Hard to believe all the changes. It all sounds very positive. Has anyone ridden one?

I am using the chain tensioner and a short cage mech on 2 of my bikes. Even at the high price to buy separately I would have it equipped another way. I try the LBS as they may have the new version.

This evening on the way home I stopped by my dealer, who just a few days ago received the two new monocoque Birdies for the Japan market: "Sport Disc" and "Standard Disc". All in all, there aren't too many differences between them. The Sport Disc model has a 10-speed cassette (11~34T), while the Standard gets a 9 speed (11~32T). Both have mechanical disc brakes. Also, the Sport gets a sporty Sella Italia X1, while the Standard has a comfort saddle. Both the Sport and Standard have an offset stem that can be flipped between 21 degrees and 10 degrees.

Although the folded up size of the new monocoque is supposed to be 15% smaller, it's not readily apparent side by side with the old model. Even the dealer wasn't sure if it's any smaller.

I took the Standard for a spin around the block, and the lower BB height is noticeable. It's now 279mm vs 291mm of the old monocoque. For comparison, the BB height of the Classic is 290mm. The top-tube is also longer at 591.6mm compared to 586mm of the old monocoque (588mm in the Classic). I had no problem standing up on the pedals.

The first pic shows the Standard side-by-side with my Reach. Unfortunately, my stupid iPhone was in "square" mode so it's horizontally truncated, but on the left side you can just make out the right-hand grip of the Birdy is the same distance from the seat as the tops of my Reach's dropbar, although a few centimeters higher.

The second pic shows the Sport, which a chap purchased just as I arrived. He was kind enough to offer me a test ride, but I declined, afraid to put any scratches on it. The glossy black paint looks stunning.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...o/IMG_1295.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...o/IMG_1292.jpg

i want to have one please. :-)

Hi, my first time in this thread and read back to mid 2014 so not sure if you guys know of these.
I was out perusing bikes today in Bangkok and saw crazy pimped out Birdies? called Color Plus.
They had color shift paint, carbon rims, billet shocks and even billet kickstands.
Over $5000 here in Thailand.
Birdy + Colorplus µåÉ«²ÊºçÏÞÁ¿°æÕÛµþ³µ ¼´½«ÉÏÊеÚ2Ò³ - ÃÀÆïÍø|Biketo.com
Birdy Colorplus **********??_??? (2015) - Bikehome**********
http://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bpho...TiFCagyQ/o.jpg

Colorplus has made some very beautiful parts for Birdies, here is a cabon black version of new birdy, with full set of colorplus mod parts...

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465941http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465942http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465934http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465935http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465936http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465937http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465938http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465939http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=465940

Hmmmm, so they are now sold as Birdy in Japan now, rather than BD-1? Still imported by Mizutani, or possibly brought in direct by the dealer?

Have done some upgrading/accessorizing on the BD-1. Added fenders, as I had a set on hand and like to use them anyway.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=466197
The silver classic I have had the adjustable handlepost with an ahead stem, so swapped the handleposts between the two bikes. All went swimmingly until the fold, the old style handlepost impacts the new frame, so reverted back to stock. Picked up one of those handlebar extenders and it made things much better. While at it added a carbon handlebar, carbon brake levers, and Biocork grips. Now has a very comfortable ride.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=466196
After swapping the handleposts, the shifter cable was too short and needed replacement. Had an SRAM X-9 derailleur and trigger shifter on hand so installed them along with an XTR Ti 9 speed cassette.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=466198
The ColorPlus pneumatic suspension works very well. No po-going, even standing on the pedals. And I like the wheeled rack, makes it easy to park and maneuver around.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=466195
Guess that's enough mucking about for now. The bike rides nice and there's not much left to do, other than a carbon crank set.

From what I've read, it was renamed BD-1 for the Japan market a few years back because Suzuki owned the Birdy trademark (and used it for one of its 50cc scooters). Somehow, that issue was resolved between Pacific and Suzuki, so from this year on it will be sold under the Birdy name (and also directly by Pacific, not through Mizutani).

That said, looks like Europe will be getting monocoque models with more options than Japan (IGH, etc).

Hi everyone, just wanted to note that Urban Bike Fitters in Fremont, CA is now an authorized Birdy dealer. I test rode one today. Pretty sweet ride. I also tested a Nanoo. It wasn't for me, but it's a neat bike.

I'm interested in buying a Birdy folding bike. I live in London but can travel. Does anyone know of a good dealership in London, or anywhere else that is good in the UK?
Thanks.

