giving in to a midlife crisis of sorts. Not a flash sports car, but a flash folding bike that no one else up here has!

I have looked at the Tern Verge X10 and the Birdy World Sport, although what I really want is the Birdy Speed.

Any advice?

I do not have a chance to try them out as I live in a remote part of the country.

ttakata73

I have test ridden a Birdy and it is a solid bike that you could enjoy for a long time.
The anti dive braking is cool.

I am not a fan of side folders like the Tern because they are very wide folded, hard to roll around, and packing in a suitcase is hard or impossible.
The Brompton is the easiest to fly with but not a sporting geometry.
Bike Friday and Moulton get rave reviews for speed and the ability to pack in a case with some disassembly.
There are many threads here on all the bikes; I would take my time and do more research and travel to test ride some bikes.

If you are just testing the waters of folding bikes; I would get a cheaper bike so you can upgrade after you know more.
I have bought many bikes with good intentions, but didn't ride often.

The problem with folding bikes is the variety of folds that will make you want more bikes.
If you are 100% positive you will use the bike as planned and you are not forgoing the basic essentials of life I say spend the money on a good bike or a good used bike because a bike you don't like collects dust.

pibach

I you get an inside folding stem (single piece FNHON) it is rather compact. I have two Dahon Mu. Same folded size as a Birdy. It also fits easily into a suitcase (standard Oyster fit). Also it is one of the easiest to roll. But as it folds almost instantly I don't regard rolling as important.

Downside of the main hinge is less frame stiffness. However rear triangle is reasonable stiff.

bargainguy

I have a bunch of nice folders. I'm not a fan of flat bars on any bike - too limited in terms of hand positions.

The first thing I do if I receive a flat bar folder is to convert it into a drop bar folder w/brifters.

Does it make for a bigger folding size? Sure. Do I care? Not really. I'm looking for comfort, whether it's a 10 min. trip or an all-day ride.

For that reason, the Brompton is one of my least used folders. Only if space is at an absolute premium.

My preferred rides these days are Bike Fridays. I have a Pocket Rocket Pro and a Tikit, both in drop bar configuration. The Tikit is a quicker fold, but more limited gearing. The Pocket Rocket Pro is much lighter, with wider gearing, but much more expensive, and I tend to take it less if I think I'll be in areas where theft from a hotel room is a distinct concern. Either bike suits me just fine.

I've ridden Birdys but never wanted one. Not a fan of suspension on folders, with the possible exception of the Moulton Spaceframes.

Abu Mahendra

The guy is concerned about breaking the bank, and you guys bring up BF and Moulton....

jur

I owned a Birdy for some years. It is a GREAT bike, certainly one of the best I had. I can strongly recommend it. Check out the Birdy thread I started, there is my review of it.

The only reason I don't have it any more, it was replaced by a Brompton. I have other bikes for touring and fast riding, and needed a more compact ride. If you get only 1 bike, a Birdy is one of very best choices. Quality is superb.

bargainguy

We don't know where the OP is from, but he asked for advice. Obviously the best idea would be for him to go test ride a Birdy so he could form his own opinions. But if that's not possible, if you're going to be spending that kind of coin, doesn't it help to get all sides of the issue?

Folding bikes are so idiosyncratic that what would be a delight to one owner could be a dealbreaker for another. I wish there were more programs for people to test ride or test own folders first. If the OP is in the USA, Bike Friday offers a money-back guarantee last time I checked. Doubtful he could get the same arragement on a Birdy, as R&M doesn't do that here to my knowledge.

Abu Mahendra

From a value perspective, I'd first look to a PC Reach before a PC Birdy.

pinholecam

Sound like a 'last mile' bike.

Perhaps consider a CRIUS Smart 3.0. (14" bike)
Not fast, but the 3 speed IGH is good enough for getting around.
The thing I like about it is portability and handling when folding/folded.



Alternative to the Birdy might be a Tyrell Ive, a bit faster and compact a fold.
I prefer this as I don't like suspensions taking away climbing power for the long rides I do.

shrooms

It's a nice looking super folder difficult not to like it. Still just a luxury item, every upgrade and a replacement part will also cost like a luxury item.

bhkyte

As always test ride if you can.. I have 3 birdies with different set ups. An off road with thudbuster post, a versitile tourer, easiest to roll for bussness meetings etc and a speed type light weight version.

Birdies are fun but far from perfect. You may be disappointed if you get your dream bike with out trying it first.

Used on ebay would be less of a financial risk. Ebay posts all over the world if the seller has signed up to ebay pay local we pay world wide offer. Cant remember the exact name of the feature on ebay.

mconlonx

I owned a Birdy and ownership entry fee was reasonable because I bought used. They are few and far between, but picking one up used would be a valid option. And as a result, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one new if my circumstances demanded a folding bike again.

For the car trips, it would be perfect. For the plane trips, not so much. In the same Samsonite into which I could fit a disassembled Raleigh R20, I had a hard time fitting a Birdy, to the point where I carried the front wheel in a separate, carry-on piece of luggage. This was with both wheels off, pedals off, seat post out, and the handlebar stem riser off the bike at the headset/folding assembly. I believe there might have been suitcases which met the limit before being considered oversize into which the Birdy could fit, but it didn't work out with what I had on hand, a suitcase maybe the next size down.

