Disclaimer:
As a product reviewer for Commute By Bike, I am providing my unbiased opinion of any products provided to us by any company. I do not posses any type of relationship with the product’s company or parent companies. Companies that send in their goods to be reviewed do not compensate me in any way.
My background:
I am 5?7?, 165 lbs. I ride a Giant TCR for road, a Specialized FSR XC M4 S-Works for MTB, a Kona Smoke, Ibex Corrida and an Ibex Xray for my commute. I am avid cyclist that enjoys all sort of riding. I am also a bike commuter traveling 21 miles round trip.
Testing Grounds:
The mean streets of L.A, The Pecos River Walk and the San Gabriel River trail.
Overview: One glance at the Swift and you automatically think ‘kid’s bike’. One ride on the Swift and you automatically think ‘bad ass bike’.
Here are the specs on this awesome bike:
Frame. 6061-T6 custom-profiled aluminum tubing, TIG welded. Patent-pending TrusFold system for maximum frame rigidity. Horizontal dropouts with replaceable derailleur hanger. CroMoly straight taper fork.
Wheels. Aluminum box-section rims, 36H, with spoke eyelets and machined sidewalls; 2mm stainless steel spokes; Quando CNC machined hubs with sealed bearings. Kenda Kwest 20 x 1.5 100psi tire.
Drivetrain. SRAM 5.0 twist grip shifter; SRAM 4.0 derailleur; SRAM PG-850 11-28T cassette; Jagwire derailleur cable; KMC Z72 chain; 52T single-chainwheel aluminum alloy crankset (170mm) with chainguard. Sealed-cartridge bottom bracket.
Pedals. Wellgo 924, aluminum alloy cage and body
Handlebar. 500mm width aluminum alloy with SRAM rubber grips.
Seat. Velo VLG-3029 Plush Comfort with Ozone. (This is a mid-width recreation saddle. Sport riders may wish to swap in a narrow racing saddle.)
Seat Post. 6061-T6 aluminum; 590mm 32.9mm; microadjust clamp (length cut to match rider size at factory or dealer).
Weight. 9.9 kg (22 lbs.).
What I liked:
I really liked the way this bike rode. It’s fast due to its gearing and weight, it is really maneuverable due to the short wheelbase, the saddle is super comfortable, the shifting is fast and precise, you forget that this bike is a folding bike. Did I get a lot of looks and snickers? You bet! But once they saw how fast this bike moved, the snickers turned to looks of amazement.
What I didn’t like:
I had some reservations about riding the Swift, there was one thing holding me back, the spare tubes. Here’s the thing, the Swift uses 20X1.5 100PSI Presta Valve Tubes. The tubes were a little hard to find on any of my Local Bike Shops. I’m not much of a patcher, and since it’s easier and faster to change a tube while on my way to work, I consider a spare tube a necessity. The pedals on this bike don’t do justice to it, I swapped the Wellgo pedals for some Candy C eggbeater pedals, huge difference.
Similar Products reviewed:
Giatex Sport*able
Summary:
I’ve read the price of $679.00 for this bike is too high. Well, obviously they haven’t ridden the Swift. This bike is awesome for commuting, training, fun rides, errands, and it’s folding capabilities makes this bike worth the money.
Here’s a video of how easy and fast it is to fold the Swift.
For more information visit the Xootr website at www.xootr.com