I see that there are Xootr Swifts for sale in the UK for not much more ($765) than they cost in the US ($700).
The Swift's ride is as excellent as the Brompton fold.
The Swift has a relatively stubby stem-riser, no hinge in the main tube, and the rear triangle sweeps out to 132mm; these features add up to a beautifully stiff ride. The Brompton has a lot of spring in the bars in large part because of its long stem riser.
If racks and fenders and similar amenities are important for the type of touring you do, the Brompton is, far and away, a much more convenient tourer than the Swift.
The Brompton is more easily taken with you in every travel scenario...car, bus, train, air. The Swift folds as rapidly as a well-trained greyhound will sit! ... but it is also about the same size as a very large greyhound even when the bike is folded.
The Swift uses standard component dimensions for the most part and, as a result, it is one of the most readily customized folding bikes on the market.
The Swift can be outfitted with a Thudbuster seatpost and the comfort of the rear suspension will then be comparable to the Brompton's. This is a ~$165 upgrade. Should you want to further optimize your Swift for comfort not for speed, a longer stem riser is available for the Swift (~$25) for a more upright riding position, approximating the rider's position on the Brompton S-type; also swap-in some handlebars with rise, and you can approximate the riding position of the Brompton outfitted with gull-wing bars.
In my opinion, one of the greatest shortcomings of the Swift is its lack of braze-on cable-stops. Cable stops could make it much easier to change the bars to suit your mood/purpose, and to pack the bike up for a journey.
Regards
T
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novis rebus studentem
Last edited by timo888; 11-12-08 at 07:20 AM.