straight replacement with kojaks or marathon racers should be all right. no need to change wheelset. i have a 32-355 kojak installed on my alex rims da16.

I think kojaks are phenomenal.

Anyone tried IRC tyres?

i checked their website. they don't have a size 32-355 tire for birdy.

Anyone knows the dimension required for the seat clamp and stem clamp?

I'm looking at Hope components (headset, seat clamp and pedals) from CRC due to their colors. Not sure if they fits the birdy though

DualDrive conversion update:

Alright, I ended up with a "floating" stop at the top of the chainstay/swingarm, and drilled a hole in the bottom where the cable comes through to the hub quick disconnect. Very much like an original spec Birdy with DD, except a lot more ghetto. It occurs that maybe I should just have inquired to R&M/Pacific about a DD specific replacement swingarm. Works a charm, though. Pix to come.

This was the third attempt. Second was removing one of the bolt/nuts that hold the polymer pad to the crossover piece on the chainstays, and substituting a 5mm cable adjuster. Two-fer -- with a nut on the back, it acted as a cable stop and held the pad in place. Immediate issue was cable rubbing the chain in some gears where they crossed, especially in top gear of the hub where currently I have a bit of slack. Solution was to zip tie a short length of cable housing to the swingarm and run the cable through that as a guide to keep it off the chain. Moment of truth: fold the rear under, SUCCESS!!! Wait... lesson learned, do the complete fold. DRAT!!! Seatpost catches on some part of this setup, will not insert all the way to hold the swingarm in place. Dang.

Which led to a third try that worked. I continue to be amazed at the tight tolerances and engineering which went into the Birdy design.

Had a simular issue with my dual drive conversion on my mezzo. I used plastic ties to hold the cables away from the seatpost area. See the mezzo dualdrive conversion thread started by bostonblackie if this is relevant. I may dd a birdie, cheaper used than ihg. But ihg cleaner and have some drailer issues with big apple tyres and the chain catcher.

These r two videos I made on folding my Birdy, hoped u will like it.

Folding and Unfolding Birdy Like a Pro! - YouTube

Folding Birdy (w rear tensioner) like a Pro II. - YouTube

what tensioner are you using in the second video. i noticed that it keeps the chain taut when folding unlike the stock tensioner in the first video.

Pix:

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...2&d=1403284824

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...4&d=1403284877

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1403284844

So the stop at the top is some bike part maybe someone can ID, which I found in one of our smallparts bins at the shop. Round with a flat on one edge; on the back it's square and sits nicely within the tubing; 5mm threaded hole. Random 5mm cable adjuster, and you don't see it here, but a locking nut on the back. I won't be using this as an adjustable stop. It's held by tension, nothing holding it onto the bike, but even with the cable at full slack in top gear, it stays put well enough. I can slide it up and down within the slot, doesn't seem to have any effect on shifting.

Simple drilled hole where the cable comes out. I bought the bike used, no warranty to void. If it ever starts cracking due to me drilling holes in it, my bad, and I'll beg R&M/Pacific to allow me to pay for a new swingarm.

Works great, no shifting issues, full foldability. Third time's a charm!

So yeah, now I got a 3x7 Birdy with which to tackle my commute. There are a few hills where this will be useful. Not that I couldn't have suffered them with the stock 1x7 gearing, but I like the enhanced gear range. The cass which came with the wheel was a rather narrow range; I swapped out the stock cass during replacement.

The tensioner is made by a Taiwan company called Ridea. You will need to manually hook it before folding.

thanks for the information. i currently have the pacific cycles tensioner that is attached to the BB shell. it is effective but it does not keep the chain as taut as your ridea tensioner. may i please know where to get it and how much. thank you.

Tempting be to get my silver birdie built up with a spare 3 x 7 hub I have. I have a tiny cassette on my 3x9 mezzo but it is fine. Need a tad more spread with a 7 cassette. The rim does look a bit worn.....

Too busy enjoying the fab weather to spend time in garage. Winter project.

I was lucky as the boss of our LBS gave me as a gift when I bought the bike. I'm from Singapore. U should be able to get it from your local ridea distributor.

i will visit e-walker in singapore next time i am over to get that ridea tensioner. thank you again.

Feeling flush, so I ordered up some Schwalbe Marathon Racers. And tubes. Direct from Schwalbe.

Again, not so hot on the odd 18" wheel size. QBP offers zero tires in that size.

Hiya

Great forum hope someone can give me some advice on a few matters.

I am new to the folding bike scene and was contemplating getting a Brompton but when I discovered the Birdy and its kool design I knew this is the bike for me.

Questions
How hard is it to service a Birdy City Perimum?, here in the UK not many shops sell Birdy's and the shop that agreed to order one in for me is very very far away, so getting the bike back to then for its routine service would be a real pain in the a#$.

Could a local bike shop do it?.

