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11-04-07, 11:50 PM
Hi guys, so I went to NYCE Wheels today (they were really nice there) to test several bikes including both the Curve SL and Xooter Swift. Here are my thoughts.
Curve SL
It looks really cool in person and it's so light! Everything about the bike seems extremely well made and high quality. The fold size is very compact. The ride was amazingly smooth for such a small bike with tiny wheels, I guess those Big Apples really do the trick. With the 16" wheels though, it definitely seemed like I was riding a circus bike. Sometimes it seemed as if the shifting was delayed a bit. I guess I should have stopped pedaling to let the shifter shift, but this seems like a nuisance to me so I guess I would just live with the delay. The gear spacing seemed fine for a 5 speed so I don't think I would be missing out by not having an 8 speed. Overall, I was pretty impressed.
Brompton M6R
I tried this just for comparison's sake because the first time I rode one I wasn't that impressed. I've always loved the way the Brompton's look, chrome and black in all the right places, plus you can't beat the folded size. The Brompton ride was better than I remembered. I felt less like I was on a circus bike than on the Curve perhaps because of the longer wheelbase and slightly larger tires. The difference between the Curve with the Big Apples and the Brompton with it's suspension system seemed negligible. Even though the ride was better than I remember, I don't know if I would or could really let her rip on some straightways along the Hudson River bikepath. Plus, the shifters seemed so plasticky for a $1250+ bike. I'm not sure if the Brompton is really worth the price though, IMHO.
Xooter Swift
I finally tried the Swift. I have always been skeptical about the fold of this bike. Plus, I think that the Xooter logo makes the bike look a bit cheap. On closer inspection, there was something really nice and no nonsense about the bike. It was really simple without too many bells and whistles. What blew me away was the ride though. I absolutely loved it. It seemed super fast, like a real road bike. Whereas on the other bikes, I felt like I was compromising by being on a folder, with this one, I felt like it really was a proper bike. It was such a joy to ride. I think that I can get over the folding issue.
Silver Birdy
I didn't ride this one cause it was sold to someone else, but I got to see it in person, and it looked really cool.
Bike Friday Tikit
They had one in stock which was brand new, so I didn't dare try it seeing as it costs $1500+ and it is out of my budget range, but it looks really cool.
I think I've made up my mind and plan to buy a Swift, but now my dilemma is this: Should I get the Xooter Swift (with the cheap logo) or have one made for me by Peter? Are Peter's bikes really that much more expensive? The original Swift Folder is such a nice looking bike in Black with the simple logo...
Curve SL
It looks really cool in person and it's so light! Everything about the bike seems extremely well made and high quality. The fold size is very compact. The ride was amazingly smooth for such a small bike with tiny wheels, I guess those Big Apples really do the trick. With the 16" wheels though, it definitely seemed like I was riding a circus bike. Sometimes it seemed as if the shifting was delayed a bit. I guess I should have stopped pedaling to let the shifter shift, but this seems like a nuisance to me so I guess I would just live with the delay. The gear spacing seemed fine for a 5 speed so I don't think I would be missing out by not having an 8 speed. Overall, I was pretty impressed.
Brompton M6R
I tried this just for comparison's sake because the first time I rode one I wasn't that impressed. I've always loved the way the Brompton's look, chrome and black in all the right places, plus you can't beat the folded size. The Brompton ride was better than I remembered. I felt less like I was on a circus bike than on the Curve perhaps because of the longer wheelbase and slightly larger tires. The difference between the Curve with the Big Apples and the Brompton with it's suspension system seemed negligible. Even though the ride was better than I remember, I don't know if I would or could really let her rip on some straightways along the Hudson River bikepath. Plus, the shifters seemed so plasticky for a $1250+ bike. I'm not sure if the Brompton is really worth the price though, IMHO.
Xooter Swift
I finally tried the Swift. I have always been skeptical about the fold of this bike. Plus, I think that the Xooter logo makes the bike look a bit cheap. On closer inspection, there was something really nice and no nonsense about the bike. It was really simple without too many bells and whistles. What blew me away was the ride though. I absolutely loved it. It seemed super fast, like a real road bike. Whereas on the other bikes, I felt like I was compromising by being on a folder, with this one, I felt like it really was a proper bike. It was such a joy to ride. I think that I can get over the folding issue.
Silver Birdy
I didn't ride this one cause it was sold to someone else, but I got to see it in person, and it looked really cool.
Bike Friday Tikit
They had one in stock which was brand new, so I didn't dare try it seeing as it costs $1500+ and it is out of my budget range, but it looks really cool.
I think I've made up my mind and plan to buy a Swift, but now my dilemma is this: Should I get the Xooter Swift (with the cheap logo) or have one made for me by Peter? Are Peter's bikes really that much more expensive? The original Swift Folder is such a nice looking bike in Black with the simple logo...