Beware that both Schlumpf and Hammerschmidt require you to modify your Birdy frame: https://www.biketinker.com/2010/bike...-double-fixed/
For Efneo and Patterson this is not required (but I don't know if they will fit the Birdy).

The ATS Sclumpf speed drive for the Brompton doesn't require a chamfer of the bottom bracket box. I also don't know if it will fit the Birdy.

Nice to have the ATS option! Schlumpf is well regarded quality. Efneo is less common, but it has been around a while by now. It got a very good review in road.cc in 2017.
https://road.cc/content/review/22779...-front-gearbox

I am considering it for another bike, but there the lack of any option between 28t and 38t is a bit of a problem.

I checked some pictures and it looks like the R&M Birdy Touring once folded rear on the rear rack wheels from one side and the rear fender/mudguard from the other. Is it normal that it rear on the rear fender when put on the floor?

You mean "rest on the rear fender"? Yes, that's normal. And this is why the stay for the rear fender is very thick, and there is a pad on the top of the stay/fender connection to hold the weight and avoid scratching the fender.

The front fender may also touch the ground, and it has a similar pad. But it will not take as much weight, so the front fender stays are normal thickness.

Mine didn’t come with fenders but I installed a set of “easy wheels” to support the bike and for rolling when it’s folded.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a89213ac.jpeg

(p.s. the easy wheels seller sent me the wrong color. I ordered black…. They are sending me the correct one.)

Yes, the rear fender stay is very thick. There are two reasons for that.

First as Glye says, because the folded bike rest on it.

But the stay is also used to hold the bottom of the rear pannier with the hook of the rear pannier.

The folding rear rack is a very clever design and there are few folding bikes that allow to use big rear pannier without hitting them with the heels while pedaling..

On my Ti Birdy, I have Ridea easy wheels similar to he one of jackyharuhiko and a Ridea rear mudguard (unfortunately, the Ti Birdy doesn't accept the folding rear rack). The Ridea rear mudguard is crap, its a piece of thin aluminum that break after a couple of months of use, I had to reinforce it with a titanium plate.

Jipe I heard that since the rear rack is suspended, the rear panniers tear off and scratch fender connection as rear suspension constantly moves.

I like the big size of those! I have the folding rack, which is good but the wheels are very small. They can catch on tiny steps/cracks, which might damage the rack. I guess it would be easy enough to find something bigger, I just need to measure for fit.

Indeed, the rear pannier hook induce some wear on the rear mudguard stays but they are very strong, so its purely cosmetics (a part is now naked aluminum instead of black and polished).

Yes, the original easy wheels are small and thick, they prevent to mount some rear pannier. Their axle is an M6 bold like for the Brompton.

I mounted bigger 60mm, thinner third party easy wheels for Brompton bought on Amazon.de they allow to use Vaude Road Master Roll-it Waxed lightweight big rear pannier.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7c206659bf.jpg

€22? These cost $4.82 a pair on Aliexpress, delivery to Turkey is $5.09

Yes, and you have to wait for months for the delivery while with Amazon they are delivered the next day !

You must also be careful because there are several models very similar but not identical.

It’s simply not true. You’re probably mixing things up with Aliexpress few years ago. Nowadays they deliver within a 7-10 days to Turkey. Should be about the same delivery time to EU if they send it from China. But most sellers already have warehouses in EU with options to ship from there. Should be even faster.

Up until now I don’t remember receiving anything different from Aliexpress but what I’ve ordered. If it’s Litepro it would be Litepro which you will receive. And your amazon listing reads exactly that.

Of course nobody can stop you to pay x4 times the price if you want.

Assuming Birdy can be converted to Rohloff hub after purchase, can the Rohloff hub be ordered separately as a kit for Birdy? If yes in which exactly configuration and where it can be ordered?

You can easily build a Rohloff wheel or have it built by several online shops in Germany.

But to mount a Rohloff on a Birdy as done on a factory built Birdy Rohloff, R&M and Pacific Cycles use some specific parts that can only be ordered from them.

About the easy wheels, the link you gave says: estimated delivery to Belgium Aug 1st. Its one month but my experience is that the estimation is not reliable, the actual delivery time is unpredictable because orders of several customers are grouped for shipment and then the shipment is awaiting for an affordable shipment opportunity.

The problem of long delivery of items coming from China (not only Aliexpress) is a consequence of covid and the huge increase of shipment costs.

Just arrived home and unpacked the bike to give it a quick test ride. Everything seems normal and I found Supernova light to be surprisingly good for street riding. Will not be replacing it. I removed low rider from the front fork which could probably block the light so light is unobstructed. Definitely not as good as Edelux II but pretty good for already preinstalled light.

Could anybody suggest the size/length of the bolt keeping rear rack wheel in place? It was bend probably on the airplane and I need to order replacement.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8231620cc.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...237ad95c5.jpeg

To replace the bolt you need to take it out. Can you do it? Do you need to straighten it out, at least partially, before progressing? By eye it looks like M6.

yes, I can take it out. It’s bent at the connection point to the rack, so it unscrews just fine. After removing not sure if I can straighten it without damaging the thread.

Since you have already taken it out, that's easy. Measure the length (minus the head) and the diameter (outer part of the thread, i.e. the smallest hole the bolt will fit through) rounded up to whole millimeters. If that diameter is 6 mm, it's an M6 bolt. 5 mm = M5. Kindly post the numbers here, I'm also interested.

If any part of the bolt is non-threaded, that's also worth measuring.

It is definitely M6. Therefore that you can mount easy wheels made for the Brompton.

These factory installed easy wheels prevent to mount rear pannier far enough to the rear to avoid to hit them with the heels.

To install rear pannier, you need thin easy wheels mounted close to the rack.

Some pictures (it was last year with original rear wheel, other easy wheels and my former H&H rack now replaced by the original R&M rack but its the same with this R&M rack):
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...045a62be8c.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49c213d7f1.jpg

it’s M6, length is 79mm or probably 80mm when it’s straight:)

Stock wheels are not an issue for me as I’m using this excellent Vincita bag with quick release and it fit’s just fine.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9a9cb9040.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a1e1c6cb0.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b6aebdc67.jpeg

Is there a way to (quickly?) remove these cords to facilitate the bag on the rack?


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e72e5ba4a.jpeg

Is this kickstand position is normal? Seems to be way forward and bicycle leans on the side too much


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7654f76c.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...adff97d0f.jpeg

The screw looks to be too long. Did it come that way, stock? It is usually a bad day when you put a screw into bending. They are designed to take shear and tension. Check the difference between your rack and Jipe's.

Yes, stock rack.

Still, that is the problem. The screw and the spacer are too long. That it is why it bent. Again, look at Jipe's configuration.

If you refer to Jipe’s picture few posts back it’s not a stock rack and the reason why he opted for eazy wheels is because he uses panniers and not because they bend. Mine got bend during shipment in the airplane, not because of a normal use. Once I’ll replace the screw I’m sure stock wheels will be just fine.

Cool then. I have experimented in shopping cart mode with my Brompton. That also uses M6 bolts, and your configuration would likely not work on it. If it works for you, then cool. It will provide more stabilty, but there may be the possibility of snagging it.