msincredible

Hmmm, possibly the stempost.

Also, I should probably define "heavy backpack". When I have it on (with my laptop and portable drives and all the stuff I need for work) it's typically around 25 lbs, which is about 25% of my body weight, and it is larger than my torso. Guess that might have a significant effect.

SesameCrunch

Say, you can hang your backpack off your handlebars in those steep sections. Counterweight!

Clownbike

I picked up a used 2006 Silver that came with a plain straight extension on the comfort handlepost with an ahead stem, and it handles very much like a full sized bike. The ability to use whatever stem you want allows for a greater degree af cockpit adjustment. I seem to remember seeing the plain extension listed as an accessory but not sure about availability.

Also installed an Avid Magnesium V brake set that I had laying about and there are no clearance problems with either functionality or wheel removal.

jeffy1021

I actually have Ergon GR2s on my Birdy. The bar ends are not that long, but I'll give it a shot later on today. I knew there was something I was missing, thanks for the tip!

BruceMetras

In a big hurry, I wheelied away from a stop sign yesterday on my Birdy right in view of a patrol car... had to talk my way out of an exhibition of speed ticket...

pm124

I used to do that. It makes for an inexpensive front rack. Except it mushes the brake cables. So, if you run your brakes tight, this tends to cause them to rub.

jeffy1021

It has crossed my mind to use my Birdy for light trails and off road. Aside from the gearing, could I throw some knobbies on there and use it for that purpose? I've seen off-road tires offered for the Birdy, but I can't seem to find a place that actually sells it as an accessory. Changing to the stiffer elastometer also seems like it would be a good idea as well. Any thoughts?

msincredible

I've tried MTBing on the Birdy on both fire road and single track.

Knobbies would be great if you can find them, I only had the stock tires.

The other issue is clearance. I have to carry over big tree roots, loose sand, and big rocks.

Calgary's Fish Creek Park


Russian Ridge


Water Dog Park

ningnangnong

I've got a Rixen Kaul/Klickfix rucksack and bracket that attaches to the seatpost. With my laptop and other bits it can be pretty heavy and so far the bracket seems okay with the weight. And when commuting, the Respro rucksack cover is a great safety feature as it lights up like a Christmas tree when headlights shine on it.

https://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP2121.aspx?TRACK%3dDPL
https://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP2122.aspx?TRACK%3dDDI - this is the new version of the one I have

pm124

You seem to have captured a UFO in this picture. I hope you do not have any blank spots in your memory of this ride.

I've done extensive off road riding as well. It shines on pack dirt trails, but not very useful for deep ruts, powdery dust, deep mud, and so forth. Though moderate mud doesn't seem to matter much. It is an outstanding all around bike for international touring.

I can't afford the Intego version, so I rely on 2 chainrings in mountainous areas with steep climbs. Kind of a ghetto solution b/c the chain falls off when the bike is folded. This is a problem b/c one always folds right before eating, and not everywhere in the developing world has a sink with soap available. (Or in NYC for that matter.)

With my chainline, the bike automatically shifts onto the low front ring when progressing to low gears and then back to the high ring when going into high gears. Not for everyone, but cheap!

jeffy1021

What tires do you run?

jur

I'm just back from a 4-day 240km tour in south-western Victoria, with me on my Birdy and SWMBO on her Reach.

Very impressed. we stayed in accommodation for this tour so didn't carry camping gear. We each had 2 small panniers. My stuff was only a scanty 7kg, including the panniers.

The extra weight of the panniers on the frame made the ride even smoother. It felt like I was riding on soft balloon tires.

The Alivio gear shifting is wearing out far more rapidly than I expected. When new, it worked just fine. Now at 1600km, I have to push the shifter lever way past the click point to get the gear to engage. It works best if I downshift 2 clicks and then upshift 1 - that gives me a guaranteed shift. A single click just results in a grinding noise. If I adjust the shifter to give a guaranteed downshift, then it won't upshift. The shifter seems to have changed its pull ratio.

jur

Apparently those aliens investigated folding the bike too; when they unfolded it, the gear cable formed a big loop. They didn't realise the cable has to go back to the front.

Looking at the saddle angle and comparing against your first pic, they also adjusted that...

ningnangnong

I've found the gears on my Touring to be similar, which is the reason I'm about to upgrade (parts listed in another thread). That aside I'm enjoying it like you.

pm124

When touring, Marathons. When commuting (all pavement), Stelvios.

Congratulations world!

msincredible

yeah, sometimes I am not that careful when I put it together after a flight. I just adjust it as I go.

jeffy1021

These are one the only knobbies I could find in 355. Do you think they're worth checking out or will even fit with enough clearance? Should I just stick with Marathons for light trails?

https://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1054-sc...-mad-mike.html

jur

I seem to have infected the local wildlife here...

a workmate whose 700c hybrid bike (see almost last pic in my ride to work photo essay in sig linky) has a busted rear wheel, has borrowed my Yeah for a week. This week he went out to St Kilda Cycles and bought a Birdy! Older frame still, with the 27sp hub geared setup, Birdy Blue. They are on special as the older frame style has been discontinued.

27sp! Jealous! At least I have the monocoque frame...

pm124

The will definitely fit. The only possible clearance issue is with the front folding rack, which rides close to the front tire. If you don't have a lowrider, should fit.

As to the question of which tire to use, that's your call. Knobbies are one of the few things that will significantly slow a bike down. I would only use them if you plan on spending significant time in mud or otherwise really need them.

msincredible

Did 56 miles on my Birdy today.

https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...ide-2008-11-09

Stormclad

Holy Monkeys! I'm from Singapore! I need ta work out on my Brommie i guess....


Ride often in sg?

msincredible

When I'm in town. I'll be here the whole week (leaving Sunday morning) and was planning on doing more riding when I get free time (pretty busy work schedule though).

Trying to decide where to go on Saturday, my free day.

pm124

I just got back from 64 miles. Needed monkeys, but it was nice enough in the East Coast US fall.

taxi777

So all you've done is "monkey around?'

pm124

Ms Incredible, how was the traffic? I notice that you were on city streets most of the time from the map.