Swift folders
10-07-06, 07:41 AM
#676
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Originally Posted by there__
Here are a few links to the xootr in its current state.
Warning dial up users…pictures are very large
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5828.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5832.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5833.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5815.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5812.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5837.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5818.JPG
Feel free to check out all the images in the folder.
451 R390 Alex front wheel. The rear rims is laced to a fixed/fixed high flange dimension hub. Same spokes were reused that came with the wheel.
Chain is a cheap-0 ten dollar one.
Front chain ring is 54 tooth Ebay find.
Rear is 15 and 13 (I use the 15 for what I believe is about 68 gear inches) Please correct me if I’m wrong
Tires are 110psi comet primo Kevlar 20 – 1 1/8
Front brake is a lbs special. The front reads: DIA-COMPE PS-E.
I’m using these cheap half toe clip things now. I ride in nyc every day to work and “bailing” is important so I’m not sure about straps yet.
The bike gets about 100 miles a week, most of it around central park, the rest back and forth to work (only about a mile each way). I’ve completed the nyc century on this bike (when it had gears), and recently when half way in a NJ century after it was “fixed”.
I’m still experimenting with handle bar types. Some of the pictures are with the flat bar, now I have a “bull horn” type bar which I like much more.
Out of my 4 folders the xootr is the one I ride the most. The others include a Dahon Jack, Downtube FS VIII, and a Dahon mariner. The stiffness in the frame and the “feels like a full size bike” keeps me grabbing for it every time.
This bike is my first fixed gear and I love it. The control and strength I’ve gained in just a few months is amazing.
The upgrades to come are a TI seat post, different handle bars, better pedals, crank, and bottom bracket. Once I get familiar with the setup I like I would like to replace just about every part on the bike with the best available…and that I can afford.
Warning dial up users…pictures are very large
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5828.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5832.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5833.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5815.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5812.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5837.JPG
https://bridgeofwalls.net/foldingbike...r/IMG_5818.JPG
Feel free to check out all the images in the folder.
451 R390 Alex front wheel. The rear rims is laced to a fixed/fixed high flange dimension hub. Same spokes were reused that came with the wheel.
Chain is a cheap-0 ten dollar one.
Front chain ring is 54 tooth Ebay find.
Rear is 15 and 13 (I use the 15 for what I believe is about 68 gear inches) Please correct me if I’m wrong
Tires are 110psi comet primo Kevlar 20 – 1 1/8
Front brake is a lbs special. The front reads: DIA-COMPE PS-E.
I’m using these cheap half toe clip things now. I ride in nyc every day to work and “bailing” is important so I’m not sure about straps yet.
The bike gets about 100 miles a week, most of it around central park, the rest back and forth to work (only about a mile each way). I’ve completed the nyc century on this bike (when it had gears), and recently when half way in a NJ century after it was “fixed”.
I’m still experimenting with handle bar types. Some of the pictures are with the flat bar, now I have a “bull horn” type bar which I like much more.
Out of my 4 folders the xootr is the one I ride the most. The others include a Dahon Jack, Downtube FS VIII, and a Dahon mariner. The stiffness in the frame and the “feels like a full size bike” keeps me grabbing for it every time.
This bike is my first fixed gear and I love it. The control and strength I’ve gained in just a few months is amazing.
The upgrades to come are a TI seat post, different handle bars, better pedals, crank, and bottom bracket. Once I get familiar with the setup I like I would like to replace just about every part on the bike with the best available…and that I can afford.
I actually have a custom fixed rear-wheel for my Xootr coming in on Monday. Velocity 406 V-rim laced to a 32H Surly New 130mm road fixed/free hub (going to throw-in a couple of 1mm spacers on each end), Surly 14T cog+lockring. I chose the 130mm road hub over the 120mm track hub because the 47mm chainline of the 130 will let me run my chainring mounted to the outside of the crank spider (107 bb). Looks cleaner that way.
Last edited by james_swift; 10-07-06 at 07:47 AM.
10-07-06, 08:35 AM
#677
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Originally Posted by Speedo
With 451s and 1 1/8 tires 54/15 will give you about 72 gear inches.
Nice bike.
Can you really find a Ti seatpost that is long enough and has the right diameter?
Nice bike.
Can you really find a Ti seatpost that is long enough and has the right diameter?
10-08-06, 04:01 AM
#678
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Brake Questions
I'm preparing to take the plunge and order a xootr swift. Has anyone tried cantilever brakes? I have a set in the shed and want to run drop bars, however I'm concerned about heel clearance on the rear.
