Concept: 2 out of 5 Execution: 4 out of 5 Yeah, but: Far away, conveniently located.
The Long Version: The Leslie Street Spit, occasionally known by its formal name of Tommy Thompson Park, is an interesting piece of work. Built out of construction debris sixty years ago to allow shipping from the St Lawrence Seaway to use the Outer Harbour, it was never really needed and nothing much happened with it for decades. As it tends to do, nature took its course and eventually the five-kilometer, 1200-acre peninsula was turned over to TRCA, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. That's the body that manages the GTA's wilder spaces, including Rouge Valley, while it's Toronto Parks that oversees the spots with clipped grass and swing sets.
The Leslie Street Spit is hardly a typical park. Built as an infill project, it remains an active dumping site for construction waste during the week. On the weekends its wide potholed road is taken over by joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. One conspicuous absence is the casual strollers and dog-walkers: because it's a wildlife sanctuary pets are prohibited, and the spit is a long way from any residential areas. Although civilization is slowly encroaching on the industrial portlands, the TTC doesn't quite reach it and it's not the prettiest spot.
What the Spit does offer is car-free roads and flat ground, making it ideal for wheeled recreation, as well as walking paths closer to the shore. It has some excellent and unusual views of the downtown skyline, and it's a phenomenal place for birds. The wooded landward side has one of the largest colonies of ring-billed gulls in the world. One of the items on my to-do list is to take my audio recorder down there during the spring, because the sound can be quite unbelievable. It's rare to go there and not see at least one or two groups of sunhat-wearing binocular-equipped ornithologists.
The shoreline facing the lake has mostly seasonal vegetation, so it's not somewhere to go during the spring thaw. When the ground is still frozen, or when the weather's been dry and the vegetation has had a chance to become established, it's a fascinating landscape of brick beaches and debris. Concrete poles and tangles of rebar, truckloads of tile, ornamental pillars broken into sections – a few years ago I spotted a place where several toilets were emerging from the layer of earthen fill. I wouldn't describe this as a particularly safe place to fool around, as the rubble is often loose underfoot and there's little chance of prompt assistance should something go wrong. Break an ankle here and it's a very long walk back to the city; the elevation of the land means that the waterline is invisible from the construction road.
The Spit is a fascinating place. It's as far away from downtown Toronto as it's possible to be without actually needing to go very far from the city. It's where I went for a practice run before my trip to Coney Island last march; its winds were a good match for those coming off the Atlantic. I've been taking landscape photos there for years, and recently spent a couple of happy days photographing individual bricks. I've been making it my turn-around point for bike rides for over a decade, and hope to continue it for at least a couple more. The mix of isolation, protection, and neglect has made it a spot unlike any other in Toronto, and hopefully that won't change as the city reaches out to its waterfront.
Concept: 3 out of 5 Execution: 4 out of 5 Yeah, but: Finally, a stellar bike tool that isn't riding a fixie.
The Long Version: Filzer's classic I-Tool is one of those little things that has been done right. It's a simple tool with five hex drivers with a T25 torx, slot, and philips screwdrivers. These eight tools fold flat into a package that's comfortably under 3" long, about 1" wide, and one-quarter of an inch thick. It's so small that it can be carried anywhere, and it's so easy to use that I'll often reach for it instead of a dedicated hex wrench set. It can do almost anything I need.
The bits don't lock in place, and their short size makes that an advantage. I have no problem putting plenty of leverage on the tool at ninety degrees and then smoothly reversing the tool for another crank, or bringing it straight up to quickly move a loose bolt. Naturally that doesn't work so well with the screwdriver bits, but the basic theory is still good.
The "Skin-E1 I-Tool" isn't perfect – aside from the name, which thankfully doesn't appear anywhere on the item, the Philips screwdriver suffers from being a #1 instead of the more common #2 size. It's a necessary concession to the form factor, and a #1 size is better than nothing, but it's the only thing that has disappointed me when I've tried to do quick tune-ups on my bike.
