Cork tape and zip tie works perfectly.

Thanks, it's a great idea. Seems better than a carradice barley / bagman support solution as it reuses parts you've already got.

I've got a Carradice Nelson Longflap and Bagman on my Swift, a couple of posts up from yours. It works great--but notice how much wasted space there is below the bag. The Crossrack uses all that space.

(I usually have a Crossrack on that bike, but I had it configured for a specific purpose that day.)

Great pic!!

Hey, Jur. Thanks! Unfortunately the pic was better than the ride, but one bears up.

Yeah, and the bike is even painted in winter camouflage colors!

hey so has anyone put a larger chainring on the front? if so, what did you go for? heading down hills I end up spinning with the default setup, and even sometimes on flat ground.

Jur has 58T. https://dekter.net/bikes/swift.html

I put a 60T on my swift. I got it at https://www.hostelshoppe.com/. I also had to buy a new chain to go with it because a larger ring needs a longer chain. I had a full stock setup and installed the new ring on the inside chainring position, just as the stock one is mounted. To see more on that you go to: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...+gearing+xootr

Be aware that is hard to find chainguards for these larger rings. But of course chainguards are not essential and for some not preferable. For more on that see this: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=longshot

Anyone else think a messenger bag makes sense with the swift? I do. Granted I have a full-sized road bike with rack and pannier setup that I love, I find that using the messenger bag is works well for the swift rather than going with a rack or carradice sqr system both of which seem to increase or make more cumbersome the folding. A carradice bag mounted directly to the saddle rails which doesn't prevent the seatpost from sliding down all the way when folded, keeping the fold tighter and more compact, might be good though as well. Actually now I've thought about it more I think a carradice bag and compatible rack with quick release which mounts to the saddle rails might be a superb option. Thinking aloud I guess.

I will continue commuting with a backpack when I get my swift. I find a backpack to be much more balanced and comfortable than a messenger bag, which starts to cause discomfort beyond 3-5 miles ... but either way I'm not a big fan of commuting with the weight of my stuff on the bike. Hinders maneuverability and curb-hop-ability for my taste. Others WILL have different opinions, I am sure.

GlowBoy, which model did you order?

There you go again ...

Haven't ordered yet, but I plan on getting the Xootr. Since I'll be running drum brakes I won't need a custom disc-ready frameset.

The arrangement with my Swift doesn't really affect the fold, as long as you don't mind the seatpost sticking up when the thing is folded. I just use a standard rear rack with it attached to the lower QR's on the seatpost clamps. When folded, the seatpost just rests on the rack stays instead of the rear tyre / fender. In fact, when i'm getting on or off trains, I just leave the bag attached to the bike.

The thing I like about this is when I lock the bike up outside & I carry the seatpost away with me, I'm not dealing with a bunch of attachments on the post.

Not for everyone, but works for me.

Howdy, everyone. Welcome to my very first post after many years of lurking: I figured I owed the thread a pretty picture in return for all the information I sucked out of it.



I got the frame from Peter Reich himself, with the custom paint job. The rims are Mavic M13II 451s laced to Surly hubs; I'm using their 135mm flip-flop in back. Running it as a fixed; gear ratio is 48/13. The cranks are a Velo Orange road double with the small chainring dropped (they're currently selling the chromed version for a big discount!). MKS GR-9 platform pedals. I had to use a long-reach caliper to fit the 451 rims; it's a Dia Compe out of the basement of a bike shop -- nutted long reach calipers are hard to find! (Though I hear the Tektro R559 is out there somewhere...)

Bit of an aesthetic disaster to some eyes, perhaps, but I find her lovely.

Tom

...Mrs lexm!


Here are the Mrs and her Swift at 31st Street Beach, just south of Chicago's McCormick Place. A custom build by Peter Reich, Mrs lexm's Swift boasts a Sturmey Archer S2 (not S2C) kickback hub, Thudbuster seatpost, Kore stem and handlebar finished with Ergon grips, Specialized Expedition Plus saddle, Salsa QRs, Eleven81 folding pedals, and Schwalbe Marathons on Sun CR18 rims. The custom paint job was inspired by Mrs lexm's affection for Brompton's Turkish green. This photograph was taken on the Swift's maiden voyage, mere days after its arrival. To the right, you can just see the top of the John Hancock Building.


Today, Mrs lexm conquered Northerly Island. Location of the now-closed lakeside airport Meigs Field, Northerly Island is home to the Adler Planetarium, the Charter One Pavilion music venue, and a park in the process of being planted with native prairie grasses. The park includes a 1.4-mile paved walking and biking path around the island. To the left of Mrs lexm, you can see the Sears Tower and part of Soldier Field. To the right, you can see part of the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Trump Tower.

The Mrs loves her Swift. From the custom color to the components carefully selected by Mr Reich to give her a more upright seating position, she needs no excuse to hit the lakefront bike path whenever the opportunity strikes.

Nope, I like it too! It's nice and minimalist - all function & speed. Good color too. The sort of bike I'm too practical to own (all my bikes have racks and fenders..), but sometimes think I should!

Hello all,

I am a new Swift owner in London, ordered mine from Flow Berlin about a month ago. Really been enjoying the frame over my previous Dahon Speed P8. Feels very solid. Discussion on Bike Forums were very helpful with deciding to go for the Swift.

I'd read this thread with interest: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t+folding+stem

as I would have liked to have a folding stem on my Swift. I store my bike in a small space behind my front door. It hangs on a hook and there isn't the depth to have any riser, handlebars, etc sticking out. Wasn't a problem with the Dahon's handlebars folding down. Not a great problem physically with the Swift, as I do take the riser off & hang the handlebars on the wall. But would be a whole lot easier hanging & de-hanging my bike if I didn't have to juggle the bike with the handlebars separate. Also, the already thin fold would be very thin indeed if I could just fold the handlebars down to the side of the bike.

Anyway, to further the debate of whether you can get a folding stem, I was looking at Brompton stems:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-...att-prod20013/

and couldn't quite tell whether it would be possible to fit them on a different set of forks? I might have the concept completely wrong. Don't know the exact specs for Brompton stems. Would be an expensive option (£100 for the stem + new forks) but thought it might be worth contemplation.

Cheers,

Michael

Newer folding bikes come with the right sort of folding stem that would work on the Swift. They clamp around the steerer and fold just above that point. Many also slope forwards for increased reach, a big plus point.

The biggest problem is getting hold of these stems, they are not sold as spares. Perhaps we could contact a manufacturer and organise a group buy.

tlaaxo,

Your bike is awesome!!! I love the handlebars and the red details on the pedal straps. If I believed in emotocons, I would put definitely end this post with a smiley face and a thumbs up.

Wow! Pretty tasty!! Bike looks good too Is the Mrs enthralled?

I think that could be the first Swift in that Celeste color. Looks very good!

With the Swift - yes.
With Mr lexm's insistence upon stopping and taking photographs - no.

...and thus the marriage of two great things: the Swift and Bianchi's trademark color. I'm lucky to have both myself albeit in two separate bikes.