@DaFriMon - v1nce got it right about the chainring setup. I put a lot of thought in it and I have about a 400% range which is just about right for me. I wanted a simple, reliable way that wouldn't add a lot of weight and be cheaper than a Rohloff or Schlumpf drive. It is clean with minimal clutter and I will change it based on the conditions I plan on riding. I have also 2 rear sprockets to further fine tune gearing. My usual cadence is 90 rpm and at the various setups that is 13/17.7 mph for 15T rear and 13.9/18.9mph with 14T rear when I am in the gear that is direct drive (i.e. most efficient) for my rear hub. It really isn't that difficult to change. If you have ever lost a chain and put it back on the front rings that is more effort than what I have to do. It takes me 5 seconds to do it. Grab chain, lift over and away I go. Took longer to type it than to do it.
@v1nce - thanks for the compliments. I did agonize over too many details. Perhaps obsess is a better way to put it. I really wanted the retro look but no one else seemed to see it in the Swift’s lines but I thought I could bring it out once I saw the old German frau fenders. I thought the Brooks saddle and internal hub would play quite nicely into my theme. The color was unique and the decals were the icing for it all.
It sometimes is hard when you have a vision as to whether it will play out as I imagined. I do like the most of all my folders. I wanted a very versatile bike that I could tour on or commute as well. The fold is still fast and easy. It is very responsive. The internal hub is much better than the other ones I have used. Just a great all around package.
The Brooks is my first new one. I agree about the grips but they are quite comfy. I sort of hate the shifter as it is opposite of my other bikes. Toward me is upshift and away downshift. I would prefer the reverse as my derailleur bike are just the opposite. But I LOVE being able to shift at stops on my folder. As for the weight I just weighed it; 27.4lbs on a very accurate scale. I think that is pretty good considering the rear hub, Brooks saddle, fenders, big pedals with power grips, heavy duty rims, etc. It is actually lighter than I originally anticipated. The power grips are the LARGE version because I have big feet and the normal ones won’t work and they do come with the extra holes.
I think it is definitely one of the most unique Swifts and an opposite tack of what most people take. I didn’t want a pseudo race bike but I wanted a GT car on 2 wheels. I also wanted a virtually indestructible bike and this thing feels like the rock of Gibraltar. I am a big guy and I felt no flex at all while riding from the frame or wheels. By comparison my Dahon felt wobbly and it really is pretty tight. That is not a slam against Dahon but really high praise for the Swift. Bars don't wiggle, steering is direct, no squeaks from the wheels, etc. I am a big guy and I always seem to stress folders but this is the first one that felt as solid as my full size street bike when I pushed hard on the pedals.
Total cost I have in it is about $1200 or so. It should have been more but Peter treated me quite well on some parts he had laying around the shop. It could be difficult to replicate it for that but if anything happens to this one I will buy another one just like it! At most maybe go to a Rohloff but I am really digging the current system. The more we went down the road of this project the more I think Peter got engaged into it. Sort of like making something out of the norm for even him. To me it was worth every penny and the long wait. Absolutely the most fun to ride bicycle I own bar none. I had several people stop and ask me about it when I stopped for a little snack while riding today. Even the normally PITA school kids near me gave it a double take and then a thumbs up.
I may add some bar ends but I want to be careful to keep the continuity of it all. I may add a squeeze bulb klaxon type horn just for grins. If I can keep the total weight under 30lbs I’ll be happy. For an internal hub bike with full (and very effective) fenders I am quite happy. A CF seatpost will shave some weight but the Thudbuster will add some of it back. It is dark outside and I just want to hop on it and go for another ride. I just can’t describe how efficient it feels when riding. I really can’t tell that it has a hub gear in the back when pedaling. Maybe Shimano wasn’t fibbing when they said it was their most efficient internal hub. I can only imagine as it gets better what it will be like. I am sure the Wipperman chain doesn’t hurt either. It’s stainless so good longevity there. The photos don’t really do the bike justice. If anyone happens to make it up to my area you are welcome to take a look at it or a spin if the weather will accommodate it.
As it is, this is most likely the first phase of this project. I have some other unique plans for it as time progresses but I don't have time to do it all at the moment. Thanks for all the others who posted pics of their Swifts/Xootrs. It helped realize what I like and disliked. It made the decision for powdercoating quite easy. The photos provided inspiration or allowed me to see different aspects of the design that I thought I could enhance and play upon. I was hoping that I didn't end up with a bastard of result that I could only call "Frankenbike". In the end I wanted something totally functional and at the same time unique. To that end I think was successful.