Has anyone on the forum had any experience with a Birdy City premium? Any feed back on how it rides and the 8 gears setup would be appreciated.

Lbs should be able to service a birdie fine.
Only issue is the suspension joints which only need attention afaik if they wear out. And should be simple anyway?
Any advise on changing rear as my silver birdie has play in rear suspension?

Thanks bhkyte

Hope it is the case that any bike shop can service the birdy.

Any suggestions on what type of after market upgrades I show go for?
Also places to get them here or over seas.
I have seen a few pictures showing colour+ parts but cannkt find an overseas dealer anywhere on Google.

I am going to order the bike tomorrow, it was out of the 2014 Touring or City premium, chose the City due to low maintenance gear system.

tyres main one,
else grips, and you choice of pedal system......personally have given up on folding pedals

not a lot else, you might benifiet from better brake pads like koolstop etc , but not really needed on v brakes. I tend to fit telfon linned kelar cables and Teflon linned innerss, but birdie cable routing seems ok and I would tend to only replace or refit with this upgrade if there is a problem or as a replacement/servicing

Thanks again mate.

Any idea on were I can get some aftermarket parts from?

Love the look of the colour+ - colour plus parts, but any high end parts would be nice

I tend to just do functional improvements rather than bling!!
Bling on the cheap yes...
Often makes more sense to buy another used bike than upgrade with new premium parts.

If you want to spend money on it, have a vision. Ie comfort, weight reduction, looks, touring, fast fold......

Yeah what I am aiming for is to make the bike light as possible. But a bit of bing if done properly does look nice :).

I have decided to buy the 2014 city premium, and have found 2 shops that sells Birdys in the UK.

Folding bikes uk
Simpsons cycles

I will be test riding one this week, cannot wait ;)

Main way of saving weight would be to fit the excellent kojack tyres. Bike is then focused for road use. You might be able to get them swoped with the purchase?
There are carbon wheel sets also for the birdie.

Hi
would someone please tell me where I can find the front pivot bolt. Just check and I lost one :( ahhhhh no wonder I had some play when cornering.

Never mind found it :) last set lol http://www.simpsoncycles.co.uk/produ...g-arm-bush-kit

And here - York Folding Bikes | Folding Bikes in York, North Yorkshire

Thanks mate

Thay are doing a decent price on the Birdy light

I think i will go with Folding bike uk cuze they have good price on the City Premium, but more importantly there customers service was excellent.

I am going to test one out tomorrow give a little feedback.

Also found this shop that sells after market bits but not sure if they ship to the UK.
Sent email but no rely as yet.
Color+ - GW Cycle Online Store

I would test a Birdy World also. Its more like the original Birdy frame which I prefer rather than the Monocoque frame.

Took a trip to Simpsons Cycles today and test rid the only Birdy they had in stock, (Birdy Light 2012/13 version)

I am a folding bike novice but in the last month I have test rid the below and this is my personal bite size impressions.

Tern S11i 2014 version, £1280 Evans.

I felt this bike was a good size for my 6.4FT and 11 stone frame, loved the way that the handle bars adjust so you can change your riding position to upright cruising, or normal low racing position.

The bike frame + 20" wheels felt solid and very fast.
The Brakes OK.
Bike Folding 15 Sec.
The 11 gears where a bit clunky at times when changing but the bike was a very enjoyable ride, overall rating 7 out of 10.

Brompton 2014,Steel Raw Lacquer, S Handle bars, 6 Gears, £1020 Brompton.

I found this bike better then the Tern in almost all category's, but I could not get use to the small size of the bike also the flimsy handle bars and gear levers.

Brakes OK.
Folding 11 Sec.
6 Gears Excellent very smooth when changing up or down, overall rating 8 out of 10.

Birdy Light, 2012/13 Model £1369.00 Folding bikes UK.

Plane and simple I love this bike, when you come face to face with its stylistic design and its Lovely Matt Anthracite finish all you will say is WOW.

The size of the bike is nice for my height/ build, and much more comfortable then the Tern and the Brommie.
The front suspension was better then I fought it would be, only giving you a small cushion when going over road humps at speed.
The handle bars and seat post height if fully adjustable.
Frame and 18" wheel also felt very sold and I was able to jump of curbs and even pull a wheelies with ease.
The Birdy did feel a bit slower to get going then the Tern and Brommie, but after a couple of pedals it was very fast and stable over rough ground.

Brakes Same as above OK but not disk brakes.
Folding took me about 20 - 25 Sec.
Gears better then the Tern but not as good as the Brompton.

I enjoyed this bike very much, it is a more comfortable ride than the Brompton/Tern when cruising or at speed, the adjustable handle bars and seat are a big+ for me, also the bike looks great. overall rating 8.5 out of 10.

Now I cannot wait to get the Birdy City Premium, 2014 model. Will be even better than above