[QUOTE=werewolf;9622200]What does that mean?

"I've cracked it" is an English expression meaning I've solved a problem or finally come up with the right answer. Nothing to do with defective frames! England and America two countries seperated by a common language! I see you're in Arizona - if you're ever in Sedona call and say hi to my old friend Mike at Eagle Rider motorcycle rentals.

[QUOTE=Paul Braithwait;9623881]
Ha - and sometimes our subtle little linguistic differences can cause misunderstandings - like here! Yes, I thought you meant you cracked the frame or something, at least at first, though reading further and taking it in context I did more or less deduce that it was just one of the quaint and primitive figures of speech that often appear in your amusing island patois.

I'm up in Flag right now, near Sedona, so maybe I will drop by on ol' Mike. I used to ride motor-cycles before I graduated to velocipedes.

P.S. I think "cracked" might be used like that over here too on occasion, perhaps more so in the past. Maybe our linguistic differences aren't all they're cracked up to be.

I guess the Swallow has never left the nest?:D
Or maybe it has returned to Capistrano! For you non-California types, this is a reference to the annual returning of the Swallows, (birds), to the Spanish Mission in San Juan Capistrano, California!:D

Hi all, per an earlier post, I'm on a bike for the first time in 30 years -- a new Swift w/ Alfine hub purchased at Bfold in NYC -- it was 'pre-custom-built' by Peter Reich, but was pretty much exactly what I had in mind, if somewhat nicer than I really deserved!

I've been thinking about changing the configuration of the handlebars (or new handlebars) to make it a bit easier for me to manage hills -- presently I have pretty much straight bars. My understanding is that barends would give me more places to move my hands around, and are useful when going uphill --especially if I'm to stand on the pedals.

On the current flat bars on the Swift, I find it pretty hard to stand -- but perhaps I'm just too much of a novice.

So, I've been thinking about:

1) Bar ends

2) Ergon grips with integrated bar ends

3) a new handlebar -- perhaps something like 'Ergobars' -- http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=7 -- that effectively seems to have barends 'built-in'

I also see that there are lots of options for handlebars, so I don't want to rule anything out.

Love to hear any advice!

PS: I'm also thinking about Power Grips for the pedals -- my understanding is that they "get fairly close" to the benefits of clipless without the dedicated shoe/pedal combos -- and are also fairly easy to get in/out of.

That again to all here! (I'm now up to page 64 of 83)

Handlebars are kind of like underwear - everyone has his/her favorite.

The choice is highly personal and it all depends on what you like. Name a bar type, and someone here has probably converted his/her Swift to use it (although I don't think I've seen a picture of one with three speed/north road bars... or Albatross bars). The only advice I can give you is to use a stem of the appropriate length based on the type of bar you choose

A good fit is vital to comfort... much like underwear.

fwiw, I just got and took my first ride with the Power Grips, quite nice and easy to use -- I can finally understand the appeal of clipless/straps.

As for the handlebar/bar ends -- I think I'll likely just stick with the straight 20" handlebar I have now, and I think I'm going to try the Cane Creek Ergo II bar ends -- they seem to be well-liked by folks who have them...

My Swift has been making a creaking noise -- from what I gather, this is most likely due to the riser and/or seatpost quick-releases -- I lubed them yesterday with Boeshield, but it was creaking again today.

Any suggestions on how do deal with this? Should I be using something other than Boeshield on the quick-releases? Should I get some other make of quick-release levers?

Is this a common problem? How often do you lube your Swift to eliminate the creak?

Thanks, would love to solve this one!

I replaced the quick releases with bicycle bolts and the squeaking stopped.

Mine creaks where the seat tube sections abut, and where the steering riser abuts the headset nut. Both are cured with wax in the interface.

Are the clamp flanges on the stem riser are visibly distorted? If not, remove the stem riser, lightly coat the exposed part of the fork protruding above the headset with bearing grease. Reinstall the stem riser and properly tighten the QR.

Thanks, I hadn't thought to lube the riser nor where the fold comes together around the seatpost.

Is Boeshield appropriate here (that's what I have) -- I also have WD-40 -- or I can go get some other lube if it would be better for this.

