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energyandair 07-25-14 11:12 PM

At 6'4" you will probably want the Sport Stem as shown on the pictures of the Birdy Light rather than the Comfort Stem shown on the picture of the City Premium. You will probably also want to turn the seat post so that the clamp is behind the post.

Not sure what model gear components are on the Light but it sounds as though they may have needed adjustment.

From the pictures it looks as though both bikes might have Marathon Racer tyres which should be fine.

I would probably prefer the Birdy Light due to lower weight. It may also have some better and lighter components

The City Premium gives you a cleaner chain (further from the muck). Apart from that, I think "Premium" may refer to the extra price.

If the OEM pedals aren't great, you might want to consider the MKS Promenade EZY removable pedals.

duppex 07-26-14 03:32 AM

The Birdy light had a grip twist gears system, which was OK, but I believe the Birdy City Perimum Has a Hub gear system with normal handle bar leavers which I prefer.

If it wasn't for the fact I am getting the bike through a Cycle Scheme, which brings the bike down to £1180, and monthly installments I would probably of gone for a Birdy World.

I will definitely check out those pedals, thanks

Tinman10 07-28-14 08:04 PM

I'm in Bristol, UK and seeking a used Birdy. Happy to travel to view. Anyone have anything?

Steve

Tinman10 07-29-14 10:13 AM

To European users:

I'm considering a new Birdy. What are the advantages of the monocoque Light vs the World Sport? Is it worth the extra £300?

Steve

duppex 08-04-14 03:28 PM


Originally Posted by Tinman10 (Post 16985449)
To European users:

I'm considering a new Birdy. What are the advantages of the monocoque Light vs the World Sport? Is it worth the extra £300?

Steve

I no pro, but from my understanding the main difference in the monocoque frame is Looks, advanced engineered and slightly lighter.

Apparently it costs more for them to manufacture the Monocoque frame that is why there is a£300 premium.

IMO the Monocoque design looks amazing, but I can see why people would like the classic frame as well.

In London everywhere you look you will see someone riding a Bromptom (love them but very common)

If you want to be a little bit different get your self a new BIRD/Y:p

energyandair 08-04-14 06:26 PM

Are you sure that the monocoque is lighter? IIRC, it was heavier than the original frame which looks similar to the world frame. The only weights I've seen were for whole bikes with different components tires etc.

duppex 08-05-14 01:06 PM


Originally Posted by energyandair (Post 17006335)
Are you sure that the monocoque is lighter? IIRC, it was heavier than the original frame which looks similar to the world frame. The only weights I've seen were for whole bikes with different components tires etc.

Yeah not sure of the frame weight by itself but here in the UK, the most popular Birdy is the Light which comes in @ 10.9 kg, the Birdy World Sport is 11.9 kg and the World Comfort is 14.2kg.

The Birdy that I have just ordered through my work cycle scheme is Birdy 2014, Premium City, comes in @ 11.7kg.

All bike weights are from base models no extras.

On a side note does anyone know of a high quality comfort/commute/city pedal?
Seems that the Birdy's come with low quality pedals which I what to replace asap.

Also web links to any other good upgrade parts would be great.

bhkyte 08-05-14 04:23 PM

The monocoque is stronger I believe and is less likely to crack around the seatpost clamp than the older version afaik.

I recomemd mks or wellgo detachable folding pedals. It's possible to get the wellgo for 25 pounds and you can also use the qr to swop between the standard or clippin versions.

If you get the mks it has its own cleat system. Shimano spd cleats don't work with mks but mks cleats work with both pedal systems.

Deibitto 08-09-14 07:31 AM

Hi All

I'm just putting an order in on a Birdy touring. Am getting the touring mainly because where I live is exceptionally hilly even for my commute rather than for long tours.

Looking for advice on luggage. I was going to order rear rack and fit a pannier to it for daily commute as was worried front pannier would affect handling. However, have seen advice to contrary. In others experience is the lowrider or handlebar set-up better for a one pannier (handlebar at least then gives symmetry) commute? It's certainly cheaper!

One point though. I have read in one review the rear rack helps support the bike in standing when folded. This could be very useful - I don't want it easily flopping over from lightest touch. Have other owners found this to be the case?

Cheers, much appreciated.

cal0i 08-16-14 06:54 AM

Sharing my Classic Birdy!

it's a tribute to a fallen tree..
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/image-11.jpg

tdong 08-17-14 01:45 PM

2 Attachment(s)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=399896http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=399897

Finally I am done with adjusting my birdy bike. upgrade to kojak tires, replace missing bold, change the front suspension, move the seat forward. Replace the handle bar with butterfly bar. I set it vertical so that I can ride upright or forward :)

duppex 08-18-14 12:55 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Nice Bikes cal0i, tdong ,

Still waiting on my Birdy 2014 City
Premium to come from Germany, should be here any time now :thumb:.

Test rid these a few weeks ago

Tern 2014, S11i
Brompton 2014, 6 speed raw lacquer
Birdy 2013, Light

My opinion the Birdy was by far the BEST overall.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=400097http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=400098http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=400099

bhkyte 08-24-14 05:46 PM

I recently had a valve problem and came back home to swop my better condition birdie red with the adjustable stem(comfort?) for my back up silver with the sports stem. Red has big apple silver matharons.

Really different bikes, position so much stretched out on the sport stem.

Really struck me how different these changers to set up can be. Reminds me of bespoking Brompton in this manner, but with more success in achieving a good riding position.
Might focus my silver birdie for weight loss and speed in future. Kojacks a possibility.

energyandair 08-24-14 08:19 PM

I have Kojaks, the fixed sports stem and Avid Arch Rival brakes on my Red and I like the combination.

One of these days I'll get around to upgrading the derailleur, shifter and gear cluster.

