Report on modified ex-Daewoo Matiz rear suspension bump rubber being used in rear Birdy suspension (bump rubber shown above).

1. I have now sanded off a little of the sides of the rubber so as to allow the bike to fold properly (previously it was a little too wide and so fouled).

2. On smooth roads being ridden at a high cadence, the rear of the bike can oscillate up and down. Concentrating on riding smoothly (with cleated pedals) or changing to a higher gear (and thus lower cadence) fixes it.

3. On rough roads (eg dirt road with projecting small rocks, very coarse surface) the front and rear suspension work extremely well, with the back suspension very clearly showing the advantage of the increased travel over standard.

4. On bad dirt road potholes, the front and rear suspension simply do not have enough travel and so the outcome is harsh.

5. I've had a good look at the front suspension and I can't see any easy way of improving it. Because the front wheel moves backwards as it moves upwards on a bump, it absorbs harshness disporportionately well considering its suspension travel.

6. I reckon if you were really, really picky, the best bet would be to have the ex-Daewoo rubber fitted and one of the standrad polyurethane bushes in your bag. Then fit the one that works best considering the conditions. I can see that when touring, and the road turns to dirt, I would awfully miss the Daewoo rubber. But on lots of smooth bitumen road climbs, the concentration needed to avoid bounce would irritate me. Swapping the rear bump rubber takes only moments and needs no tools.