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Old 05-10-24 | 07:28 AM
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Steel or aluminum, disk/v-brakes, the choice is yours!
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Old 05-16-24 | 06:44 PM
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No packing materials do you can see better.


The case is 30” x 20” x 12”.

The Origami Swift packs neatly into a suitcase
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Old 05-16-24 | 10:31 PM
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Seems a lot of work to dismount and remount the bike to put it in this suitcase, how long does it take to do it?
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Old 05-17-24 | 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Jipe
Seems a lot of work to dismount and remount the bike to put it in this suitcase, how long does it take to do it?
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.
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Old 05-17-24 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Pinigis
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.
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.
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Old 05-21-24 | 06:54 AM
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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?
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Old 05-21-24 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ChiapasFixed
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?
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
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Old 05-21-24 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Ron Damon
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
​​​​​​
are you saying that your bike does not fit into a suitcase? Do you travel with it just in a soft carry bag?
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Old 05-21-24 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Pinigis
are you saying that your bike does not fit into a suitcase? ...
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?

Last edited by Ron Damon; 05-21-24 at 09:12 PM.
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Old 05-22-24 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Ron Damon
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
​​​​​​
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!
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Old 05-22-24 | 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by ChiapasFixed
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!
A 20" (406) wheel bi-fold will give you all of that, plus a quicker, more compact, free-standing fold.

The bike pictured earlier is an FnHon Gust 16".
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​​​​

Last edited by Ron Damon; 05-22-24 at 05:05 AM.
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Old 05-22-24 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Ron Damon
A 20" (406) wheel bi-fold will give you all of that, plus a quicker, more compact, free-standing fold.

The bike pictured earlier is an FnHon Gust 16".
​​​​
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How do you know this? Have you ever owned or ridden a Swift?
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Old 06-04-24 | 12:41 PM
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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:

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Old 06-05-24 | 09:07 AM
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That's really cool. I'm looking forward to seeing more about it.
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Old 09-10-24 | 11:40 AM
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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!
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Old 09-10-24 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by procon
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!
does your bike have a derailleur hanger? If not that might make your decision for you right there.
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Old 09-11-24 | 04:52 AM
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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
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Old 09-11-24 | 01:43 PM
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Bikes: There is always room for one more.

A claw hanger might also work.
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Old 09-11-24 | 02:45 PM
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It would be interesting to ask Pinigis. There maybe some commonality with Origami Swift. Worth a try?
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Old 09-11-24 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Schwinnsta
It would be interesting to ask Pinigis. There maybe some commonality with Origami Swift. Worth a try?
yup, I’ll ask, thanks!
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Old 09-11-24 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by procon
yup, I’ll ask, thanks!
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.
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Old 09-12-24 | 11:29 AM
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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.
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Old 09-16-24 | 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by daviddillard
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.
Thanks David!
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Old 09-16-24 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Ron Damon
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.


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1. Ride quality.
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
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Old 09-16-24 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by michael432000
1. Ride quality.
2. My Swift folder is set-up to match my race bike position very closely.

I use to ride a fully triangulated Dahon Dash Alterna with drop bars, grifters and full Shimano 105 5800 on 451 wheels. The Altena actually folded, likely smaller and definitely neater than a Swift. That's what I'd get if I were looking for this experience. Sorry.


Image for reference, not my old Altena

Last edited by Ron Damon; 09-16-24 at 04:51 PM.
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