Very nice!

Okay, my Bianchi Fretta (Birdy) arrived today. Upon inspection, it appears that the bike had been used as a demo/errand bike for three years. But for what I paid for it, I cannot complain. Compared to other Birdies, the Fretta has a few improvements, like an adjustable stem, and a better spec seat post. The Fretta also had some upgrades, like an improved latch for the stem, and a matching seat clamp. Quite surprisingly, most the hardware has been replaced with titanium. The shifter and rear mech are Acera 8 speed components.

One thing which I did not like was that the Fretta was fitted with one of the new style road racer seats, very long, and very narrow. Never in my life have I sat on such an uncomfortable seat. I have ridden almost daily for decades, and thought that my backside would be as immovable as iron to any bike seat, but such is not the case. After an hour on the Fretta, I had to get off. I will pick up a Brooks B-17 on Friday.

I bought this bike with the intention of upgrading for all-around use, including pulling a kid's trailer. I have ordered a set of 20" wheels, and brake adapters. Today I ordered a XTR 12-32 cog, and a Dura Ace chain, tomorrow I will pick up a XTR M986 rear mech. I still need to order a shifter. I hope to get these mods installed by Monday. Later mods will be an upgrade of the crankset and brakes.

There were a few immediate differences I noticed compared to my old Brompton. First, the Fretta was noticeably lighter, it weighs roughly the same as my road bike. Next, as soon as I started riding the Fretta, I found that it was noticeably faster. My Brompton was a bare-bones bike, and was fitted with Kodaks inflated to 120 psi. The Fretta is fitted with all-weather standard tires inflated to 80 psi. The difference in speed is probably attributable to the lighter weight and larger diameter wheels.

I will post some photos next week.

The wheels, cog, and chain arrived today, turned out that I ordered a 34 tooth version. I changed my mind on the 986 rear mech, and went with the M980 instead, the shop had a new one for only 9000 yen. They also had a NOS Dura Ace 7800 chainset and BB cheap. I wanted a Brooks B-17 special in black, but the shop didn't have one in stock. Then the mechanic said he had a titanium Swift that came in on a trade-in bike, so he sold it to me instead.

I couldn't find shifters anywhere, so I am bidding on a set at an online auction. Looks like I won't be able to get it all together until the middle of next week, but I can at least ride it for the moment with the original parts. The rear mech is loose and wiggly, and set up poorly, I can't get into the big ring without the cage touching the rim. Even so, the bike is fast, and a blast to ride. The monocoque frame is less flexy than mynold straight-tube Birdy. I can't wait to see how it will ride once it is finished.

The forks and the rear swing arm on my monocoque seem more rigid than those in my original Birdys (circa 2002) but I've not noticed a difference in flex of the main frame.

While looking for infos about the Birdy as available in Japan, happened on the following page from either Taiwan or Singapore (judging from the Chinese characters):

http://pic.pimg.tw/ninjafury/1383063311-3010291375.jpg

http://ninjafury.pixnet.net/blog/pos...%88-bd-3-birdy

Nice components!

My old Birdy was a 90's model. When stopped at a light, with my left food on the ground, I could make the frame flex by pushing down on the right pedal. The swing arm bushings were new. I wasn't surprised or dismayed, I have had other bike flex a lot too, the worst being a 531-framed Trek 660 road bike, which also happened to be the sweetest riding bike I have owned. The monocoque frame is quite solid, were it not for the suspension, the ride might be quite stiff.

Last night I got a titanium handlebar on eBay, and locally I found a front derailleur adapter. I am not sure if I will run a front derailleur yet, but the chains has two rings, and the shifters came in a pair, so perhaps I might as well do it.

Wheels arrived, along with most of the other parts. I mounted a pair of Panasonic Minits, the 20/1.25 tires are 170 grams. I used Panaracer tubes, which were a little troublesome, as they seemed too long. I visited a local shop today, and they had a new set of XTR 10 speed shifters for only 10000 yen, and, amazingly, a new XTR 10s cog set for only 8000 yen, so I sent the XT cog set back. I mounted the wheels, shifters, and derailleur. The shifters do not work well with Promax brake levers, so those will have to go. The chainset will arrive tomorrow, but I can't install it until I get some bottom bracket tools.