MidlifeDad

Thanks for all the comments. I live in the north of Sweden and the nearest Birdy/Brompton dealer is 1300 km away. I do have a Dahon Cadenza which I bought about 5 years ago because I wanted a folder that was like a real bike. I really wanted Dahon Speed Pro TT, but went for the "sensible" option. I think I've regretted ever since. The Dahon is a perfectly fine bike and in the winter I have used it with studded tyres to good effect, but it doesn't wow me.

As far as money goes, I have the money, but it does feel like an extravagance. I could easily buy 3 full sized bikes for that price! And probably a washing machine. I could get the house painted for that kind of money. Like I said, sensible.

I would have bought a Tern Verge X10 had I not found the youtube video. It just captures what I am looking for so well. I live in an area where there are a number of paths that one can take through the forests. Nothing particularly off road, but certainly dirt paths that need to be taken.

Have to think about things a little more. Thanks everybody!

Was it on this forum that one compared a Birdy to a Morgan or Lotus 7 ?


That's what it feels like to me. I am having a midlife crisis and contemplating a Morgan or Lotus 7 because I want to feel what I saw in the video!

invisiblehand

The only reason I skipped on picking up a Birdy was the limited support for the bike in the US. Otherwise, I thought it was a nice ride.

One that that might drive you a bit wacky is the oddball ERTO 355 size wheels. Tire selection is fairly limited.

keyven

I was definitely on the path to getting a Birdy because I'm an MTB rider and I wanted something compact yet suited to uneven roads for fun traversal over mild off-road and urban obstacles.

I don't think many other bikes hold up to its blend of compact fold (easy to transport) and unique suspension solution - it seemed like a good complement to my Brompton for days when I wanted a more exciting commute (among others). Ultimately I couldn't justify it because I'm already maintaining 2 Bromptons and a pretty new 650B trail bike.

Dahon.Steve

I wanted a Birdy for years and actually test rode one. At the time, Giant bikes had their folder to test and it was night and day how the Birdy was better in shifting and overall feel. In the end, I didn't buy because it was just too expensive. Looking back it was twice the price but only about 30% better.

Winfried

I've had both, and I would recommend getting… a Brompton.

It's…

1. cheaper
2. much more compact, so you'll never have a problem packing it (train, bus, car)
3. has a front luggage block, unlike the Birdy
4. comfortable enough to ride 100+km rides

I found the Birdy not worth the money and overly engineered.

If you want a simpler gear mechanism (Alfine 8/11, Rohloff) and/or disk brakes, get in touch with Ben Cooper @ Kinetics. It won't cost you more than the Birdy equivalent.

Winfried

I've had both, and I would recommend getting… a Brompton.

It's…

1. cheaper
2. much more compact, so you'll never have a problem packing it (train, bus, car)
3. has a front luggage block, unlike the Birdy
4. comfortable enough to ride 100+km rides

I found the Birdy not worth the money and overly engineered.

If you want a simpler gear mechanism (Alfine 8/11, Rohloff) and/or disk brakes, get in touch with Ben Cooper @ Kinetics. It won't cost you more than the Birdy equivalent.

bhkyte

Bottom of the range Birdie is cheaper than Brompton in europe at least. Especially if you compair the fact its a more multi speed bike.

Birdie does have front luggage options that surpass Brompton in many ways.

Birdie is more comforable than a Brompton and better fitting for longer rides. It also takes widers tyres and big apples on a birdy is a revelation.

Also to address ealier point its quite an easy bike to upgrade. Standard brakes, cranks,hubs, transmission, more tyres options.

Yes the birdie specific items like stems and seat posts are expensive. About the same as brompton, but usually better engineered. Ie seatpost is a micro adjustable with gradients mark on non rusting anodised alloy.

As the birdie takes many standard parts its easy to upgrade to afline, or rolhoff hubs with out modifying the frame. The birdie options with these as standard also have other upgrades.
Its true that birides with more expensive hub or upgrades get expensive, but its possible to get wheels built up or buy used much easier than a Brompton that requires a frame mod.
I have nearly new birdie wheel sets in dual drive cespro that cost me next to nothing on ebay.

Winfried

The cheapest is the China-assembled World Speed @ 1.200€. The European-assembled models sell for over 2K€.

I beg to differ: Unlike the Brompton, the two, 5kg bags it'll carry sit on the front wheels. Makes a big difference.



Get a Brompton.

linberl

The most important thing is the ride quality and how a bike fits. Bromptons are easy to find to test ride. Each to his/her own; I didn't like riding a brompton, but that is just me. The OP needs to try before he buys. Everything else (luggage, gearing, etc.) can be altered by some aftermarket method. Second consideration, imo, is the resale value. I'd check out both models on ebay and craigslist to see what they go for used in comparison to original cost (sometimes you find out too late you made a mistake).

jur

Actually the luggage on the Birdy does not sit on the front wheel - it sits on the frame, so is actually fully suspended. True it is mounted on the steering axis so turns with the front wheel but being fully suspended, outperforms the Brompton on uneven ground.

bhkyte

Whats the cheapest 8 speed , full suspension brompton that takes big apple tyres?

Abu Mahendra

A PC Reach with a 406 wheelset.

jur

The Reach is no less expensive than a Birdy, and not very available outside the Far East. (all guesses on my part)