Winfried 10-03-14 05:26 AM

Hello

I was wondering: How feasible is it to replace the derailleur with an Alfine 8 or 11?

Someone's selling his Birdy for a good price, but I'm now used to using an IGH.

Thank you.

mconlonx 10-03-14 08:50 AM


Originally Posted by Winfried (Post 17183422)
Hello

I was wondering: How feasible is it to replace the derailleur with an Alfine 8 or 11?

Someone's selling his Birdy for a good price, but I'm now used to using an IGH.

Thank you.

Very feasible, but you will need something to keep the chain in tension, which means either a dedicated chain tensioner -- there exists an Alfine version -- or you can repurpose the existing derailleur for the job via limit screws or a short piece of cable from the adjuster stop through the cable clamp.

Winfried 10-03-14 09:10 AM

1 Attachment(s)
This kind of thing?
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=409699
SHIMANO Alfine CT-S510 chain tensioner offers at the cycling shop Rose Bikes UK

mconlonx 10-03-14 10:16 AM

Yes, that kind of thing.

On a regular non-folding bike, there's usually a way to adjust chain tension on a single speed or IGH hub, whether just horizontal dropouts, eccentric BB, or other mechanical tensioning system. So first off, the Birdy has vertical dropouts at the rear, no adjustment possible. Second, the chain line length changes when folded, so even if you did come up with a "magic ratio" which had the chain in tension enough to be serviceable, it would probably get out of whack when folded.

But again, no reason you couldn't just repurpose your existing derailleur to do the same thing, and it would allow you to keep the chain-catch gizmo as well.

Winfried 10-03-14 12:45 PM


Originally Posted by mconlonx (Post 17184236)
But again, no reason you couldn't just repurpose your existing derailleur to do the same thing, and it would allow you to keep the chain-catch gizmo as well.

Thanks for the info.

Techiegrr1 10-10-14 07:41 PM

I m looking for an older Birdy if anyone is selling. Let me know. Thanks.

duppex 10-20-14 01:02 PM

Hi


I just received my Birdy City Premium after a 10 weeks order, and after about 2 minuets of riding I can hear an annoying creaking sound from the front end of the bike (WHEEL?).


The creaking sound seems to happen after a few minutes of a new ride and will still be there even after stopping and pressing down on the handle bars.


Whats strange is when I took the bike out the next day there were no creaking sound at the beginning but after a few minuets it returns.


It does not seems to be from the handle bars or front Elastomer Suspension.


Could it be the head set or something with the fold device or even the front wheel.


The last thing I want to do is send it back and wait x amount of weeks for a repair/replacement.


Any help would be great

jur 10-20-14 02:53 PM

The front fork hinge.Spray some WD-40 at individual spots, ride, until you have the culprit which would hopefully be quiet at some point. Could also be the headset.

duppex 10-20-14 03:38 PM


Originally Posted by jur (Post 17234075)
The front fork hinge.Spray some WD-40 at individual spots, ride, until you have the culprit which would hopefully be quiet at some point. Could also be the headset.

Thanks for the info, I will do what you advised.

Hope you are right

Fingers crossed

washuai 10-20-14 06:02 PM

Birdy's
 

Originally Posted by Techiegrr1 (Post 17206347)
I m looking for an older Birdy if anyone is selling. Let me know. Thanks.

Get your post count up, or you won't be able to reply to PMs. Warm Planet Bikes in San Francisco, has "new" old Birdy, but that's quite a trek from Conneticut. I want to buy it, but even at the discount, don't currently have it, so I'll be sad, but happy it's taken flight?

I'm not certain if I'd sell my Mezzo if a frog became available or if I'd rather have my Mezzo + Birdy . .
Is Frog talk welcome in the Birdy Thread? Are they available anywhere in the US?

bhkyte 12-04-14 05:29 PM

Just got another used birdie that needs building up.
This one has a seat-post clamp that looks like a handlebar stem for 25mm bars. does this mean there is a clamp for the seat with a bar fitting?
If so where do I get this?

bike.gang.uk 12-05-14 03:41 PM


Originally Posted by bhkyte (Post 17362714)
Just got another used birdie that needs building up.
This one has a seat-post clamp that looks like a handlebar stem for 25mm bars. does this mean there is a clamp for the seat with a bar fitting?
If so where do I get this?

Some photos might help, what model or year is this birdie?

bhkyte 01-09-15 11:04 AM

Hi manged to get the part for the seat-post mentioned ealier.

Does anyone know of a source for, (preferably cheap) chain devices suitable for a birdie instead of using the easily bent cage?

By chain device, I mean a front chain wheel chain catcher for the folding chaain slack like the mezzo one. Must find out cost of a mezzo one.
I know a birdie one exists from these threads but this one was 150 pounds when I looked in to it.

BloomingtonFPV 01-19-15 08:21 PM

It looks like NYCEWheels no longer carries the Birdy. Are there any US distributors, or do I need to order from Germany or Taiwan?

BirdyOwner 01-23-15 10:44 PM


Originally Posted by BloomingtonFPV (Post 17483879)
It looks like NYCEWheels no longer carries the Birdy. Are there any US distributors, or do I need to order from Germany or Taiwan?

Try www.bfold.com

Bfold is the US east coast dealer as stated in the manufacture Pacific Cycles web site:

Pacific Cycles

bike.gang.uk 01-24-15 04:14 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by bhkyte (Post 17455456)
Hi manged to get the part for the seat-post mentioned ealier.

Does anyone know of a source for, (preferably cheap) chain devices suitable for a birdie instead of using the easily bent cage?
...
I know a birdie one exists from these threads but this one was 150 pounds when I looked in to it.

Is this what you are looking for? £70

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=430182


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