timo888 

I bought mine for ~$25.

werewolf

I can see a drawback in the new stem post: it appears to be tapered at the top, therefore I wouldn't be able to lower the bar and then saw off the excess tubing as I did with mine. In fact, I wouldn't be able to lower the bar at all.

werewolf

Exceptional snow photo posted by BizzaroSteve on the "Singlespeed & Fixed Gear" board -



https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=390649&page=3

sqynt

Link please.

I haven't been able to find equivalents any where else, let alone for half price. But even at that price, it's still a better bargain than paying for a HubBubb, which is essentially a metal bar end plug.

sqynt

It looks like this will be case for new Swifts from Xootr. My correspondence with Xootr confirmed that even the new normal length stem posts have the beefier construction. But wait there's more...... they are in the process of revamping the website, and when it's all said and done, there will be a surprise bonus with the new stem posts. I will say no more least it gains the same "vaporware" status as the rumored new Swift design.

My stem post diameter measures 30.6mm in the thick section, not exactly a convenient diameter, but there are seat post collars available in that size. So if you really wanted a short post, you could cut from the bottom, drill and slot the lower portion and use a seat collar. You will lose the alignment pin though.

In my opinion though, the thicker post is welcomed. Out of the saddle hill climbs in San Francisco with a trailer have shown no detectable flex in the stem post at all.

werewolf

That new stem post will take away the flexibility up front that I liked, namely the flexibility to easily raise or lower the handlebar.

"Out of the saddle hill climbs in San Francisco with a trailer have shown no detectable flex in the stem post at all. "

Were you troubled with flex before? Were there problems with flex or stem bars breaking before? I didn't notice any flex problem. The only problem I noticed was a squeak, and that went away when I replaced the front quick release with a bolt.

werewolf

"Rivendell has the parts, but their selling prices are way out of line. If you shop around you will find the exactly same parts for 1/4 to 1/2 of the Rivendell prices. Buyer beware!"

Yeah, I'll ask for a link, too. Just did a quick and cursory price comparison of the pedals I use, the Grip King. Rivendell gets $50, Harris $55, and another place that googled up, also $50.

werewolf

I wouldn't want my handlebar stem to break, though, and if there has been a problem Swift should be having a recall. Swift and Peter Reich should be contacting buyers and offering to replace the old stem with the new one at no cost.

alpacalypse

That makes sense, since I understand that Rivendell basically commissioned the Grip King. Small-batch items, especially those made by Nitto or MKS for Rivendell, will be comparably priced everywhere. More everyday parts, like kool stop brake pads, are monstrously more expensive through Rivendell.

sqynt

The noises I experienced were more "creaks" then "squeaks", and could be temporarily relieved by tightening the QR...... until the next time. I could actually feel the stem move when this "creak" occurred, more from the vibration than from the movement. If you look closely at the eyelets of my old stem post, you can see that the machined faces are no longer parallel from the incremental stretching.

yangmusa

Has any of you ridden both the steel Swift folder and the aluminum Xootr? I wonder if the steel Swift rides significantly better on poor roads?

The roads here in the Bay Area are maintained so poorly that the stiff ride of my Xootr was uncomfortable (for me), and that played a large part in my decision to sell it. The condition of the roads also played a part in the decision to get a Birdy. While there are many things I like about the Birdy (great ride, compact fold, no bits hanging off like the Xootr handlebars), I do sometimes miss the "real bike" feel of the Swift, and the ability to stand up and honk up a hill.

werewolf

Whenever I make an order online it usually becomes logistically complicated because one place has what I want and the other place has the other thing I want, and one might charge too much for something and the other may have it at a good price, and then you don't like to make multiple small orders because postage costs so much.

noteon 

That's the point at which I usually just close all the browser windows and don't order anything. Too bad there's no such thing as centralized conglomerated shipping.

werewolf

Creaking is a better descriptive term than squeaking for the noises I used to hear too, but like I said, since I replaced the front (handlebar stem post) quick release with a bolt I haven't heard any squeaking or creaking noises, so prime creaking suspect #1 is the front quick release, and I didn't use that one much anyway, and if I do want to detach it now I just need a 5mm allen wrench. I may replace the seat post qr's with bolts, too.

werewolf

Yup - and bicycle part shopping is the worst. By the way, internet shopping isn't necessarily cheaper either. Like with that Swift bolt I just mentioned, Bike Nashbar (or was it Performace? - or are they the same now?) was selling them for $8 a piece, and I wasn't even sure they would fit, but the excellent LBS found the right size and only charged $4.

pismocycleguy

Sqynt
Here are two examples;
Shimano Deore rear derailleur, same as in Rivendell photo, $10.98 at my LBS.
Shimano Ultegra friction bar end shifters, complete, $59.95 at my LBS.

You can also check prices on the internet and better Rivendell prices.

sqynt

The Deore name was an unfortunate marketing snafu. There are high end Deore components, and low end Deore components and you can really be comparing apples and oranges.

AFAIK, there are no Ultegra friction bar end shifters. Only indexed ones. And from a previous post, we already know these won't work with a SRAM 1:1 derailleur. They are certainly not of the same ratcheting design cloned from old Suntours.

On a different note, I did find them on Velo Orange for $60, but that's hardly half price.

sqynt

I suspect that a bolt would have simply deformed my old stem post more quickly. I'm actually using the same QR on my new post, so I don't think that's the issue.

pismocycleguy

Hey Dude, I really don't care if you believe me. Over paying for merchandise is for fools!
FYI: the derailleur shown in the Rivendell website is a Deore, and not an LX! Let's compare apples to apples.
And if you have never seen, or heard about, a friction shifter, as opposed to an index shifter, you must really be a novice!
I have no gripes with Rivendell, they make some quality stuff. I just shop for the "BEST" pricing!
Good luck with your uninformed shopping!
PCG

BeachBiker

Hey Werewolf
I didn't notice any complaints about Rev from pismocycleguy. You seem to be over reacting!
Calm down and control your emotions! You seem to be over touchy and thin skinned.
I thought that this was suppose to be a friendly user group of bicyclists. If you want to spend more for parts, feel free to do just that! "A fool and his money is soon parted!"

I went to the Rev page noted above, and the derailleur has DEORE written on it. I sure don't see LX anywhere.

Let's get back to discussing folding bikes, and quit attaching individuals!

werewolf

OK, sorry if I over reacted. My language certainly could have been nicer. Werewolves get a bit, ah, touchy, at a certain time of the month. I deleted my posts. Back to folding bikes!

james_swift

It's quiet in here. Time to post some pics...

Paul Braithwait

Well done James, we must do our best to keep the Swift thread in full view!

james_swift

Cheers Paul.

Here are a couple more...

noteon 

Good idea! And those are nice pics you posted.

My recent ones...