Wavshrdr

Weight of the Swift depends on how you spec it out. Mine is about 30lbs but I have most everything on it. I have a rack, Brooks saddle, Thudbuster seatpost, internal hub, fenders, cyclometer, Big Apples, etc. It is setup like the SUV of bicycles at the moment.

It can go anywhere and do most anything. If you really try, you can get a Swift to be under 20 pounds if you have the aluminum framed version. I most likely have the heaviest Swift in existence but it is super versatile and I can ride it for hours on end in comfort on terrible roads and dirt paths.

charles vail

Photos please........we want to see your bike!

jur

+1

Why oh why do people describe their bikes using words only in this day and age of digital cameras?

My Swift frame still has not landed This week hopefully...

Speedub.Nate

Yes (well, actually a car mechanic -- I don't believe he's a dealer)! Yes. No, I think just automobiles. Yes.

Bacciagalupe

Big Apples on Ye Olde Swift

I've been using the Marathon Slicks for awhile, and like the rolling resistance but find they're just too harsh, especially on longer rides. So, I'm thinking about switching to Big Apples.

I've noticed there are two 406 sizes: 20 x 2.0, and 20 x 2.35. Anyone know which one is the optimal fit for a Swift?

Also, am I likely to lose any speed or acceleration with the switch?

Wavshrdr

I have the 20x2.0 Big Apples. As far as I know, I was the first one to mount them on a Swift. I was told by Peter and everyone I asked that they hadn't tried them and didn't think they would fit. Here is a thread where I posted pics a while ago but without the rack attached. This was posted about a year ago.

Here is my Swift with Big Apples

charles vail

That's what I want to build up but with a sprung brooks saddle and drop bars. I like the full fenders and the wide tires for the 20" wheel. Thank you for the photos. Does the gearing setup give you a 20" low and why not use a Surly chain tensioner rather than a derailleur? I like the hub gear idea but the gear range in my area would not be low enough or high enough. I currently ride a 20" to 90" set up and find that is all I need. Any riding observations such as squirreliness or lack of and/or ride qualities would be appreciated. I have no experience with a folder and am currently riding a 32mm 700c wheeled bike with a long wheelbase and sprung saddle. This combo is extremely comfortable on longer rides although I want a folder for commuting and wish for a simular ride quality. Any thoughts?

Wavshrdr

I have a double chainring up front. So far no normal tensioner has worked. The gear range of the internal hub on it is own is over 300%. I have a pretty wide gear range as is. I haven't found the need for more.

The Thudbuster in combo with the Big Apples, absolutely transforms roads. I have a sprung Brooks (actually 2 of them) and this combo is MUCH better and it is tuneable. I made my Swift into the equivalent of a GT car. It has pretty long legs and I can spend hours in the saddle. I don't need drop bars as there isn't much point. I don't need to be in a tuck. The Big Apples are biased toward comfort without having a lot of rolling resistance. They are amazing in town as well for soaking up curbs.

I went with heavy duty Sun rims and spokes. I have a stainless chain and great brakes. This bike has been the absolute best folder I've ever ridden. If I had to keep one bike out of all the bikes I've owned or have now, it would be this one. A few parts swaps and you can make into almost a race bike. As it is now I can take it on dirt paths, grass or hard packed sand and it is like a SUV. In the city the the internal hub means if I have to make a quick stop, no problem downshifting at a stop. This is especially handed when I am loaded down with touring gear.

The Swift is a great bike that just happens to fold.

charles vail

I may in fact have to order a steel one and build it up. It may turn out to be the only bike I have and that would be fine with me since I am wanting to streamline my lifestyle and have less stuff to take care of and watch over. The appeal of a folder is undeniable, especially if the ride quaility and average speed is compairable to a large wheeled bike. Tire wear concerns me somewhat as does component wear. Not sure if the smaller wheel wears out faster due to higher rpms at a given speed or if it matters much at all.
Buying tires more than once a year is not something I want to be doing. I presently ride about 2500 per year but plan to double that. Gotta save the money!

spambait11

I'd be cautious about this assumption. Getting up to speed on a good folder is no problem, but maintaining that speed is another issue. Many find it easier to maintain a fast speed on larger wheeled bikes, that is, if speed is your thing.

