keyven

I'm looking to have a small folder that I can throw into the trunk of my car and use it to traverse dirt trails and urban obstacles.

I've been admiring the Birdy for the longest time - and I'm on the verge of getting a second hand one (2014 - guess it's an MK2), but I just want to ensure my fears are unfounded. Is the MK3 a much better deal? Seems the improvements are nice but hardly a big deal.

And for those who use it for trails (packed dirt and such), what are the wheels that you currently use? Thanks.

jur

I have used my Birdy quite a bit on trails and such, most notably my tour of Kangaroo Island (see link in signature). It was remarkable how it soaked up road corrugations once I got the speed up high enough. The roads were dirt, surfaced with pebbles, literally stone age ball bearings. That didn't work too well, the bike would drift to the lowest point ie the edges, which is also where all the pebble balls tended to collect, bringing me to a necessary stop to avoid losing control. In one place, the small bike wheels broke through a surface crust. Connie's bigger wheeled Reach fared much better.

Kangaroo Island was almost a worst case, though.

Tyres? Don't remember, maybe the pics will tell.

keyven

Really appreciate your answer. Your Kangaroo Island trip looked awesome! The pearl-white Birdy is a VERY close second to my favorite color - orange.

I would absolutely love to do that one day, but unfortunately it may have to be without my urbanite wife who would rather be in a mall than on the road.

Yeah one of the primary concerns was definitely the smallish wheels which are only a little bigger than the B. I believe I'd have a Birdy by now if it came standard with 20" wheels (406 from standard 355s), and while I heard it can be done, it is not without compromises.

From what you've said, I think I can live with that.

foldingdroid

Many birdy owners have modified theirs with 20" wheels. And with 20" wheels, you can still throw it in your trunk.

bhkyte

I run 3 birdies.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.

Abu Mahendra

Looks like a good candidate for those Zee or Saint stubby RDs with cage clutch for single chainrings that eat up to 36T.

bike.gang.uk

Birdy will perform better than Brompton, that I am sure.

keyven

I went into a local shop and was essentially told by the helpful storeperson that I should not bother with a Birdy if I intend to do a fair bit of off-road. Which was one of the major reasons I wanted one. Speed is not my forte

He was quite nice about it but he made it clear that a Birdy should not be used on trails and such, even when I said I intended to ride on packed dirt.

keyven

Sounds awesome! What kind of trails can you normally ride (comfortably) on that?

keyven

My friend and I brought 2 Bromptons (with Marathons and Kevlar tyres) to a pretty rough beginner's trail. The bikes held up pretty well and we had fun. The aftermath, not so much

foldingdroid

So what did he recommend? What folding bike that will fit in your car that will do a bit off-road did he recommend?

Abu Mahendra

Dahon Jetstream with German A Kilo fork.

keyven

He only represents Pacific Cycles (mostly). He had nothing in his stable to recommend.

He said to use an MTB.

keyven

Yeah the Jetstream was definitely in my radar. And far cheaper than a Birdy to boot.

Diode100

Wow, that edition of the Jetstream with the German forks was seriously expensive, way more than all but the top of the range Birdy models - and I don't think it's been available for a good few years.

jur

Did the person give actual reasons why he thinks a Birdy is unsuitable? Because in my experience he's just plain wrong.

bhkyte

Likewise
Sort out the ground clearence of the mech and tougher chain ring and fit big apples.
I have been round clumber park grounds and stoney footpaths and pathpaths along rivers, wooded areas and plenty of remote areas.
I think a lot of people just under estimate folders capacity. And dont see upgrade potential. I recomend a thudbuster I you do want a high level of comfort

bhkyte

Depends what off road means.
I do a lot of river pathway that are just packed ground. I dont go anywhere on my mbt than I wont take my birdie. Been on mountian bike courses, not downhill jump ones and coped fine

Abu Mahendra

$1,250 with normal frame and German A Kilo fork last time i checked in SG. About one half the price of a Birdy.

jur

As far as I know the A-kilo fork is very small travel.

keyven

What did you use to fit the thudbuster into the 34.9mm seatpost diameter? Looks like an adaptor of sorts? I've been interested in that for a while and I might well get that if I ever pick up a Birdy.

keyven

He did not give much reasons other than the suspension is not meant to absorb major bumps or off-road riding, but mostly to smooth the ride on roads and such.

Abu Mahendra

9cm, i think. Plus one can probably adjust compression/lock-out and/or rebound. Thor will know, for he used to sell them.

tds101 

If you contact @ThorUSA, I'm sure he can build up a Jetstream that's in line with what you need. He's good with that stuff,...

Diode100

When the Jetstream Ex was on sale in the U.K., circa 2010, it was around £2200, although it did have disc brakes. At the time there was a forum member who had one and there was some discussion on the cost of the forks, which was I think around 50% of the purchase price. Maybe a bit of supply chain bashing has got the price down nowadays.

If you want to go off-road there is of course this:-https://www.avonvalleycyclery.co.uk/7...ino-black.aspx