timo888 

I would be very interested in comments from riders who have used the German-A front suspension that appears on the bike in this photo and on the Dahon Jetstream. How does it ride? Dimensional data would also be appreciated -- is it proprietary or can a fork with this suspension be readily retrofitted onto a bike with a standard head-tube?

Regards
T

chagzuki

That's an old model, isn't it? I think it's redesigned on the 2008 models.

timo888 

Yes, I believe it's a prior model year. I'm searching for front suspension for the Swift, and would consider an older type Kinetix Q fork if it were compatible (though it seems to be a proprietary component built for Dahon) and if it did not upset the Swift geometry too much ...

Regards
T

datako

It's a special for Dahon. If you managed to find one, you'll also have to get the matching front hub. Maybe you can find an old Hammerhead and cannibalise it - although I suspect you may prefer it to the Swift apart from its folding.

It's basic suspension, irons out the road nicely without the weight penalty of a conventional suspension fork. I've got one my HH.

jur

I would go for fat Primo Comets pumped medium before resorting to a very expensive, difficult upgrade like that.

timo888 

The advice is well taken, but how fat is fat? It looks as though the front fork on my alu Swift narrows to around 45mm where a 2" tire would be at is fattest point. So a tire larger than 1.75" might not be possible. There are 1.5" tires mounted now, at 65psi. Would there be much difference suspension-wise between a 1.5" and a 1.75" tire?

Regards
T

BruceMetras

I'm running 2.0 Schwalbe Big Apples front and rear on my Xootr Swift with no clearance issues, but also not running fenders..

timo888 

Yet Xootr told me that the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the fork and stays on the currently shipping frame are such that they could not guarantee a 2" Big Apple tire would fit ...they might and then again they might not... but a 1.75" tire would be no problem.

I took a calipers to my front fork and it was narrower than 50mm at the location where I think the Big Apple would be their widest. So it would be a $125 gamble to buy the Big Apples and have the LBS attempt to install them. I've read the BAs are a bear to install. I'd have a go at it myself otherwise.

Regards
T

timo888 

Thanks for the first-hand report. The smooth ride on the road without the weight penalty is indeed the selling point of the Kinetix Q suspension. But the quick and easy fold is important to me, so I would probably not give up the Swift for a HH, though the HH is an attractive bike in all other respects.

Regards
T

BruceMetras

I installed BA's on my Swift by hand without tire tools.. also laced up Alex DA 16's at the rear with Shimano Nexus hub then a matching front .. the width of the BA's are 46mm on this bike..

PDR

Post #1 ... in that photo I’d like to know how the owner can ride the bike with the saddle at such a crazy angle!

timo888 

Thanks for the inspiring photo, Bruce. Seals or birds? I'm encouraged by your success mounting the BAs.

I'd be inclined to choose 22mm rims, taking the middle path. All things in moderation

Regards
T

P.S. How much clearance do you have?

badmother

Only riding uphill

chagzuki

I also installed Big Apples without any problems. I can't see why there would be any problem.

BruceMetras

Birds..

Here's a couple of photos front and rear..

timo888 

So, that picture of Bruce's Swift by the shark-infested waters of the Pacific Ocean did the trick, and I've bought a ticket for the Trifecta:

1. Odyssey Hazard Lite BMX 36H rim (≈ 19mm sidewall†)
2. Pantour Prolite front suspension hub
3. Schwalbe 50mm Big Apple

I had surgery on my wrist a couple of years ago and the jolts from the Swift's straight bar have been painful.

Regards
T

†There is even an Odyssey rim with a ≈25mm sidewall for those who'd care to experiment with the Pantour Roclite 1" travel.

BruceMetras

Holy buckets of cash!!.. since you're concerned with pain at the handle bar, have you looked at the Softride System ?? I rode one once and it was pretty comfortable..

timo888 

I was bidding on a 135mm one recently but only half-heartedly. The price got out of hand. It went for $255.

Regards
T