Folding Bikes - swift folders

Beautiful bike, Paul. Anybody know where that t-bar and bag might be available here in the USA colonies? How about thr water bottle holder? How is it attached and where can i get one?

Beautiful bike, Paul. Anybody know where that t-bar and bag might be available here in the USA colonies? How about thr water bottle holder? How is it attached and where can i get one?

this might or might not help, but I just ordered a shim for my moulton from sjs (uk to colorado)
and the service was excellent, got it in a week no problems at all...expensive shipping but this was the only place for the shim

that is a nice accessory for the swift, I must say

A shim for what purpose, Doco - and you had to order it all the way from the UK? How about just a water bottle? What's a good one to attach to my Swift. The problem is there are no fittings for the holder on the frame.

The water bottle cage mounting is the one Swift problem I haven't cracked yet. I attach mine with tool clips and rubber O-rings to the rear of the seat post, and that works but it is a hassle when I need to fold and want to use the seat post to hold the folded bike together. Putting it on the stem riser doesn't work because when climbing out of the saddle, my legs hit the bottle.

I might just have to carry teh water bottle in my back pack or waist pack, Jur - or , when I get a rack for my Swift, I can carry it in a bag attached to teh rack. I'm thinking of getting the rack directly from Swift - here:

http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/DeltaPostHasteRack.shtml

or here:

http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/DeltaPostPorterRack.shtml


Waddya think?

Jur - Here's a water bottle clamp that Swift is selling -

http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/MinouraCageMount.shtml

The water bottle cage mounting is the one Swift problem I haven't cracked yet. I attach mine with tool clips and rubber O-rings to the rear of the seat post, and that works but it is a hassle when I need to fold and want to use the seat post to hold the folded bike together. Putting it on the stem riser doesn't work because when climbing out of the saddle, my legs hit the bottle.

What about mounting it to the front.. I've used a Minoura clamp on a couple of mine and it seems to be a decent solution.. relatively convenient and hassle free..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/1937296791_b0de7bbc11_b.jpg

Problem is, if you do long fast rides, the bottle needs to be accessible while riding. With the bottle on the rack you need to stop for every sip - not practical for group rides.

On the front of the handlebars isn't good either - all the cables are in the way, and besides my bars are cut narrow and there's no room for anything else.

What about mounting it to the front.. I've used a Minoura clamp on a couple of mine and it seems to be a decent solution.. relatively convenient and hassle free..
I'll look again... the problem when I looked last time was the bottle was too tall. If the clamp can hold the cage away from the headset nuts so it can go lower, then it might work.

Here's my bike on the Xootr site sporting it.. it's not a perfect solution, but I haven't changed it around since that picture was submitted to them a couple of years ago.. that's a 20oz bottle ..

A shim for what purpose, Doco - and you had to order it all the way from the UK? How about just a water bottle? What's a good one to attach to my Swift. The problem is there are no fittings for the holder on the frame.

don't want to hijack, but I got the shim for a seatpost problem on my apb, and sjs only place I could find it...last option was to custom make one... all good now ;)

as far as the water problem, I was just doing the backpack but I just put on the rear double saddle holder on my swift

i bought all four of these several years ago, came in handy for my track bikes

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=WC2019
Parts & Accessories Catalog - AEBike.com

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=WC3102
Parts & Accessories Catalog - AEBike.com

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=WC3101
Parts & Accessories Catalog - AEBike.com

also maybe something for you guys at minoura site, halfway down..maybe something will work

http://www.minoura.jp/index-et.html

werewolf, when we going to see your swifty and are you the 20 owner now?

If you have problems getting the 'T' bar you could always use a short stem and saw a section of handlebar to fit. The bag is Rixen Kaul. The bottle holder is also from Rixen Kaul and is much neater than the Minoura model, www.klickfix.com. The seat pack is a new bag from Carradice, it's the SQR Glentress, the SQR fitting does not impare the folding and allows for a variety of bags (including the traditional saddle bag) to be fitted.

