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Winfried 10-03-25 02:06 AM

Will it fit a FH-QC400-HM hub? Is a 9T and the chain as durable? What 9-34T cassette should I get?

If it won't fit, what square taper should I get so it pushes the dual chainring far enough outward to work with the derailleur?

50PlusCycling 10-03-25 02:58 AM


Originally Posted by Winfried (Post 23619033)
Will it fit a FH-QC400-HM hub? Is a 9T and the chain as durable? What 9-34T cassette should I get?

If it won't fit, what square taper should I get so it pushes the dual chainring far enough outward to work with the derailleur?

That hub will work with any 8 to 11 speed HG cassette. The 9 speed chain is durable, not so much the 9t cog. The only Shimano HG cassette with a 9t cog is the Capreo, which I have used with good success. You can use any 9 speed derailleur and shifter with the Capreo cassette, even MTB parts.

You can run a Hollowtech MTB bottom bracket, which will add 5mm to the width, you can tune the chain line with spacers.

Winfried 10-03-25 03:35 AM

Thanks for the infos. Is the 9T Capreo cassette still sold? If not, what other brands should I look at?

If I go for a dual chainring and a regular 11T cassette instead, any recommendation for an affordable Hollowtech MTB bottom bracket + crankset combo for use with a Birdy?

Using a ruler to measure the current setup (original Driveline BB and a Sora two-speed derailleur), it looks like ~15mm is needed to move the inner ring far enough for the derailleur to work its magic, so a hollowtech MTB might not be good enough

For ~the price of a new hollowtech bottom bracket + crankset (provided there's a combo that would solve this problem), do you know of a lightweight square taper bottom bracket instead of eg. Shimano's BB-UN300 (330g)?

I have a SuperB 8918 tool handy: Will it work to unscrew the hollowtech Driveline BB?


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e90815368a.png

Jipe 10-03-25 06:03 AM


Originally Posted by Winfried (Post 23619033)
Will it fit a FH-QC400-HM hub? Is a 9T and the chain as durable? What 9-34T cassette should I get?

If it won't fit, what square taper should I get so it pushes the dual chainring far enough outward to work with the derailleur?

Of course not, Shimano standard hub for HG cassettes do not go under 11t, an SRAM XD hub is required, there are now many available.

The cassette is from Ethirtheen, its the same that Helix is using on the ultralight Helix with Shimano derailleur. The 9-39t might also fit on the Birdy, but I am not sure (cogs up to 36t have been tested), I am astonished that a 40t cog fits on the Birdy 3 without touching the rear swing arm?

Shimano, like Campagnolo, has also now cassettes with a 9t cog, the new 9-45t cassette but its for a Shimano Microspline hub.

Below a video of showing that its possible to mount a Shimano 105 Hollowtech 2 on the Birdy with some tuning.

The Capreo is discontinued since a long time and was using a special hub.

Winfried 10-03-25 08:09 AM

Having to buy a new hub + 9-34T cassette + bottom bracket + crankset + LHS bolt per the video, and then redo a wheel is not worth it for my need.

So I'll go for a square taper… and the question remains: What spindle length should I get a double-chainring to work? Does someone know the splindle length of the Gen 3 Birdy City so I have an idea?

Jipe 10-03-25 10:18 AM

There is no need to buy a new crankset and BB, I just mounted a new wheel with an XD compatible hub using the original rim and new spokes (spokes length wasn't the same for the new hub) and the 9-34t cassette using the original Birdy 3 crankset.

Winfried 10-03-25 11:00 AM

Does someone know what FSA crankset is on that Birdy, and, if it comes in different spindle lengths, possibly what model it is?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a9454ba66f.png

Winfried 10-15-25 03:51 AM

Even with a 122mm square taper BB and a compact double derailleur, on the smaller ring, the chain rubs against the inner side of the cage. Thanks to its plastic insert, the noise is less annoying with a Triaga derailleur than a Sora (→ metal to metal), but still.

