The History of Birdy Bicycles

Birdy Folding Bikes: The History of Birdy

The Birdy is one of the most well recognized folding performance bikes in the world. Even with how hard it is to find in a bicycle shop in Singapore, many still try to get their hands on it. It is manufactured in Taiwan by world-famous folding bike manufacturers, Pacific Cycles. But, it was designed almost 20 years ago by Markus Riese and Heiko Müller. 

The two were college buddies who shared a passion for cycling, going on long tours during college breaks. It was during one of these tours that they realised their regular bikes did not provide a lot of support. This made the riding experience very uncomfortable, which prompted them to find a solution. And in 1993, the duo finally found one. They built the first full-suspension bike, a prototype they called Birdy. The Birdy was designed with full suspension for a few reasons. Mainly because they wanted a smoother ride while still having it be compact. They also gave the Birdy smaller tyres but wanted to keep the high pressure on them when riding. This Birdy prototype won them the Hesse Innovation Prize in 1993. This fueled Riese and Mueller to find a manufacturer for their Birdy performance bikes. 

It didn’t take long for them to find someone who wanted to make their bikes. In 1995, Pacific Cycles stepped forward to be their manufacturer. And thus, a relationship that would change the biking industry was born. The first generation Birdy performance bikes had full suspension tubular single piece aluminium frames. And of course, they could be folded down to a compact size. The Birdy folding performance bike stood out from the rest of the market at that time. Their popularity grew quickly and stretched wide. Many cyclists were impressed by the engineering put into these bikes.

The New Birdy Performance Bikes

Fast forward to today. The Birdy brand is one of the most recognized folding bike brands in the world. Over 100,000 Birdy performance bikes having been sold all over the world and many more follow. The latest iterations, the MK3, have been in the market since 2015. 

The retro tube frame has been switched for a new sturdier single monocoque frame. The single welded frame flexes very little when riding, providing a very stable ride. Plus the new Birdy is still a full-suspension bike. Thus, it provides the smoothest, most comfortable rides out of all the folding bikes in the market.

And of course, what makes it stand out the most is its compact fold. A Birdy performance bike can be folded in about 15 seconds with practice. It is one of the fastest folding bikes out there. And unlike some other compact folding bikes, the Birdy can be rolled in its folded form. So if you do a lot of cycling in Singapore and want one for commuting too, get a Birdy. You can take it on leisure rides or cycling trips and bring it to work with you during the weekdays. 

The Birdy bikes are all high-quality performance bikes. With 5 variations to choose from, there is a Birdy performance bike for every type of rider. Whether they like off-road riding, long-distance cycling or just want a commuter bike. The Birdy can meet everyone's needs.

Birdy City

A bike made for the everyday cyclist. It shows off the flexibility, comfort and style that has become synonymous with the Birdy brand. The Birdy City is both commuter-friendly yet provides enough for a seasoned rider. 

The third generation monocoque frame is paired with a 9 speeds Shimano Sora derailleur. This provides a smooth riding experience with the rider being able to cruise along at fast speeds. Shifting between gears is simple and quick thanks to the Shimano shifter that comes with the City. 

If you’re looking for a bike for first-last mile commutes, the Birdy City is perfect for you. It is a folding bike after all so you can fold it up once you ride to the station or bus stop and roll it in with you. You can easily roll it using the seat post or carry it as it only weighs 10.9kg. The Birdy City is an all-rounder bike that gives a superb price-performance ratio.

Birdy GT

The Birdy GT is the bike for those with an adventurous spirit. It is built to go on all-terrain paths. Fitted with treaded tyres and a hydraulic disc brake system, it is the bike to satisfy your off-road riding needs. Cycling on dirt tracks and muddy terrain will be a breeze. The 10 speeds Sram X5-A1 derailleur will provide the rider with good speed to get over inclines and bumps. 

The Juin Tech Hydraulic Disc Brake is another standout feature on the GT. It is the only Birdy model which has Hydraulic Disc brakes and for good reason. These brakes give the rider more stopping power and thus more control. It will be necessary on uneven terrain where the ground below you can shift at any moment.

Its threaded, knobby Schwalbe Black Jack tyres will dig into dirt and sand roads with ease to give you a stable ride. Taking it onto rougher terrain will feel no different from riding on pavements. Its full suspension frame combined with those thick tyres provide the most cushioned ride out of all the Birdy models. The Birdy GT is perfect for daily commuters who want to go on outdoor adventures on their days off.

Birdy R20

The Birdy R20 is the latest of the Birdy bikes. It is the fastest Birdy performance foldable bike and the only one with 20" tyres. It is made for those who love speeding on open roads, feeling the wind in their face as they ride. It weighs 11kg. Many consider it to be the best folding bike out there if you want a fast one.

The highlights of this bike are its 11 speeds Shimano 105 R700 derailleur and Hubsmith wheelset. Both combine to give the R20 unrivalled speed, making it one of the fastest foldable bikes in Singapore and most of the world. Its gear set is backed by a set of smooth 20" Panaracer tyres. These tyres make less contact with the ground as you are riding, providing additional smoothness and speed to the R20. That combined with the monocoque Birdy frame provides a stable ride even at its top speed. So for those who are looking for a light, fast, easy to fold folding bike, get the Birdy R20

Birdy Rohloff

The King of Birdys, the Rohloff. A 14 speeds touring bike that is made to go the distance. It is custom-fitted with premium Rohloff bike parts, providing a super smooth ride. And the thing that sets it apart from any other Birdy model is its 14 speeds Rohloff hub. 

The internal Rohloff Hub is designed to require little to no maintenance from the rider. The gears are all protected within the aluminium casing. Shifting through the gears feels super smooth as they are paired with a Rohloff Twist shifter. Overall it has the smoothest transition between gears out of all the Birdys.

The Birdy Rohloff is a gem in the bike world and will suit the needs of seasoned cyclists. If you are looking for a bike that you can ride for long distances, this is the one for you.

Birdy New Classic

The Birdy New Classic is a nod to the origin of Birdy. The New Classic still has that vintage, circular frame and look of the old Classic. But it combines that with improved functionality, giving us a retro bike with a modern body.

The Birdy New Classic has a redesigned mainframe that is more rigid, giving little flex when riding. The internal cable routing gives it a sleeker feel. Riding the New Classic feels smoother and more balanced. This 8 speeds bike is great for daily commuting.

Mighty Velo, Pacific Cycles official distributor

The New Birdy performance bikes are now available in Singapore. Visit our official distributor showroom to check out all 6 models. You can choose from 17 different frame colours for your Birdy Bike. Once you’ve picked your model and frame we will assemble your bike for you in 4 working days.

Mighty Velo has been a folding bike specialists for years. We are one of the best bike shops in Singapore. And the best place to get a foldable bike in Singapore. Our team has been trained in Taiwan by Pacific Cycles on how to maintain their bikes. You will receive quality care and work from our trained mechanics.

For all food delivery professionals out there, we have good news! If you have qualified for the e-scooter Trade-in Grant (eTG), you can use your eTG letter to purchase the Birdy Rohloff. Once you have made your purchase you can use your eTG letter at the designated points to get up to $600 back. The eTG registatraion and eTG claim period both end on 31 Dec. Grabfood has extended it’s eTG claim period till 31 Mar for its riders.

Test ride the Birdy bikes at our Mighty Velo store at 30 Tai Seng Street, Breadtalk IHQ #02-14 Singapore 534013. We are open from Mon - Sat, 10 am - 7 pm. Hurry and get your Birdy performance bike now!

Updated 20/10/2020: All promotions have ended. Mighty Velo is also no longer carrying e-scooters.