Birdy DA20

[Kell]

The Mighty Velo have produced a new 11-speed version of the Birdy with 20” wheels and Duraace components.

Lightest 20” folder in the world at 9.8kg.

Which looks good. And is priced very much like the G-Line at around £2823 (if my conversion is correct).

Unfortunately, there’s only 20 in the world.


View: https://youtu.be/SyVAFEPoNps?si=ZMHwDndtUXpHbNml

 

[ianrauk]

A build with cheaper components, Tiagra or such like which won't add too much more weight and they could be on to a winner if they bring the price down.
Using that on a daily commute would chew through components like nobody's business. And we all know how much Dura Ace would cost to replace.
Also a little bit disappointing in that it only has cable disc brakes as apposed to hydraulic.
But over all, its a lovely bike.

 

[Kell]

A little googling brought up a cheaper version with 105 for just under £2,000. Couple of years old though.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUUk416bnE

 

[ianrauk]

Now that's much more sensible for a commute. That blue is a nice colour too... of course. It does like like a nippy thing and the fold is pretty good too.

 

[simongt]

The GLW and I tried Birdys at the York Festival some years ago, but didn't go any further although they were a grand ride.
One of the things that concerned me was having the derailleur so close to the ground and the inevitable dirt etc. throwup because of the small wheels.

 

[ktmbiker58]

Spoiler alert - watch this space - inspired by the DA20 and with the need to do some maintenance on my Birdy I have decided to do my own lightweight build mostly from my parts bin, I have ordered a 20" wheelset as the choice of tyres is so much wider than for 18", the trusty Rohloff will be getting a break as the new rear wheel will have a Sram Red XG1190 11-32 lightweight cassette with Sram Red mech, TRP Spyre calipers, Whiskey carbon fibre drop bars, I am not going super light on the tyres as I do ride it on gravel at times so fitting some Schwalbe G-One Speeds. I can't wait to try it out - probably going to be at least a week before the wheels turn up.

 

[ktmbiker58]

Update to my Birdy project: I calculated the gearing and have decided to swap out the original Birdy crankset which is 170mm with 54t for my Shimano GRX crankset which is 165mm (same as my other bikes) and a 46t Wolftooth chainring, that will give me a speed range of 30km/hr to 10km/hr at a cadence of 80rpm which is much better for my hilly location. I can still spin at 110rpm despite being an old fart which gives me a theoretical top speed of 42 km/hr. It also means the Birdy gets a Stages power meter - just in case I want to race a 'weekend warrior' hehe, I ought to enter a local TT at this rate

 

[ktmbiker58]

And here she is - Speed Birdy, Hubsmith 20" wheels with Schwalbe G-One Speeds in 40mm, Shimano GRX crankset with Wolftooth 46t chain ring and Stages power meter, Whiskey carbon fibre drop bars (in cruising position I can drop them another 50mm in an instant). Sram Red midlength rear mech with XG1190 ultra lightweight 11-32 cassette. TRP Spyre calipers, saddle is an Ergon that I might replace with a Selle. Karoo Hammerhead computer. I have left the cables on the long side I may trim them after I have folded her a few times to make sure nothing stretches or gets snagged.

Weight is exactly 10kg, I could drop it below that with a lighter saddle and the rack is quite heavy.

It honestly rides like a full size bike, I am amazed and really pleased, she folds even easier than before.

The next step is lighter saddle and try to find some 20" tubes with 60mm valves as I am having to use extenders at the moment.

 

[ktmbiker58]

Speed Birdy update - shakedown ride this morning, 12 miles in just over an hour with 600ft of climbing with a maximum 10% gradient, gearing pretty much spot on, brakes good, handling very good, nice to ride in the drops although the saddle is a bit wide for the more sporty riding position so I will have to change it. Most surprising was how well it climbed, I think the lower centre of gravity compared to a full size bike helps.

Next job, just check it over and swap the saddle - I've only ridden it for just over an hour and I've already had two 'Cool bike' compliments

 

[biggs682]

@ktmbiker58 it does look good and glad you are enjoying it so far

 

[ktmbiker58]

@ktmbiker58 it does look good and glad you are enjoying it so far

Yes indeed, I've owned it for a couple of years but it always seemed a bit heavy and slow, fine for around town but I never used it for longer rides, moving up to 20" wheels and lightening it as much as possible has transformed it - I want to ride it all the time now!