Hi I just gotten myself a 9 speed birdy and must say that it's really nice ride.
But I notice that when at lowest gear, the rear derailleur seems to rub against the tire.
Is there a way to fix this? It's basically stock configuration with 11-34T cassette and a 56T chain ring.
I am wondering if it's because of the long cage derailleur?

birdie is a tad flawed in design.
solutions i know of are fit narrow tyres, change to ihg .
else change to a short cage rear mech which also improves ground clearence. then the cage doesnt reach down to the tyre. if you do this you may want to fit a chain tensior,else chain falls off in folding, 70 pounds please. but then you can get rid of the chain catcher that gets stuck inthe rear cogs and breaks transmission parts as it locks up. it worth shelling out on the new chain tensior in the long run.

This one from Pacific Cycles:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=487022

Cheaper alternative from Ridea:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=487023

I have got both set ups across my birdies. I payed a silly amount of money for a ccn bolt that replaces the chain catcher like the secound one. It does not work really well as regards stopping the chain coming off in the fold but its ok on a spare bike. At least it does not jam the rear cogs up by bending in to them.
For regular folding I prefer the new birdie chain catcher. Its standard issue on new birdies. I dont know if they are also fitting a shorter cage rear mech?

As you don't need a long low cage with it fitted.

Could it just be that the hanger needs to be tweaked? We've had some issues with EdgeRunner cargo bikes that come with 20" rear wheels and long cage derailleurs. Takes a bit of work,but in the end we get them working properly.

I presume they dont all do this. The one I have issues with is an older red. Newer bike sorted?
My others have narrower tyres or IHG.

I presume they dont all do this. The one I have issues with is an older red. Newer bike sorted?
My others have narrower tyres or IHG.

Thanks for the information. IHG is tempting... I am really contemplating swapping the derailleur for a short cage for now than to source for a IHG wheel. Actually the largest cog is 32T and it seems unless I change the cassette, I have to use medium cage? I can't find information on how much shorter is medium cage.

[QUOTE=Winfried;18305271]This one from Pacific Cycles:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=487022

QUOTE]

Hi Winfried Thanks! Do you know if this still works if I change to a smalle chainring?

No idea. I'll let the experts answer.

BTW, what's the point of using a long cage derailleur instead of a short cage? On the Birdy, the derailleur is dangerously close to the ground :-/

I don't know if medium cages exist. I use the short type with larger cogs.
I don't see why a smaller chain ring would make any difference to the functioning of the chain tensioner.
The long cage on a birdie is to keep the chain tension in folding to stop it coming off when folding. I changed to a short cage to get more ground clearance. This reduces the amount of sticks caught in the toggle gogs, I bought the large cogged rear mech so the chain turn was wider to reduce jamming. Seems to have worked well. Shimano Alturus mech.

So a short cage + chain tensioner solves the problem?

Yes short cage minimises debris stuck in rear transmission. Reduced to same level of problem as my mountain bike. Solves cleareence issue with 2 inch wide big apple tyres catching rear mech.
Yes chain tensioner keeps chain on when folding 99% of the time.
I realise not all disraillered# birdies may have issues with rear mechs catching wide tyres.

# keeping up snafus tradition of mispelling this word.

Yes, it does exist. I'm running a Sram X9 medium cage derailleur on my Yellow Birdy.

I have tried short, medium, and long cage derailleurs on Birdy bikes. The medium cage derailleur doesn't have any issues if your chain is the right length, and you are running taller tires. When I ran the long cage derailleur the cage reached to the brake surface of the rim, and could catch things on the ground if I wasn't careful. I like to run a mountain bike rear cog on my Birdy as it makes climbing the steepest hills quite easy, and pulling a trailer with my daughter in it. I am running and XTR cog with a 34 tooth ring.

I now run a medium cage XTR derailleur with a set of 20" wheels, and have no worries, there is plenty of ground clearance. I run Panasonic slicks, which are quite narrow, but with 20" wheels the cage isn't going to come close to the tires anyway.

For a tensioner, I found a spring-loaded parallelogram type which bolts around the bottom bracket, with a jockey pulley just below and behind the chain wheel, it works perfectly. I couldn't easily fit the original tensioner to the new XTR derailleur, so I needed another option.

Was it a difficult process to convert the bike for 20" wheels?

Jim

No, it was not difficult. There is no real "conversion" necessary, the wheels bolt on and fit with no clearance issues. The only modification necessary is to the brakes, the bosses are are not in the right spot. There are two options for the brakes, the simplest one is to use brakes with pad adjustment slots long enough for the pads to center over the rim, or to use offset adapters.

The bike is noticeably faster with 20" wheels, and the ride is more stable, but the bike does not fold as compactly, though it setill easily fits into a Birdy bike bag.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I may need to try this.

Any specific things I would need to know before purchasing 20" wheels? Also any chance you could post a picture of the bike with the 20" inch wheels.

Jim

Hi, will the size of tire for the 20" affects the fold? I tried with 20x1.25 and it seems the tire get squeezed a little before the rear arm can fold. Was wondering will fatter tire affect and also if the tire pressure is higher will it fold at all? Thanks!