New Swobo Crosby - Ultimate Commuter bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 362
Bikes: 08 Seven Alaris, 07 Jamis Quest, 08 Swobo Dixon, 91 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
New Swobo Crosby - Ultimate Commuter bike?
Drop bars? Check
Horizontal Dropouts with space for derailleur hanger? Check
Eyelets/Brazeons for fenders and rack? Check
SRAM Torpedo for easy SS/FG config? Check
Braze-ons for disc brakes? Check
Carbon fork with alu frame? Check
Under $1100? Check
700 wheels? Check
Looks really good to me, almost enough for me to ditch my Swobo Dixon as last year's old & tired has-been.
https://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...cPath=201_1472
Horizontal Dropouts with space for derailleur hanger? Check
Eyelets/Brazeons for fenders and rack? Check
SRAM Torpedo for easy SS/FG config? Check
Braze-ons for disc brakes? Check
Carbon fork with alu frame? Check
Under $1100? Check
700 wheels? Check
Looks really good to me, almost enough for me to ditch my Swobo Dixon as last year's old & tired has-been.
https://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...cPath=201_1472
#2
Get on your bikes & ride!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lextown
Posts: 1,069
Bikes: See signature (it varys day to day)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Look's like Sky is pulling from her Bianchi San Jose bag of tricks. Now if they could just make that fixed/free hub work with an on bar shifter. That would be cool. Not sure if I would want disc brakes on a carbon fork...
__________________
Litespeed Classic
Soma Double Cross DC
Litespeed Classic
Soma Double Cross DC
#3
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Nice. But wish they'd put the rear disc mount inside the stays for easy fender/rack mounting.
Like the Baxter too,except why did they 'downgrade' from the Dixon's iMotion 9 to the Alfine?
Like the Baxter too,except why did they 'downgrade' from the Dixon's iMotion 9 to the Alfine?
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#4
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
You mean like they do on Trek Portland's,and Jamis Coda Elites,and a whole bunch of other bikes?
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#6
Get on your bikes & ride!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lextown
Posts: 1,069
Bikes: See signature (it varys day to day)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Oh, I'm not saying that it wouldn't work. I guess I am just a little gun shy of trusting carbon fiber. I can assume that you have had good luck with your Portland and Coda Elite. I'm also curious how Swobo can offer that bike at such a reasonable price with a carbon fork. I just hope the quality control was good where it is being manufactured.
__________________
Litespeed Classic
Soma Double Cross DC
Litespeed Classic
Soma Double Cross DC
#7
Hoopy Frood
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 457
Bikes: Trek 7.3fx, Peugeot PX-10, Fuji Roubaix Pro ('04), Cannondale R600, Triumph Roadsters, Raleigh 20, Univega Nuovo Sport, Schwinn Sierra, Bianchi Osprey, Peugeot NS-22, Batavus Champion, Haro Pulse.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Color is hideous, especially with those wheels and tires. Teal will forever remind me of early nineties ski-wear. Cool bikes though. I liked last year's Sanchez and Dixon.
Last edited by gamecat; 04-02-09 at 11:17 PM.
#9
not a role model
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,659
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Crosby seems overpriced compared to the Baxter. Frame looks to be an improvement over their initial models, though I have mixed feelings about the sliding dropouts. It's good from an internal hub/disc brake standpoint, but it blocks the rack mounts.
I'd think the look (of the unnecessary disc mounts) would be unacceptable to most of the fixed crowd.
I'd think the look (of the unnecessary disc mounts) would be unacceptable to most of the fixed crowd.
#10
One Man Fast Brick
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,121
Bikes: Specialized Langster, Bianchi San Jose, early 90s GT Karakoram, Yuba Mundo, Mercier Nano (mini velo), Nashbar Steel Commuter, KHS Tandemania Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Also, is the Dixon that much beefier such that it weighs 5lbs more?
#11
Banned.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 604
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 477 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
Cannondale Vintage 8 Ultra is still the ultimate commuter. IMO.
https://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/09/ce/model-9VS8.html
https://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/09/ce/model-9VS8.html
Last edited by Cue; 04-02-09 at 01:30 PM.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 362
Bikes: 08 Seven Alaris, 07 Jamis Quest, 08 Swobo Dixon, 91 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not if you want any kind of speed it isn't. Sure it's probably a plush ride, but the Crosby weighs 20lbs and has drop bars for those windy days.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
Cannondale Vintage 8 Ultra is still the ultimate commuter. IMO.
https://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/09/ce/model-9VS8.html
https://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/09/ce/model-9VS8.html
Edit: I'm not saying they need to be gawdy, - my road bike has the word "Specialized" plastered on it in no less than 6 places, but there has to be a happy medium.
Last edited by tjspiel; 04-02-09 at 02:59 PM.
#14
Didn't make it
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Weymouth, Mass.
Posts: 931
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't get that dark theme for urban bikes either. Seems pretty silly.
A commuter bike built from a cross bike? Never seen that before.
A commuter bike built from a cross bike? Never seen that before.
