Winfried

Thanks for the infos.

I'm investigating hooking up a Brompton luggage block in the front, and noticed this solution posted in this thread:


As an easier alternative, I was wondering if the adapter could simply be made from a piece of wood or some other material that can be worked on by someone with little technical skill.

Would it withstand the weight + pressure from a T-Bag filled with 10kg of stuff?

Thank you.

Sangetsu

The Birdy is also sold as the Bianchi Fretta in Asia. For other folding bikes, you can find Jeep, Chevrolet, Hummer, Lamborghini, Renault, Rover, and others.

I didn't bother with a second chainring on my "Birdy" (Peugeot), I installed a XT 10 speed freewheel, chain, derailleur, and shifter. The freewheel has a wide range of gears, and having only a single shifter makes folding less complicated. The 10 speed chain works well on the standard front chainring.

Winfried

But is it Ventoux-worth?



Mont Ventoux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BruceMetras

Heck, doesn't look that tough, here's a guy that did all four routes on a Fixie! in 24 hours ! ... also wonderful reading ..

Winfried

An alternative to filling zip ties through the Brompton block would be to use U bolts and a metal plate:


https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bi...l#post15111594

Sangetsu

Well, my Brompton was stolen, even Tokyo has a problem with bike thieves, so I am on the market for another Birdy. Funny (or not so funny) that Brompton was stolen one year after my old Birdy was.

Anyhow, having spent considerable time and miles on each bike, now that it cones time to get another bike, I have decided to once again get a Birdy. Here are the reasons for my choice.

First, the wider range of gearing on the Birdy. There are some hills and drives around here which are too steep for the Brompton. Also, I now have a baby daughter, and would like to pull a bicycle trailer, the Brompton's three speed gear range makes this difficult on anything but flat terrain.

Next, the Birdy uses standard compnonents, which makes driveline modifications a bolt-on affair. Dura-Ace, or XTR, or anything in between can be clapped on without any fuss.

Next, the Birdy is faster. It is not fast by roadbike standards, but for a folding bike which is easily portable, it is quite fast.

Finally, here in Japan the Birdy is fairly common, and is quite a bit less expensive than a Brompton. The exception is the titanium Birdy, which was sold here. I am going to wait a little while before buying a Birdy, as the titanium models come up for sale from two or three times per year.

bike.gang.uk

Very nice, choose your folder to meet your needs, but sorry for the stolen Bs.

I thought the Titanium birdy is limited edition that only released for some years in between ... Now where did I get this impression?

birdynamnam

I am new to this forum and wasn't sure where to post my query but perhaps some of you may be able to help me.

I have owned a birdy monocoque for about 8 years and have only now considered doing my own maintenance and repairs. I recently had a minor accident with a taxi which put my steerer tube/fork out of alignment and have had my seat clamp bolt loosen from road vibration or inadequate torque. Rectified these problems sans torque wrench but was bugged by memories of a table of torque recommendations at the back of the user's manual. I finally committed to buying a torque wrench after years of deliberation but one question holds me back from putting wrench to bolt on my beloved bird...do I grease the bolts or install them dry? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

birdynamnam

[QUOTE=birdynamnam;17784774]I am new to this forum and wasn't sure where to post my query but perhaps some of you may be able to help me.

I have owned a birdy monocoque for about 8 years and have only now considered doing my own maintenance and repairs. I recently had a minor accident with a taxi which put my steerer tube/fork out of alignment and have had my seat clamp bolt loosen from road vibration or inadequate torque. Rectified these problems sans torque wrench but was bugged by memories of a table of torque recommendations at the back of the user's manual. I finally committed to buying a torque wrench after years of deliberation but one question holds me back from putting wrench to bolt on my beloved bird...do I grease the bolts or install them dry? Can anyone point me in the right direction?[/It isn't the size of your wheels but how you use them.]

Sangetsu

[QUOTE=birdynamnam;17784812]The threads need to be clean, a bit of lithium grease will allow you to get a more accurate torque reading. Don't put grease in the seat tube or the area under the clamp on the steerer tube. I wipe these clean with a rag and paint thinner. If there is any oil on the seat tube, and you are a heavier rider, the seat tube may slide in no matter how tight you clamp it.

Sangetsu

After shopping around for another Birdy, I came across a good deal on a Bianchi Fretta. Same bike, just a different name. I am also putting together the parts to update the bike a bit, I need more gearing range, and I hate twist-grip shifters. I am also ordering another Brooks B17 seat. The bike will arrive in a few days, I should have the upgrades installed by the end of the month. I am looking forward to being back on a "Birdy" again, i won't miss my Brompton as much then.

birdynamnam

Thank you for the information. I can now proceed.

Winfried

The Brompton is available in six speeds, with gear inches 33-100. A cheap way to go lower than 33 is to replace the single chainring with a 50/34, but adding a front derailler requires a bit of work.

BTW, how much does a Birdy cost in Japan?

The cheapest in Europe (ignoring the entry-level World Speed) is the Light that sells for €1,700 (���¥227.372).

Sangetsu

Birdies are everywhere in Japan, prices are 130k to 180k yen for a new one. Used bikes are everywhere, from 50k and up, the Peugeot copies are cheaper. The old Titanium models sell for about 180k, when they occasionally come up for sale.

I bought the Fretta at the nearby Bianchi shop. I went in to get some Campy brake pads for my road bike, and saw the Fretta on display they used for test rides. They sold it to me for 70,000 yen. I also ordered a set of 20" wheels built on a new Ultegra hub set, and brake adapters. I will go with the XTR 12-24 cogs, and XT derailleur/shifter. I used this set up on 18" wheels, but there was not much ground clearance for the derailleur, 20" wheels should work better. I am still considering options for the brakes.

