Birdy R 20inch 11 Speed Folding Bike

The Birdy R 20inch 11 Speed is a speed-focused, flat-bar Birdy folding bike, pairing 20" wheels with a mid-tier Shimano 105 11-speed groupset. It keeps the same monocoque frame and front + rear suspension as Birdy models such as the Standard and GT, but the bigger wheels and closer-ratio gearing make it the pick for riders who want speed on tarmac without giving up the fold.

At a Glance

• Category: Full-suspension performance folding bike (adult, 20" wheel)
• Brand: Birdy by Pacific Cycles (Taiwan)
• Frame: New BIRDY Monocoque disc-brake frame + folding suspension fork
• Drivetrain: Shimano 105 11-speed derailleur, 11-28T cassette
• Brakes: TRP Spyre SLC mechanical disc, 160mm rotor
• Weight: 10.2 kg without pedals
• Rider height: 145-185 cm, max load 110 kg (rider + luggage)
• Best for: commuters and weekend riders who want a speed-focused flat-bar Birdy for paved roads

The Problem It Solves

Many folding bikes trade speed for portability - narrow gear range, heavier wheels, and no suspension mean you feel every joint in the road and get left behind on group rides. The R20's 20" wheels roll faster than the Standard/GT's 18" wheels, and Shimano 105's 11-speed range gives you a tighter cadence for sustained road riding, while the same full-suspension platform as the rest of the Birdy range still smooths out rough tarmac.

Who It's For

Best for existing cyclists who want one bike for both the daily commute and faster weekend rides - for example a ride out to Tolo Harbour or around Tai Mei Tuk and back. If your priority is the lowest price for everyday commuting, the 9-speed Birdy Standard 9 Speed Folding Bike 3rd gen covers that better; if you ride mostly unpaved trails, the wider-tyred Birdy GT 10 Speed Folding Bike is the better fit. Full comparison below.

Shimano 105 11-speed for road performance

Shimano 105 is a proven mid-tier road groupset used on many full-size road bikes, so shifting is crisper and the gear range is closer-ratio than the 9/10-speed drivetrains on the Standard and GT - useful if you're riding longer distances or keeping up with full-size bikes.

20" wheels roll faster than 18"

Larger wheels carry speed better over rolling terrain and small road imperfections than the 18" wheels on the Standard and GT.

Full suspension keeps it comfortable

The same folding suspension fork (8.5-coil spring) and rear PU elastomer as the rest of the Birdy range mean you don't sacrifice ride comfort for speed.

Official Pacific Cycles Birdy R lifestyle photo; frame colour shown for illustration only. Colour options for this bike: Red Silver, Gloss Red, Gloss Black or Black Silver.

How to Fold and Unfold the Birdy

The Birdy's main frame is a rigid monocoque beam and does not fold in half. Instead, the rear wheel (on its rear swing-arm) and the front wheel (on the fork) each fold in underneath the main beam, and the handlebar stem then folds down. The official videos below show the exact sequence.

Choosing Between Birdy Models

The table below compares the Birdy range. All are full-suspension folding designs; apart from the P45's P-series hydroformed frame, they share the same Monocoque frame, so the differences are mainly tyres, drivetrain, brakes and intended use:

Comparison based on Pacific Cycles official specifications and Jollymap product data; components may change between production batches.

Which other Birdy model suits you?

• Closest model (if you want a dropbar): Birdy P45 Dropbar Folding Bike - the same 20" wheels and Panaracer Minits Tough 20x1.25" tyres, but with a dropbar, SRAM Apex1 11-speed, Juin Tech cable-actuated hydraulic disc brakes, a Hubsmith carbon wheelset and a P-series hydroformed frame; a Birdy 30th anniversary limited edition.
• Everyday commuting or a first folding bike: Birdy Standard 9 Speed Folding Bike 3rd gen - 18" CST 18x1.5" tyres, Shimano Sora 9-speed and TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, 10.9 kg without pedals.
• Often pushing the bike through malls or over short distances: Birdy URB 9 Speed Folding Bike - same frame and Shimano Sora 9-speed drivetrain as the Standard, with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, Schwalbe Big Apple 18x2.0" tyres and a trolley rack with rolling wheels as standard.
• Gravel and light off-road riding: Birdy GT 10 Speed Folding Bike - 18" Schwalbe Black Jack 18x1.9" tyres, SRAM X5 10-speed and Juin Tech cable-actuated hydraulic disc brakes; succeeded by the GV Plus.
• Wider off-road tyres: Birdy GV Plus 10 Speed Folding Bike - the successor to the Birdy GT, with the same SRAM X5 10-speed and Juin Tech cable-actuated hydraulic disc brakes but wider Schwalbe Billy Bonkers 18x2.0" tyres and a 590mm handlebar.

Further reading (Jollymap articles): Birdy R vs Standard; the Birdy 30th anniversary P45 special edition (in Chinese).

Jollymap's Advice

This Birdy R uses 20" (406) wheels, so wheel-size-specific accessories such as the kickstand need the 20" version - parts sized for the 18"-wheel Standard and GT may not fit. Looking for a rack, easy wheels or another accessory for this bike? Contact us before you buy through the "Talk to us" button on our online store or our Jollymap Facebook page, with a photo of your bike, and we'll confirm what's compatible.

Birdy R 20inch 11 Speed Specifications

Specifications source: Pacific Cycles official BIRDY R product data (TRP Spyre SLC mechanical disc brake version) and Jollymap product data. The specifications of the product may be subject to change depending on availability.

FAQ

What makes the Birdy R20 different from the Birdy Standard and Birdy GT?

All three share the same monocoque frame and full suspension, but the R20 uses 20" wheels with Shimano 105 11-speed gearing for speed on paved roads, versus 18" wheels on the Standard (Shimano Sora 9-speed, everyday commuting) and GT (SRAM 10-speed, wider off-road tyres). See the comparison table above.

What is the folded size of the Birdy R20?

Folded, it measures 65cm (H) x 32cm (W) x 75cm (L), per Pacific Cycles' official BIRDY R specifications. See the official fold and unfold videos above for the steps.

How much does the Birdy R20 weigh?

10.2kg without pedals, lighter than the 18"-wheel Birdy Standard 3rd gen (10.9kg without pedals) despite its larger 20" wheels.

What tyre size does the Birdy R20 use?

It comes with Panaracer Minits Tough 20x1.25" tyres. Recommended pressure is printed on the tyre sidewall; check it every few rides, as folding bike tyres typically run higher pressures than mountain bike tyres.

What rider height is the Birdy R20 suitable for?

Pacific Cycles specifies a rider height range of 145-185cm, with a maximum load of 110kg including luggage. If you are close to either end of this range, contact us before ordering.

Is the Birdy R20 a good choice for a beginner?

It's better suited to riders who already have some road-riding experience, since the closer-ratio 11-speed gearing rewards a higher cadence. First-time folding bike buyers who mainly want easy commuting are usually happier on the Birdy Standard.

How does the Birdy R20 compare to the Birdy GT off-road?

The R20's narrower, higher-pressure Panaracer tyres and 20" wheels are built for tarmac speed, not loose surfaces. For gravel paths or light trail riding, the GT's wider Schwalbe Black Jack tyres and lower gearing are the better match.

Can I fit a rear rack or easy wheels to the Birdy R20?

Yes, but some accessories (such as the kickstand) need the 20" (406) version - parts made for the 18"-wheel Standard or GT may not fit. Send us a photo of your bike and the accessory you're considering before ordering and we'll confirm compatibility.

Specifications and components follow the manufacturer's latest release and may change without notice. If in doubt, please contact us to confirm before ordering.

Last updated: October 2026