Sorted the loose seatpost problem with some copper tooling foil 0.1mm. It’s very malleable and easy to cut but strong enough to keep its shape.

See pictures in post #3227

loose seatpost
 

I bought a 2nd-hand Al alloy swift that had an extremely wallowed-out seat tube; the seat (pin/post/pillar) could barely touch the sides of the seat tube and the bike was unusable. I found very thin shims were not robust and would peel out or wrinkle up. I ended selecting a much small seat (pin/post/pillar) and thicker aluminium shims, which I permanently glued into place. This fix seems to have worked for a few years so far. The secret was to put the measurements of the ID of the seat tube, all the OD of all the seat (pin/post/pillars) I could find, and all the common shim thicknesses into a spreadsheet to find a set that worked to within 0.1mm.
It seems (according to my ebay history) I settled for a 31.8mm (pin/post/pillar) in the end, with a 30.0 to 27.2mm shim. Note that the shim isn't the right diameter for anything and it has to be bent out a bit, but it was selected for its ability to fill the gap.
I wonder whether everyone should shim their swift so that if or when the shim frets, it can be thrown away and a new one put in, so saving the frame from wear? A steel shim might be even better since it is both harder than al alloy and less likely to metallically bond to the al alloy seat (pin/post/pillar). You'd have to watch for differential corrosion instead, but I can't imagine this would be much of a risk with a folder where the joint is being moved frequently.

Hi all,

I purchased a steel Swift Folder this week for a steal ($100 8-speed with a gaggle of mods and in almost pristine condition) that came without a saddle or saddle clamp on the seatpost, and after visiting the three local bike shops not a single one knows what kind of clamp would work on it (I live in a small city where the concept of folding bikes is truly foreign). After searching online it seems the seatpost I have is the 34mm generic OEM one that came with it that's NL-branded (Don't have enough posts to post an image of it apparently). Anyone have any insights on what specific part I would need to purchase?

I'm almost completely ignorant of anything bike-related (Aircraft and drones are more my thing) so any assistance is much appreciated. The knowledge in this thread convinced me that the bike was worth purchasing and that I have a legendary bit of kit in my possession. Thanks!

The 34 mm seatpost is for the Aluminum Swift. Xootr still sells them for $30. I think that the tubing on the steel Swift is smaller, though I don't know the size. The clamp on my Aluminum 34 mm is integral to the post. You need to carefully measure your post and seatpost tube if you need the 34 mm get one from Xootr. If you do have a steel frame Swift then contact Alternative Needs Transportation, they used to make some of them there.

Contact Xootr and they'll give you a hand finding what you need,... Xootr

I looked online and ANT is apparently closed. I didn't see anything from Zootr on their website so I figured that they didn't provide services anymore I'll ask them.

Dumb question but considering how Swifts were designed to be user-customizable, wouldn't I be able to find a generic clamp for the seatpost that would match, or are clamps the kind of parts you don't purchase separately? Related, couldn't I just purchase a 33.9/34mm seatpost online and it would work if all else fails?

Thanks!

Yes you can. Dahon seatposts 33.9 mm and are working for me. https://xootr.com/collections/cleara...wift-seat-post Xootr site works for me. But you say your Swift is steel. Xootr Swifts are not steel They are aluminum and the diameter of the tubes are thinner AFAIK. You are warned to which you need. If you can't measure the diameter of your seat tube take it to a bike shop and ask them. Ask what frame is made of too. They have magnets. The front forks are all steel. Contact Xootr. They will steer you in the right direction.

Dude, you suck! (in the neanderthal woodworking forum, that means you got a really, really great deal!)

The Swift is one of the best folding bikes ever made, and the steel frames were handmade in the USA (in Oregon, I think).
Everything is pretty much compatible stock bike parts and super flexible as a platform.
Swifts have been made into fixies, roadies, hybrid (stock), granny bikes, etc....the only weakness is carrying bags, and fold size.

Call Xootr. They still have parts, and are very passionate about that bike.

Oh, and you'll find this link useful.

It should fit pretty much every standard saddle.

I have the possibility of purchasing 2 different aluminum Xootr Swifts in my area. One has a rear rack and is quoted as 25 lbs, while the other does not and is described as 27 lbs. Would the experts of this thread attribute the weight discrepancy to home scale inaccuracy?

I understand that there are several iterations of the china-made Xootr frame from perusing the thread, but I wouldn’t know how to differentiate them visually. Is the later “beefed up” aluminum frame significantly heavier? Are there visible gussets I should look out for? I’m somewhat interested in trying to achieve an overall lightweight build.

27lbs sounds on the heavy side. It could well be inaccurate because it wasn't weighed properly or the seller is just inexpertly making a guess. Or maybe it has just been loaded with heavy components.

Anyway, good luck with your build.

I ended up taking the plunge last week on an aluminum Swift. Couldn’t tell if the seller was a Bikeforums guy or not. He said he was an early Helix backer so he no longer needed the Swift.

