bhkyte

Interesting.
My Mezzo with kojacks is definitely a lot faster than the marathon shod in the same set up. (now sold)
Don't have any data to prove the case.
I don't have a jokack tyre on my birdies to do a rolling resistance test.
I tend to buy what I know. And don't have experience with the "racer "model or "duno "
Marathons can be a quickish tyre if pumped up very firm.

bhkyte

Does anyone need a brand new bidie stem for an integrated headset framed bike?
Don't fit my older model.
It's a shame as the mk4 stem is a work of art!
Gladly swop for birdie kit also.

sicknsore

So I just upgraded to shimano 105 10 speed with some gear skipping issues.. everytime i shifted to lower gear i need to shift down twice and back up once to be on the gear i wanted.. any info on that?

Also there're creaking noises from the front wheel (not sure) when riding the bike. Is it common? didn't experienced it before upgraded.

now im looking for a new wheelset, but still on the fence for staying with 18" or going for 20". any suggestions ?

bhkyte

Having to change up and down like you describe is due to two possible reasons.
1) lack of spring return in the cable system. Ie brake levers springs or drailler springs weak.
More likely
2) stiff cables.
Try oilling the cable first insitu use gravity to feed in down. Maybe turn upside down etc.
If that doesnt work..
Take inner out and coat with 3in1 or simular lube.
Inspect for kinks in the cable. Sometimes hidden. But can be confirmed if remove inner. Check inner slide cleanly through outer else out damaged.

You can change to teflon linned innercables and better outters.
I dont find birdies need it.

Another solution is add an inline spring somehow. Pen springs work well with some imagination.

Lastly check your cable end terminals.
Sometimes the groment wears out and the cable is not held in place properly.
I now fit brass spoke washers to strengthen them.

yangmusa

I had a creak coming from the front. It turned out to be the front fork pivots - disassembling, cleaning, lubing, reassembling sorted it out. (I seem to vaguely recall reading somewhere that the pivots were maintenance free and shouldn't be touched. But it solved my problem, and doesn't seem to have caused any issues in the 10 years since... Still, YMMV and caveat emptor..)

sicknsore

thanks for the detailed tips, as you said it might just the shifter cable.. in my case, the rear cable somehow got tangled in the process of unfolding the bike. always forgot to check that part before riding

sicknsore

will check the front fork pivots then.. thanks

bhkyte

Front fork pivots are maintainable. They can loosen.

Rear frame pivot is discribed as maintence free.
However they do wear out and can be replaced by dealers. Just had mike done.
Dont think birdie sell the bearing set to the public.

Sangetsu

In markets where Birdys are popluar, retailers often sell rear pivot pins. The front pivots come originally with plastic bushings which eventually wear out. Dealers usually carry replacements, some aftermarket manufacturers have front pivot hardware with needle bearings, which last indefinitely. The rear pivot pin is a simple metal shaft clamped in place. Titanium replacements are available. I have net been able to wear out a rear pivot shaft.

mikedefieslife

I've recently bought a Birdy with a Shimano Alphine 8 IGH.

I've never used an IGH before (at least not a modern one). Is it normal feel a heavy-ish drag from the hub? If I loosen off the brakes and spin the rear wheel by hand, it will not continue spinning feely like a normal feewheel would.

Secondly, it seems like this Afine 8 has a coaster brake. Meaning it's not possible to pedal backwards. Is that original equipment on the Birdy?

Finally, my rear swingarm clamp is broken. Are metal replacements available? The plastic on doesn't seem very robust.

tomtomtom123

The R&M website has replaced the Dual Drive Birdy with the Birdy Touring. Instead of the dual drive, they have 9 speed 9-32T cassette. But I couldn't find information about the hub or the list of all the cogs. The page only states that the cassette is from Sunrace. I'm curious about their spacing. There would be big jumps somewhere. Alternatively I think it may be possible to fit 11-34 or 11-36 on as small as 16" wheels with a Shimano Zee derailleur which has a very short cage.

mikedefieslife

Here's a short clip of the problem I have with my Alfine 8 hub. The drag seems far too high to me.

