correction
 

It's not really important but.....
The sport stem that I have fitted to an older non monocoque birdie is more forward than the current versions. This is the older version of the stem in silver rather than the newer black ones.
My mk 3 sport stem(non integrated headset) seems to be the same angle as the mk4 sports stem .

Thanks. I'll look at that once I've decided whether ornot to keep the original saddle - still trying to accustom my rear end to the pleasure!? :lol:
I managed to swap the stems over without much difficulty and then turned the seatpost around - which brought the saddle's pivot point more in-line with the post's centre line, even when pushed back. So far I've had no slippage even with yesterday's deep pot-hole.
Based upon a couple of rides the new saddle position is much more ideal, with far less effort needed to peddle because I'm no longer peddling from behind, and I'm in at least a gear higher (and faster) on those inclines. Not yet tried to ride out-of-the-saddle, butthink it should now be possible.
I still have to fine adjust the handlebar height and lever rotations to lessen palm pressure, but looking better and enjoying it more. :)

Make sure you use loctite on the pinch bolts, the only weak link to the Birdy is where the fork bolts to the steering tube.

I converted my Birdy to an XTR 11 speed drive line. It was a bolt-on conversion, and the wider range of gearing allows for acceleration and climbing without having to get out of the saddle. A firmer rear elastomer, spring, or shock makes out-of-saddle pedalling less bouncy.

Get yourself fully broken-in before making too many adjustments. Once your backside is used to the saddle, you can then make adjustments to increase comfort, deal with numbness, etc.

I didn't have blue Loctite available at the time, but the bike is due for the first service next week, so I'll get it checked over and done then.

Since my Birdy has a Rohloff, I'm not really short of gears to choose. But, I've had a couple of 'roadies' shout "get out of the saddle" as they've left me in their wakes on the steepest inclines. To be honest, I can't remember if I've ever managed to do that, but that was 40-plus years ago.


So far, apart from the price, the most annoying thing with the Birdy is the number of times I've been asked "Is that one of those new electric bikes?"

Or someone "asking about your Brompton".

I used to race, in America and Europe, and still remain something of a "hardcore roadie". My living room used to be decorated with classic road bikes, I had 8 of them hanging from wooden racks on the walls. Now that I am married, hanging bikes in the living room is a no-no.

My Birdy was built to be light and fast, I converted it to 20" wheels, replaced all the steel with titanium, and installed a 22 speed XTR/Dura-Ace drive line, I have managed to get the weight down to 18 pounds. It's quite fast for a folder, and I have little trouble keeping up with most roadies. I find that I don't use the granny gear, so soon I'll dump the extra chain ring on the front, and get rid of the related components, this will drop the weight a little more.

It's fun to ride, smooth, quiet, and absorbs the bumps. It's not as fast as my road bikes, but it's fast enough.

why did you not get a Reach instead if speed is of the essence?

Lightening the Birdy?
 

Light is GOOD! (Particularly for this back-injured senior who finds it difficult to lift heavy folders into the back of his car :( ) I was not aware of the Birdy having much in the way of major steel components for which titanium components were readily (not custom made) available. Other than nuts and bolts, what titanium components have you sourced? Are your 20" wheels much lighter than the original 18" ones?

I bought a titanium upgrade kit which includes all the hardware, including the pin and long screw/nut for the folding stem, the large pin for the swing arm pivot, and the two pivots for the front swing arm, also the v-brake posts and hardware. I also installed a titanium bar and seat post, along with a Brooks Swift titanium-framed saddle.

I run Ultegra hubs and Alivio aero wheels, which are a bit heavier than the original parts, but the 20" wheels are faster, and tires are easier to find. The conversion required adapters to move the v-brake bosses, but brakes with long arms can be used without adapters.

The fold is not as compact with 20" wheels, but the bike still fits in the carry bag.

I looked at the Reach, but have had my Birdy since before the Reach was introduced. Also, in Japan there is a pretty good aftermarket for the Birdy and Brompton, so upgrades are easy.

I am not allowed to post pics yet, apparently.

The pins for the handlebar hinges on early bikes seem impossible to find - I have tried UK and Germany. I found an alternative here - the pin that connects the gearstick on a Citroen 2CV! They are cheap but plus postage from Germany.

Scroll down on this page - stitch it together, I am not allowed to post urls or images yet
franzose.de/ en/Citroen-2CV/ ACDY/Gangschaltung-Gestaenge/

I am desperate for a modern Sports stem for a Mark 1 Birdy 24 speed - I have an older Comfort stem, adjustable for height .

Titanium rear rack ... Birdy III spec.

Attachment 608355

Attachment 608356

Attachment 608357

Attachment 608358

Pacific Cycles Birdy availability in the USA ?
 

Birdy models marketed by Pacific Cycles are "built up" differently than are R&M Birdy Bikes (e.g. available without lights, fenders...) and are thus lighter in weight. Will Pacific Cycles ship to addresses in the US? (What I'm looking for is a Birdy made lighter by not carrying components that I do not need.)

swop stems?
 

I have a sports stem that requires pins replacing. Do you want to swop plus cash to sort out the pins?

Thanks, I am hoping for one of the black more modern sport ones that does not need pins. The Comfort one I have and could swap, is one like that.

I also have one of the first adjustable comforts [the type with pins] but looking at it, it looks like a really early model, they way it meshes with the headset.

Pins can be obtained from the German Citroen 2cv supplier I posted on another post. I had forgotten that they work on a Birdy and they are still for sale.

Cruising eBay
 

And noticed a couple of sellers offering used Birdys. One of them is offering returns. The usual: bidding or Buy it Now ($1500).

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=reach+gt&_osacat=177831&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR8.TRC0.A0.H0.Xbirdy.TRS 2&_nkw=birdy&_sacat=177831

You should check with USA dealer first
(Dealer) BFold Bikes +1 212 529 7247
224E. 13TH STREET, UNIT #1, NEW YORK, NY 10003,USA(Dealer) BFold BikesMAP
www.bfold.com
bfoldbikes@gmail.com

Thank you!

West Coast
 

West coast vendor is Urban Bike Fitters http://www.urbanbikefitters.com/

I am thinking of getting a Birdy for a fun ride, but the high price is the deterrering factor. A 25+% savings (ala eBay or similar outlet) is making me think about it. That being said, Amazon is selling the retooled Classic for $1000; it’s just doesn’t have the same “wow” factor as the Sport et al.

Got a link for this amazon birdie?

Amazon
 

Hello “old friend”. Here it is
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019YW2Y58/ref=mp_s_a_1_1/139-5989529-0970731?ie=UTF8&qid=1524510955&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pacific%2Bcycles%2Bbirdy&dpPl=1&dpID=516I2uSu9fL&ref=plSrch&th=1&p sc=1

The red one is $300 less than the blue one.

Amazon is also selling the Reach T20, but it is the older model. They fixed a design flaw in the 2017 models.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GR8A1ES/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524617992&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pacific+cycles+birdy&dpPl=1&dpID=51TLbUZ7elL&ref=plSrch

That seems a good deal.I like this version as you can put big apples on. It has the right rear drailler the updated stem from the pin version.
Its wrong to state the monocoque was discontinued. Its still available as the city.

Birdy Classic
 

That is real good to know. Thanks for the advice. Now, all I have to do is save up for it (I’m halfway there).

Hi Roegmann, what is the design flaw in the pre-2017 Reach?

the one I've heard is that dirt gets in the front thru-axle, making it difficult/impossible to remove the front wheel.

Axle
 

Thanks Abu and Roegmann! It is good to know.

Kill two birds with one stone; fly to Taiwain, and buy a Reach, and tour there.