Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Brooks swift/swallow vs. team pro

Have any of you ridden both for long periods? How do they compare comfort-wise? I love my team pro, and have never found it uncomfortable but I like the look of the swift and/or swallow more. I wouldn't sacrifice the comfort of the team pro to get the looks though. Any feedback is welcomed.

style over function is a no no.

The swift and swallow would be best if you prefer more efficient low drop riding.

I do find my swift as comfortable as the b17. I am tall and skinny so the narrow platform works with my sits muscles.

Have any of you ridden both for long periods? How do they compare comfort-wise? I love my team pro, and have never found it uncomfortable but I like the look of the swift and/or swallow more. I wouldn't sacrifice the comfort of the team pro to get the looks though. Any feedback is welcomed.

Have you thought about butchering a pro lorok?

Have any of you ridden both for long periods? How do they compare comfort-wise? I love my team pro, and have never found it uncomfortable but I like the look of the swift and/or swallow more. I wouldn't sacrifice the comfort of the team pro to get the looks though. Any feedback is welcomed.

I've got two bikes with Brooks Pro's and one with a Swift. Unfortunately for you, I don't have enough mileage on the Swift to break it in so I'm not going to be very much help. The early returns, however, are good. I can't tell any difference from the Pro's. The only bad thing is those puppies, especially the ones with the titanium rails, are getting pricy!

Maybe I haven't had enough time yet on my swift, but if you're talking really long distance, I wouldn't give two thoughts about which saddle to use: the team pro comes ahead in spades.

That said, the swift is by no means uncomfortable, but I find the greater length of the team pro to provide more (comfortable) positions. That is most definitely not to say that I would cringe at the idea of a long distance ride on the swift.

I was able to snag an awesome deal on a swift and a Pro. The Pro is all around the most comfy right now since it's broken in. I too have not ridden long enough on the swift to know how comfy it will be but one thing to note is it is noticeably more narrow than a Pro when sat upon but this is ideal when you like to get low. If you are wide butted the Swift may not be best for you. I think the Swallow is more narrow than a Swift (correct me if I'm wrong). I've ridden a century on my Pro with no issues whatsoever.

"wide butted" haha that's great. I ride the Swift it's terrific. I've ridden it for a good while with drops and horns, but i am now on risers and thinking about trying a Pro for the generally more upright position.

I have a couple of the Pros and a Swift. I find the Pro a bit more comfortable for me, even mildly butchered.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1010489Medium.jpg

Miche

I have a couple of the Pros and a Swift. I find the Pro a bit more comfortable for me, even mildly butchered.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1010489Medium.jpg

I know it's common to chop up B17s and Pros, but the rails are so ugly!

I know it's common to chop up B17s and Pros, but the rails are so ugly!I agree.

Have you thought about butchering a pro lorok?
No, its the rail height that I don't love about the team pro and butchering would accentuate that.

So I just came back from a 55mile ride with this set-up. The Swift actually performed better than I thought and my bumm isn't bothering me at all. It still has some miles to be broken in but overall I'm pleased with it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2336125610_b7dafc8eda_b.jpg

So I just came back from a 55mile ride with this set-up. The Swift actually performed better than I thought and my bumm isn't bothering me at all. It still has some miles to be broken in but overall I'm pleased with it.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/2336125610_b7dafc8eda_b.jpg

You know the brake releases on your levers are open, right?

You know the brake releases on your levers are open, right?

they are supposed to be closer? I didn't know that, it was my 1st time riding with road bars. I have large hands though so it wasn't an issue that I noticed. thanks for the heads up though

Squeeze the lever and then poke the little button just above the pin the lever pivots on. The levers will sit a little more vertical when at rest. The way they are now is to let you open up the brake to get the tire past the pads, most brakes now have releases also but having both can be good with huge touring or cross tires.

Squeeze the lever and then poke the little button just above the pin the lever pivots on. The levers will sit a little more vertical when at rest. The way they are now is to let you open up the brake to get the tire past the pads, most brakes now have releases also but having both can be good with huge touring or cross tires.

wow I didn't know that was their function. Thanks!

Nice looking capo gyeswho

What is that bag, BTW?

What is that bag, BTW?

thanks. It's called Acorn (Acornbags.com (http://acornbags.com/)). It's quite roomy for a "small" I was able to fit 2 tubes, patch kit, tools, 2 C02 cartridges and the inflater, a large bag of nuts, and some maps with room to spare.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/2335293177_3ec95e5ecf_b.jpg

I thought it was the acorn. I like em. I'm thinking of picking up one of the larger models for my crosscheck.

Hmmm, I like the looks of their medium, but for $70 I'm sticking with military surplus stuff for now.

Are you adapting stuff Landgolier, or does some country's military actually make bike bags? Either way: pics please?

Are you adapting stuff Landgolier, or does some country's military actually make bike bags? Either way: pics please?

Just adapting stuff. If you know how to sew a buttonhole, you can turn any small bag into a bike bag by sewing two sets of strap holes, putting a dowel inside, and then hooking it all up with cheap toe straps or any other little straps you have. You could also take it to any dry cleaning shop that does basic tailoring, mark where you want the button holes and they will do it for like $5. The link below is to Peter White's page where about halfway down it shows how to mount a Carradice, but by looking at it you can see exactly how you could work it DIY. Rubber tips for the dowel or at least sanding/whittling the ends round are a good idea to keep them from wearing holes in the bag, BTW.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/carradice.asp

Cool! Thanks landgolier, I will definitely consider that, although the Acorns seem cheap if you look at them right after shopping for carradices. If you have any pics of your diy jobs I'm sure there are lots of people on here and in other subforums who would appreciate your putting them up.

Getting back to the original topic, I prefer the Team Pro over the Swift.

Yeah, I think I'm going to stick with the Team Pro.

is there really that much difference between the team pro/swift and the b17? is difference worth the cost of upgrade? I have a b17 and it is very comfortable but I am wondering if a team pro or swift would be even more comfortable.

yes there is a noticeable difference if you were to go to a swift (the Pro is a little more subtle). your riding style will determine whether it's worth the cost.

thanks for responding.

well, I do not ride in an upright position on the bicycle in question. my saddle height is above my handlebars.

are you saying that there only a subtle difference between the b17 and team pro, but a huge difference between b17 and the swift?

thanks for responding.

well, I do not ride in an upright position on the bicycle in question. my saddle height is above my handlebars.

are you saying that there only a subtle difference between the b17 and team pro, but a huge difference between b17 and the swift?

yes that is what I feel. I have all three saddles and I'm comfy on them all, but I can definitely feel more thigh room on a swift. It's also more narrow as well. The pro is the middle ground between the swift and b17 but I feel the pro is closer feeling to the b17 than the swift