As far as I can tell the bike is stock, other than a Maxxis Hookworm on the front. I did a few rides around the neighborhood, put on a longer stem, and did 35 miles yesterday around Queens.

I’m normally pretty slow on my mtb and marginally faster on my souped up Raleigh Twenty. The Swift definitely accelerated really well and felt much more spry climbing than my other bikes.

Immediate plans are a less squishy saddle, wider bars with a little backsweep, and maybe changing out the tires. I already have a 2.0” Big Apple that I’ll try on the back. I run 2.15” BA’s on the Raleigh and feel really confident with them, but it might be nice to find something lighter that’s still high volume.

Looking forward to playing around and dialing it in!

I run BAs 2.0 on mine with Surly Monkey nuts V2 to space drop out on rear.

I have Tioga PowerBlock 1.9s on mine, and to get the rear tire to fit, not only did I have to slide the wheel all the way back in the dropouts, but I also had to put in a longer bottom bracket spindle to prevent the chain from rubbing on the tire in the lowest gear.

Btw, has anyone converted their Swift to an e-bike?

I'm thinking of converting mine.

I’m probably going to try a Tioga as a rear since I already threw my spare 2.00 Big Apple on the front. Looks like the front could almost fit a 2.15. Did not like the feel of the Maxxis Hookworm that the bike came with. I also realized the front rim was completely ground down and bulged out on one side, so I put on a cheap bolt-on alloy wheel for now!

I wish there was a cushy 406 “balloon“ tire significantly lighter than the BA. I’ve found some interesting leads on other threads but in 2021 many of them are out of date or discontinued.

I think Primo Comets may come in large widths. I need the protection that BAs offer, so for me they are good compromise.

I was wondering if anyone has had luck finding a replacement derailleur hanger, given that Xootr no longer sells them and Peter Reich retired. Mine is somewhat bent (enough to interfere with the granny gear) and I’m a little worried about bending it back. Should the hanger be taken off for this operation?

To do it right you should have a deraileur alighnment tool and it is kind of expensive, about $80 or so. Try a bike shop.There are also videos online that show work arounds if you do not have access to the right tool. I think in all cases its done on the bike.

Did you contact Xootr or just check on their website? On my last trip to the states I was thinking of picking up an extra hangar just in case. Contacted Xootr and they said they had plenty in stock and would restock when they ran out. This was pre-pandemic, so about 2 years ago.

BTW. I also bent my hangar slightly. Took it to a local shop, they removed it and bent it back to normal in a vise.

No problems since.

Regards,
Joseph

Schwinnsta,
Was thinking of getting the Surly Monkey nuts for my Xootr. Did you have to make any modifications to them to fit the Xootr dropouts or were they a perfect fit? Also if you could, is it possible to post a picture of your Xootr with the Monkey Nuts installed?

I am thinking of getting a set over the winter to run wider tires come spring.

Thanks,
Joseph

As best as I remember they fit in but due to the extra thickness of the Swifts dropouts I had had to get slightly longer screws then they came packaged with. Not that on the right dropout, I installed the screw from the inside out versus the left, to avoid an interference with the cogs. I could have trimmed the screws but I was anxious to try them out and never opted to trim the screws.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a7aea50036.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...28ee19f01e.jpg

I’ve emailed Xootr to ask about replacement hangers. Thanks to everyone with help and suggestions in this thread!

Schwinnsta, is the rear fender much of a pain when it comes to repairing flats? I’m guessing it’s not that bad since you run Big Apples, but I’ve certainly had occasional flats with them in New York on my R20

I don't have to remove the fender to take off the rear wheel. There is enough room to slide it back and drop it out. I did make the rear fender a 2-piece to make the bike easier to pack into a suitcase.

Schwinnsta,

Thanks for the photos.

Man, I really wish I'd have purchased one of these when they were still being made by Xootr

Man, I really wish I'd have purchased one of these when they were still being made by Xootryb

You can probably still get the titanium frame from China if you're willing to spend some big-ish bucks.

https://m.es.aliexpress.com/item/1964267598.html?html=static

I wish somebody besides China would resurrect this design. An affordable disc brake version would be great. I think Peter Reich liked the horizontal dropouts as these are adaptable and easy to fit internal geared hubs onto. Personally I think that a disc version would be more saleable today. Anyway, the Swift is possibly the best 20" folder ever made. So simple, yet adaptable, stiff and fast. The design needs to live on and develop.

Keep an eye out. Occasionally one comes up on the second hand market.

B fold bikes in NYC has a swift for sale at $1600. Bike looks clean. I have bought parts for my Carryme from David and it always went well. I would love that bike but mostly have been riding off road with a Giant Anthem SX that I love. If I lived in a city I'd really look hard at purchasing this bike.

I suppose one can order them custom, and the swiftfolders.com site says that there are some remaining Xootr made aluminum frames. I will have to think about it...I have too many projects going on right now...