Did you change out the SRAM grip shifters?
 

Rick,
When you mounted the Avenir bar ends did you have to replace the SRAM twist shifters? I would appreciate if you could post a photo of your bars showing the new bar ends and what the shifters look like.
Thanks,
PCG

No I just moved everything in about 1". I was thinking I was still going to need a wider handlebar but after I put the bar ends on I was perfect. 90% of the time I am on my bar ends.

I can't take a picture as that bike is in my motorhome halfway across the country---I leave it and fly back and forth.

Rick

Rick,
Thanks for the quick response. I'm happy to know that I'll only have to purchase the bar ends to increase my comfort and position on my Swift. Glad to know that there is sufficient room on the stock bars. I like the narrower bars for easy folding and loading/unloading the bike from my vehicle.:thumb:

If anybody is still interested in Titan Products' titanium Swift clone frames, looks like you don't need to wait for a group buy anymore. They offer it in their AliExpress store now.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Gr-9-Titanium-Folding-Bike-Frame-and-Fork/705853_1964267598.html

It's a little confusing, but I think the extra $400 of the "whole frameset" tacks on the titanium seatpost, stem and bullhorn bars to the $1400 frame and fork.

Need replacement for my beloved SWIFT FOLDER
 

I have a Swift Folder for about 4 years...Only thing is - despite it's portability - I now leave it in Mexico. So while home in New York, I have no bike to ride. I was going to buy the Xootr but as we all know it's been discontinued.


I love my Swift, and so I am now looking for another folder from some other brands.


I kind of like the Dahon. Any suggestions from my Swift Folder friends? I like LIGHT WEIGHT and around 8 gears, 20" wheels, quality parts, and a good deal.


Thanks for your responses...

Swift for New York
 

joliett,
I don't know where you are in New York, but the designer of the swift folder has his shop in Brooklyn. He sells steel Swift folders and if you are in the city of New York you can make an appointment and build your dream Swift folder.
I have contacted him by email on two occasions recently, even though I have a Xootr Swift he has been very helpful. Should my Xootr Swift ever need replacing I would do so with a steel Swift. Also Human Powered Machines in Eugene Oregon makes the steel Swift as well.



Joseph

I think you are right. It may also include a sealed bearing headset, at least that was also included in the group buy bikes. You probably have options for disc or v-brake braze-one, front derailleur graze-ons, and other mods. I got mine with wider bars and a longer top tube. It is really a great frameset!

Joliett,
Have you ever considered purchasing a almost new, but used, Xootr Swift. I'm sure there are members on this website who may want to sell their Xootr Swift. Or check on eBay.
I have a Blue one with less than 100 miles of use that I might consider selling for the right deal.
PCG

I emailed you weeks ago for more information, but no reply...sorry.

Titanium frame from China Aliexpress...who knows what you'll get sight unseen.

Look what I just bought. From BFOLD in NYC...and he's still got a few...
AND it fits in the trunk of my C6 2008 Corvette (This folder is only 12 high when folded)...with the sunroof in the trunk too - on top of the factory mounting blocks that support the roof above the bike. Unbelievable.

And the XOOTR build and components - to me - is wonderful...what a bike.

http://www.tenantengineer.com/swift1.jpg


http://www.tenantengineer.com/swift2.jpg

Sorry for the delay
 

Joliet,
Sorry I missed your email.
For the last two weeks I've been transferring all my date from an older Apple laptop to a new 2016 Apple laptop.
During the transfer process, which didn't go well, I was unable to access my email messages, iTunes, Microsoft Office and a few other things. Last Saturday I was finally able to access about 99% of all my data in my new laptop.
So if you are still interested in communicating with me I'll be happy to respond to your emails.
Thanks,
PCG

Upgrade to road bike?
 

Hi,

I have a Swift I bought in 2009 or so, and I'm looking to do some upgrades to make it more like a road bike. I'd like to move to 451 wheels, and this seems like I will need to upgrade almost everything except the seatpost. I've never built a new bike before, so I'm kind of hunting for components. Here's what I'm looking at; can you guys make any recommendations or offer any advice?


Drop bars

Brakes - Looking at Shimano 105 or comparable?

Integrated brake levers and shifters

WHEELS
I'm expecting to have to build the wheels myself, but I don't know much about how to do this.

- Rims - Alex
- Hubs - Capreo rear, front...?
- Tires - Schwalbe Durano

DRIVETRAIN
Looking at Shimano 105 derailleur, but do I need to match the derailleur, cassette, chainrings? Will a road derailleur work or do I need an MTB one?

Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated, thanks!

I listed the components I used in my build on page 143 of this thread, if you'd like to take a look. About the only change I've made since then is to change out my chainring to a 52T Wolftooth dropstop. The setup I have gives me about 29-95 gear-inches. I'm happy with it, but I think the Nitto Noodle bar on my other bike is more comfortable than the Nitto Dream I have on this one.

There are a lot of variables to consider, like what kind of gearing you're looking for, and most of them come down to taste.

One thing that stands out is that you're going to need extra long reach calipers (like the Tektro R556 or R559) to reach your rims.

My current iteration of the Swift includes; Shimano Ultegra 'bar end shifters and Shimano 105 front and rear changers. The rear changer is indexed to the 'bar end shifter. FSA 'bars and stem complete the picture. Speaking of pictures; sorry for the quality of the photo attached but it was taken with my mobile 'phone.

Thanks for your occasional look-in Paul. I always enjoy.

I took a first ride on my silver swift yesterday, and it went fine. So far I have changed the seat to a Serfas Niva, the tires to Continental 1.75 Ride Tour (40 psi), and added some bar ends. I didn't know if I would like the grip shift since I have always used triggers shifters, but I didn't mind the grip shift at all. I still have to figure out how to lower my gearing for some hills.

If the drivetrain is stock, you could try replacing the 11-28 cassette with a 11-32 8-speed one; I did that a couple years ago on my Xootr and it worked well.

BikeLite,

I needed to lower my gearing and I replaced the front chainring. At first I thought I might have overdone it with a 38 teeth chainring, but even with this setup I am rarely in the smallest rear cog. I mostly coast on the downhills. I live in a very hilly area and mostly I ride home on long slight inclines.

Take a look at Sheldon's gear calculator and add different chainring sizes to see how many lower gears you could get if you switch to a smaller chainring. Just search google for "Sheldon gear calc."

Sorry I can't post urls yet.

My plan is to try a 44T narrow wide on the outer chainring position and to act as chainguard for a 38T on the inner position, coupled with a 11-34T cassette.

Wow Tall Xootr I'm amazed you're liking a 38 tooth front cog. I really like my 52 as I'm in the smallest 3 gears most the time. I have a 38 tooth on my Fat bike and it is high enough. You must have lots of hills.

If you go to a larger rear cassette you might have to adjust the rear derailleur with the screw on the back to pull the shifter back some. I'm kinda surprized it worked without a longer chain Vanrex...

Bikelite if you are going with a double up front why not a bigger (50+) large ring to get over 90 inches for a high gear? Your 38 should have lower gearing covered well.

Rick, I plan to do loaded touring and was only interested in a 75 gear inch for a high gear. I may be wrong, but it's an experiment ; ).

That makes sense for a loaded bike.. What are you going to use for racks and bags?

For gear loading the bike, I have (one offroad trip, San Juan hut to hut) strapped dry bags to the handle bars and seat post along with a light backpack. That was without much camping gear. I am going to try that first in training runs.