What's a standard chain? I have seen them various lengths.

I run 60T with an 11-32T cassette. Before I had an 11-34T cassette, and that required a 116 link chain. I get away with 114 links now.

Given the swinging rear assembly, how do Swifts hold up as fixed gears? Does the chain tension get weird when they are folded up?

I am thinking about getting one and turning it into a fixed gear. I don't need a bike that folds very small, but it would be nice to save space at home and be able to take the bike on the bus or train a few times a week.

The distance between BB and rear hub doesn't change when the rear triangle pivots.

Regards
T

My fixed Swift has held-up through 2 years of torture on the streets of downtown San Francisco. I've dumped so much stress into the frame barreling up and down hills in a 67" fixed gear that there were times I was sure the frame was going to give out on me. The bike has held up excellently.

For riding fixed, I highly recommend replacing the quick releases with ATB seat post binder bolts. I've found that this is the only way to get the rear section stiff enough for fixed riding. Otherwise, you will get all sorts of squeaking and grinding noises from the chain stay/sea stay areas when applying back pedal pressure.

The chain tension is not affected in the fold.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/P1010154.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/P1010150.jpg

I was simply assuming that there's a "standard" length. Manufacturers have a tendency of "falling in line". It's good to know that 114 will work though, since that's how many you get with a SRAM chain, which is the only brand I buy any more (Yey, Powerlink).

I went ahead and ordered the Dahon Neos derailleur, even though it's $27 instead of the listed $20, on back order, and cost $10 to ship. I'll report back once I have it mounted. From pictures, it looks like I should remove the existing hanger, and mount it directly to the hole in the drop out for proper installation. I don't like that idea though.

To James Swift: Can you please tell me the model name of the Sugino single ring crankset seen in your pix posted on 11-09-08? Also, what BB did you use and what chainline did you achieve? I have a Sugino triple on one of my larger wheeled bikes and enjoy its lovely finish, narrowish q-factor and square taper BB.
My just-completed Swift build with Sram dual-drive has a Shimano Octalink triple MTB crankset with middle 42t ring only cuz that's what was in the spare parts box. I had to cut corners somewhere to get the thing on the road :-(
However, I'd like a more elegant solution as funds become available.
PH

Why a Neos?

sqynt,(or anyone)
Where do you locate a 58 t (or larger) chainring?
and what brands are easily found?
Thanks!

Vuelta at vuelta.com or at loosescrews.com.

Because I'm a sucker for advertising claims? Dahon claims that the Neos stick out less than the average derailleur. I don't know if it's true, but the bottom barrel price sealed the deal.

What would you recommend instead?

That's actually vueltausa.com. vuelta.com is owned by some domain squatter.

Shimano has their new Shadow Series derailleurs that claim the same thing, but are likely to be of much better quality than the Suntour-made Neos, but also for more money.

I think the Neos has a claim to better ground glearance - it sort of sticks way forwards instead of down.

The XT Shadow has a lower profile sideways. I have one on the Swift and I like it because of the cable routing - it eliminates the back loop. I hate that back loop.

Will the Neos work on a Swift? I thought they needed a mounting point ahead of the usual spot.

http://www.shopatron.com/product/par....56.9988.0.0.0

Quick releases on my Swift: try oiling them
 

I see several others are having trouble with their Swift quick release catches. My 2008 Swift has been a brilliant bike but the catches a disaster. I've had two snap on me with heaps of blood resulting from the gashes on my palm. Tonight, as I was nursing my wounded pride after a snap last week I struck upon an idea: how about oiling them? So I did... and the difference is amazing. Now the open & close with delightful smoothness and I can lock them really tight. All I did was drop a tiny amount of chain oil between the lever and the plastic concave washer thingy. Has anyone else tried this trick?

BTW, I am hoping to keep cycling right through the Chicago winter. I love the freedom of the bike too much to give it up and use the El.

Jonathan

I just walked over and did it to the top one only. I'll pay attention over the next few days. Thanks for the idea.

Yes and it helps a ton. You should try to use a synthetic oil though. Petroleum-based lubes can weaken plastic over time, like the Delrin typically used for those concave washers.

Yes I did it using Boeshield T-9.

Lubing the quick release was a recommendation in the thread of messages involving Boeshield, but there's no good way someone would know that without wading through 1700 posts in this thread.

What we need is a collection of the best tips and tricks from this thread. Are there any mods here that can create a sticky topic?

"What we need is a collection of the best tips and tricks from this thread."

Yes!

"For riding fixed, I highly recommend replacing the quick releases with ATB seat post binder bolts."

They come in 45, 50, and 55mm size. Anybody know offhand what size I'd need?

45, I think.

I believe 45mm will work. I went with the 50mm and hack-sawed the excess length.

Beware on the length: make sure you get them measured. I had some real problems with replacement quick release bolts. If you go to Nashbar they will sell you them in (I think) 45, 50 and 55mm lengths. Problem is that this quoted length is not just the exposed bolt length, but includes the 10mm of the lever. Net: none of them fit, even the 55mm is too short. Annoying, but not so much a problem now I'm oiling the levers. Still, if anyone has a recommendation for a source of great quality levers that fit, let me know.

Most annoying issue on my Swift was the crazy difference in standards for a "20 inch" tire. How can there be so many differences? I wonder why anyone quotes this size since it is meaningless. The only size that counts is the mm size (mine are 406mm which is nothing like 20 inches!).

Jonathan

True, plus the Neos has a flat top to stop it from twisting forward under chain tension. This is different from most derailleurs which rests against the tab in the derailleur hanger.

Plus the neos 2.0 (8-speed) is a weighty 320g. Compare with 105 RD @220g.

I got one at the LBS today - $4 - that's half the price of Nashbar. It fits perfectly and measures 50mm overall and the thread alone is 40mm. I don't know how Nashbar measures. Unfortunately, the LBS only had one. They said they should have more by next week. (That's replacement bolts for the quick releases on the Swift I'm talking about)