Of course such a little tool can't do everything, and this MT4 model – yes, it has a code in addition to the horrid name – is just about the simplest one that Filzer makes. It's a natural to combine with another tool, either a small pliers-based multitool or a more complex bike tool kit. I carry both of those in my pannier as well, but I reach for the little I-Tool first.
Concept: 5 out of 5 Execution: 5 out of 5 Yeah, but: Little wheels even make it easier to open doors.
The Long Version:Two years ago I wrote about the Xootr Swift folding bike, and it remains one of the most popular reviews on this website. Now it's time for a follow-up.
First, a quick recap for those who arrived here directly, and don't want to wade through the original report: the Swift is an apartment-friendly design from New York City that has a simple and strong fold, but at the expense of being larger than just about any folding bike when it's compacted down. Rather than following the British model of a bike that will fit under a seat on the tube, this is a quintessentially American bike that will fit in the boot – trunk – of a mid-sized car.
The Swift folds vertically, being split on the seat tube and locked in place by two quick-releases that clamp the seat post in place. It's an exceptional use of the inherent strength of these components, and is both visually and mechanically elegant. The bike comfortably fits sideways in a storage room that's barely wider than its own doorway.
Normally the seat post will lock the bike tightly into its folded position, but my Crossrack stops it from dropping far enough down. Instead I just secure the seat tube to the top tube with a reflective ankle strap, which is actually the only time that I need one of those ultra-fashionable accessories. Small wheels mean that the Swift has an unusually large front chain ring, putting the chain too high to snag the cuff of my jeans or my shoelaces, and it even has a built-in guard for good measure. That's a huge win for the Swift.
A few things have changed compared to when the bike was new. While the stock brakes on the Swift are decent, I've upgraded to Shimano Deore levers and V-brakes for a significant improvement in stopping power. There's less flex in the system now, making the whole thing crisper and giving me more confidence on the road. Changing the brakes over was easy, and the standard-length cables that the kit came with were ample.
I've also swapped out the stock pedals for bigger platforms. I bike wearing soft shoes – inefficient but practical – and these BMX-style pedals are more comfortable and, to my eye, look better. They're nothing fancy, being about the cheapest ones that MEC sells, but if I was looking for ways to drop weight and improve performance my bike wouldn't be the one with the most work to do.
Other minor positioning and accessory refinements mean that the bike suits me even better now than it did when it was brand new. But the biggest change is that I've replaced the stock Kenda Swift tires with Schwalbe Big Apples. These tires are relatively famous, and really change the personality of the bike. I've split off my experience with them into a separate review here.
During the riding season my Swift stays out on the balcony, and I have to admit that I don't pamper it. Two years have left rust on the bolt of the quick release that holds the handlebar riser in place, as well as faint hints of rust on the riser itself. The chain shows some rust, as chains will do, but the other quick releases are clean. There was also some rust on the curved brake cable guides, the part right above the brakes themselves, but those are gone now.
Aside from that there are a few more nicks and scratches on the frame, and the half-grip on the right side of the handlebar needs to be snugged back into place occasionally. I could just fix that with some cheap hairspray, but now I keep it in place with a bar-end bell instead. And that's it – aside from those very minor instances of wear-and-tear, the bike is just as solid as it was when it was brand new. There's no new wiggle, no extra flex, no movement in the frame pivot and no creaks or rattles.
I fell in love with the Swift as soon as I took it out on the streets, and I'm still just as happy with it after these two years. Last summer I had a delusional episode and considered switching to skinny tires and clip-on bars, because I have no doubt that some lighter components could make the Swift into a respectable racer. I'm nowhere near fit or dedicated enough to pull that off, but it's nice to know that it's possible. For the bike, at least. As for me, I'm perfectly happy with having a tough and versatile commuter bike that I can have some fun with on the weekends.