If you have problems getting the 'T' bar you could always use a short stem and saw a section of handlebar to fit. ...
Paul,
Thanks for your lead on the 'T' bar and your suggestion. My problem, I think, is that the newer Xootr Swifts only have a short section of the stem, at the top, extension at 1 1/8. The rest is 1 1/4. The only stems I can find to fit that are really long and expensive stokers stems. If you, or anyone else, has a suggestion, I'd be interested in trying it.
Jonathan

Question about the Swift handlebar tube:

There's a little hole in the front of it. Can I fill it in in, or tape it over, in case of the unlikely event that it ever rains here again and water might get in? Why is that hole there?

Those holes should have a spring pin (http://www.mcmaster.com/param/images/Pins/92383a411resized.gif) in them that aligns to slots in the top of the steerer. Its to prevent total loss of steering if the stem quick release fails or opens somehow. Shouldn't cause a problem taping over them.

Those holes should have a spring pin (http://www.mcmaster.com/param/images/Pins/92383a411resized.gif) in them that aligns to slots in the top of the steerer. Its to prevent total loss of steering if the stem quick release fails or opens somehow. Shouldn't cause a problem taping over them.


so that's what that is :) I was wondering what that was

Duh, I forgot to look inside. The hole(s) is actually the end(s) of a little internal bar - like the spring pin Itsmoot mentioned - that fits in the slot and keeps the steering tube aligned - so disregard my (stoopid) question, thank you.

There have been several questions about the best way to carry water bottles on a Swift lately; the pictures show my latest idea. Previous posts have shown my Swift with a bottle cage attached to the rear of the steerer tube via a Rixen Kaul adaptor. This has worked OK but it has limited the size of bottle I have been able to carry. Standard bottle cages are designed to "lay back" against the frame members of a standard diamond frame bike - the front of the cage is lower than the back. Placing the bottle cage on the rear of the steerer tube (facing the rider) leans it in the wrong direction and consequently the bottle is not as secure. With a standard 50ml bottle this is not too much of a problem but the taller 75ml bottles are a different story. Putting two cages on the Swift would allow two 50ml bottles to be carried.

As regular readers will know, my Swift is fitted with a 'T' bar on the steerer tube (www.sjscycles.co.uk) which is home to my 'bar bag, it is now also home to two bottle cages! Using a pair of Rixen Kaul bottle adaptors (www.klickfix.com) I attached two bottle cages to the ends of the 'T' bar. They fit snugly, close to the steerer tube, and are well out of the way of the rider's knees. Being behind the front wheel axel they do not affect the handling and may even counter balance any load in the 'bar bag. I think it looks neat and the bottle cages are angled to provide a safe home for the bottles. Rixen Kaul offer two types of bottle bracket. One is a quick release which allows you to remove the bottle cage quickly. Why you would wish to do this is anyone's guess but if you can do it, so can anyone else who happens to be passing by! The permanent bracket is much neater and far more secure.

If you don't have access to a 'T' bar, the R/K fittings can be used on vertical as well as horizontal tubes so you could always attach two directly onto the steerer at a slight angle to each other. I am very pleased with the arrangement and it may help you solve your liquid refreshment problems.

I think my knees would bump into those water bottles while standing on the pedals.

Despite the hills around here, I don't think I've ever stood on the pedals of the Swift. I have lowered the gearing to take the hills into account.

A 3L Camelback inside an Airspeed (back cooling vented) Osprey Atmos 50 pack gives handsfree cagefree water slurping + lots of room for breads with chocolate, jacket/rain gear, veggies for the day...

Just wanted to add support to putting the bottle cage around the bars and steerer tube, I use the minoura clamp already mentioned, clamped to the steerer tube so that the bottle sits to the side of the steerer tube and just behind the bars. I use a 750ml bottle and have the bottle cage quite high so it's easy to reach while riding. I have no trouble with my knees hitting this (and I'm 6 foot).

In contrast, on my Brompton I used to have cage behind the saddle and the bottle kept falling out, despite the brompton's rear suspension.

Hopefully I've managed to attach a picture of this.

My knees would hit the bottle when climbing out of the saddle, which I do quite a bit. I have tried the cage on the rear side of the steering riser, but that was unacceptable due to knee hit when climbing. Initially I though it would be OK because my knees are apart enough; but when climbing, the bike rocks from side to side and that knee clearance is taken up.

I have now tried BruceMetras' idea with a Minoura clamp low on the front of the steering riser. It fits but the bottle is so close to the stem that I have a bit of trouble getting it out. But it's one of the newer clamps which can be set at any angle, and I might position it slightly to the side and angled slightly diagonally. That way I might extract it and my knees might clear it while climbing out of the saddle.

That looks like an odd upright position you have your handlebars in, Ricky. Do you like them that way?

I ordered the water bottle attachment gadget from Swift, so I'll see what I can do with that when it comes. I also ordered the seat post attaching rack from them.

That looks like an odd upright position you have your handlebars in, Ricky. Do you like them that way?

Yes it looks odd but actually it's exactly the same position as drop bars only without the 'tops' position. You can ride on the hoods, or on the drops just below and the relative position of these is just as on drop bars.

But in answer to your question - no, I don't like them and am changing them in the next few days. I don't have a road bike so I'm not used to riding on the lever hoods but I was assured by lots of people that this was a comfy way to ride. I've given them a month to get used to them but in the end I just don't get it. I find the hoods are not a comfy place to put my hands and I can't get a very good drip on the brake levers if you need to stop suddenly. The only riding I do is in traffic so braking is important for me. Trust the vast majority of road riders to stick with something stupid :-)

I'm swapping these bars out for the bull bars of a Dahon Speed Pro TT. I had one of these bikes for a year and I loved these bars - great for sprinting, climbing and also comfy over 3-4 hour rides. They are a unique shape - the bars point in a bit (like most mountain bike bar ends) instead of pointing in line with the bike as every other bull bar seems to. I'm getting a Syntace VRO stem and X-ray clamps to do with it just like on the Speed Pro TT so I will have a useful range of adjustment and a very stiff clamping for sprinting.

Ricky - Take a look at the Delta Ergo bar. That's what I've been using lately.

Ricky - Take a look at the Delta Ergo bar. That's what I've been using lately.

Yes that looks like the same sort of shape as the Kinetix Pro TT bars I've just ordered

Anyone UK riders out there feeling fit and up for a race? The Smithfield Nocturne folding bike race is being held again in London on June 7th. This was a fantastic event last year and promisses to be even better last year. The folding bike race turned out to be one of the highlights and so they are doubling the entry this year with 2 heats and a final instead of the one race. It would be good to see a few more Swifts in the field than just mine this time.

www.smithfieldnocturne.co.uk

and here's a review of last year's race: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=5028
(that's me in the 5th picture down)

Put some stelvios on and the swift is an ideal bike for this race - quick to unfold and fast and nimble one you're riding.

LittlePixel is entered on his Mercton fixie.

Looks like Calhoun Cylce has the '07 Xootr Swift on sale for US$599 (http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=139&idproduct=1119).

I saw this just after I bought mine - I guess they are chopping in some (most!) of their margin. My view is to buy direct - the service you get from Swift directly is amazing. Really great guys. I'm not sure you'd get the same if you have an intermediary in there. Eitherway, you get a bargain.

I absolutely love my Swift. It's so quick & nimble. I will post a detailed review after I've completed by first full week of commuting on it, but my initial thoughts are totally positive. Although the fold is not nearly so great as others (Birdy / BF / Dahon) it rides like a fast solid frame bike *and* I can get it through the revolving doors in my office and past the security guys. They reject all normal bikes ("leave it outside, pal") while I stroll past and keep it nice & safe on the 27th floor.

My only upgrade so far is some Crank Bros SPDs. I really need to do something about the bars - I want some kind of bar extension to pull on.

Love it, love it, love it.

What do you mean by buying direct? Exactly where did you buy your Swift, JW?

I think he might mean he bought his Swift from Xootr directly, IIRC Werewolf you got your from Peter himself, you lucky ;)

How do you like your Swift so far, Doco? We received ours at the same time, didn't we? I ride mine every day and like it more and more.

Looks like Calhoun Cylce has the '07 Xootr Swift on sale for US$599 (http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=139&idproduct=1119).

Crumbs, and I was supposed to be there this week! :(

How do you like your Swift so far, Doco? We received ours at the same time, didn't we? I ride mine every day and like it more and more.