Thanks again!

I've just managed to obtain three Salsa Q/R seat bolts as an upgrade for the standard Q/Rs fitted to my Swift. One concern is that the threaded shaft of the Salsa is much thinner than the standard Q/Rs supplied by Xootr. Has anyone used the Salsa models and has the narrower shaft caused any problems?

Boeshield should be fine if you let it dry to its paraffin constituents, but may take a couple of days. WD-40 will just dry. You really want something with a paste like consistency just like you would use for an old style quill stem. If your objection is the use of something messy/dirty, you can try some plumber's Teflon tape around the top of the fork steerer. It should work if your riser has enough clearance to fit over the fork with the tape in place.

What's the difference between (expensive} Boeshield and rubbing on a (cheap) bit of wax, like a candle, except you don't have to wait for the candle wax to dry? In the old days i used to use an old fashioned technique of removing the bike chain and soaking it in molten paraffin (wax).

Is anybody here using MKS quick-release pedals on your Swift?

This is why we call them mudguards! Took a nice 25 mile ride in the sinshine this afternoon along quiet English lanes. Dry and warm but then I came across deep mud left by a farmer's tractor. Mudguards are essential here in the UK!

Speaking of which, I'd love to hear about your various fender/mudguard solutions.

I can't quite seems to like the fenders offered on the Xootr site -- what are other elegant fenders that work nicely on the Swift frame (including when it's folded, with the seatpost back down the tube holding it together).

Thank you!

Look at my posting on the previous page for datails of my mudguards. The little "fin" on the back guard is the end of a clip-on mudguard which I bolted to the fitted guard to protect it from the seat post when the bike is folded. It works very well.

It's a neat trick with the extra fin -- I gather the seatpost would 'ding' Xootr's own fenders when folded?

I love the bike, and I wish I could find fenders to love, but it doesn't seem easy...

Just want to add a vote of confidence for the Xootr fenders (freddy). I didn't do anything clever to allow the fold - when folded the bottom of the seatpost rests on the fender, and the fender takes the strain of keeping the bike folded. It looks like it should break over time, but after 2 years of folding mine twice a day and it hasn't broken nor is there any sign of it weakening. They are made of tough stuff.

His & Hers Swift Folders near Niagra Falls, U.S.A.
 

His & hers Swift folders near Niagra Falls, U.S.A.

The picutre was taken on 3 Sisters Island which is on the Niagra River about 1/4 mile upstream from the Falls.
The bikes were transported, folded-up, in the hatch-back "trunk" of a Toyota Prius.
http://www.werbins.com/images/atNiagraFalls-2.JPG

Thanks for that -- do you happen to know if they work with wider tires (I've been thinking about switching to Big Apples when the time comes, and so it would be nice to know if they'd still be a match -- I presently have Primo Comet Kevlar, which came with the bike)...

Definately - they are wide fenders and plenty of clearance even with 451 wheels.

I changed all the Q/R on my Swift to Salsa. For me the small diameter of the threaded studs has not been a problem so far. They are a quality product but they are deifitely not lightweight. Also the levers must very tight on the seatpost so the longevity of the Delrin cam bushings may be questionable if you fold your bike on a daily basis. You can see my setup on page 78 post #1930.

Thanks again! Just curious if anybody has seen silver/aluminum fenders that fit the Swift?

creaking noise reduction
 

Mine creaks about a day after I have recranked all the seatpost QR's. In my case there's fretting going on between the 2 frame members.
Cure: from a yoghurt plastic container top, cut a disk with an ID of 34, and an OD of 42 or so. Just slide it over the seatpost between the frame halves.
Mine still creaks a bit, but much less often. Retightening the QR's seems to stop it again, at least for another week.

Steel Swift with SA8 on CL http://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/1376740281.html

Anybody happen to know if Dahon fenders would fit a Swift/Xootr?

For example, these:
http://www.world-wheels.co.uk/mudguards.htm

Or these (4th down):
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/accessories/racks.htm

Thanks!

I would play it safe and buy the fenders that are available on the Xootr website:

http://www.xootr.com/swift-fenders.html

:thumb: