Bang for the buck, I like SRAM X-7 with the X-7 paddle shifter... the X-9 der is slightly more money but has ball bearing jockey wheels instead of bushings... there is a branded "Dual Drive" der which looks to me to be an X-7.. remember to get a long cage to be able to take up the chain slack when folding the rear wheel under...

Thanks for the tip. It looks like the X-7 has 9 speeds, while the World Sport has 8. Will it fit?

You can run a 9 speed cassette on the Dual Drive hub, then it would work with a 9 spd X-7 shifter ,,. the 8spd X-7 shifter might have to come from someone's NOS parts bin ... if you wanted to keep the 8 spd cassette, you could also get the SRAM Attack 8 spd shifter but have to use a Shimano rear der (like an XT) as the cable pull is not the same as the SRAM X-7 rear der ... there are lots of different choices out there that will work, I just happen to like the SRAM 1:1 cable pull stuff..

A cassette doesn't cost much, so I don't mind getting a new one. Besides, the one I have, although not much used, is already showing signs of "ripping" ("sliding"? "slipping", ie. missing some teeth and moving forward more than the right amount) when riding on the smallest cog. Either I'm riding it too hard or it's just cheap stuff.

I wouldn't mind getting 27 speeds instead of 24, but since the World Sport comes with an 8-speed derailleur, I didn't know it was possible to upgrade it to 9 speeds instead.

BTW, what do you mean with "I just happen to like the SRAM 1:1 cable pull stuff"?

I'll report all that information to the mec. Thank you.

Has anyone here actually tried that aftermarket suspension stuff? Looking at pix of the Birdy, I was way skeptical of the elastomer setup, especially the elastomer and spring job up front. Reality of riding it has disabused me of the need for aftermarket suspension candy like pictured above, but not the want for such.

Is it better? Much better, like some kind of revelation or epiphany about how much more awesome it is with this stuff? Or more on the "meh" end of things -- ride's a bit better, but it sure looks swell.

I end up folding mine quite a bit, haven't figured out how to really keep the spring and swinging part of the fork off the ground yet, would hate to scrape beautifully machined alloy across concrete...

Thanks for these! A very helpful info... Anyone knows who source these in the UK?

They ended up installing a SRAM DD3-24. It's working great so far, although the thingie that connects the HG cable to the gears looks pretty fragile:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=344117

A 150km trip on Sunday will put this solution to the test.

That's odd? The SRAM Dual Drive 3 does not use a click box? Or is this a custom setup Dual Drive hub that uses a chain pull instead of a click box?

By the way Winfried... I’m sure you will love the Dual Drive hub! I certainly love my SRAM DD2 3x8! It really does prepare the Birdy for all situations.

If you still are not satisfied with your gear range or top speed, you can easily (and affordably) replace the front chain ring with a larger ring (more teeth) and/or extend your gear range with a different cassette.

Does anyone have any information on a product line specifically made for Birdy called "RSpeed"?

I noticed a bunch of Ebay auctions (all from the same seller) for Birdy specific components from the company RSpeed. Some of it looks typical (seat post, kick stand, crank arms)... but there are some parts that seem to be a nice upgrade.

For example, this CNC'ed chainring below looks really nice with built in bash guards on both side! Although it's too pricey in my opinion for just a chainring.

Also, there's an RSpeed suspension kit for Birdy. I'm tempted to buy this, but I have no idea what the spring rates are, so it might be WORSE performance than what my (stock) Birdy suspension offers.

Anyone know anything about "RSpeed" stuff? Is it any good?

(click pics for larger views)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346016http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346015

Anyone knows what this is?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=346144

Looks like a headlamp on a ColorPlus limited edition Birdy

Nobody knows anything about RSpeed? ...any experiences with RSpeed products for Birdy?

Cover girls, both pretty
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=349847

Birdy, no 1 foling bike!

Hi,

Bringing up this old thread again. I've read it entirely from the beginning (took me a few days on and off.) Found lots of great info.

Anyway, my local folding bike store here in NYC just got a stock of the polished aluminum birdy disc brake version selling for $2300 before tax. I've been to the store twice and ever since I saw the birdy disc they hung on their wall...I couldn't stop thinking about it. I haven't test ride one yet because the weather here has been bad. I'll do it once the weather is nicer.

