Birdy off-road performance?
#1
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Birdy off-road performance?
I'm looking to have a small folder that I can throw into the trunk of my car and use it to traverse dirt trails and urban obstacles.
I've been admiring the Birdy for the longest time - and I'm on the verge of getting a second hand one (2014 - guess it's an MK2), but I just want to ensure my fears are unfounded. Is the MK3 a much better deal? Seems the improvements are nice but hardly a big deal.
And for those who use it for trails (packed dirt and such), what are the wheels that you currently use? Thanks.
I've been admiring the Birdy for the longest time - and I'm on the verge of getting a second hand one (2014 - guess it's an MK2), but I just want to ensure my fears are unfounded. Is the MK3 a much better deal? Seems the improvements are nice but hardly a big deal.
And for those who use it for trails (packed dirt and such), what are the wheels that you currently use? Thanks.
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I have used my Birdy quite a bit on trails and such, most notably my tour of Kangaroo Island (see link in signature). It was remarkable how it soaked up road corrugations once I got the speed up high enough. The roads were dirt, surfaced with pebbles, literally stone age ball bearings. That didn't work too well, the bike would drift to the lowest point ie the edges, which is also where all the pebble balls tended to collect, bringing me to a necessary stop to avoid losing control. In one place, the small bike wheels broke through a surface crust. Connie's bigger wheeled Reach fared much better.
Kangaroo Island was almost a worst case, though.
Tyres? Don't remember, maybe the pics will tell.
Kangaroo Island was almost a worst case, though.
Tyres? Don't remember, maybe the pics will tell.
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Really appreciate your answer. Your Kangaroo Island trip looked awesome! The pearl-white Birdy is a VERY close second to my favorite color - orange.
I would absolutely love to do that one day, but unfortunately it may have to be without my urbanite wife who would rather be in a mall than on the road.
Yeah one of the primary concerns was definitely the smallish wheels which are only a little bigger than the B. I believe I'd have a Birdy by now if it came standard with 20" wheels (406 from standard 355s), and while I heard it can be done, it is not without compromises.
From what you've said, I think I can live with that.
I would absolutely love to do that one day, but unfortunately it may have to be without my urbanite wife who would rather be in a mall than on the road.
Yeah one of the primary concerns was definitely the smallish wheels which are only a little bigger than the B. I believe I'd have a Birdy by now if it came standard with 20" wheels (406 from standard 355s), and while I heard it can be done, it is not without compromises.
From what you've said, I think I can live with that.
Last edited by keyven; 10-17-16 at 08:00 PM.
#4
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Many birdy owners have modified theirs with 20" wheels. And with 20" wheels, you can still throw it in your trunk.
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I run 3 birdies.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.
Last edited by bhkyte; 10-18-16 at 01:27 PM.
#6
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Looks like a good candidate for those Zee or Saint stubby RDs with cage clutch for single chainrings that eat up to 36T.
I run 3 birdies.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.
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I went into a local shop and was essentially told by the helpful storeperson that I should not bother with a Birdy if I intend to do a fair bit of off-road. Which was one of the major reasons I wanted one. Speed is not my forte
He was quite nice about it but he made it clear that a Birdy should not be used on trails and such, even when I said I intended to ride on packed dirt.
He was quite nice about it but he made it clear that a Birdy should not be used on trails and such, even when I said I intended to ride on packed dirt.
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I run 3 birdies.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.
My off road one is basic.
2" big apples therefore cant run front fenders.
Replaced plastic double chainring with single alloy.
Replaced rear cage rear mech with small cage and got rid of chain catcher when it caused a lot of damage going into rear cassette. I ordered new chain tesioner from bike gang.
I run softest estormetres back and front and a thudbuster seatpost.
Its amazing for a small wheeled bike off road.
.
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Birdy will perform better than Brompton, that I am sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVUCycrToA0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVUCycrToA0
#11
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I went into a local shop and was essentially told by the helpful storeperson that I should not bother with a Birdy if I intend to do a fair bit of off-road. Which was one of the major reasons I wanted one. Speed is not my forte
He was quite nice about it but he made it clear that a Birdy should not be used on trails and such, even when I said I intended to ride on packed dirt.
He was quite nice about it but he made it clear that a Birdy should not be used on trails and such, even when I said I intended to ride on packed dirt.
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Wow, that edition of the Jetstream with the German forks was seriously expensive, way more than all but the top of the range Birdy models - and I don't think it's been available for a good few years.
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Sort out the ground clearence of the mech and tougher chain ring and fit big apples.
I have been round clumber park grounds and stoney footpaths and pathpaths along rivers, wooded areas and plenty of remote areas.
I think a lot of people just under estimate folders capacity. And dont see upgrade potential. I recomend a thudbuster I you do want a high level of comfort
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Depends what off road means.
I do a lot of river pathway that are just packed ground. I dont go anywhere on my mbt than I wont take my birdie. Been on mountian bike courses, not downhill jump ones and coped fine
I do a lot of river pathway that are just packed ground. I dont go anywhere on my mbt than I wont take my birdie. Been on mountian bike courses, not downhill jump ones and coped fine
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$1,250 with normal frame and German A Kilo fork last time i checked in SG. About one half the price of a Birdy.
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Likewise
Sort out the ground clearence of the mech and tougher chain ring and fit big apples.
I have been round clumber park grounds and stoney footpaths and pathpaths along rivers, wooded areas and plenty of remote areas.
I think a lot of people just under estimate folders capacity. And dont see upgrade potential. I recomend a thudbuster I you do want a high level of comfort
Sort out the ground clearence of the mech and tougher chain ring and fit big apples.
I have been round clumber park grounds and stoney footpaths and pathpaths along rivers, wooded areas and plenty of remote areas.
I think a lot of people just under estimate folders capacity. And dont see upgrade potential. I recomend a thudbuster I you do want a high level of comfort
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He did not give much reasons other than the suspension is not meant to absorb major bumps or off-road riding, but mostly to smooth the ride on roads and such.
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If you want to go off-road there is of course this:-https://www.avonvalleycyclery.co.uk/7...ino-black.aspx
Last edited by Diode100; 10-21-16 at 03:28 AM.