I've seen people use a triple crankset, with ou without the external ring: Would the internal ring sit further outward than with a double? For the shifter, should I use a double or triple?

--
Edit: With two, 2mm spacers for a grand total of 122+4=126mm, the chain still rubs slightly against the cage. A riding test is required to see if that's good enough. So it looks like going for a 125mm BB is a better option.

Edit: With 3+2=5mm worth of spacers for a total of 122+5=127mm, it works perfect on the bikestand. So either get a 127mm BB, or a 125mm with spacers for the flexibility.

Out of curiosity, how does that Shimano BB "for Chain Guard Installation" differ from the plain version?
Edit: On the BB-UN300-K, "drive side has a flange while non drive side is straight and has a lock nut to take up any variations in BB width." (source)


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d21ab53148.png
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...66034790b9.png

Winfried 10-15-25 06:10 AM

And I need to install/change the housings for the two derailleurs.

How to do you stick them through the frame and catch them through the opening in the front?

Edit: Mission accomplished with the help of a piece of string to keep the existing housings (rear brake + light) out of the way as much as possible, and a light + tweezer to reach and pull the new housing out. 👍It can then be used to run the second housing (front or rear derailleur) through.

Edit: Because the bend is very tight to route the front derailleur housing before it enters the clamp from below, you'll need to add a flexible noodle (for lack of a better term):

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff4a93591d.png

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...44c74c23c2.png

Winfried 10-20-25 10:45 AM

On a Gen3 Birdy, is there a cheaper while still effective chain tensioner than Pacific Cycles'?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9fe32fd323.png
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b732061b4.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b6a1692547.png


Jipe 10-20-25 11:04 AM

No, none of these 3rd party tensionners works 100% like the one of Pacific Cycles.

For the housing+cables inside the frame, I never had to do it on the Birdy 3 but its usually a mess on all bikes with internal cables!

Winfried 10-27-25 11:28 AM

Turns out I had the Litepro chain tensioner handy and gave it a try: It works perfectly to keep the chain tensioned while folding.

And to keep it from falling inwards when unfolding, either use a narrow-wide chainring, or a plain chainring and Birdy's chain protector:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c8317dc78.png

Winfried 10-27-25 11:30 AM

While working on the transmission, I had to remove the kickstand.

But now, it doesn't stick out correctly and reliably hold the bike. What did I do wrong?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ac5860ab1b.png

Winfried 10-31-25 07:38 AM

On a Gen3 Birdy, I don't use panniers so would like to replace its Expedition rack with a low rider rear rack, which would have the extra benefit of not interfering with the front derailleur's arm if left on the big ring when folding.

Does someone know if PC's official rack can be found in Europe, and if not, if there are valid alternatives with a way to roll the bike folded?

https://shop.mightyvelo.com/collecti...ar-front-racks

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https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...457188a06e.png

Winfried 11-01-25 04:17 AM

If someone in the audience owns a Touring powered by a CS-RK3 hybrid hub, could you…
1. Confirm the derailleur cable housing is just one piece, running straight from the shifter to the derailleur, unlike the hub housing which has three parts and, in the rear frame, relies on the welded housing stop next to the v-brake noodle in the middle
2. Show a picture of what PC used as housing stop at the other end, provided the cable doesn't just run straight from that housing stop to the "indicator chain"
?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f0061f50db.png

Jipe 11-01-25 07:07 AM

On the R&M Birdy Touring with only a 10s derailleur (now 11s on mine), the derailleur housing in in three parts and uses the bottom openings of both the main frame and rear swing arm. At the opening of the rear swing arm there is a special housing stiffer and made of a kind of spring that prevent the housing to bend and make a loop, instead of sliding inside the main frame, when unfolding the rear swing arm (Pacific Cycles didn't put this special housing on the Titanium Birdy and sometimes the derailleur housing makes a loop when unfolding the rear swing arm).

