nish2575

marathon plus, starting to itch for the racers and kojaks... but even one flat in the rear would be really annoying

mtalinm

there are a lot of things I like about my Swift, but what I don't like is that the chain keeps dropping on the front. It drops to the right, getting stuck between the cog and the "chainguard" (if that's what that is).

It happens pretty reliably when I shift into 8th gear, so I've disabled that via limiter screws. But it also happens sometimes when shifting 5->6 and this morning even 4->5. Haven't seen it happen while downshifting. Pedaling while shifting seems to trigger it, so now I stop pedaling to shift which seems to help a bit.

Pretty annoying though. Anyone seen a remedy for this? I can imagine
* chain is stretched (it's a used bike, not sure how old the chain is)
* chain has bad links - couldn't find any though
* derailleur is misaligned (though it looks straight to me)
* the stock SRAM derailleur stucks and I should replace it - definitely considering this

thought I saw some chatter about dropped chains somewhere around page 40 of this thread, but the search function won't bring it up so I am appealing to your collective wisdom...thanks in advance

Urbanis

Paul, I think you're just looking for an excuse to do another modification on your Swift.

itsmoot

There shouldn't be enough room for the chain to drop BETWEEN the chainring and chainguard. Something is definitely wrong with that picture.

Chainguard somehow worn thin? Crankbolts loose? Previous owner added spacers to the crankbolts? None of these sound plausible.

Pictures would help loads. More so if they're focused.

mtalinm

here are several pictures. you can see that the chain fits semi-snugly between the cog and the chainguard.

itsmoot

Here's some ideas:

- the chainguard is bent/dished outward,
- the chainguard is super-worn,
- the chainring is bent/dished inward,
- the chainring is super-worn,
- the previous owner installed a 9-speed chain, which is narower than the stock Swift 8-speed chain and more easily fits the space between the ring and guard,
- the crank bolts are loose. In one of you pictures, there's a lot of inner thread showing on the uppermost crank bolt.
- any combination of the above

mtalinm

bingo, that's it. he ran a 9-speed rear derailleur and probably swapped the chain to do so. (I switched it back ... long story)

so now the question is, do I go buy a chain or do I buy his 105 derailleur + cassette from him. I hate the SRAM derailleur, so noisy...

Paul Braithwait

Since when did I need an excuse?!

mtalinm

Previous owner confirmed he had the wrong chain on there and swapped it out this a.m.! Bike feels better now. And he gave me a front feraileur and mount for my trouble.

nish2575

finally got upright handlebars, my setup is complete except for the pending switch to a sqr with super c saddlebag

Urbanis

Nish, how do you like the upright handlebars? When you pop them off for compact storage how well do they "fit" with the folded bicycle?

nish2575

fits fine. i've wanted tehse for a while, but not sure if i like them. i love not being hunched over, and being able to actually take in all the scenery, but it has the tradeoff with speed of pedaling / extra effort needed. maybe a few more weeks and my muscles will adapt, and i'll get used to being a little slower. i have no idea what my hurry is anyways, at most i could save 1 or 2 minutes if i went faster. trying to embrace the slow ride / enjoy movement

mtalinm

Another option for not hunching over is a longer wpstem. Mine came with an XL from a taller owner and is rather comfortable.

werbin

I ride the greenway and swapped out the 11-28 for an 11-32T. It definitely helps the ascent from the greenway back to Riverside Drive around 90th Street.

Of course, if I was still young and strong I wouldn't have had to do that.
Nowadays, especially after an hour running on the tennis courts, the extra gearing is a big help.

mtalinm

I was planning to add a front dérailleur, but all i really want is a granny gear, the lbs suggested I just swap the cassette instead like you did. They said that a mountain bike cassette with 34t should do the job. Thoughts on that vs the front dérailleur?

nish2575

switched to sks for rear fender. i think jur or someone else had pointed out that the planet bike fender had issues with staying on bike, and they had gone with a quick release one. in less than 4 months, folding 3 times a week, one of the planet bike fender's screws have come loose twice....bike shop mentioned i could still cut down the planet bike fenders to just cover under brake and forward combined with sks if i don't get enough protection.

i'm starting to like the upright bars even for medium distances, just wish i had an extra hand position. in a little while, might switch to moustache or something upright with a little less angle back. believe i have civia loring bars right now.

not sure what "wpstem" meant

Urbanis

mtalinm, I'd try the megarange cassette (with 34T) first, because all you have to change is the cassette (and possibly chain). It also keeps the gearing simpler. If that isn't enough, then I'd consider either a smaller front chainring (if you don't need the top end of your gears) or (if you do) a front derailleur.

