Folding Bikes - Swift gear swapping?

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Funyet
08-01-07, 10:44 PM
I've put quite a few miles on my Swift since I got it last week (it's an addictive bike and it's summer vacation). I've taken a couple of 20 mile runs with it already. Still no complaints. I may even try to use it for an upcoming bike tour with a 60 mile option, just for fun. I do find (as several posters have mentioned) that when climbing hills low gear is not always low enough. What options do I have as far as swapping out parts? I'm a newbie in the mechanical aspects of bikes, though I do ride quite often.

Thanks

jur
08-01-07, 11:06 PM
I'm not sure how many gears there are on the stock Swift, but you can put a 11-34 cassette on the back for some nice low gears without sacrificing the high ones. If the stock is 8 speed, I don't know what the availability of 11-34 8 speed cassettes are, perhaps none. 11-34 in 9 speed are readily available.

If you wanted to go with 9 speed, you would need to change the shifter to be 9 speed as well, and the chain to 9 speed version. All still assuming the stock Swift is 8 speed.
Bacciagalupe
08-02-07, 08:21 AM
IIRC the stock is an 11-28. You can go up to an 11-32 without needing a chain tensioner.

If that's not low enough, start swapping out the front chainring.