【Unboxing】Birdy GT vs Standard Folding Bikes: What's the Difference in the Third Generation? 3 Features that Catch Your Attention | Some Interesting Facts to Share with You!

Today, we will introduce the Birdy folding bikes, and many customers often ask about the differences between the Birdy GT and Birdy Standard versions. Although the price difference is not significant, I personally prefer the GT model, and I would like to explain why in more detail.

Birdy GT vs. Birdy Standard: Riding Differences with Off-Road Tires

When discussing the Birdy GT, it's essential to mention its off-road tires. The Birdy GT is equipped with 18-inch wheels and tires specifically designed for off-road riding. These tires have a more aggressive tread pattern, providing enhanced traction and control on uneven or unpaved surfaces. They are built to handle rough terrain and offer a more adventurous riding experience.

On the other hand, the Birdy Standard is designed for urban or flat terrain riding. It features standard tires with a more general-purpose tread pattern, suitable for smooth roads and everyday commuting. The tires on the Birdy Standard may also have reflective sidewalls, increasing visibility and safety in low-light conditions.

Birdy GT indeed utilizes off-road tires from the German brand Schwalbe, specifically the model called Blackjack. These tires have a size of 18x1.9 inches, which is slightly wider than the standard Birdy tires. The Blackjack tires are well-regarded for their excellent performance in off-road riding and cornering. They offer enhanced traction, stability, and control, making them highly favored by riders who enjoy off-road adventures. The choice of the Schwalbe Blackjack tires on the Birdy GT further enhances its capability for off-road excursions and adds to its appeal among cycling enthusiasts.

Many people choose the Birdy GT specifically because of its inclusion of the off-road tires, as it allows them to enjoy a superior riding experience.

The outstanding braking system of the Birdy GT: Dedicated to gravel and off-road riding

The braking system of the Birdy GT is worth mentioning as a standout feature. It is equipped with the cable-actuated hydraulic disc brakes from the Taiwanese brand Juin, designed specifically for gravel and off-road riding. Juin brakes are well-known in the industry, and if cyclists were to upgrade to a similar system, it could cost around one to two thousand dollars. The Birdy GT comes pre-equipped with the Juin braking system, ensuring safer and more reliable riding experiences.

Birdy GT and Birdy Standard both feature upgraded components that enhance riding performance, including the square-taper bottom bracket (BB) and the hollow BB.

In addition to the mentioned features, there are other noteworthy upgrade elements in both the Birdy GT and Birdy Standard models. Both bikes incorporate a square-taper bottom bracket (BB) design, which provides reliable power transfer and compatibility with a wide range of cranksets. However, the Birdy GT takes it a step further with the introduction of a hollow BB (bottom bracket). These components, sourced from the Taiwanese brand Driveline, contribute to improved performance and durability for the Birdy models. These upgrade elements ensure enhanced riding efficiency for both the Birdy GT and Birdy Standard.

Gear Upgrade for Birdy GT and Birdy Standard: Enjoy a Smoother 10-Speed Riding Experience

Both models have received upgrades in their gear systems. The Birdy Standard originally used a Sora 9-speed drivetrain with a maximum chainring size of 32T. Now, the GT has been upgraded to a 10-speed drivetrain with the same maximum chainring size of 32T. This upgrade provides a smoother riding experience. It's worth mentioning that these gear systems use high-quality components from SRAM, ensuring reliability and improved performance. Whether you choose the Birdy GT or Birdy Standard, you can enjoy a smoother riding experience.

Indeed, these three upgrades to the bike components have made the Birdy GT even more valuable. The cost of these upgrades is relatively higher, and if one were to upgrade from the Birdy Standard to the Birdy GT, the overall cost would be higher. However, the improvements and added value that these upgrades bring to the riding experience make the Birdy GT a more cost-effective choice.

Birdy GT features a cable-actuated hydraulic braking system that offers some convenient characteristics:

On the brake lever, there is a red button that can be pressed to release the brake cable, making it slack. This feature is convenient for maintenance and lubrication purposes, as it allows for easier disassembly of the brake cable. When you press this button, the brake cable pops out.

According to official information, Birdy GT uses TEKTRO brake levers and may be equipped with some robust C-type brake calipers. When you need to remove a C-type brake caliper, the quick-release system may not be wide enough. In such cases, you can use the aforementioned button to loosen the brake cable, making it easier to remove. This design is particularly convenient for the Birdy GT model, which is also intended for Cyclocross applications. However, it's important to note that Birdy GT uses disc brakes, which is a significant difference compared to Birdy Standard. Overall, this cable-actuated hydraulic braking system makes it easier to maintain the brake cables on the Birdy GT.

Summary: Main Differences between Birdy GT and Birdy Standard

1. Brake System

Birdy GT uses a hydraulic cable-actuated brake system.

Meanwhile, Birdy Standard features a mechanical cable-actuated disc brake. Hydraulic brake systems generally offer more powerful braking performance and finer adjustability.

2. Disc Brake System

Birdy GT is equipped with a disc brake system developed by Juin, a company from Taiwan.

On the other hand, Birdy Standard uses a standard mechanical disc brake system.

Juin's disc brake system may offer higher levels of performance and quality, providing better braking performance and reliability.

3. Gear System

Birdy GT features a 10-speed SRAM gear system, while Birdy Standard utilizes a SORA 9-speed derailleur. This means that Birdy GT offers more gear options, allowing for a wider range of riding possibilities.

4. Frame System

In other aspects, Birdy GT is equipped with a hollow bottom bracket (BB), which helps reduce the weight of the frame and improves rigidity.

On the other hand, Birdy Standard uses a square-taper bottom bracket.

In summary, Birdy GT offers upgrades and optimizations in terms of brake system, disc brakes, gear system, and bottom bracket system compared to Birdy Standard, providing higher performance and more functionality options.

5.Seat 

Although both Birdy Standard and Birdy GT seats are designed for sporty riding, Birdy GT features a racing seat from the renowned Italian brand Selle ITALIA, which demonstrates a high level of attention to detail and quality.

Regarding future batches and designs, it is currently unclear whether Selle ITALIA seats or other brands will continue to be used. However, at least in the current batch of Birdy GT models, they feature seats from the Selle ITALIA X3 series, which demonstrates the brand's commitment and efforts in design.

Exclusive recommendation from the boss:

If you like the military green and sand color options of Birdy GT, you can choose one of them based on your preference and then consider modifying it by switching the off-road tires to road tires. This modification can be done according to your specific needs for riding on flat roads, making the ride more aligned with your preferences and usage environment.

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