#15
1. get on 2. pedal
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 274
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check SS, '84 Raleigh Alyeska, '00 Mongoose Crossway
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Drop bars? Check
Horizontal Dropouts with space for derailleur hanger? Check
Eyelets/Brazeons for fenders and rack? Check
SRAM Torpedo for easy SS/FG config? Check
Braze-ons for disc brakes? Check
Carbon fork with alu frame? Check
Under $1100? Check
700 wheels? Check
https://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...cPath=201_1472
Horizontal Dropouts with space for derailleur hanger? Check
Eyelets/Brazeons for fenders and rack? Check
SRAM Torpedo for easy SS/FG config? Check
Braze-ons for disc brakes? Check
Carbon fork with alu frame? Check
Under $1100? Check
700 wheels? Check
https://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...cPath=201_1472
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Southern California
Posts: 362
Bikes: 08 Seven Alaris, 07 Jamis Quest, 08 Swobo Dixon, 91 Specialized Rockhopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
^^^ Oh Snap!
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,693
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
With the exception of the disc mounts, rack mounts, and sliders, that frame and fork look almost identical to my 2007 k2 cross bike. Nothing new under the sun...
That said I rather like the k2. It's a pretty good geometry for a causal cross racer and all rounder. I just might be tempted to swap parts over to one of these guys.
EDIT; This one has top tube cable routing too. Even better.
EDIT 2: Complete bike only. Bah.
That said I rather like the k2. It's a pretty good geometry for a causal cross racer and all rounder. I just might be tempted to swap parts over to one of these guys.
EDIT; This one has top tube cable routing too. Even better.
EDIT 2: Complete bike only. Bah.
#18
Mirror slap survivor
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 1,297
Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Surly Pacer, Access MTB, Ibex Corrida, one day a Simple City
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Should have been steel. I thought Sky understood the market better than that. Swobo is targeting hipsters----and hipsters DON'T LIKE ALUMINUM. The rest of the spec is great, but it shoulda been steel. The market hasn't seen an affordable singlespeed commuter made from good steel. How about a nice 853 frameset?
#19
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I must admit, the torpedo hub really doesn't do it for me. It's an awesome piece of engineering for sure, and I think it's pretty darn nifty that it can be done. However, I don't think its worth the premium for making a flip/flop hub that uses a screwdriver instead of a 15mm wrench.
If you could shift while riding though...that would be something else.
If you could shift while riding though...that would be something else.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,693
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Should have been steel. I thought Sky understood the market better than that. Swobo is targeting hipsters----and hipsters DON'T LIKE ALUMINUM. The rest of the spec is great, but it shoulda been steel. The market hasn't seen an affordable singlespeed commuter made from good steel. How about a nice 853 frameset?
EDIT: misplaced evangelism aside, I have two aluminum bikes. One, the K2 cross bike I mentioned, rides more smoothly than similar steel bikes I have owned. The other, a 29er, has the characteristics one more often associates with aluminum (very stiff, tracks well, not compliant) which leads me to conclude that the implementation of the material is a lot more important than the material itself.
#21
VOTE FOR KEN WIND
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 984
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
They're not even close. My ultimate commuter needs full cable housing on the brakes, Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes, a good eccentric bottom bracket, chainstay-mounted disc tabs, and cool graphics in addition to all the things they got right. A front dynamo hub wouldn't hurt either.
I took the Breezer Finesse for a ride the other day, and it's very nice. It is $800 more than the Baxter and Crosby though, and it doesn't have cool graphics, chainstay-mounted disc tabs, or drop bars. The Shimano hydraulic brakes that it comes with are probably better than BB7 brakes, but I don't really know.
I took the Breezer Finesse for a ride the other day, and it's very nice. It is $800 more than the Baxter and Crosby though, and it doesn't have cool graphics, chainstay-mounted disc tabs, or drop bars. The Shimano hydraulic brakes that it comes with are probably better than BB7 brakes, but I don't really know.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,693
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well of course ultimate commuter varies since people have such drastically different needs though.
What don't you like about the sliders though?
What don't you like about the sliders though?
#23
VOTE FOR KEN WIND
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 984
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've never used sliders before, so maybe they're easy in practice. They seem clunky to me though. The eccentric bottom bracket appears to be a simpler solution. Looking at the Crosby I notice that it would accept full brake housing. It's unfortunate that it's too ugly and expensive (because of changes I would make) for me. The frame is closer than I first thought to what I would consider ideal. It just doesn't fit my needs off the shelf.
The Baxter is even better. It just needs drop bars, Avid BB7 road disc brakes, J-tek bar-end Alfine shifter, and fenders. Hmmmm..... I take back what I said. I like the Baxter a lot, and the Crosby is a "meh".
The Baxter is even better. It just needs drop bars, Avid BB7 road disc brakes, J-tek bar-end Alfine shifter, and fenders. Hmmmm..... I take back what I said. I like the Baxter a lot, and the Crosby is a "meh".
Last edited by Ken Wind; 04-02-09 at 08:18 PM.
#24
not a role model
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,659
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Should have been steel. I thought Sky understood the market better than that. Swobo is targeting hipsters----and hipsters DON'T LIKE ALUMINUM. The rest of the spec is great, but it shoulda been steel. The market hasn't seen an affordable singlespeed commuter made from good steel. How about a nice 853 frameset?
Nice... Swobo? That's not their market.
Have you actually LOOKED at one of their frames? They're the masters of sprinkling hipster-cool on bargain basement frames.
-----------
Whatever. I won't buy one of their bikes, but it must be working for someone.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Ultimate commuter?
You should invest in the new Trek Madone commuter edition, complete with rack, fenders, partial chainguard, and platform pedals for only $10,000!
You should invest in the new Trek Madone commuter edition, complete with rack, fenders, partial chainguard, and platform pedals for only $10,000!