james_swift

Dan's Comp has AC Claws freewheels down to 14T in both 1/8" and 3/32" (not sure what size your drivetrain is).

LittlePixel

Thanks for the excellent reply. And 'how to' pictures are always good too!

New details emerge seeing the details - like - the little brass washers you've threaded onto the spokes to sit between the flange and the spoke head. I've not seen that before - it is to protect the flange holes or for some other reason - either way it looks rather nice. I love that sort of detailling. I also see you've wired and soldered the crosses. That must be a pretty bombproof wheel for so few spokes.

Thanks for the link to the freewheels!
Have been looking for lower-toothed myself. Will all these fit on a normal track flip-flop hub?

james_swift

Quoting Sheldon on this one:

...but I just found this on the AC Claws 14T freewheel:

So what does "small thread" mean? It says for flip-flop hubs, so it should be good, right?

spambait11

Yes:
spoke head washers

LittlePixel

Ah - neat. I can't get them that cheaply but will probably get some for my next wheelbuild.
h

zepi

I am really interested in a fine bag for my swift. I want to get in and out of the austrian train without discussing if this is a bike or not.
There are some dahon-bags available at ebay, but I would like to avoid getting one just to find out that it doesn't fit with my swift. I think about sewing one out of two of those big IKEA-bags myself...

Any suggestions?

maunakea

Buy a "Nashbar Bike Transport Bag", currently $35 (less the usual 10% to 15% promo code, plus shipping), and address the length you don't need by sewing, heat-weld, rollup, zip-ties (cable ties), etc. I use the zip-tie method: melt two or three holes where you want to roll up the excess for a folder, zip-tie rolled up excess. If you need the extra room in the bag for clothing, gear, etc., use the full length of the bag.

Extra step One: silk-screen "Steiermark Maler Staffelei" (Styria artist easel) on the side to keep the transit police asleep.
Extra step Two: wear a beret when boarding the train.
Extra step Three: finger-paint a mountain landscape on the bag; avoid bright colors.
(I haven't needed the extra steps.)

zepi

Thanks for your ideas...
I'm not sure if I get your extra-steps though. Austrias trains are far from being escorted by grim MPs, even if the conductors are a little beefy sometimes. But I guess they are like that everywhere...
Slightly off topic: I recently saw an excellent movie about uncanny train-rides that perfectly reflects the image of European trains. "Europa" from the danish director: Lars von Trier. See this movie, if you get the chance. It is outstanding! (but it is different in reality)

Anyways, the posting gave me the idea to modify an old, worn out army duffel bag, that looks wonderfully used. I think it even has patched bullet-holes . It might fit well and would be very stylish... I'll post some images as soon as I got my bike in there...

law4jba

Please post if this solution works for you.

maunakea

The extra-steps are American humor.

james_swift

My new blue Swift arrived!

The only hitch in setting-up the bike was the rear fork end spacing: apparently, Xootr changed this spacing at some point from 132.5mm to the standard MTB 135mm spacing. I needed to add 2 x 1mm spacers to my Surly fixed hub to up it to 134mm, but aside form that, everything else transferred over fine.

The pictures don't do justice to the paint job. It's a super-glossy deep royal blue. I really hate taking this bike on my commute only to see it get banged-up and scratched-up on the train.

yangmusa

Nice one, James!

What, new handlebars again?? These constant makeovers are quite entertaining

james_swift

Ha! Yes, my Swift has multiple personality disorder. The bars are oversize (31.8mm) MTB 1.5" riser bars mounted to a 10-degree 110mm oversize road stem. Although not as hardcore as the bullhorns, I find the risers much more comfortable and the extra leverage handy for fixed-gear city riding. They're stout, stiff, and light. I lopped off about 2.5 inches on each end with my $4 pipe cutter.

Oh, and by the way, Xootr changed the headset on the bike. This one adjusts perfectly (no slop, no bind). I'm hoping it stays that way after miles of pounding on SF's pothole-ridden streets.

JackJ

From he who once said:

Sorry James, I couldn't resist. And you'll be quite correct in point out that riser bars aren't flat! Personally, I like the look of flat and riser bars better on the Swift and most folders. Drops just look weird. But my hands can never get comfortable with my wrists in a flat bar position, so I'm aiming to put drops on my swift.

Bacciagalupe

Blue Swift, bleah... Sorry, but aesthetically I'm not into it, I vastly prefer the matte blue of my junky Dahon Mariner.

By the way, has anyone here tried both Schwalbe Marathon Slicks and Big Apples on their Swifts? I'm running on the Slicks (at around 95 psi), which have nice rolling resistance but a harsh ride.

james_swift

I wasn't riding fixed back then, but yeah, if you're serious about keeping up with the roadies, you gotta have drops. My riser bars at 50cm wide are terrible aerodynamic-wise, but are more practical for fixed-gear city riding where the upright position and more leverage make the bike more responsive when darting in and out of traffic. They also have a nice sweep back that make them very comfortable on the wrists. I'm never going back to flat bars!

zepi

Considering, that the Swift Folders thread is one of the most frequented threads in the Folding Bike Forums, and things are getting a little jumbled: wouldn't it be a good idea to expand and create a plain swift-folder-gallery thread. I love to watch images of nice, customized swift machines... And maybe even more swift lovers will upload their images then. I simply can not get enough of those images.

james_swift

I'm actually thinking of something similar, in that I'm surprised that there isn't a foldingbikeforums.net and foldingbikegallery.com .

james_swift

A Swift article on NY1. Check out the RealMedia slideshow.

maunakea

NY1: "Next come the handle bars, the wiring for the brakes and the pedals."
One guess as to the gender of the reporter.

Polaris43

so what are you trying to say?

maunakea

To paraphrase, "Reporter, know thy lexicon."

flea

Thanks for posting this, James! I ordered my Swift from Peter three months ago and it's great to see any new images, especially a video, to help get through the wait. Peter's got mine built up but it's waiting for its black powdercoat. After seeing the video I almost wish I'd gone with white...

Polaris43

what's that got to do with gender?

james_swift

I agree...Swift in white looks classy.

So what are the specs on your custom Swift (drivetrain, wheels, bars, saddle, accessories, etc.)? Please tell.