Was tempted but I decided against it. No character, limited tyre choice and availability and too heavy at nearly 11kg. Thought I might as well pack my road bike.

Seeing the so-called "fold" of the Swift, you might as well pack your road bike. 😂 It might end up being a smaller package.
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​​​​Lovely bar tape there. Obviously you are a man of elevated and discerning taste, a credible arbiter of bicycle character. 🙄

Limited tire choice? Wait, you're on 406 rather than 451, and chasing speed? 🤣
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You bring up weight, yet that rig of yours is rocking a square taper BB and a Downhill Saint RD? 🤪

I don't know where your cave is located, but nowadays you can set up a folding bike to fit you anyway you like. Wake up, Rip van Winkle. 🛌🏼

That's a nice looking ride! What's your race bike and how much slower would you say the Swift is? I've got a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket with 451 wheels and I'd say it's 0.5 - 1.0 mph slower than a 700c bike.

Hi John.

I have two Colnago C40’s (great bikes) and a 6.2kg Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod. I used to race so I wouldn’t compare a lightweight carbon bike with the Swift as they they serve a different purpose. I made up the Swift originally for commuting on flat London UK roads. The Swift was quite fast especially when I swapped out the larger tyres for the narrow Continentals.

Interesting article here, not a Swift but shows what can be done on a small wheeled bike; search for: “879 miles and 83 hours on a folding bike: London cyclist completes Lands End to John O'Groats on a Brompton*. (That's not me by the way.)

Just enjoy and keep riding. wandering and creating.

... I like the Swift's fold. It's simple and quick to execute, and it's a slimmer folded profile than the standard mid-hinge Dahon or Tern which more than makes up for its ungainly folded look. I find it fits tight places rather well when travelling.

Derailleur and gearing suggestions?
 

I'm putting together a Swift folder and was hoping to get some suggestions on an appropriate rear derailleur, chain rings, and cassette. I also need brakes, handlebar and shifters. I'd like to keep the budget fairly reasonable and am happy to use second hand parts.

The frame currently has a Shimano FD-5700 front derailleur and Ultegra 6500 crankset (OctalinkV1). I have a Soma wheelset with Hyper Glide v1 free hub body which I believe is compatible up to ten speed? I was thinking a 11-34 and 50/34 chain rings? I'm not planning to climb huge mountains but do want to make sure I can get up my local hills and may carry a load sometimes. Would the Ultegra RD5700 or RD5600 derailleur be a good option? Do I need a medium or long cage derailleur? I don't know if long cage derailleur might be problematic with ground clearance? I'd be grateful for any suggestions. I'm planing to use drop bars and bar end shifters but am open to other options. Thank you!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7debe8b70.jpeg

Nice bike. I have a Zootr Swift that came built up stock with 8 speed. It always served me but I live in Flatlandia. I don't really know that much about your issues related to compatibility, I will leave that to others, but if I were doing this I would look into a 1X set up. There are recent threads here on the folder forum about this.

Thanks Schwinnsta! I'll certainly consider a 1x setup. I certainly like the idea of the simpler setup.

Really Ron? Are you proud of that post?

Yes, really, Pepe Buitre.

Yeah, ok, pal.

It's sad that you make every thread you post in an attempt to prove... something...
Ihttps://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c5dd474889.jpg

Are those 451 wheels? They look just like the ones I just got from Soma. If they are, you'll need long reach calipers like the Tektro R559, and they're compatible with 10 speed cassettes.

It's hard to recommend gearing, but with 50/34 chainrings on the front and a 11-34 cassette on the back, you're looking at gear-inch range of around 91-20 which is fairly low geared. I don't think you'd have an issue carrying a load up hills.

I don't know Shimano components very well since I went with a 1X SRAM setup. What I do know is that the medium cage Rival 1 derailleur on the back of mine has about 3.5" of ground clearance, and it's never been a problem.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b8c2ab1b.jpeg

Similar to the SRAM, with medium cage, you have the latest Shimano 11s Ultegra RD-R8000-GS and 105 RD-R7000-GSthat go up to 34t officially and 36t in practice.j

Hi Jipe-

Thank you for sharing some of the details on your Swift build - that's extremely helpful. I also have the 451 wheelset from Soma. I appreciate your gearing and derailleur suggestions and it's good to know the Tektro R559 provides adequate reach. Your bike looks really classy especially with all the silver bits and bobs. Nicely done!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...05579727a7.png
We need to get information out there for the Origami Swift. If anyone in the US is interested in providing a review in exchange for a deep discount, contact Paul@Origamibicycles.com

Me, me, me! 🤣

Anybody but Ron....literally ANYBODY but Ron.

If I could only afford it... :50:

you can!

email me.

What, sales have tanked? A real shocker. Who would have thunk it. 🤣

Nope. But thanks for continuing your streak of ignorance.

Good looking bike! In comparing it to the Liberté...

Pros:

​​​​​​1) Maybe faster, road bike (sort of) quality ride
2) Disc Brakes

Cons:

1) Twice the cost
2) Messy, inconvenient fold. Seems like a tough thing to do in the street or on a crowded a train platform.

Seems like it boils down to that. For my use, I'd rather have a the Zizzo or pay slightly more and get a Brompton

If it were not for having these three bikes you mention in your post, I might come to the same conclusion.

For the pro's. Origami Swift has a steel frame, mine is a Xootr and aluminum frame. I have not ridden the Origami, but I would guess them ride similar due to the wide 2-inch tires. My preference would be steel, but I would not let that stop me. The Origami has hydraulic disc brakes that is a plus, and it has better components down the line. The Swift does not ride like road bike, at least in the 406 configuration. I am not sure about the Origami, but Xootr can take other size tires like 451 which I suspect would give it a ride closer to a rode bike. The ride as I have mine configured is closer to the Zizzo, but the frame has less flex, and it feels a little more responsive. In part due to the lack of a hinge in the top tube.

I prefer the Swift to the Zizzo for ride, I prefer the Zizzo to the Brompton for ride, only.

The fold on the Swift is fast. Faster even than the Zizzo. The fold is thinner, too. While I do like the fold of the Zizzo better, the fold is not that much better. What make the Zizzo a better fold IMO is that the handlebar folds inside the bike. If I were to replace the handlebar with a one piece bar I would get a stiffer ride but a worse fold since the bar would have to fold to the outside and I doubt if the magnets would reliably hold the bike in that fold. The seatpost locks the fold together on the Swift. I have Velcro straps on my top tube to hold the handlebar when folded.

As far as cost goes, consider that you are getting a steel frame, hydraulic discs, 10 speed (mine is 8), sealed bearing head tube, rack (maybe custom), fenders and wide tires. If you're looking for these features, and I would be, then the price is not so bad.