Try PM'ing Bruce for details on how to try out all his toys. I have yet to order a Swift and the $600+ surprise repair bill I got this past week to fix the front suspension on my car just pushed my order date back. :( It's ok though since I'm torn between an internally geared hub or a flip/flop hub. I know, they're at opposite ends of the spectrum gearing-wise, but I have a geared mtb that I love and a fixie that I also love and the Swift seems to accomodate both so well that it's hard to decide.

I love my new Swift and am using it daily to commute to work. Only one problem: the chain occasionally pops off when I hit a bump on the road (not unusual in Chicago). Has anybody else experienced this? Any easy solutions?

Search "chain tensioner"

I'm using a chain guide roller I got from Gaerlan Cycles.. I've moved the roller back a little from my original posted pics... this has worked well for me... I'm sure there would be other options also to keep the chain from 'hopping' off of the top of the chainwheel.

Bruce

Very pleased with Swift
 

This is just a quick follow-up to my note of about 10 days ago....

I did pick up my Xootr Blue Swift in the Twin Cities last Monday without incident. The people at Calhoun Cycle were just fine! Thanksfully, the weather up north at my brother's house in the Iron Range (where North Country was filmed) was much better than predicted. One day was perfect, one very nice, and even the cold day was okay for riding.

I am very happy with the bike and would recommend it to all. Solid, relatively quick, and I like the handling, esp, with the quick feeling 20 inch wheels. I am still tweaking things, but my initial changes to the stock bike were an 8 speed Nexus internal hub, and Thudbuster seat post. May change saddle and a few other things to get it just the way I like over time.

This bike should be a keeper!
Best to all and thanks for the great info to be found in this forum!

Mike

Howdy Mike - Those are modifications that I would like to do too if/when I buy a Swift, so I'm glad to hear you're happy with them. Thanks for the update :)
-spinner

OK, I'm a little curious about something. It sounds like a Swift will handle a little more like a road bike than most folders, and may be a little faster as well. Can anyone explain the mechanical reasons why a Swift will ride faster and handle differently than, say, a typical Dahon, and quantify any speed increases?

By the way, it looks like there's a celebration of the Swift's 10th Anniversary as part of NYC's Bike Month....

Hello,
I'm looking to improve the hand positions on my stock Xootr. Any suggestions on bar ends? I'm used to road (drop) handlebars but don't want to go to that option if bar ends will be enough. Art.

With beefy tires, would the swift be a descent offroad or expedition touring machine?

1.) The Swift's geometry is identical to that of a hybrid bike. http://xootr.com/xootr/swift/frame.shtml
-I actually test-rode a GT hybrid last week, and aside from the huge wheels and sluggish steering, the ride was identical to my Swift when it was stock.

2.) The frame is designed to be rigid and light. The trussfold system is simple and efficient. It uses a single pivot joint and the seatpost to lock it all into place. Unlike the sandwich fold of a Dahon, there are no joints in the Swift's frame to flex. And also unlike the stempost of the Dahon, the stempost of the Swift is steel pipe extension of the steerer tube, clamped-down securely with a quick-release upon which you can throw-on any standard 1 1/8" threadless stem. The Dahon / Downtube stemposts utilize a joint-n-latch system with a sliding internal post, which again, introduces a huge point of flex. Flex absorbs power that could otherwise be put into forward motion. I also own a Dahon, and when I do ride it, I have to completely alter the road-bike riding style I'm accustomed to on my Swift. This means no out-of-the saddle uphill sprints in high gear, no racing the red light at intersections. I think that quantifies the speed increase you're inquiring about.

3.) Fit: you can't get fast on a bike with an upright riding position. Because the Swift accomodates any standard 1 1/8" threadless stem, you can go as stretched and as low as you want. If you want to get serious, consider drop bars or TT-bars. My Swift is awesome with drop bars. I'll never go back to flat bars.

4.) Weight: in stock form, the Swift is 22lb. Compare that with a Dahon or Downtube (better not). Lose the heavy tires, tubes, reflectors, saddle and pedals (typically the first parts to be upgraded on any bike), and you can easily bring it down to 20lb or even less.

Bar ends are great if you're happy with the flat bars. I have some Profile short ends that I'm not using anymore. PM me your address and I'll send them to you.

Thanks so much for your offer, James. I think I will look for longer bar ends which extend forward further to try to approximate my stretched out position on my road bike. IF that doesn't work, then I might be forced to do as you did and install road handlebars...only then I'm going to have to change the brakes and shifters as well. Anyway the bar ends are worth a shot. Arthur.

Yeah, I love my drop bars.