After two years I still have to give the Swift a perfect score, which is something I almost never do. In a world of compromises and design decisions, I really can't see how Xootr could have made a better bike for less money. The usual caveat of making sure that it's the right choice for the purpose remains: it's a small-wheeled bike that folds down a little, instead of being a cubic foot of components that latch together into something ridable. But aside from that, I'd recommend the Swift for anyone who's looking for a folder, or even for anyone who just wants a great all-purpose urban bike. I'm looking forward to many more happy years with mine.
Concept: 3 out of 5 Execution: 4 out of 5 Yeah, but: Make sure they fit.
The Long Version: If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then the way to a bike's personality is through its sneakers. The stock Xootr Swift comes with a set of Kenda Kwest tires that are good all-around performers, which makes for a sprightly bike that's comfortable to ride. Narrower tires that run at a higher pressure will make the Swift into a little racer, while bigger tires have a tremendous ability to absorb bumps. Schwalbe'sBig Apple tires are definitely in the second category. I put them on my bike a month ago, and the difference is amazing. I'm just disappointed that nobody else noticed how it makes the Swift look much tougher.
Having the big Big Apples on my bike has slowed it down; conversely, it makes me work harder to go not-quite-as-fast. But on hard-packed trails and bad pavement the difference is huge: much better shock absorption and a general sense of sure-footedness that I didn't have with the skinnier tires. It's also more stable when rolling at slow speeds, letting me stay on the bike and in control when other cyclists are putting their feet down. I don't know if that's because of their width or their not inconsiderable weight, but they're almost as good as doing a track-stand without the need for all of that pesky balancing.
The Big Apple tires for the Xootr Swift are 2" across, which is considerably bigger than the 1.5" of the stock Kwests. The front fork has no problem with the added size, but not all Swifts are going to be happy with something this big in the rear. Mine has taken some coaxing to make it work properly, but fortunately the horizontal dropouts let the entire rear wheel move back a half-inch or so. That has given me the extra clearance that I need, even though it hasn't made the derailleur all that happy. Buy the Big Apple through a dealer with a good return policy, and make sure you try it on the back of the Swift before opening both packages.
The other consideration with the Big Apples is that they should use different inner tubes from the ones that came with the bike. I have to admit that I managed to irreparably puncture one of my new bigger tubes during installation, so the front wheel is using the undersized original one with no ill effects. I inflate the rear tire to its maximum of 70psi, but leave the front at 60psi or so. When I eventually replace the tube with the proper size I may increase the pressure, but its current setup gives better shock absorption. After all, I didn't pick these tires for their speed.
Finally, I really like that the Big Apples have reflective rings on their sidewalls. It's almost as if Schwalbe knew that they were going to be put on a bike – a nice touch and a good design.
A little update: it's been over six months since I put the Big Apples on my Swift, and I remain completely happy with them. I'm not usually a winter cyclist, but I have biked through a snow storm with these tires. I deflated them somewhat – still well within their generous pressure range – and took it easy when I was playing in traffic, but I just tend to be cautious when drivers aren't expecting bikes to be out. Yes, I did lock up my back wheel once, which is pretty minor, but I couldn't break traction by accelerating no matter how hard I cranked. Not that I'm particularly strong, but it was still enough to impress me.
Concept: 1 out of 5 Execution: 4 out of 5 Yeah, but: It has a key with an LED light. Awesome.
The Long Version: Part of me wonders just how real the threat of bike theft is. Certainly it happens, and on an industrial scale: Toronto needs no proof of that. But are expensive bike locks an example of successfully preventing thousands of presumed dangers for every one that they actually thwart?
Bikes in the city can be broken down into two broad categories: cheap beaters that are left outside, securely locked and not very valuable, and expensive ones that are never left alone. My ride, a Xootr Swift, is the logical outcome of the second category: it's designed to fold so that it can fit in an apartment, not a suitcase. Naturally, I wanted a really good lock for those rare and brief times when I would need to leave it beyond arm's-reach.
I bought a Kryptonite Evolution-model lock for a couple of reasons. I stuck with the brand because of its reputation, which is backed by a guarantee that needs incredibly implausible conditions to pay out. I bought the Mini because it's the smallest model, making it lighter and harder to defeat by having the least amount of space for any lock-breaking tool to do its (his/her?) work.
