Birdy (bicycle)


The Birdy is a folding bicycle designed by Riese und Müller in Germany and produced by Pacific Cycles in Taiwan. As of 2010 over 100,000 had been sold. Three distinct models have been marketed, the third sold from July 2015.
First released in 1995, it was the first fully suspended folding bike. The ride is regarded by some as more sporty than the Brompton, thanks in part to a stiff single-piece aluminium frame with road bike rider geometry and no hinge. Some prefer its stiff suspended ride and rapid acceleration to that of a full-sized bike.

Specifications

Markus Riese had the basic idea for the Birdy in 1992. The first prototype was quickly welded together from two old bicycles in his parent's garage. After a year, Markus Riese and Heiko Muller built a prototype out of aluminium and won the “Hessian Innovation Prize”. The prototype was shown at two trade shows, Intercycle in Cologne and Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, and caused a stir. The first Birdy bikes were sold in 1995 as a 'de luxe' folder, the first with full suspension. It had a high price tag, usually over US$1,000.
Several specifications were available, most with dérailleur gears but including one model with a rubber belt drive. All had only one front chainring, and a range of gearing options on the rear wheel from 6 to 14 gears. There was a short period in 1996-1997 when a stock of blue frames entered the USA and were built up and sold with inferior 6 speed components, branded as 'Jeep Renegade'.

The Birdy's dimensions are small enough to take into offices, on buses, and to pack for travelling. It is the second smallest of the quality folding bikes, and is similar in size to the Mezzo performance folder:
Width:
Height:
Length:
The front suspension is unique among bikes currently on the market. The leading arm design provides anti-dive suspension, unlike trailing arm designs. The hinged rear swingarm is suspended by a urethane bush, that can also be replaced with a gas-filled unit. The bike has always offered standard rear dropout spacing, which allows a wide range of gearing options and disc brakes. Standard options currently include: 8-speed hub gear, 8-speed dérailleur, 24-speed SRAM Dual Drive hybrid gearing system, Rohloff Speedhub 14-speed hub gear. The more expensive models are now fitted with disc brakes.
Wheels are 18" but conversions can easily be made to the more readily available 16" size used by Brompton. For a long time there were no decent 18" tyres. Some have even fitted 20-inch wheels to the bike.
For folding, the rear suspension tucks under the frame, the front suspension is unclipped and hinges back under the frame, and the seat post is collapsed. Lastly the handlebars hinge downward. The front wheel can be left unfolded if the package is to be wheeled, for example when boarding public transport. Folding is relatively more complicated than for a Brompton and takes slightly longer.
Available accessories are mudguards, front and rear folding racks, bags, lighting sets and some upmarket extra components sold in Singapore and Hong Kong, like gas suspension units. Two optional rear racks are available, the SL Carrier and the Expedition Carrier. The former mounts directly to the swingarm, and allows only the use of a rack-top bag. The latter is a folding 16mm tubular rack mounted on pivots on both the main frame and the swingarm, which allows use of small panniers when mudguards are fitted. The mounting pivots for this rack have only been fitted to frames since 2003. Both racks are available with rollers which allows the Birdy to roll when folded.
A slightly lighter Mark 2 monocoque frame, with greater support for the seatpost, was introduced in 2006 along with new component choices. The Mark 1 continues to be used with a slightly updated frame on some models, notably the World Comfort. Some riders have reduced the Birdy's weight to 8 kg using racing components, but this was only on the Mark 1 frames. Stock bikes ranged from to over, depending on the setup. The heavier bikes tend to have 3x8 gearing systems, involving an internally geared rear hub and an external derailleur. The Birdy Race was introduced in 2013 and has dropped handlebars, and Shimano 20-speed gears with two front chainrings.
A smaller version of the Birdy, the Frog, was introduced in the 2000s, then withdrawn due to poor sales, and was back from 2010.
A mark 3 design was released in July 2015. The frame looks the same as a Mk2, but the fold is smaller, the bike is slightly lighter, components have again been strengthened, and the front fork redesigned. The confusing number of models has been reduced to four.

Average price

Equipment set up differs greatly from country to country. In the US, entry-level bikes cost approximately $1,500 and are equipped with low-mid range Shimano Alivio components. The Birdy monocoque frameset costs approximately US$1,000 without parts. Prices for the Mk 2 rose to the electric model with a 250watt motor in the rear wheel
In the UK, the entry-level model costs £939 to permit purchase under cycle-to-work schemes. High-end titanium models can cost over US$4,500. Japan is the biggest market for these bikes and offers a wide array of cost-effective choices. In Japan, the bike is distributed as the Bianchi Fretta and BD-1. The cheapest model in Australia is A$1,400 in 2015.
The Birdy is distributed in Europe by Riese und Müller, in Japan by Pacific Cycles Japan, in North America through dealers B-Fold . and in Australia by . Some distributors make custom modifications to the bicycle including better suspension dampers and wheels.

Uses and advantages

With its wide range of gearing options, stiff frame and basic suspension, the Birdy is suitable not only for commuting but also for longer distance touring.
The combination of smooth but stiff ride, fold, and quirky looks have created a fetish for the Birdy in Japan. It also has a large following in the UK, Europe, the US, and Australia. The Birdy's folded size is similar to the 20-inch Dahon folders: larger than a Brompton, but significantly smaller than a Bike Friday. Advantages:
In sum it is a versatile bike, offering high performance, and sturdiness and luggage capacity for loaded long-distance touring using a variety of racks and panniers supplied by R&M and other manufacturers. Reviews, for example those by the reputable alternative bike magazine AtoB, point to the great speed and comfort of the Mark 2, but the folding is not always quick if you miss a step, and the tyres available for 18" rims were limited for some years. Tire selection is now adequate, and Kevlar-beaded tires, which can be folded for carriage in panniers, are available including the Schwalbe Marathon Racer.

Disadvantages

The main criticisms are:
Criticisms noticed by some riders: