Packing the Birdy 8 Speed
Birdy 8 Speed Specs & Price All of us buy travel bikes with the dream of bringing it overseas sometime. With airlines strapped for cash, charging for oversized bags is becoming more the norm. The Birdy's strongest point with its smaller 18" wheels and unique frame is it packs into an airline legal regular suitcase 29" and bigger. The process involves some minor disassembly. It's not hard but takes practice. The process is definitely worth it versus the alternative of carrying a big bike box and paying the outrageous airline fee.
How to Fold
Birdy Accessories coming soon
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1) Remove wheels, seatpost and pedals. Fold stem and then pull out the adjustable bar. Your frame will look like the picture on the right.

Then remove the spring suspension on the fork. Just turn it counterclockwise and should come lose.
2) Lay your frame into the suitcase. Now position your handlebar so that the bar grips on one side is between the fork blades, the other under the down tube (left picture).

3) Deflate your tires and lay rear wheel with cassette facing down on the left side of the case. The wheel goes in between the chainstays. Next lay the seatpost on the lower portion (see right picture).
4) Then lay your front tire on the right side of the case. Make sure that the axle of the rear wheel does not hit any of the spokes of the front wheel.

And there you have it, your Birdy is now in an airline legal case. In a 29" suitcase, the bike fits with more wiggle room than a Dahon 20" non suspended folder.

The 29" suitcase we use measures roughly 27" wide x 20" high x 10" deep on the inside.

I suggest practice packing your bike weeks before a trip. Once you've successfully packed your bike into the suitcase, take pictures and tape a copy inside your case. Packing sequence and layout maybe different depending on what accessories are installed on the bike. Practice packing and assembling your bike weeks before your trip.