Does anyone here have this bike? Pacific Mind sharing some of your experience? I have a Specialized Road bike, a 700c Diamondback hybrid bike, a downtube nova folding bike and a cheap toys r us bike. I found that I ride the downtube folding bike more than any other bikes.

I signed up for the 5 boro bike tour in NYC this May. It would be nice to have this bike for the ride. The only thing that is stopping me from getting one is the price tag. With tax it is close to $2500 for a folding bike. That is a lot of money for a small bike. It it really worth it? Maybe I'll get one once I file my tax return and get the refund back and only then would I be able to afford this bike. I just need justification for myself (and wifey.) :-)

Some mods on my new-to-me Birdy
 

Here is my new-to-me Birdy LX. It came with upgraded wheels, Folex AClass EXA wheels.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369419
Handlebar: I replaced the straight bar with a Scott AT-4 bar. The purpose is to extend the reach. An alternative would have been a bullhorn bar setup. I have an AT-4 bar on my tandem and like the hand positions it offers. Also, the AT-4 bar diameter is correct for the brake and shift levers that came with the bike. As an experiment, I am trying the levers on the forward portion of the AT-4 bar. My thought is that the brake levers will be at hand when riding relatively faster.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=369421
Handlepost: I have got this loaded up! There are two Twofish velcro bottle cages facing to the front and back, On the right side of the handlepost, I have mounted my mini-pump via a Twofish pump block. All that equipment can stay in place when the bike is folded. The front cage mount just needs to be rotated a bit to the right side.

Fritz

For a little less money, Pacific Cycles' iF Reach XL is a great bike and folds in a second.

Since you're in NYC, you could stop by NYCewheels.

I've been to NYCewheels and they don't have that bike. They only stock a limited amount and all sold out.

No plans for Birdy with belt drive
 

I've written to Riese & Müller GmbH asking about belt drives. I know that long time ago they sold one called Birdy Green.

So asking if they have plans to sell a new one (maybe using Carbon Drive or Conti Drive System) I've got this:

Just curious, which vendor did you get this from? Thanks.

I'm not a fan of belt drives. Not yet, anyway. Thanks for quoting their reply, though -- I'd never been to the site, never knew R&M did anything but the Birdy, and dang! they have a nice range of bikes.

I got it from an individual on eBay, not a company. His member ID is kleentrade.

Fritz

I've been browsing the Taiwanese website lately (mobile01.com) and saw a lot of awesome/crazy mod of the birdy bike. However, this one tops it all. Check the pictures below through the Google translate. You can also click on the direct link.

It is too bad that the US doesn't have a market for the birdy. It is a really nice bike and I'm planning to get one here in NY.

http://translate.google.com/translat...113257%26p%3D1
BIRDY - ORANGE (??? - ?) ??? ?? CARBON ?? ********************~ (?1?) - **********?? - Mobile01

New Silver Birdy
 

This bike has been on my mine for awhile now and I finally gave in. I got it brand new last night from a local bike shop here in NYC using my long awaited tax refund. I'm going to take this baby for its first maiden ride this weekend when the weather is nice.

Questions about 9-speed Birdy(Alivio derailleur)
 

I have a couple of questions about the 9-speed Birdy sold in Asia by Pacific Cycles:

1. Is the Shimano Alivio 9 derailleur entry-level? If yes, what high-quality could I use instead?
2. What about changing the single chainring with a two-chainring setup, eg. 56 + 39? I could use a smaller chairning when riding in mountain areas

Thank you.

Can't answer #2 .

Any Shimano 9sp mtn derailleur should work. Not sure what's available anymore, but you could go Deore, SLX, or XT. The "shadow" style derailleurs are real nice because they tuck in closer to the bike, out of the way, a definite plus on small-wheeled bikes. If you have the chain keeper bolted to the rear derailleur lower pulley, I assume you'll need to swap over the cage and hardware.

Thanks for the infos.

It's a low-end MTB rear derailer; but it's probably fine for most purposes. I think you can use any Shimano rear derailer except the 10-speed MTB derailers.

Does Thor still sell front derailer mounts for Dahons? I believe the clamp is also compatible with the Birdy.

Careful with the Shadow derailer option - I tried that on my Birdy but found I couldn't make it work - the cable exits at the back from the rear swing arm, and the resultingly nearby derailer cable stop is angled in such a way that the cable ended up bent wonky. I abandoned the effort.

Good to know -- thanks!