Are you sure that on the Pacific Cycles Birdy Touring with SA 3s rear IGH hub+derailleur, the bottom cable+housing is for the 3s of the IGH hub and not for the derailleur like on the R&M Birdy Touring?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...571e14bae2.jpg

Winfried 11-04-25 05:43 AM


Originally Posted by Jipe (Post 23636446)
Are you sure that on the Pacific Cycles Birdy Touring with SA 3s rear IGH hub+derailleur, the bottom cable+housing is for the 3s of the IGH hub and not for the derailleur like on the R&M Birdy Touring?

Until someone can confirm, it looks like it: Since the rear swing arm only has a single housing stop, the derailleur housing appears to run above, in just a single piece from the shifter to the derailleur, while the gear hub uses the housing stop at one end… and some housing stop at the other end (I assume a housing runs inside the swing arm)— the part I'm interested in.

http://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforu...08924fb2fb.png

Jipe 11-04-25 10:00 AM

As explained and shown on the picture I posted, on the R&M Birdy 3 Touring the derailleur cable+housing uses the bottom output opening of the main frame, the bottom input of the swing arm and comes out from the same output opening as the derailleur cable+housing of the picture you posted.

Since I changed the derailleur to an 11s Ultegra, I had to remove and replace the derailleur cable and I discovered that the housing coming from the shifter stops at the special rigid, spring like housing connected to the rear swing arm that goes to a stop inside the front end of the swing arm and the short housing from the rear output of the swing arm to the derailleur goes to another stop inside the rear of the swing arm.

Since there is a stop inside the rear end of the swing arm, I do not understand how a one piece housing could go thru the swing arm and come out from the same hole of which the short housing+cable comes out on my Birdy?

Some times ago, you already asked how the cable+housing for the rear SA IGH is going thru the rear swing arm and to answer your question, I inserted a cable from the top front input of the swing arm of my Birdy and this cable went out om the bottom more or less in the in the middle of the swing arm just like the cable+housing of the IGH of your picture.

fatbikeGM 11-12-25 09:15 AM


Originally Posted by Winfried (Post 23635933)
On a Gen3 Birdy, ...

... if there are valid alternatives with a way to roll the bike folded?

I am not sure if you´d be ok with leaving / putting the standard rear rack on. If so I wrote about using a canoo handle to pull / push my Gen3 when folded:
https://www.bikeforums.net/22565261-post1885.html

Winfried 11-13-25 05:13 AM


Originally Posted by Jipe (Post 23638201)
I inserted a cable from the top front input of the swing arm of my Birdy and this cable went out om the bottom more or less in the in the middle of the swing arm just like the cable+housing of the IGH of your picture.

So if the housing for the IGH is just one piece going from the shifter, through the main frame and then through the upper input in the swing arm… PC is using some kind of housing stop before reaching the IGH. Google didn't help to find what that part is and where to get it.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ea27534afc.png

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e2da966ba.png

Winfried 11-13-25 06:41 AM


Originally Posted by Winfried (Post 23633676)
While working on the transmission, I had to remove the kickstand. But now, it doesn't stick out correctly and reliably hold the bike. What did I do wrong?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ac5860ab1b.png

Fixed: You just need to move that part to the right position before tightening the wheel quick-release axle:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f91da7fdf4.png

Winfried 11-15-25 07:07 AM

On the DualDrive version, the hub had not housing stop:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a8e34de8c.png

marcoarrieta 03-09-26 04:43 PM

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0779747f4a.png
A quick question: is the hole marked by the red arrow a through-hole? What is its diameter?

Jipe 03-09-26 10:54 PM

Yes, its a through-hole meant to mount the folding rear rack, its meant for a M6 bolt.

Actually, its not only a hole in the frame walls, there is a tube soldered with a 6mm internal hole, its pretty strong.

anga 03-16-26 06:39 AM

Gen 3 Birdy Rohloff

How is the Rohloff hub torque anchored?
Has PM disc tabs and comes with 160mm brake rotors. Rules out PM bone.

Can someone post a photo of the NDS dropout?

Thanks


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