Paul Braithwait

The Rixen/Kaul bottle bracket is neater than the Minoura and holds the cage a little closer to the riser. I am currently experimenting with a Minoura bracket on the front of the riser but this makes it a bit of a tight fit to get a bottle into the cage because of the 'bar stem overhang. I have ordered a Topeak adaptor which allows you to tilt the bottle cage either left or right so that a bottle can be inserted or removed on small frames. If it fits onto the Minoura I'll do a test and let you know how it performs.

jur

The bottle is too tall and doesn't fit under the stem sticking out forwards like that. The Minoura allows lower mounting but even with it the bottle doesn't quite fit when straight out forwards. Though I have a stem riser which is a bit on the short side.

turnstyle

This has given me a simple idea -- perhaps I'll just tape an empty bottle to my riser as a quick test to see if it interferes with my knees when out of the saddle...

Paul Braithwait

Here is my latest solution to carrying a drinks bottle on a Swift. I have tried many ideas, all of which worked, but none were perfect. I am using a Minoura bottle bracket on the front of the stem riser. I prefer the Rixen/Kaul adaptor because it is much neater but the Minoura allows the bottle cage to be carried lower and its metal plate is more suited to my current set up.

The problem with putting the bottle cage on the front of the riser is the difficulty of getting the bottle in and out of it. This, of course, will depend on what handlebar and stem combination you use. I have tried several different handlebars on the Swift and have now returned to the original ones that came with the bike! I found that wider bars made the Swift too bulky and "swept back" bars (although being very comfortable) put too much weight on the rear wheel causing the front one to lift when I was pulling back on the grips while climbing hills. I find the original bars put my weight over the front wheel which, for leisure riding, works best. However, using the stock bars means that the brake levers are close together and they can get in the way of inserting and removing the bottle from the cage. Even raising the brake levers to be more "out front" rather than facing down does not cure the situation.

The photo's show a Topeak gadget that allows the cage to be tilted left or right to give more room to use a bottle. It is simple to fit and works OK. I must say that I would have prefered more of a tilt - say 90 degrees - but what little swing it does provide is useful. The gadget simply bolts on to your bottle cage mounts and then your bottle bolts onto the gadget! Do note, however, that the Allen bolts provided to hold the bottle cage in place are rather short. They have to be short otherwise they would prevent the front part of the fitting from moving left or right. You will, therefore, need to watch what type of cage you use. In some of my photo's I used a Tacx cage (light grey) which holds the bottle well. Unfortuneately the rear plate of the Tacx uses thick rubber padding which does not allow the short bolts to penetrate very far. I have now settled on using a Topeak adjustable bottle cage which works well with the attachment.

It may not be the neatest arrangement but it does work.

As an addition, I use a Carradice Super C seat pack which has a mesh pocket on one side. I have fitted an elastic closure to it and this, along with the bag's lid, holds a bottle in place. A taller bottle is held more securely as it it covered more by the bag's lid.

jur

Yes ^ that is quite similar to my setup axcept I have the cage sitting very slightly over to the right side as well, in order to clear the handlebar.

I also use a homemade setup with tool clips (broomstick clips?) to mount a bottle cage on the seatpost. I first had it on the front but my legs would lightly brush against it so I started using it on the back of the seatpost. That works OK but needs careful concentration to put the bottle back after a swig especially in pace lines. In the Alpine Classic I even mounted 2 bottles side by side like that.

tFUnK

i use the bottle cage mounts on the stock riser (just got my swift this summer). i have the cage mounted facing towards me for clearance of the stem/bar. using a regular water bottle, it does seem a bit loose compared to a traditional downtube water bottle cage. i think there is some truth in that the nearly vertical orientation may cause the bottle to pop out more easily.

turnstyle

Do you find that you hit the bottle when you stand out of your saddle?

Have you looked at any other cages that might hold the bottle more snugly, given the orientation?

tFUnK

well, i only ride my swift for commuting to/from work, so not a whole lot of out of saddle mashing or climbing. i don't feel like the bottle is in the way, but i do become more mindful of its presence. haven't tried other cages but i'm sure the newer cage designs will grip it better- i just threw on some old school generic alloy cage. i should point out that i cannot use the taller 24/28oz bottles because they will hit the stem. but a regular 21oz or smaller fits perfectly.

turnstyle

Well, I finally got a cage and added it to the inside of the riser (via braze-ons) -- after all this concern, it totally doesn't bug me at all (even when I'm standing on the pedals) -- the only time I really notice it is when I'm standing on the ground, over the bike. (though I am using a smallish bottle)

I really enjoy this bike.

turnstyle

Wow, your Swift page was partly what lead me to get one. Good luck with all!

hulagun

I'm going to add a freewheel to the flipflop Surly hub on my Swixie, so my g/f can ride it.
She won't like a fixie! I'll reinstall the rear brake when running the freewheel.