Thanks in advance
Steve
Thanks in advance
Steve
10-08-06, 12:49 PM
#679
too many bikes
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V-brake cantis are stock on the Xootr Swift.
https://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/specifications.shtml
The road calipers on the bike shown in this thread are aftermarket. You can get Swifts built with road calipers from Peter (as distinct from Xootr). If you mean touring style centerpull cantis, you could mount cablehangers on the seattube and steerer tube, but why would anyone want centerpull cantis?
https://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/specifications.shtml
The road calipers on the bike shown in this thread are aftermarket. You can get Swifts built with road calipers from Peter (as distinct from Xootr). If you mean touring style centerpull cantis, you could mount cablehangers on the seattube and steerer tube, but why would anyone want centerpull cantis?
10-08-06, 01:47 PM
#680
Professional Fuss-Budget
Is there an appreciable difference or advantage between cantilevered and V-brakes for a Swift / 20" folder, by the way?
10-08-06, 02:16 PM
#681
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V-brakes provide significantly more braking force than centerpull cantis. Older, "cross wire" centerpulls also created endos and faceplants when the rear brake cable failed and the cross-wire dropped into the lugs of the rear tire. The later Y-wire solved that problem... but c-ps still have about half, IIRC, the braking force of V-brakes.
Last edited by maunakea; 10-09-06 at 02:54 AM.
10-08-06, 04:10 PM
#682
Part-time epistemologist
Originally Posted by maunakea
V-brake cantis are stock on the Xootr Swift.
https://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/specifications.shtml
The road calipers on the bike shown in this thread are aftermarket. You can get Swifts built with road calipers from Peter (as distinct from Xootr). If you mean touring style centerpull cantis, you could mount cablehangers on the seattube and steerer tube, but why would anyone want centerpull cantis?
https://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/specifications.shtml
The road calipers on the bike shown in this thread are aftermarket. You can get Swifts built with road calipers from Peter (as distinct from Xootr). If you mean touring style centerpull cantis, you could mount cablehangers on the seattube and steerer tube, but why would anyone want centerpull cantis?
10-09-06, 12:14 AM
#683
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Presumably if one has road brifters you would need the cantilevers to maintain clearance for big tires and fenders.
I can live with the drawbacks of cantilevers (as I have for many years).
Cheers
Steve
10-09-06, 10:09 AM
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This is a link to the new long-arm caliper breaks, that will fit on the swift with 451 wheels.
https://www.tektro.com/02products/08r365r356.php
https://www.tektro.com/02products/08r365r356.php
10-09-06, 11:11 AM
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I have just ordered a plain swift-frame from RAB and will do some wheel-building the next days.
Now I wonder about: what is the difference in the handling of the bike with 406 and 451 wheels?
somewhere in the web I found the following comment:
"20" tires come in 2 flavors. The 451 size is a taller and skinnier version of the BMX (406) size.
Tires and rims are not interchangeable. The 451 size is usually lighter and faster. The wider BMX size is more designed for touring and commuting."
"lighter and faster" is of course exactly what I have in mind and I got a little turned off by the term "touring and commuting". I have my plain gipiemme track bike hubs here, so I still have the choice to pick the size of the rims...
I like the look of the dahon hammerhead that uses 406 wheels. Smaller wheels will also make a smaller fold, right?
I ride alot and would like to avoid sluggish handling. Smaller wheels result in a higher rolling resistance, but my hubs are good track-quality and I hope they will give me some support in that issue.
I would really appreciate some ideas on the topic. Maybe someone tried out the two different rides and will give a little outline on the handling...
Thanks
Z.
Now I wonder about: what is the difference in the handling of the bike with 406 and 451 wheels?
somewhere in the web I found the following comment:
"20" tires come in 2 flavors. The 451 size is a taller and skinnier version of the BMX (406) size.
Tires and rims are not interchangeable. The 451 size is usually lighter and faster. The wider BMX size is more designed for touring and commuting."
"lighter and faster" is of course exactly what I have in mind and I got a little turned off by the term "touring and commuting". I have my plain gipiemme track bike hubs here, so I still have the choice to pick the size of the rims...
I like the look of the dahon hammerhead that uses 406 wheels. Smaller wheels will also make a smaller fold, right?
I ride alot and would like to avoid sluggish handling. Smaller wheels result in a higher rolling resistance, but my hubs are good track-quality and I hope they will give me some support in that issue.
I would really appreciate some ideas on the topic. Maybe someone tried out the two different rides and will give a little outline on the handling...
Thanks
Z.