Sir Bikesalot

Whose bike is this on Caltrain (SF to Menlo Park)?

https://www.xootr.com/gallery_swift-f...?pictureId=109

It's a great photo; really helps me put the folded size into perspective. I took Caltrain for quite some years in the past and have a good feel for all the dimensions of the walkways, seat widths, etc. On the older train models, I'm pretty sure I will have to use the bike car anyway, or possibly the luggage car. But on the newer Bombardier style train, every car has some nice open areas in the lower deck midsection I can use to stow the bike ( I think!).

nish2575

that pic doesn't have handlebar detached, or folding pedals. you can buy yourself some more room with those added actions. that picture is more of a fast, lazy fold

Sir Bikesalot

This may seem a strange question, does the box in which the Swift is shipped have the word "bike" or any graphics on it that would suggest there was a bike inside?

The reason I ask is that I live in a neighborhood with a lot of bike theft, and I'm worried that if the thieves see a box on my doorstep labeled "BIKE INSIDE"...well, I would be an unhappy camper when I got home that night. SO should I ship it to somebody else? or is there a way to let UPS know to hold it in their warehouse for me to pick up?

atom bomb

I had similar troubles on a Dahon. Plastic chainring guard kept breaking ... went through two of them, then I built up my own solution.... working fine. But Paul makes the real thing. So you could lose your chainring guard and try one of these..... if it fits:

https://www.paulcomp.com/chainkeeper.html

vmaniqui

it will be a big box for sure and visible to every person in your neighborhood so my advise is to make sure someone is home when package arrived. FEDEX will hold your package for personal pickup and i am pretty sure UPS will do it also. call the 800 no. with your tracking no. and they will let you know your options.

Sir Bikesalot

I found a safe place to ship it to. In my experience, you just can't rely on UPS to do what you tell them to

BTW, I placed the order this morning (PST) and I just received notification this afternoon that it has shipped! Now that is impressive considering that Brian had to configure it for SS also. If anybody here is interested in the procedue for ordering the SS Swift, give me a PM.

Paul Braithwait

I've just replaced the stock 52 tooth chainwheel with a Surly 48 tooth - non-pinned or shouldered. Unfortuneately just as I was about to try it out on the road the heavens opened! The gears shift OK in the back yard but I'll have to wait until later this week to try the new gearing in the real world. Also upgraded the V brakes to Shimano M770 XTs - again I'll have to hang fire before I can try them out. Full report when I do.

Paul Braithwait

Well, I've finally replaced the stock 52 tooth chainwheel for a 48 tooth model to lower the gearing of my four year old Swift. As I have mentioned on the forum before, I live in a very hilly area and low gears are more use to me than big gears. In the four years I have owned the bike I have never used the top two cogs on the open road but I have sometimes run out of low gears on hills. I shall be 60 on the 20th October and have given up any thoughts of winning at Alpe d'Huez!

The new chainwhell is made by Surly and is stainless steel without ramps or pins (as recommended by Xootr). It was very easy to remove the old chainwheel and install the new one. I took off for a short ride this morning to make sure the chain slipped easily across the cogs without falling off the new chainwheel. All was well.

Because of work commitments I have not had the chance to ride for about three weeks so my level of fitness leaves a lot to be desired. Today was very windy with the autumn leaves flying around all over the place. I rode into a stiff headwind on the way out on one of my usual rides which contains a mix of short sharp climbs and long slow ones. The new lower gears were very handy! Along sheltered roads I was able to ride using 5th and 6th gears where I would usually use 3rd or 4th. On one very sheltered road with a slight tail wind I even slipped the chain onto the 7th cog - for the first time ever! When I get more ride fit I will even try for cog 8! It's early days but I think the smaller chainring will suit my riding style i.e. - slow! The new Shimano V brakes are bedding in nicely and I have lost the front end squeel from the old brakes. When I changed the 'bars to drops I was a little economical with the cables and although they look neat, I think I will be a little more generous next time I replace them. The front brake cable is not long enough to allow the steering riser to be removed for transportation.

Living in a very hilly area is great but it does give the old legs some work to do!



Just to show what we have in the way of hills around here - see below!



The tumbhails show the new chainwheel and brakes. Not very exciting photo's because, let's face it, a chainwheel is a chainwheel!