Yangmusa brought to my attention this adapter from Harris Cyclery called "HubBub" that allows you to use your SRAM grip shift as a bar-end shifter on drop bars: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/b...an-jos8-3.html

I have read through this thread once, and am very impressed with the overall good reviews this bike is getting. So I am looking into getting one. I know I read through here somewhere that I can email one of the manufacturers/designers to work out specific details on a build, but I can't seem to remember the name or email address of who that pereson is. I was going to skim through all the pages again to find the email address, but I am getting backed up at work. If someone happens to have that email and could post it here, I would appreciate it. Thanks!!

OTS www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/bikes.shtml

Custom by Peter "Swifty" Reich www.swiftfolder.com
info@swiftfolder.com

So will a chain roller/tensioner as pictured above help keep the chain from jumping to the right (between the chain and the guard)? My Swift does this on occasion, and it's rather annoying.

Send an email to sales@xootr.com explaining you want a custom Swift. They'll forward your email to Peter. You could also try Design Mobility directly: info@swiftfolder.com

So long as you don't plan on rolling over logs and stumps. This applies not only to the Swift, but any 406-wheeled bike. Small wheels and big obstacles (and potholes, for that matter) don't mix.

I need help with seatpost mounted racks for my Xootr Swift.
The alu swift frame/xootr swift has a post diameter of 32.9 mm. Most seatpost mounted racks that I've looked at, like the Performance recommended by Wavshrdr and the Delta, have a listed max diameter of 32 mm. I guess if Wavshrdr, who as James has noted is the King of Swift Accessories, was happy with his rack then I shouldn't be worried, but I would appreciate any advice/warnings anyone, including, of course, Wavshrdr, might have.
Thanks!
Jonathan

The seatpost on the Xootr Swift is actually 34.0mm (as stamped on the end of the seatpost, and verified by my calipers). I think Xootr misprinted the seatpost's diameter.

That said, Wav is the authority on racks for the Swift.

Definitely a 34mm seatpost. I had to do a little creative filing to make a seatpost-mount fender fit.

Since I've installed the roller, the chain hasn't jumped off to either side of the chainwheel... as I have mine set up, it's not a tensioner but just a guide to keep the chain inline with the top of the chainwheel.

Bruce

Would the Swift lend itself to have a Rohloff? I read how BF stopped using them because of problems with cable breakage due to the long length of the cables (although I know that there are tandems that use Rohloff). Would the cable routing on a Swift be messy (since you need the cable to run from each side of the hub) of do you think that this bike would be the ticket? So far, the only folder I have seen/ ridden with a Rohloff was Chop's exceptionally sweet Gobike. Is there anybody else out there?

The Bike Fridays are prone to cables breaking anyway; not because they are long, but because the cables run at an acute angle under the bottom bracket and suffer severe stress when folded.

The Swift has much better cable routing - less acute angles and less stress when folded. If a Rohloff can successfully fit a Brompton, I don't see why it wouldn't work on a Swift...

Magnus

Yet another Swift
 

Here is my latest folder. I bought the frame/fork from Peter and built it with spare parts.

I wanted a bike that I could ride in shorts and sandals and not have to worry about cycling shoes, padded shorts etc...

This bike fits the bill perfectly. It is built pretty basic. I'm running a single cog on an 8/9 speed rear hub.
The front chain ring is 52t and the rear cog is 15t...

Some of my favorite things about the Swift vs my other folders.

1. The removable stem riser is the cleanest setup I've seen on any folder. It is a very strong design yet very simple. No, you cannot fold the stem unit but it is very easy to remove if needed
2. Horizontal dropouts- A big plus for fixed and single speeds
3. Higher horizontal top tube(mono tube?). The design of the frame makes it feel more like a "big" bike than any other 20" wheeled bike I own.

I love my Bike Fridays but I'm extremely impressed with Swift....

Greetings,

I'm not a Swift owner yet, but it's on my list. James, your comment above about small wheels and big obstacles brings up something I've wondered about concerning the Swift. On a bike like this, with a stem that's designed to come off, can a person safely pull up on the bars to clear a pothole, or a curb? Sounds sketchy to me.

Thanks,

Andy

No issues with the Swift or Bike Friday stems removable stems and risers. They are held very secure.

Hi Dave! I like what you have done with the Swift... looks great and should be a blast to ride.

Bruce

The steerer tube is threaded, so it provides a super-solid and secure grip on the stempost when it's clamped on.

I clear countless potholes and curbs on my daily commute through San Francisco with confidence that I always forget that the stempost is removeable. I have drop bars, and I constantly rock the bike out of the saddle, pulling up hard on the brake hoods with no issue. The front end is solid throughout.

There's a definite theme going on with Dave's bikes. A very fitting addition to your collection. Excellent work.