The brakes don't line up with the 20" wheels, the two options are to use longer brakes, which have reduced leverage, or adapters which move the brakes outward. I will go with the adapters, and use a XTR brake set.

So far all mods are easy, everything is bolt-on. The LBS has an interesting aftermarket chain tensioner which replaces the standard wire steel tensioner, they also have an accessory to keep the chain from falling off the chain ring. I may try these just to see how well they work.

That birdy is in Taiwan, bought in Taiwan but its Japanese version, special offer USD 1200. In Taiwan this model is called Monocoque, In Japan BD-3, because the IGH 3 speed (Used to be Shimano Intego). ...

Thanks for the info.

Any idea where I could order a Birdy from Taiwan?

For dealer protection, I don't think you can order from distributor in Taiwan (only limited edition can be sold online). But should be ok to order and forward from Bike shop, do take into account the customs and shipping charge. Please PM me if interested.

I got almost all the parts in yesterday, minus the seat and handlebar. I bolted everything on today, and amazingly, there were no issues or problems. I converted the square taper cartridge BB to the Dura Ace hollowtech, and the chainset installed without needing any aligning or shims. When removing the original v brakes, the brake bosses came out as well, which was good, as I replaced them with titanium pieces. The only things I am waiting for are the seat and the handlebar.

After a test ride, the bike runs and handles beautifully. It is light and fast, the 20" wheels roll easily, and the lower angle of attack works well with the suspension to smooth out the ride even more. I'm trying to upload photos, but the forum format is giving me grief.

Just added a thudbuster suspension seatpost to my birdie. Intended mainly for my off road birdie with big apples fitted and no racks,or mudguards. Nice and light and very comfortable. Used a Kogna telescopic post for folding bike and swooped inner for thudbuster. Bought narrow thudbuster so it can go on other bikes with shim.

Anyone recommend a double chairing guard , other than the plastic birdie one, for a 56t. Preferably metal. I have only seen the 46 pound birdie rspeed version. Surely chain rings with built in guards for reasonable prices. I want to keep with 56 gearing.

1st birdy
LX/XT Matte grey with 54 speed

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=455726

Black is cool!

Cause once you go black, you never go back.

Note that

My birdy
XT New Classic

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=455727

Guys,

Here's a link to the Taiwanese website with leaked pictures of the new design Birdy Disc bike. It looks very similar to the 2nd gen.

**********? - **********??Birdy **********???? ~ - ********** - Mobile01

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=459009

Some geometry adjustment.

Here's the front baggage block that some company in Japan came up with to hang a bag from the frame, ie. without affecting steering:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=460216
ƒTƒCƒNƒ‹ƒnƒEƒX‚µ‚Ô‚â�@ƒXƒ^ƒbƒtƒuƒ�ƒO: BD-1×B-PROP�B

Teaser on '3rd generation, 20th anniversary' Birdy:

Riese & Müller Introduces the New Birdy

EU launch June 27th.

And still no carriage block on the front :rolleyes:

+1 for the disc brakes. I'm curious at the prices, though.

Hi all,
Does anyone has some description of the bolts and nuts are needed to attach the rear elastomer to the frame? I remember the elastomer is placed by pressure but I dont remember the exact properties of the bolts involved.

About the new birdy. I reallu wanted a deep redesign with a rear swingarm pivoting straight around the bottom bracket in order to remove the need of chain hooks and allowing the use of belt drives. Maybe in the future :)
I also miss some compatible front hook like dahon and tern does and some pivots for water bottle cage. Still good improvements :)

Anybody knows 1) which eight-speed Shimano IGH the new Birdy City uses, and 2) if it can be retrofited with an Alfine 11 instead?

Birdy city ? NEW! | Riese & Müller

Thank you.