Originally Posted by pm124
Interesting. Many thanks! I found new 2005 Red and Yellow Birdies with Alivio for $900 in the box, so perhaps I'll go for one of them.
Just in case you were unaware, there are new models (slowly) being released in the US. They claim that the frame is stronger and lighter. Moreover, the bikes themselves are more customizable.
http://www.r-m.de/index.pl/birdy_e