Loving the new Swobo Baxter
 

I needed something new to get me back into riding to work and back. When I saw the Swobo Baxter it made me smile, so I ordered one through the local bike shop... because the guy's really cool and it's a LBS worth supporting.

Had to wait a month for a 59 frame, but it was worth it. With the installation of a brooks saddle, mustache handlebar and front rack it's a rockin' commuter. All done up it weighs in at about 30 lbs by the bathroom scale method of weights and measures. That's 4 or 5 lbs more than my cyclocross commuter, but the Baxter is so drippin' with style I don't care! Yea, it's a bit slower, but a workout is a workout. And the Baxter is such a blast just to hop on and ride in tennis shoes and jeans that I'm resisting installing clipless pedals, even for longer rides.

The Alfine hub is very quiet, smooth and shifts great... way better than the Sram 7 speed I built up a few years ago. (I'll be looking into the Alfine 11 speed in a year or two for sure.) The mechanical disc brakes are fantastic... my first experience with those. My only gripe is that the rear disc came loose due to a very shallow lock ring. It had only about 3 threads on it which stripped. The LBS installed a better lock ring free of charge. IMO, Swobo is taking a chance with a very expensive hub to save a few pennies there. I'm planning on changing out the lock ring on the front brake as well. But that's the only fly in a very sweet pudding.

DanO

This thread is nearly useless without pictures.

Yea... that did occur to me. Haven't taken any pic's of my ride. But it's one of these http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product...cPath=201_1473 with a few accessories. I'll post some tomorrow.

DanO

Here are some photos of mine. I put a wider (38) tire on the front wheel, added a front fender and a rear rack. I'm using campus-style pedals (platform on one side, SPD on the other) which works well for me.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=146044http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=146043http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=146042http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=146041

Can it take a front rack?

Really nice!!!!
What type of shifter is that, not the annoying twist shifters, is it... looks different.

I've got a mini-rack from Nashbar on mine http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Catalo...rm=front+racks, (Sorry, I'll post pictures tomorrow). It makes good use of the cantilever/V brake mounts on the fork. It mounts a 6-pack size bag which has mini panniers on each side as well. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Catalo...hbar+Front+Bag it holds a fair amount of tools, lighting, towels and such - although nothing large. But with small heavy items stowed up front I find it easy to backpack the bulky, light things like lunch and clothing.

I think anyone with a modicum of backyard engineering experience could fit a larger rack or even fabricate a cargo type rack. With the heavy hub in the rear, it helps to distribute some weight up front.

All the best. DanO

Shimano Rapid fire shifter. Although I believe it works backwards - push thumb to upshift pull finger to downshift.

DanO

No reflectors at all? I see the blinky on the back but usually rims, spokes, or handlebars have some sort of reflector. In NY it's actually required, don't know about NC.

How do you like the sliding dropouts? How about the stock bars?

The stock Vittoria Randonneur tires have reflective side walls and it comes with spoke mounted reflectors on both wheels.

DanO

I haven't had to monkey around with the sliding dropouts. As for the stock bars, they're fine for short rides, but I had to change them out for some mustache style bars in order to have some alternate hand positions and stretch out a bit for my 15 mile commute.

DanO

topeak dxp bag,e xcellent

Alright then, I got off my lazy but and took some pic's this morning of my particular take on the Baxter. It's a bike which screams for a little personalization and after a while few of them will look exactly alike.

I don't think it's backwards at all. You need more leverage to upshift than you do to downshift, so it makes sense to upshift with your thumb and downshift with your forefinger.

Now that looks nice. I like the mustache bars and the front rack. Not so much the foam grips though. Get yourself some nice wrap on there and you will be styling.

It looks like it would be a nice nimble and quick commuter.

Nice! A dyno hub and a light wouldn't be a bad addition if you want to commute after dark.

Well, there are times, like mile 14 on your way home after a full work day, when comfort trumps style.

It steers quicker than I thought it would. Some riders might even characterize it as nervous until they get used to it. And last night I learned you better keep a heads up and get back in the saddle before nailing the brakes. I got distracted cruising down the bike path and looked up to se half the path closed off by cones and yellow tape. I reflexively grabbed the brakes at about 10 mph and the rear came right up... did a pretty severe 'stoppie' into the tape. I didn't crash, but you could really launch yourself doing that while descending at 25 or 30 mph!

DanO

Agreed. Leather bar tape would be cool to have but good quality foam grips will do if you're on a budget.

Its a good IGH commuter.

This is what I was thinking after looking at the pictures.

I have found some of the gel tape out there to be quite comfortable. And although I have not done it, I have seen people use two layers of tape to effectively make a nice thick and squishy bar to hold.

I hear you on the comfort factor for the long commute. I do a 37-each way-miler every other week or so and I would love to have something like the Baxter to do it with. I have been a big advocate of this bike since Swobo announced they would be making it. I like the fact that it is an aluminum frame w/carbon fork. My steel San Jose takes a beating from the Chicago winters. The Baxter seems the epitomy of function to me. And I really dig what you did with the front rack and bar selection.

I'd love to see one with all the black bits switched out for silver and chrome.

I've got a pretty bright DYI 20 watt halogen lamp. The battery weighs about 2 lbs, but it's way bright and you don't have to lug it around unless you're fairly certain you'll be riding after dark.

DanO

Nice ride. Do those front mini-panniers slap the front wheel when you ride?

No. The rack drops down on the sides and the 'panniers' feature a hook that, well, hooks onto the rack. I took the extra step of securing them with a few zip ties, just to slow down any opportunistic, crack-head, rip-off MF's while I dash into the store or wherever. So the bag is solid and stable, even when loaded up to the gills.

DanO

Love the baxter, I have the same rack.
 

Mine is set up with a tandem seat for my little guy. I am still looking for the front bag. Thinking of a honey leather Dopp kit. Only thing that really fits that rack, without dropping big $$$.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/...ac2ed68e3c.jpg
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More pics:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/...3b97258d19.jpg
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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/...2793652fb7.jpg
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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/...e5bb0547b5.jpg

Does the mustache handlebar give you a more aggressive riding position? I'm considering a Baxter but am concerned that I'd be trapped in a near-vertical stance, especially with the 42cm! If you have any input, I've also started a thread here. Thanks!