Last edited by zepi; 10-09-06 at 01:43 PM.
10-09-06, 02:44 PM
#686
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Originally Posted by zepi
Maybe someone tried out the two different rides and will give a little outline on the handling...
Thanks
Z.
Thanks
Z.
Last edited by Speedo; 10-10-06 at 06:55 AM.
10-09-06, 03:46 PM
#687
All ur bike r belong Enki
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My Swift fixed-gear conversion project. The fixed rear wheel is custom built: Velocity 32H Aero Heat V-rim, 14ga DT Spokes, Surly New fixed/free road hub (130mm OLD/47mm chainline), Surly 14T 3/32" track cog w/lockring. The bullhorns are home-brew chop-n-flop from my parts bin.
10-09-06, 03:58 PM
#688
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Bikes: A Bianchi C2C road bike, a steel framed touring bike and a Xootr Swift folder which has made the rest redundant!
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Nice clean looking bike James, but is there a particular reason why you have the seat post q/rs facing backwards and not flush with the frame? Just curious.
10-09-06, 04:51 PM
#689
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Originally Posted by Paul Braithwait
Nice clean looking bike James, but is there a particular reason why you have the seat post q/rs facing backwards and not flush with the frame? Just curious.
10-10-06, 07:25 PM
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Feeling late to the party, but here's yet another fixed silver Swift. Specs: Stock crank, brakes, brake levers, and seatpost; homebuilt wheels with IRO small flange 32h hubs, Sun CR-18 406 rims, Sapim 15 g spokes, Schwalble Stelvio 20 x 1.125" folding tires, Dura Ace 14t 3/32" cog (paired w/ the stock 52 ring), Speedplay Frog pedals, Nitto Dove bar (flipped), cheepo 120mm 10 degree rise stem, Terry Zero Y saddle, Minoura cage holder w/ Blackburn Switchback, UN73 bottom bracket, and sealed bearing Shimano headset. I think that's it. Weighs in at 19.5 lbs on my bathroom scale.
I love the bike. This is my third fixed gear, but my first folder, and first time since childhood riding anything smaller than 26" hoops. I too am amazed at how similar the ride is to a full sized bike. The steering is quick, but not tricky. I have no problem riding no hands. This weekend I took it on the first 50 mile leg of the Hilly Hundred here in Indiana. The bike turned a few heads, and did great.
Pics:
I love the bike. This is my third fixed gear, but my first folder, and first time since childhood riding anything smaller than 26" hoops. I too am amazed at how similar the ride is to a full sized bike. The steering is quick, but not tricky. I have no problem riding no hands. This weekend I took it on the first 50 mile leg of the Hilly Hundred here in Indiana. The bike turned a few heads, and did great.
Pics:
10-11-06, 06:01 AM
#691
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Originally Posted by JackJ
Feeling late to the party, but here's yet another fixed silver Swift. Specs: Stock crank, brakes, brake levers, and seatpost; homebuilt wheels with IRO small flange 32h hubs, Sun CR-18 406 rims, Sapim 15 g spokes, Schwalble Stelvio 20 x 1.125" folding tires, Dura Ace 14t 3/32" cog (paired w/ the stock 52 ring), Speedplay Frog pedals, Nitto Dove bar (flipped), cheepo 120mm 10 degree rise stem, Terry Zero Y saddle, Minoura cage holder w/ Blackburn Switchback, UN73 bottom bracket, and sealed bearing Shimano headset. I think that's it. Weighs in at 19.5 lbs on my bathroom scale.
I love the bike. This is my third fixed gear, but my first folder, and first time since childhood riding anything smaller than 26" hoops. I too am amazed at how similar the ride is to a full sized bike. The steering is quick, but not tricky. I have no problem riding no hands. This weekend I took it on the first 50 mile leg of the Hilly Hundred here in Indiana. The bike turned a few heads, and did great.
Pics:
I love the bike. This is my third fixed gear, but my first folder, and first time since childhood riding anything smaller than 26" hoops. I too am amazed at how similar the ride is to a full sized bike. The steering is quick, but not tricky. I have no problem riding no hands. This weekend I took it on the first 50 mile leg of the Hilly Hundred here in Indiana. The bike turned a few heads, and did great.
Pics:
It's getting to look like the Swift is THE choice for fixed-gear folding.
10-11-06, 06:54 AM
#692
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Originally Posted by james_swift
Very nice!!!
It's getting to look like the Swift is THE choice for fixed-gear folding.
It's getting to look like the Swift is THE choice for fixed-gear folding.