It's definitely not the same issue as high racers vs. low racers in which the difference in wheel size is more negligible.

jur

The Eagle has landed! Uh no, that is the Swift actually. I have my frame!

Just one problem putting it together, I can't get the hinge pin out so that I can put the rear triangle on. The nylock nut comes off, but the bolt is fixed to the hinge pin. Is there a secret formula that I have to recite, or am I not using enough force?

Also, the hinge interface looks like a special substance, copper mixed in with black stuff, is grease required?

[edit]I found the secret formula. The hinge pin IS the bolt. Gentle tapping got it out. I have to complement the designers on the precise fit of the hinge bolt.

juan162

Jur,

May I ask how much the frame cost you?

Juan

jur

$390. Seat post & steering riser is included.

zepi

I got my swift some new components:
1.) a beautiful set of vintage high-flange campagnolo pista hubs. Front wheel spoked radially. Man, THAT LOOKS cool on the 20" wheels.
2.) a set of vintage campagnolo pista cranks
3.) a campa 12 T cog, that will make the perfect gearing with the 52T front.

Pictures will follow soon.

Donkey Hodie

lookin forward to seeing those pics!

Bop

My bike looks like all the "catalog" reresentations of steel Swifts. Why should I go to the effort, and it is an effort, to stage a photo shoot of one of my bikes. Is a photo that shows slighty bigger chainring or slightly different bars really all that hot? Further, if I cah sufficintly describe my bike, why can't you invest a little energy by engaging your imagination? Don't mean to sound harsh, but come on.. picturs only? no text?

jur

because there can never be enough bike p0rn...

Bop

Nuff said

jur

Ahhh, thanks for this Swift p0rn fix. I like your bike. Read everything, too. That looks like a SA hub in the back. Do you have anything to report on it? I also have one on the R20, and shifting can be finicky. 6th gear has very close adjustmant tolerances, it has to be correct or it will slip a bit. 4th gear has a slight 'grind' (for want of a better word).

jur

Apologies for these mltiple posts; I am just excited by the prospect of building my Swift.

Last night I noticed there are bottle cage insert nuts on the steering riser; is this a new feature? I don't recall seeing this mentioned before.

Wavshrdr

I have written extensively about it in some of this Swift thread. I think I was one of the first ones to go with the Shimano Nexus 8 spd high efficiency hub. It has been a great hub. I've had the SA 8spd on my Downtubes. The Shimano is super efficient for an internal hub, incredibly quiet and is fairly light It also has the 1:1 ratio in 5th gear which is quite useful for me.

I spent a lot of time deciding what I wanted to create with my Swift. Since it was all final, I haven't felt the need to change anything. In other words my vision and reality turned out to be the same thing. It may not a road race Swift but it is probably the ultimate touring Swift and a great city bike as well. What potholes? Rain? No problem with the fenders. My earlier quoted weight also includes the kickstand which is a very sturdy one.

Speedo

I was looking at the Xootr Swift website today, and I noticed that on the order page there is now an XXL option. It is not described in the sizing section. Anybody know what the XXL entails?

Speedo

Speedo

Just heard back from Xootr. Longer seat post. I think somebody bought one as an accessory earlier.

Nice that they are offering as a "standard" size option.

Speedo

zepi

@Wavshrdr: Your bike looks very elaborated. Very nice!
On the pictures I really dont get the arrangement around the EZY-pedals. Are those very fat classic straps you are using without those metal rakes? Can you provide us one more shot of those?

I really like the idea of making a custom "SWIFT FOLDER" writing after a fresh powder coat. I thought about a white glossy powdercoat with a nifty writing like the attached one... Maybe even the cutout pattern sticker can be coated transparent to "marry" with the frame...
I'd love to hear some opinions about that....

jur

Nice; personally I would drop the word 'folder', it seems a bit redundant to me.