Some owners have fitted 20-inch wheels to the bike (a 10th anniversary limited edition had 20" wheels as standard ).įor 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. For a long time there were no decent 18" tyres. Wheels are 18" but conversions can easily be made to the more readily available 16" size used by Brompton. The more expensive models are now fitted with disc brakes. Standard options currently include: 8-speed hub gear, 8-speed dérailleur, 24-speed SRAM Dual Drive hybrid gearing system, and the Rohloff Speedhub 14-speed hub gear. The bike has always offered standard rear dropout spacing, which allows a wide range of gearing options and disc brakes. The hinged rear swingarm is suspended by a urethane bush, that can also be replaced with a gas-filled unit. The leading arm design provides anti-dive suspension, unlike trailing arm designs. The front suspension is unique among bikes currently on the market. It is the second smallest of the quality folding bikes (behind the Brompton), and is similar in size to the Mezzo performance folder:
The Birdy's dimensions are small enough to take into offices, on buses, and to pack for travelling. Mark 1 Birdy folding bike from 2000, with 7 speed dérailleur 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'. All had only one front chainring, and a range of gearing options on the rear wheel from 6 to 14 gears. Several specifications were available, most with dérailleur gears but including one model with a rubber belt drive. It had a high price tag, usually over US$1,000.
The first Birdy bikes were sold in late 1995 as a 'de luxe' folder, the first with full suspension. The prototype was shown at two trade shows, Intercycle in Cologne and Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, and caused a stir. After a year, Markus Riese and Heiko Muller built a prototype out of aluminium and won the “Hessian Innovation Prize”. The first prototype was quickly welded together from two old bicycles in his parent's garage (photos and German article here). Markus Riese had the basic idea for the Birdy in 1992. One of the first versions of BIRDY bike designed in 1995.