Swift folders
#4027
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 444
From: Henrico, VA
Bikes: Origami Gazelle, Origami Crane 8, Origami Cricket 7

No packing materials do you can see better.


The case is 30” x 20” x 12”.
The Origami Swift packs neatly into a suitcase
__________________
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
#4029
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 444
From: Henrico, VA
Bikes: Origami Gazelle, Origami Crane 8, Origami Cricket 7
it is a similar process to the way BIKE Friday fits a bike into a suitcase. My first attempt took about 30 minutes but you can probably get it done in 20 to 25 or 15 to 20 if you leave off the rack and fenders.
__________________
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
#4030
I did it like you did yours, but I modified the rear fender so the part between the stays, stays on. You have to cut the fender and I don't have a rack, yet, any way.
#4031
Aging hipster

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 201
Bikes: Origami Swift, Surly Ogre, IRO Mark V Pro, home made bamboo cargo bike, eddy merckx corsa extra, Airnimal Joey commute, UGADA Tikit
Origami Swift on its way!
We just ordered a bike from Pingis. Should take about 10 days to make its way down here to southern Mexico. I’ll be doing an unboxing and first impressions video for anybody interested.
we’re planning a multi month Asia tour with my family of 4, and will be testing the Swift for that purpose, and may end up ordering one for each!
Anybody done any extended touring or bike packing on a Swift?
we’re planning a multi month Asia tour with my family of 4, and will be testing the Swift for that purpose, and may end up ordering one for each!
Anybody done any extended touring or bike packing on a Swift?
#4032
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 1,292
From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs
We just ordered a bike from Pingis. Should take about 10 days to make its way down here to southern Mexico. I’ll be doing an unboxing and first impressions video for anybody interested.
we’re planning a multi month Asia tour with my family of 4, and will be testing the Swift for that purpose, and may end up ordering one for each!
Anybody done any extended touring or bike packing on a Swift?
we’re planning a multi month Asia tour with my family of 4, and will be testing the Swift for that purpose, and may end up ordering one for each!
Anybody done any extended touring or bike packing on a Swift?

15-second fold and unfold
#4033
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 444
From: Henrico, VA
Bikes: Origami Gazelle, Origami Crane 8, Origami Cricket 7
I've done several tours in Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea), but not on a Swift. In fact, I just came back from South Korea where I rolled into the airport and within 15 seconds the bike was folded and ready to fly. I don't know why one would choose a Swift with its awkward, large, non-free-stading so-called "fold" for travel when a simple, competent bifold will do. Sorry.

15-second fold and unfold

15-second fold and unfold
__________________
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
#4034
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 1,292
From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs
Why did you jump to that silly conclusion? Who said anything about the bike not fitting into a suitcase? If a Swift with its unique "fold" fits, why wouldn't a bifold?
Are you saying that the Or!gami Bull, Lotus, etc. do not fit into a suitcase?
Are you saying that the Or!gami Bull, Lotus, etc. do not fit into a suitcase?
Last edited by Ron Damon; 05-21-24 at 09:12 PM.
#4035
Aging hipster

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 201
Bikes: Origami Swift, Surly Ogre, IRO Mark V Pro, home made bamboo cargo bike, eddy merckx corsa extra, Airnimal Joey commute, UGADA Tikit
I've done several tours in Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea), but not on a Swift. In fact, I just came back from South Korea where I rolled into the airport and within 15 seconds the bike was folded and ready to fly. I don't know why one would choose a Swift with its awkward, large, non-free-stading so-called "fold" for travel when a simple, competent bifold will do. Sorry.

15-second fold and unfold

15-second fold and unfold
#4036
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 1,292
From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs
Nice bike! What model is that? you make a fair point, and if the top consideration was folding/packing size/time maybe the Swift wouldn’t be the best choice. It does offer other advantages though! Like a very solid and fast ride, the ability to carry full size panniers (I have to carry gear for 3!), bigger tire choices, and just versatility in general with very easy component swaps possible. The new swift does stay upright on the big rack in the folded position - oh, and disc brakes!
The bike pictured earlier is an FnHon Gust 16".
Last edited by Ron Damon; 05-22-24 at 05:05 AM.
#4037
#4038
Aging hipster

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 201
Bikes: Origami Swift, Surly Ogre, IRO Mark V Pro, home made bamboo cargo bike, eddy merckx corsa extra, Airnimal Joey commute, UGADA Tikit
Origami Swift unboxing and first impressions video
Here is my initial review of the new Swift!
full disclosure: On my request, Paul did give me a generous 15% discount when I told him of our plans to test and review the new Swift as a candidate for extended touring in the near future. This video is the first of possibly several long term reviews of this and other folders:
full disclosure: On my request, Paul did give me a generous 15% discount when I told him of our plans to test and review the new Swift as a candidate for extended touring in the near future. This video is the first of possibly several long term reviews of this and other folders:
#4039
Drops small screws


Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 9
From: NYC Metro Area
Bikes: Soma Grand Randonneur, modified Xootr Swift, Trek 1000SL with broken brifter from running it into a hotel porte-cochère
That's really cool. I'm looking forward to seeing more about it.
#4040
NY / New Haven biker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Buy new Swift or fix up old one?
Hi all -- I wanted to get your advice on whether I should refurb my current Swift or sell it and get another one. My 13 year old Xootr Swift is designed for urban riding, with an 8 speed Shimano hub, Big Apple Tires and thick rims. Though the frame is fine, the bike is, at this point, well worn. Is it possible to retrofit my old bike with a derailer, or are there parts that are no longer available?
Because of space, I need it to be better for 25-60 mile rides, with thinner tires that I can fix a flat on the road. (I personally can'd do that on a hub gear, and certainly not quickly.) I also wouldn't mind greater gear range. It would be substituting for my thin tired aluminum road bike that has Shimano 105 components. I value gear range, speed, and a big cockpit.
Long-story short-- I'm deciding whether to sell my current bike and buy a new Origami Swift or retrofit my current bike with a derailer. I could get the full Origami bike or just the frame. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Because of space, I need it to be better for 25-60 mile rides, with thinner tires that I can fix a flat on the road. (I personally can'd do that on a hub gear, and certainly not quickly.) I also wouldn't mind greater gear range. It would be substituting for my thin tired aluminum road bike that has Shimano 105 components. I value gear range, speed, and a big cockpit.
Long-story short-- I'm deciding whether to sell my current bike and buy a new Origami Swift or retrofit my current bike with a derailer. I could get the full Origami bike or just the frame. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

#4041
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 163
Likes: 75
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Priority Classic Plus Gotham-Edition
Hi all -- I wanted to get your advice on whether I should refurb my current Swift or sell it and get another one. My 13 year old Xootr Swift is designed for urban riding, with an 8 speed Shimano hub, Big Apple Tires and thick rims. Though the frame is fine, the bike is, at this point, well worn. Is it possible to retrofit my old bike with a derailer, or are there parts that are no longer available?
Because of space, I need it to be better for 25-60 mile rides, with thinner tires that I can fix a flat on the road. (I personally can'd do that on a hub gear, and certainly not quickly.) I also wouldn't mind greater gear range. It would be substituting for my thin tired aluminum road bike that has Shimano 105 components. I value gear range, speed, and a big cockpit.
Long-story short-- I'm deciding whether to sell my current bike and buy a new Origami Swift or retrofit my current bike with a derailer. I could get the full Origami bike or just the frame. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Because of space, I need it to be better for 25-60 mile rides, with thinner tires that I can fix a flat on the road. (I personally can'd do that on a hub gear, and certainly not quickly.) I also wouldn't mind greater gear range. It would be substituting for my thin tired aluminum road bike that has Shimano 105 components. I value gear range, speed, and a big cockpit.
Long-story short-- I'm deciding whether to sell my current bike and buy a new Origami Swift or retrofit my current bike with a derailer. I could get the full Origami bike or just the frame. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

#4042
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 192
From: Dublin, OH
Bikes: Serial bike flipper
Xootr used to sell spare hangers (as of a few years ago), but I don't see them anymore: https://xootr.com/collections/clearance-items
#4046
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 1,292
From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs
While you are at it, ask him for confirmation on the gearing range of the Swift. The product page says it "has the the widest gear range (26 to 99 gear inches) of any folding bike under $1,000.00" and "a 381% gear range", yet the spec sheet says the 1x drivetrain has an 11-40T, 364% cogset. I'm sure it's an innocent, inadvertent mistake because he's never tried to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, and he is always precise and punctilious with the facts.
#4047
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 10
I think xootr still has some derailleur hangers. You have to call them and ask for them. They had a run of them that were not machined to spec and couldn't sell them, but all you have to do is file them down a bit and they mount fine. I used to have a few in my parts pile, but I let them go when I sold my Swift.
#4048
NY / New Haven biker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
I think xootr still has some derailleur hangers. You have to call them and ask for them. They had a run of them that were not machined to spec and couldn't sell them, but all you have to do is file them down a bit and they mount fine. I used to have a few in my parts pile, but I let them go when I sold my Swift.
#4049
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
I've done several tours in Asia (Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea), but not on a Swift. In fact, I just came back from South Korea where I rolled into the airport and within 15 seconds the bike was folded and ready to fly. I don't know why one would choose a Swift with its awkward, large, non-free-stading so-called "fold" for travel when a simple, competent bifold will do. Sorry.

15-second fold and unfold

15-second fold and unfold
2. My Swift folder is set-up to match my race bike position very closely.

Last edited by michael432000; 09-16-24 at 02:50 PM. Reason: add picture
#4050
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 1,292
From: The Ring of Fire, the Global South, Asia-Pacific, the Tropics...
Bikes: Several, all affordably priced, none exalted cult artifacts or hype jobs

Image for reference, not my old Altena
Last edited by Ron Damon; 09-16-24 at 04:51 PM.