But after spending two years with this lock, that last point seems a little foolish. If someone can break one of the bigger Kryptonite locks in the brief amount of time that I give them – never more than a few minutes, and always on busy streets – aren't I pretty much pooched anyway? Looking at it from the other direction, having a secure bike is a little like running from a bear: there's no need to be any better than the second-worst contestant.
Security is always a tradeoff between protection and convenience, and locking the bike with the tiny little Evo Mini is a hassel. There's a modest anti-theft advantage over the bigger U-locks at best, but a longer lock would be much easier to use with only a slight additional penalty in the extra weight and bulk that needs to be carried.
If these things weren't so expensive, I'd just re-buy a bigger size. At least the Mini is lighter for all of the times that I just chauffer it around the city.
Concept: 4 out of 5 Execution: 3 out of 5 Yeah, but: Perhaps I need more trust.
The Long Version: The crossrack is the only pannier I've seen with this design: it only attaches to the seat post, but holds a regular pannier instead of a rack-top bag. This is a fantastic idea, since panniers are easy to find in a variety of styles and styles. Rack-top bags are much more limited, and typically only range from small to not-very-large. The crossrack also puts the load vertically, closer to the centre of gravity for the bike, while the rack-top styles are long unsupported beam that stick out into space. I wonder why the crossrack didn't happen sooner.
I've put a pannier from Mountain Equipment Co-op on mine; it attaches with a zip-off panel that hides backpack straps. The crossrack is adjustable, and I've angled mine so that it's canted slightly forward, thinking that it would put less stress on the attachment points on the pannier. Xootr's page shows it tipped the other way, which will let the rack and bag be mounted on bikes with less space between the rear wheel and seat. The Xootr Swift, as a 20" wheeled bike, is quite generous in this respect. I'd be hesitant to put it on a bike with big wheels and a small frame, but for larger vehicles, it should be great.
The crossrack is rated for 25 pounds. It's a two-piece design that's joined with a pin, so I do hesitate a teeny tiny bit when I add too much weight. The counter benefit is that it makes it easy to pull the rack off of the bike when it's squeezed into a narrow space for storage. Unfortunately, leaving the clamp on the seatpost means that it can't drop down and lock the Swift in its folded position. That huge dilemma was solved with one of my many reflector-and-velcro ankle bands, several of which I carry in my pannier for no particular reason. Other than that, I have no complaints. The bag carries everything I need, and it being on the centreline of the bike means that it's protected if I fall over. Having no rack below it means that my camera-du-jour isn't bouncing off of a solid platform all of the time. Even if I had a standard bike that could take a standard rack, I'd still choose the crossrack for small loads and day-to-day use.
Concept: 4 out of 5 Execution: 2 out of 5 Yeah, but: They're great while they last.
The Long Version: These are nifty little lights that attach to bike wheels by screwing onto schrader valve stems. They're motion-activated, so there's no on/off switch, and they run for a little while once the movement has stopped. They combine two really powerful attention-getting techniques, flashing and movement, and the bikes that I've seen with them really stand out. I especially like that they're visible from the side, since headlights and taillights don't help much for cars that are approaching from a cross-street.
But as effective and clever as they are, there are a couple of things that I'm not a fan of. For one thing, the screw-on thread is really deep - bordering on profound. I can't just half-tighten anything, so getting them on and off for the biweekly inflation is far more work than it needs to be. The other complaint is that they turn on really, really easily. Walking past them is enough to set them off. There's a handy extra set of batteries in the package, and they aren't there out of charity. I've read other comments that they can be very slow to activate, so I'm guessing that this is the Mark II edition - perhaps the next version will add a little "off" switch, or perhaps it will need a few seconds of acceleration before it triggers. When they do that, I'll buy another set.
Concept: 3 out of 5 Execution: 5 out of 5 Yeah, but: Seriously, how do you spell that?