I've opened it up and it seems well greased, but something must be amiss. The drag when not peddling sound like it's coming from the gear side rather than the side with the torque arm.

It can't be that bad as standard can it?

bhkyte

Yes thats not right.
Is it over greased, or used the wrong grease. Or is the shifter mechanism catching onthe gog?
Over greased would be my guess.
Is it over tightened somehow on the cones somehow?. I only really know nexus hubs.

chagzuki

Looks like the brake is partially engaged.

Abu Mahendra

That truly blows.

mikedefieslife

It is better when the wheel is out and spin it in my hands but it's still not good.

Took it apart again today. Seems it is very sensitive to the two nuts on the torque arm side of the hub. These need to be very loose, but there is a fine line between having them loose enough to allow the hub to spin nicely, and tight enough to limit play in the hub and bearings.

I've also noticed that I'm missing a spacer where the hub torque arm attaches to the frame. Not sure where I'll find one of those or even what size it should be.

foldingdroid

I have seen the round tube frame and the monocoque frame but not this...

spj

I'm looking for an older model stem too, in UK - I have one of the very first Birdys [the ones with the smaller front fork hinge bearings] and I am really fed up with the pins and circlips on the early stem. Parts are so hard to find.

ttakata73

mikedefieslife, thanks for the info link on the Kojaks. I had 20" Kojaks on an old Dahon Silvertip awhile back and felt the bike was fast but I guess it was the overall lower weight vs regular sized bikes that swayed me.

Anyhow... anyone feeling the new Birdy GT? Fatter knobby tires, cable/hydro brakes, and 10 speeds sounds more gravel ready than most folders. I keep envying Moulton pics here but won't pay that kind of money for something with rim brakes.



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foldingdroid

This Ridea chain tensioner is good for short cage derailleurs.

Monumentale

Hi birdy fans, finally after two years of web search and fear of bike thiefts I've bought my MK3 speed version, thah means hydraulic disc brakes and Ultegra 9 speed.
Now I would like to customize the mezzo to obtain two improvements: loosing wight and increasing suspension performances.
What are the state of the art aftermarket suspensions for you?
How to obtain a cost effective weight reduction?

Thank you in advance,
Luca

ttakata73

Congratulations Luca, let's see some pics of your Birdy. New, used, good deal?

I think with any bike the tires, saddle, seatpost, and handlebars are the biggest easy weight loss. A lot of people seem to have problems getting carbon fiber seatposts to not slip because they can't be clamped tight like metal seatposts. I personally tend to increase weight with my saddles because Sella Anatomica and Brooks weigh a lot but are comfy. So I would start with a carbon handlebar, lighter tires, then maybe pedals. An expensive drop in weight would be the new Sram Dub crankset but I don't think they are for sale yet.

Monumentale

Thank you ttakata73,
I'll post asap some nice pics in the center of Milan.
Could you advice me a fully compatible handlebar and carbon wheelset (I'll prefer 20")? If I put 20" wheel it will also be possible to use big apple tyres?

Concerning suspensions I've seen Colorplus BS03 and the Shybuya Multi-S ones that I'll personally prefer because of the hydraulic system to cut off bumping.

mkatz

I wonder how much a 20" wheelset would increase the folding size?

ttakata73

I don't own a Birdy myself so was just giving general advice. I would search for "Hylix 31.8 carbon handlebar" on ebay. Hylix makes light stuff for reasonable money and they've been in business for years so maybe safe since no one reports of problems. Going lighter would be big money from Schmolke or the other German boutiques.

Another ebay search for just Birdy results in some light hubs from J&L which also has been in business for years. Can't find any reviews on them though.

This guy added 20" rims but you need skinny tires for it to work. Fold doesn't look much worse.

https://www.foldingtales.com/home/2016/12/29/birdy-long-term-review