james_swift

That's an awesome build!

Why the double brake levers if you only have a front brake? You can remove those brake bosses by using a crescent wrench on the flats (at least you can on a Xootr Swift).

nish2575

finally, someone else on here with swept back/upright bars! i'm using ones from civia. i really want to get the handlebars, and handlebar height, angle, seat setback, etc, right this summer. will probably buy a few different upright bars. i'm pretty confused as to which shops to approach for a "professional" fitting. i'm leaning towards taking a trip to trophy bikes since they are most likely to know how to do fitting with regards to a folder as well

mtalinm

maybe this is of more general interest, but I haven't heard of many non-Xootr customers using the CrossRack so I thought I'd put it here.

I was excited to pick up the CrossRack + bag given the description on the Xootr website. And when I first got it, it seemed like a terrific setup. Over time, though, I've become much less enamored with it:

1. if your seat isn't perfectly straight -- as is sometimes likely to happen given the Swift's pull-out-the-seatpost folding structure -- the CrossRack easily gets off-center and can do weird things to your balance, especially at high speeds.

2. also when you need to fold the bike, the CrossRack with much of anything in the bag makes it difficult to lift the seatpost out. so you either have to take the bag off the rack or detach the pieces. The latter takes a lot of finger stretch, and the former while not difficult is a pain esp. because I worry I will lose the clip that holds the bag in place.

3. not to mention the clip that holds the bag in place is completely necessary. even a small bump can send the CrossRack bag flying (as has happened to me too many times).

4. maybe this is not a huge problem for taller people, but with my inseam (29") the CrossRack bag is hard to fit without creating heelstrike or digging into my admittedly-fat thighs.

5. even though at first I though the CR bag was a cool design, I don't like not having compartments.

so I've removed the CrossRack and installed a regular Topeak rack so I can use my DXP bag with it. I ended up having to set it back a ways to avoid heelstrike, but I think it is going to work out well. if not, i'll report back.

jakub.ner

I've got two crossracks and none of the bags. Seems all of your problems except for the off-center balance issue (which is user error and will occur with any seatpost mounted rack) are a problem you have with the bag. I have no idea what the bag Xootr sells is like, but the crossrack with standard Arkel paniers is pure win.

metamichael

I'm getting these guys to put in a 5-speed Sturmey on my Swift! They're pretty friendly & is really nice to go into a shop that has many more folders & small-wheeled bikes than just bromptons. Will let you know how it goes.

CabezaShok

sounds awesome.....can you post a review of that set-up when done?

mtalinm

ack, a standard rack prevents the Swift from folding properly (well, the connector arms that hold it into place). looks like I'll be getting another bag and sticking with the crossracks.

jakub.ner, when you say "standard Arkel panniers" do you mean this? https://www.arkel-od.com/us/all-categ...-panniers.html

jur

You could use any good pannier with that cross-rack. I used a Deuter in NZ. Never a whimper.

jakub.ner

I use the following "utility basket" from Arkel: (https://www.arkel.ca/ca_e/all-categor...ty-basket.html)

I've also use Axiom bags (something similar to this but not exact: https://www.axiomgear.com/products/ge...rs/monsoon-lx/)

When folding I take the bags off. The Arkel bag is *much* better than the Axiom bag for quick lifting off of the rack. Since I take the seat post and handlebar post off, the rack itself doesn't interfere with the fold (I bag all of these separatelly in the usual case).

I've had the rack in the front and in the back in the past (see pic). Currently I only use the cross-rack in the front and have a normal seat post mounting rack in the back.

mtalinm

oh, crossrack in the front? how well does that work? I'm heavy, so that would be a great idea if it doesn't present too much wind resistance

Paul Braithwait

[QUOTE=mtalinm;12509270]ack, a standard rack prevents the Swift from folding properly (well, the connector arms that hold it into place). looks like I'll be getting another bag and sticking with the crossracks.



