james_swift

Hey fellow Swift-aholics.

This is my somewhat bi-yearly check-in. As you may or may not know, I've owned 2 Swifts since 2006, the first a silver one which cracked at the seat tube, and then a blue one which just recently developed a crack in the weld where the seat tube meets the bottom bracket shell:



I wouldn't say that I ride the bike particularly hard, but I can say that I ride it consistently, as it is my primary means of getting to work.

In praise of the frame design, there was no catastrophic failure, and I was able to cycle safely home. I actually didn't realize how bad the problem was until close inspection. When the crack occurred, the bike just felt as if I had lost air in the back tire.

Anyway, I've contacted Xootr support in the hopes that they will continue to honor the lifetime frame warranty in my case.

jur

You still have it in fixie mode?

I recently got my frame replaced when it cracked at the seat stays. About the same time I put into motion my plan to get a Swift built in Ti. Check out the thread on that. I will be selling my still almost new replacement Swift now that I have a Ti Swift.

james_swift

Yup. I'm on my second set of bearings in my Soma fixed hub.

Yeah, I saw your thread yesterday on your "SwiftTi". Incredible! Absolute eye-candy. I can't imagine how awesome it would be as a fixTi.

I've been out-of-touch with the forum for some time. Where did you get that "swan-neck stem"? Is that a Bike Friday part?

Update: Brian at Xootr is sending me a replacement frame. Can't wait to build it up.

dezzie

Well today I decided to fit some higher wider bars for comfort, then swapped out the kendas for some shwalbe duranos, removed wheel reflectors and this is how it now looks after a month of ownership from new, rather nice!

jur

My Ti Swift swan neck riser/integrated stem is a Ti part that I copied from my Swift which has a Bachetta riser.

tds101 

I fixed the issue with my NuVinci N360 hub. There's a nut on it to prevent the hub itself from being crushed when the nuts are tightened. I loosened it up and the wheel spins correctly now. It's still not the same as my Nexus 8-Speed hub, but it works as it should. I'm going to get some ride time tonight and see how it goes. I'm glad it was a simple fix.

james_swift

Wheels by Man You All Focus, on Flickr

BruceMetras

Bike looks good!! Riding through the Presido is nice too!! hope to get Jur and Connie on that route when they visit..

tds101 

@james_swift - the bike looks solid. I'm eventually going to remove the NuVinci hub, but mine is quite fast now. Heavy, yes, fast - HECK YES!!!

james_swift

What I've noticed different about this current frame versus my 2006 frame:

1.) Seat tube sections at the clamp points are seriously reinforced (thicker).
2.) Welds where the chainstays and seat tube meet the bottom bracket shell are far more substantial. Almost looks excessive (which is fine, by my experience). The weld spills over to the very edge of the bottom bracket shell on the drive side.
3.) Plastic weather seal integrated into the top headset locknut (now I won't need to resort to duct tape for rainy days).
4.) Stem riser redesign. Clamp is rotated to the side now. Much lighter than the 2006 version.
5.) Paint job looks thicker/more durable.
6.) No creaking at the seat tube junction point, even though I'm running the seat post without the light application of grease as originally recommended for the earlier Swifts.

I'm glad to see that Xootr has been refining/enhancing the frame design.

tds101 

My Swift is rock solid. I've only experienced a small bit of creaking, but by tightening the seat clamp it was solved in seconds. Very solid ride,...and amazingly stable.

Arizuno1

Just noticed the Rido RD2. How do you like it?

dezzie

I like it, my style is for touring/upright seated position and I am normally crippled with pressure on my coccyx but the seat does what it says on the website admirably, especially with my seatpost from cane creek, my only problem is my rear is comfy but the harshness through the front aches my wrists and I get numb hands so ergo grips next as I have changed the bars already!

Arizuno1

Higher and/or more swept-back bars? Wrist pain suggests you're carrying too much weight there. Or, really, any weight there. The current enthusiasm for bars below saddle height may work for some (competitors), but not, I suspect, for most. Big Apples for the harshness? And are your "privates" also happy with the RD2?

dezzie

Saddle is good its just a case of finding the exact position for your sit bones to get most comfort, bars are higher, wider and swept back i think the grips are part of the problem so the ergos should hopefully dampen the buzz and spread my hands to a more comfy grip.

tds101 

I ordered these handlebars from Amazon, and a set of inexpensive ergonomic comfort grips. The setup is excellent for my once achy wrists and my rotator cuff issue.

Retrospec BMX Style Bicycle Handlebars for Fixed-Gear/Single-Speed/Mountain/Commuter and Freestyle Bikes, Black:Amazon:Sports & Outdoors

Retern

Anyone know a way to use suspended fork with new collapsible or removable stem. I would like some suspension up front. Thanks

zepi

just a quick (but exclusive) inquiry:

would anybody in this forum be interested in purchasing the original steel prototype of the legendary "swallow".
it's handmade by peter reich and probably the most pedigree and unique swift folder ever made.

I need to give most of my bikes away because I'm planing a lengthy trip around the world and have to seriously minimize my belongings.
Apologies in advance: I can not give this bike away cheaply as it probably is the most sought after swift folder of all time.
If you are interested, please PM me via this forum.

mmoylan

I just finished up my swift build, and I love it.

I have found a way to fold the xootr that makes it as compact as possible and be rollable, by removing the front tire and attaching it to the rear dropout with the QR skewer. I don't know if anyone else does this but it makes it so that in the city when my car is parked a couple blocks away I can take my bike still folded and roll it to my car while holding the seat. This fold also makes it really easy to carry from the seatpost and toss in the back seat or trunk easily. I'm able to hook my drop bars onto the bike as well. Attached are pictures.

joliett

Swift Folder in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. I was there 4 months last year and the bike performed flawlessly. It's a great sturdy bike, and the Mexican locals and I loved it.

kevinjg

Quote:

I have found a way to fold the xootr that makes it as compact as possible and be rollable, by removing the front tire and attaching it to the rear dropout with the QR skewer. I don't know if anyone else does this but it makes it so that in the city when my car is parked a couple blocks away I can take my bike still folded and roll it to my car while holding the seat. This fold also makes it really easy to carry from the seatpost and toss in the back seat or trunk easily. I'm able to hook my drop bars onto the bike as well. Attached are pictures.

Bravo! Sometimes the simplest solution takes a lot of thought and experimentation. Trying to roll the folded swift on one wheel is a PITA. I have been trying to devise a similar solution. Good on you for this fix. Are your concerned that this might eventually bend the quick release axle over time?

mmoylan

Thanks for the Bravo! So far I haven't had any issue with the quick release bending. It doesn't spend much time rolling like that. And if it did over time, an new QR skewer isn't really very expensive.

kraftwerk 

The Q/R skewer sees so much more weight when it is being ridden there would be no harm in rolling the wheel like that. Seems like a smart solution..
Here is Swift on ebay (not mine just noticed it..)
Silver Xootr Swift Folding Bike | eBay

zepi

I've been posting in this thread since 2006 or so... normally I don't post links to ebay auctions, but today I take the liberty to point out this auction of the original prototype of Peter Reich's Swallow.

Unique Swift Folder 'Swallow' Prototype Folding Bike Moulton Bike Friday | eBay


It's a quite rare chance to get your hands on this bike.

itsmoot

I wonder why these or (a further refined version) never saw production.