It has the standard Xootr 52T front chain ring.

I'm running a 14T rear cog right now, to give some speed on the flats. It's not so great for climbing tho. It looks like the easiest way to go is a 16T freewheel. This seems OK as my g/f is not going to want to scorch much. But unsure so...

I wanted to ask whether anyone else had set their Swift/Xootr up as a single speed and what gearing they had, liked or disliked?

Also, thinking about buying folding pedals, or maybe the MKS EZY pedals... any comments?

Thanks
Ivan in SF

itsmoot

At one time I considered them but be forewarned, they use a proprietary SPD-like cleat. I'd need an extra set for my sandals, and couldn't find any apart from the ones included with the pedals.

turnstyle

That is, if he was asking about the MM-Cube -- there are many other kinds of MKS EZY (as well as MKS EZY 'Superior') pedals. I'd much rather have quick-release pedals than folding pedals, but that's me.

trider

I took delivery on a new Swift on Nov. 13th. I am very pleased with my Swift and looking forward to riding many miles while using it on extended vacations with our motorhome. Except for the small wheels, it rides pretty much like the Gary Fisher Advance I am used to riding.

For some of your seasoned Swift owners, if you where I and had just bought a new Swift, what would be the first mods you would make? Big Apple tires? Seat? **********?

Thanks
Terry

noteon 

My first three mods on a stock Swift would be B17 saddle, KoolStop salmon brake pads, and more comfortable handlebars.

jur

mod #1: Brooks B17 saddle. The stock saddle may be OK for you, but a short ride is not a good indicator. Be in the saddle for an hour or so before making a decision. A plush saddle tends the be comfy initially but gets very numbing over time.

The rest (tyres etc) is really a function of what you want to do with the bike. General purpose riding, Big Apples are superb. Don't put more than say 40-60psi in them or you will negate their advantage. For snappy road riding, Continental Grand Prix. The stock tyres are actually not bad - I think they are a sort of unsung hero. At 50-60psi they grip very well and offer a soft enough ride.

trider

Thanks for the suggestions. At this point I need to check the psi in the tires. I have a hunch its over 60psi.

Jur, I have enjoyed your "cycling photo essays". I'm about blind from looking at photos and reading. Very very enjoyable. You and your wife have discovered something you both love and will keep your marriage and yourselves in shape. Good for you. My wife and I have been married over 41 years and we will be riding our regular 5 miles tonight. I'll be on my new Swift.

Thanks again!
Terry

trider

I think I would love to have some handlebars that come back to me, sort of like a cruiser. I've ordered a new handlebar for my Gary Fisher. Getting away from the flat bar I have to reach for.
Thanks
Terry

noteon 

The Dimension Trekking Bar works great for me, but it's discontinued and hard to find. It's the same one pictured in Xootr Swift's for-sale post on this page.

turnstyle

fwiw, I got the Brooks Flyer rather than the B17, and I've been rather happy to have that extra give the springs provide.

trider

I think for right now I will just keep it stock for awhile. Today I did order a tail light and headlight and folding pedals. I'll only use the folding pedals while storing it in the basement of my motorhome while travelling. I'm thinking of buying fenders. Swift advertises the weight at less than a lb.

The nice guy at Swift who wrote my order gave me a kickstand for free. Only thing is the predrilled hole is too small for the screw that came with it. I've emailed Swift to made sure its ok to drill the hole a little larger, don't want to void the warranty.

The biggest impression this bike has made on me so far, other than quality, is that its nimble, sturdy, smooth and fast. The more I ride it the more I like it. The only other folder I have owned to compare it to is the Miami Citizens. I often wondered in the past if the more expensive folders were really worth the money. The Miami at $198 & the Swift at $670. I just couldn't imagine there being that much a difference, after all they are just bicycles. Well I am here to report there is a difference, a vast difference. You have to ride one to have this knowledge. Now of course my mind is wondering "what about one of those Bike Fridays, Dahons, etc., at $1,000 and up?"
This is not good.

Paul Braithwait

I tried these 'bars for a while. They were cheap and gave a very comfortable ride but they put too much of my weight over the rear wheel. Climbing hills and pulling back on the 'bars caused the front wheel to lift. It's a shame because they were very nice on the flat; problem is, where I live we don't do flat!! The upright riding position also made progress slow because of air resistance. I'm no flat out rider but the extra effort needed to pedal the bike was noticable.

tblott3

Bontrager Satellite Plus Trekking Bars



Speaking of that mythical Dimension Trekking bar...I just found and ordered the Bontrager version...silver too, Noteon...color me excited!

noteon 

Wow--cool! Now I'm the envious one.

tblott3

From the computer screen @ my LBS there's only 3 silver ones left on the earth...there's still time, Noteon...

Seems like Bontrager isn't going to be making these anymore either.

I got me some mods in my future...pics to follow...