The Long Version: I've had many bikes, and each of them has had a mirror on it. It's not so much a matter of vanity as self-preservation - I'm always in traffic. The past three mirrors that I've bought have been from Cateye, and they're decent. Not great, but decent. I was planning on buying another one for my new Swift, and it was only because I spent some idle time on MEC's website that I didn't. The MirrycleMountain Mirror is more expensive than the other mirrors, but as soon as I saw it, I knew it was for me. I'm a sucker for creative typography, and the packaging crops off the end of the line "wide field of view". Clever.
When the Cateye mirror barely breaks the $5 mark, it's not a huge financial catastrophe that the Mirrycle mirror costs almost three times as much. On the other hand, they've clearly put the added resources to good use. It's very solidly made, secured with some of the longest hex bolts that I've seen in ages, and the reflector is convex and very effective. To assemble it, I genuinely needed the instructions. And like flat-pack furniture, it comes with its own 3mm hex wrench, just in case your bike tool kit doesn't already include one. (It probably does, but it's still a nice touch.)
The Mirrycle mirror mounting system gives it a lot of flexibility in its positioning. Any bar-end mirror will be low, probably too low to be in the rider's normal line of sight, but the curved reflector has such a great field of view that it's easy to forgive. I like to have it set up so that I can just see myself in it, and I can still see the curb behind me and across several lanes of traffic. The solid construction means that it stays put and doesn't shake and vibrate when I'm moving, like some of the others that I've used would do. About the only actual downside of having the mirror installed is that it makes the bike harder to get through doors. I've found one other person with this mirror, and we both agree that we wouldn't want to ride our bikes without them.
Concept: 5 out of 5 Execution: 5 out of 5 Yeah, but: Forget that it folds.
The Long Version: I've been riding the Xootr Swift bike for ten days. I usually like to have more experience with something before I review it, but with summer ending, I'm hurrying this one along.
Some Background:
The Swift is the second vehicle that I've bought from Xootr, with the first being the Mg scooter that I reivewed in two parts - one and two. But Xootr isn't as well known on the bike forums that I was sifting for recommendations, so even after I decided to supplement their excellent scooter with a small-wheeled bike, I spent a lot of time looking at other brands. To make a long story short, I was actually trying to buy a Bike Friday Pocket Expedition, but couldn't get an answer from their local dealer when I e-mailed - twice - to ask how much it would cost. The frustration led me to look elsewhere, so I started researching the Swift.
I was surprised by what I learned. The Swift isn't a Xootr original, but rather was designed and built by an independent maker in New York city. (Swiftfoldersdotcom has more background.) Remarkably, it's still available from a variety of sources, of which Xootr LLC is only one. So if you want a custom steel frame with an exotic mix of components, it's available from its original designer. If you want a mostly-stock aluminum one that will ship the same day that you order it, you can do that too.
Getting the Swift on the Road:
The Swift arrived in a remarkably small - 9"x25"x35" - and light box. The bike has 20"/406 wheels, which are the same size that BMX bikes and most folders use, and they really cut down on the size of the package. The frame is reminiscent of Gary Turner's designs, with the seatstays crossing the seat tube and being joined to the top tube. But this join isn't a weld, it's a hinge: the seat tube is two pieces, held together by the seat post, making the bike into a remarkably light and strong folder. This also makes the shipping charge reasonable, although I do need to warn my fellow Canadians that the default shipping method is UPS Standard with its wicked hidden fees. I contacted Xootr ahead of time, and we compromised on a UPS Saver service that cut the costs down considerably. UPS outdid themselves and managed to deliver it to the right address on only their third attempt, but I digress.