I love it, during each ride I just think to myself what a great riding bike

I don't even ride my big wheeled bikes anymore and I am selling them and all my bike stuff on ebay as we speak

I will end up with my Moulton and Swift...thats all I need

for now ;) n+1 folders

Doco - the only reservation I have about small wheel bikes is that, though I'm used to it now, I still find it more skittish. Even when i take one hand off the bars I sometimes wonder if I might be about to lose control and crash. It's probably more exagerated in my case, since I am rather top-heavy, but in reality I haven't even come anywhere close to having an accident, so far, knock on wood!

I got my new Xootr Swift a couple of weeks ago and have busied myself since then taking bits off and putting others in their place. I've stuck a few pictures on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11490024@N06/

Wow Boycey, that's a mighty fine lookin' fixie you got there. I love your brake setup.

OK, my fixed-gear converted XOOTR is finally rideable.

To get it there, I set up my Surly f/f hub initially to match the (132.5mm width dropout) spacing based on measurements James Swift provided (along with more dim's from the Surly website), once I deciphered everything. I ended up with 16m on the right (fixed) side, 14mm on the left, with 102mm overall width on hub. Looks like I have 45mm chain line at front, with drive chain ring inside the spider (unlike James setup). My tire appears to be centered in the stays. This all gives excellent visual alignment of the front and rear sprockets. (Visually sighting down the chain and both sprockets is the best way I know to check chain alignment. Not saying it's accurate, but it's all I have).

Wierd that everything lines up so well with the stock Xootr parts. I was advised I'd need a different b/b and maybe crank set. I MUST have overlooked something...

But, away we go. I can already skid the rear wheel *sort of*. As soon as I have some free time I'll hit a parking lot and get more practice. I'm a newbie to riding a fixie.

I'll post photos or a link to photos soon as I can clean up the bike, it's a lil greasy right now.

Ivan

PS - thanks to James for patiently providing much tech advice and info.

Help,,, I'm frustrated. Tire/wheel problem.

I can't get my new Schwalbe Marathons to center up on the wheels.
I've taken it to the LBS -- they couldn't fix. Then I came home and powered them up. Still no luck. Pumped 'em up to 100lbs psi, and the beads still didn't position properly.

Between me and the bike shop we've got at least 2 hours of failure in the project.

Stats:
Wheels marked -- DINO 20 x 1.5/1.75
Tires marked -- 20 x 1.50 40-406

########

Should I just replace the wheels? If so, you got any?

(BTW: I was gifted a wonderful set of Haro tires that wouldn't center up on these wheels. The LBS couldn't get the Haros to center either, but I rode 'em till one of the tires wore out.)

###

Or do you have a wide gear-range folder you'd be willing to part with?

Thanks,

Bob Gruber
Dallas, Tx

You're also welcome to reply directly (with part or bike proposals) to rpgruber@swbell.net

Thanks, bg

What is it about the Swift that makes it such a great ride? I took my lightweight race bike out for a spin today (Culombus alloy frame with carbon forks) and enjoyed flicking through the Campagnolo group set. It was much lighter than the Swift and rolled easier but....it wasn't the swift! I must get back on the small wheeled folder tomorrow, it is just sooooo much fun!

Bikinbob - I don't understand your problem. What do you mean by center up on the wheels?

Paul - I agree. The Swift is fun. Maybe it's riding the skittish, but responsive, little beast.

Does anyone know if Swift has come out with their new steel frame yet?

nope, I just don't think it will ever come out

but I guess Peter's spending time tweaking it

Does anyone know if Swift has come out with their new steel frame yet?

Just last week Peter told me September for the new frame.

What is it about the Swift that makes it such a great ride?

Something about the Swift I've noticed recently is that is has a really small trail (distance that the front tyre contact point trails behind where the steering axis meets the ground). I haven't measured this precisely but it looks less than an inch. This is the case on my 451 wheels and I don't know if the 406 wheels would have a larger or smaller trail than this.

In comparison a random road bike I looked at (cannondale caad9) has a 53mm trail and a bianchi track bike a 65mm trail (for sprinting out of the saddle I expect). This makes the steering very light and responsive (I think) and also unstable no-hands. I find the swift very difficult to ride sprinting out of the saddle (not helped by narrow road bars and a ridiculously long stem). But for seated riding I love the responsive handling.