Firstly - I hope I don't sound like a Birdy-zealot
It doesn't bother me at all that you prefer your bike over my bike. As long as everyone finds something they are comfortable on, that's what matters.
Originally Posted by
pibach
a) I am quite tall and heavy (186cm, 95kg).
I'm 194 cm, but only 80 kg. Don't know how that affects riding..
Originally Posted by
pibach
c) the Birdy's suspension ...It does pivot in the wrong direction... giving a bad progression curve (diving effect when braking).
Hmm, that's odd, because what you are saying is precisely the opposite of what Reise & Muller have said about the design. The leading link suspension geometry means that braking forces and forward weight transfer cancel each other out during braking - counteracting brake dive. And my experience bears this out, even under hard braking I can't detect any brake dive.
Originally Posted by
pibach
d) folding seems to be quite premature. ... Rack needs to be unpacked when folding.
The fold is difficult and fiddly compared to other folders. It took me a while to learn it and to consistently manage to fold without dropping the chain. I think it's worth it for a main frame tube with no hinge. I don't know what you mean about the rack though - the Birdy rack folds when the bike folds, I don't need to do anything to it. It just folds automatically. Maybe you mean that luggage cannot be left on the rack? Yes, that's true.