Thanks James and everyone else who has contributed to this thread.
Jack
10-11-06, 09:14 AM
#694
All ur bike r belong Enki
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Originally Posted by JackJ
Thanks in large part to you! I neglected to add my appreciation of your advocacy of this frame, without which I probably wouldn't have taken much interest in the Swift. But your favorable reviews and real world testing pushed me over the edge, and I'm glad.
Thanks James and everyone else who has contributed to this thread.
Jack
Thanks James and everyone else who has contributed to this thread.
Jack
By the way, you said you built those wheels yourself?
Also, you might want to post your pics on the Singlespeed & Fixed Gear forum under the "Your Fixed Gear/SS Photos!" thread. There's a growing appreciation for fixed folders there.
10-11-06, 09:32 AM
#695
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Originally Posted by Fear&Trembling
Nice work Jack J.
I have still yet to see another rider on a fixed folder...
I have still yet to see another rider on a fixed folder...
10-11-06, 09:48 AM
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good morning all. I am sure its posted in here somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. Can someone tell me the seat tube diameter of the swift. I know there is a difference between the aluminum and steel, so if you state the size, please note if its for the steel or aluminum frame. Thanks.
10-11-06, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by big boy phil
good morning all. I am sure its posted in here somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. Can someone tell me the seat tube diameter of the swift. I know there is a difference between the aluminum and steel, so if you state the size, please note if its for the steel or aluminum frame. Thanks.
Last edited by Speedo; 10-11-06 at 10:49 AM.
10-11-06, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by james_swift
By the way, you said you built those wheels yourself?
Finding the short spokes was more of a problem than I anticipated. Icycles was closed for inventory when I tried to order, and some other places were way too pricey. I ended up getting them custom cut from J. (I think that's what he goes by) of Gaerlan Custom Cycles. He was great to deal with, super fast on delivery, and although I'd never used Sapim spokes before, I'm very happy w/ 'em. The price was right, too.
I intend to build another rear wheel around an internal hub, probably the Nexus 8sp. That'll mean I can share the bike w/ my wife, who's not too intrigued by the fixed gear. And it'll give me a chance to try the Internal hub experience. I love fixed for it's own sake, but also because I dislike derailleurs.
Jack
10-11-06, 02:21 PM
#699
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Originally Posted by JackJ
Yep, been building all my own wheels for a decade or so. This one was a little tricky in spec'ing parts. Ideally I would have liked to use considerable fewer spokes (maybe 24 in front, 28 rear), but given a limited budget, I didn't want to spring for Velocity rims and top shelf hubs. I'd never used Sun anything before, but I'm pretty pleased with the CR18's, especially considering that they were only $22 ea. purchased through my LBS. I run Formula large flange hubs on one of my other fixed gears--they're a great value, but for the smaller wheels I felt small flange was in order. The IRO's (same as Forumlas) are fine. They only come in fixed/free, whereas I'd prefer fixed/fixed, but since I run two brakes I can get by w/o a lockring. Besides which I don't flip the wheel much.
Finding the short spokes was more of a problem than I anticipated. Icycles was closed for inventory when I tried to order, and some other places were way too pricey. I ended up getting them custom cut from J. (I think that's what he goes by) of Gaerlan Custom Cycles. He was great to deal with, super fast on delivery, and although I'd never used Sapim spokes before, I'm very happy w/ 'em. The price was right, too.
I intend to build another rear wheel around an internal hub, probably the Nexus 8sp. That'll mean I can share the bike w/ my wife, who's not too intrigued by the fixed gear. And it'll give me a chance to try the Internal hub experience. I love fixed for it's own sake, but also because I dislike derailleurs.
Jack
Finding the short spokes was more of a problem than I anticipated. Icycles was closed for inventory when I tried to order, and some other places were way too pricey. I ended up getting them custom cut from J. (I think that's what he goes by) of Gaerlan Custom Cycles. He was great to deal with, super fast on delivery, and although I'd never used Sapim spokes before, I'm very happy w/ 'em. The price was right, too.
I intend to build another rear wheel around an internal hub, probably the Nexus 8sp. That'll mean I can share the bike w/ my wife, who's not too intrigued by the fixed gear. And it'll give me a chance to try the Internal hub experience. I love fixed for it's own sake, but also because I dislike derailleurs.
Jack
10-11-06, 02:27 PM
#700
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I got my steel framed bike from Peter as well. I never read anyone getting their Swift folder from Peter's former partner Jan who works out of Eugene OR. I believe Jan only sells steel framed Swifts.