It'll take a few weeks to set it up as I like, I'll post some photos after I start putting it together.

Winfried

So it looks like a good idea to buy it from Japan instead of getting one here.

Any idea where I could order it from safely? I'd rather get a new one, unless used ones are available in near-new conditions.

BTW, do we know why the Birdy is called all those different names in Japan? Peugeot, Fretta/Bianchi, etc.

--
Edit:
"In Japan, the "Birdy" is imported by Mizutani Bicycles and branded as the "BD" series (BD-1, BD-3, BD-1ti etc.), whereas the Peugeot Pacific 18 is imported by Cycle Europe. The Pacific-18 comes in a very beautiful variation of frame colors, one feature that sets the Pacific-18 apart form the BD-1."
https://cycle.atnak.com/index.html.en

"I choose Bianchi because I did not much like things about BD-1and Pogeut Pacific 18.
The looks of three bikes are same(of course!) though the marketing concepts are slightly different.

[…] Lots of people and shop staff said to me that the Bianchi's componet and the things are better than BD-1's. That's one of reasons for me to get Binachi's. I am not an enthusiastic cyclist nor an athlete.I do not know the things about bikes and I did not know much but I even knew the name of Bianchi somehow. "
https://foldersandmobile.blogspot.fr/...apan-bd-1.html

energyandair

Why are you ignoring the World Speed?

Sangetsu

Folding bikes are very popular in Asia, especially Japan, not so much because people ever fold them up, but because they are the only small bikes you can get which are not children's bikes. Since the market is large, the same bike can be stickered and labeled as more than one brand to increase distribution. My wife got a Gios Ampio bicycle, but there are Colnago and De Rosa versions of the same bike, which is just a chrome moly tig welded frame with Tiagra components.

The Bianchi Fretta is spec'd the same as a Birdy, but has better finish detail, the stem and such are painted to match the frame.

Today I stopped at the LBS, and they had two new (2014) Birdy standard (straight frame) bikes for 117000 yen apiece (tax included). That comes to just under $1000. One is in aluminum finish, the other is Ti finish. The shop was Y's Road in Akihabara in Tokyo. I don't know if they will ship overseas, but can always try contacting them if you are interested. In Japan the bike is called the BD-1, no one here has ever heard the word "Birdy".

Winfried

Because I already had one, and would like one with the monocoque design.

Thanks much. Considering they're much cheaper than getting them over here from a retailer, I'd be very interested in getting one from Japan, either new or near-new condition, from a reliable source (ie. sending the money and getting… nothing).

Do you confirm that the Bianchi Fretta is the only Birdy that comes with the (nice) monocoque frame instead of the (ugly) round frame, as shown on Pacific Cycles' site:

Pacific Cycles

Sangetsu

The Fretta comes only with the monocoque frame, and comes with the extendable handlebar as standard. The new Birdy comes with either the straight frame or monocoque frame.

Winfried

I'll go for the Bianchi Fretta, then, since I don't like the new roundish, straight frame.



Cycleurope Japan has no e-mail and the Bianchi page on Facebook doesn't allow sending messages through their Facebook page. Is there a way to find retailers who will ship overseas?

Sangetsu

Funny, but now that you are asking about the Fretta, I can't seem to find any available for sale. I'll ask at the Bianchi shop the next time I go by. They come in Silver, Graphite, Celeste Green, White, and British racing green.

The Birdy is easier to find, and it comes in either the straight frame or monocoque frame (which you prefer), you can specify the type. Any of the larger bikes shops here sell Birdies. the Fretta is only available at Bianchi dealers, and there are fewer of those around. I can ask them if they are willing to ship overseas, any particular colour you are interested in?

Winfried

I'm confused

What do you mean by "Birdy"? Above, you wrote that this name is actually not used in Japan, and that the monocoque frame is only available as the Bianchi Fretta, while the BD-1/Peugeot is only available with the straight frame (World Speed/Comfort), as shown on the RundM page:
Falträder Birdy und Frog | Riese & Müller

I'm not sure about the color; I'd have to see pictures from the dealer.

I do want an adjustable handlebar, and it has to be the "sport" version instead of the "comfy" version, as I just add some bar-ends for longer rides.

energyandair

Fair enough. Are you going to get similar components or a different setup?

We have two bikes with the original tube frame and one with the monocoque frame. I have a mild preference for the old straight frames.

The things I like about the original frame are:

• The geometry is slightly different and suits my long legs a bit better (both are really OK).
• It seems to be a little lighter
• The level frame tube makes a better seat when stopping at a viewpoint (don't often use it though)
• I like its simplicity

The things I like about the monocoque compared to earlier frames are:

• Seat post to frame clamping arrangement is better than in the old frames
• Cable routing through the frame
• Offset clamp for saddle increases adjustment range and is a bit easier to use

I've only seen pictures of it but the World frame appears to offer the advantages I see in the Monocoque frame at a lower cost and with limited original component choices.

Winfried

Ideally, I'd like it to offer a wider range: A bit higher development (ie. around 8-8.5m) and a lower development (down to 1.8m) so it's suited both for fast riding on flat terrains and be Ventoux-compatible

I guess the easiest, cheapest and lightest solution is to replace the single chainring with either a compact (56/34?) or a Schlumpf/ATS gear chainring.

I prefer the way the monocoque frame looks. And if I can get the bike for less than the €1,600 that the Light costs here, all the better.

marxmini

Birdy World Sport, Capreo, 105 crank, brooks swallow, schwalbe kojak.