The connector arms will need to be bolted to either the rear triangle via 'P' clips or secured by the lower of the two seat Q/Rs otherwise the bike will not fold. You may need to experiment with the "arms" to allow the seat post to slip between them.

mtalinm

indeed, I had it on the lower QR, but then the once folded the connector arms -- at least the ones i have - block the seatpost from resting on the wheel to keep it from unfolding. sorry i was not more precise....


[QUOTE=Paul Braithwait;12515769]

jakub.ner

It's like a fairing . j/k.

Yesterday did a ride with 40km/h-50km/h winds and 70km/h gusts. I got pulled to the side sometimes but didn't loose control. It must affect things but I'm sticking with the setup.

Paul Braithwait

[QUOTE=mtalinm;12516242]indeed, I had it on the lower QR, but then the once folded the connector arms -- at least the ones i have - block the seatpost from resting on the wheel to keep it from unfolding. sorry i was not more precise....

The "arms" on the rack in my picture are round but I have tried another rack with "flat" arms and they prevented the seat post from slipping through so I know what you mean. If you use the Q/R to secure the arms there will not be much room between them. Using 'P' clips on the rear triangle gives you more options and space.


[

bendembroski

[QUOTE=Paul Braithwait;12518889]I just rest the seatpost on the rack's connector arms. It makes the folded package kinda tall, but not unmanageable. Other than the extra height, it doesn't affect the the fold / locking the rear triangle in position at all.

Also, if I'm popping in to shop or cafe, I tend to lock up the bike (folded) and carry the seatpost in with me. I've never liked the idea of having to carry a rack with me too when I do this which is why I opted for a conventional rack over something like the Crossrack.

mtalinm

jakub, thanks for the pic on frontloading the CrossRack. I tried that last night and it actually improved handling under a light load. with a bunch of groceries it was a bit dicey, though I don't carry that much very often. I think this'll work well for commuting plus helping to balance out the load as I am a fattie

metamichael

Well, I picked up the bike today, but I'll have to hold off on a full review until I ride it for a while. I'm a little unsure of the service I got from Bikefix to be honest. When quoting for the work, they were sure my chainring was 110mm. I thought it was 130mm, which I said, but then again I've never changed a chainring and they're the bike mechanics. Then work got delayed because they're ordered the wrong chainring. Not because they realised it was actually 130mm. They didn't realise that until they tried to do the work today. So when I picked my Swift up from the shop expecting a 54T chainring and 13T sprocket, he said he had to put on a 55T chainring because that's what he had in 130mm. He put on a 14T sprocket to compensate.

Now I know this isn't exactly the same ratio as 54-13, but in some respects I was debating whether to go for a 56T or 54T chainring, so 55T kinda splits the difference. I was ideally aiming for the center gear of my XRF5 to match 7th gear on the stock Swift gearing. What's puzzling is I found myself riding home in 4th on the XRF5 most often, which is higher than 7th on the Swift cassette. Maybe I was pissed off at the service I just got!

So I feel like I gotta ride it for a couple of days to assess properly & get used to the shifting as well. Can't say I'd recommend Bikefix for their diligence, but hopefully I'll like the ride.

james_swift

Just overhauled the drive train and rear hub on my fixed-gear Swift. Here are some pics:

jur

Wow James your pics are always so... perfect. Ultra-clean bike, too.

james_swift

Thanks Jur. You should have seen it after the month of continuous rain we had here in SF recently (very unusual).

horizontalheat

Long time swift rider... Thought i'd share a little hack to keep the front wheel from turning when stopped. It gives just enough tension to return to center and not affect regular riding.

rcnute

Hi, all: The Swift works great as a front loader. FYI. I may replace the basket with something smaller, but not because it negatively affects handling.

bendembroski

I keep thinking about doing something similar with mine. What front rack did you use?

horizontalheat

Here is the industrial version:

bendembroski

I've seen that. I've also been considering fabricating something similar for my alumaxootr.