The only tools needed to assemble the Xootr is a hex wrench, which they include, and a pedal wrench, which they do not. I have one, but a pair of needle-nose pliers or vice-grips should also work to give the pedals one last twist. A #1 philips screwdriver is also handy to tweak the brakes. I'm used to doing my own basic bike maintenance, and had it assembled and ready to go in about twenty minutes. That's longer than the ten minutes that I've read about elsewhere, but my time includes the full unboxing-to-ridable process. The bike arrives really, really, really well packaged. The frame is bubble-wrapped, zip-tied, and sheathed in heavy paper to prevent scratches. It took at least ten minutes just to get it unpacked. I recorded the whole thing on video, but I've cut the unwrapping and some of the instruction-reading to manage its length. Even on fast-forward, it's not the most fascinating, so I offer it only for those who have a serious interest in buying the bike. Casual readers are welcome - nay, encouraged - to skip it.
As you can see, putting together the front quick-release skewer stumped me for a while. I've also cut out some of the twiddling: the pedals and stem took more cranking than what you're seeing here. One other thing that you might notice is that I didn't need a pump. The tires come fully inflated and ready to ride.
Accessories:
When I ordered the Swift I added the Thudbuster suspension seatpost, Crossrack, and fenders. The thudbuster is a clever design that works well, and the one that Xootr includes - for the same price that the manufacturer sells it at - has a post that's the correct diameter. The method used for rigid bikes is to use a narrow seat post and a shim to make it into a one-sku-fits-all system, but since the seat post is integral to the strength of the Swift's frame, DO NOT DO THIS. Get it through Xootr. You could order the correct size through Cane Creek, but that's more work.
The Crossrack attaches to the seat-post and holds a standard pannier. I like this system because I want to carry a camera, and this position both protects it in a crash and suspends it from the shocks of resting on top of a regular bike rack. All told it's a great design. The only catch is that it attaches to the seat-post, and stops it from dropping down and locking the frame in its folded position. If you're looking to use the quick-fold ability of the Swift, it's not the greatest addition. The counterpoint is that the Swift is probably the largest-folded folding bike on the market, so it's probably not a big loss for anyone who would consider buying it.
Xootr also sells a bag for the crossrack. The reflective stripe that goes all the way around the Xootr bag is useful - not many panniers are styled for being carried sideways. I would have bought it as well if I hadn't found a convertible bag that is both a pannier and a daypack from MEC. It also has reflectors on three sides, and adds two water-bottle pockets. The Swift doesn't have any braze-ons to attach a water bottle cage, and since the combination of the crossrack and thudbuster precludes using the bottle cages that attach to the back of the seat, this is something worth considering.
(Updated September 2009: I've since spotted two little bolts on the steering riser, and Xootr's website confirms that these are spaced for a bottle cage. Handy.)
The fenders were also bought with the bike from Xootr. They're made by Planet Bike, and are sized to fit the frame and small wheels. I looked for local options, to keep the customs value down, but 20" fenders aren't that common. They're basic and functional, not terribly expensive, and have already saved me a couple of times. Like lights and a bell, they're essential for urban riding.
And Speaking of Riding:
I've never ridden another folding bike, even for a test-ride, and I haven't had 20" wheels since I got tall enough to trade my BMX for a ten-speed. My only recent point of comparison is a wickedly fast road bike with a stiff aluminum frame cushioned by the best suspension seatpost ever designed. The Swift feels just as solid and quick as that old road bike. The little wheels needed a little familiarization, since they really are more nimble than their bigger cousins, and it feels like I could do a wheelie every time the lights turn green. It's a fun bike to ride. I may not be able to keep up with the peloton any more, but I never really could, and it's probably not the Swift's fault.
The Swift is a very sprightly little bike. I'll admit that I wasn't instantly taken by its styling, but now that I see it in person, it makes a lot of sense to me. Performance bikes designed for triathlons have smaller wheels than normal road bikes, and the Swift looks like it was taken to the logical extension of that practice. It just looks like a sporty bike, in ways that curved-frame bikes like the Brompton and Dahons don't. Its relatively high top tube makes it look more like some fancy mountain bikes than a bike that aspires to be luggage. The lack of a cut-in-the-middle hinge has left some people surprised that it can fold.
Born in New York City, this bike is a natural urban commuter. They come equipped with the 65psi version of the Kenda Kwest tire, which have a great reputation, and haven't let me down so far. And while the bike is new, so there's no accumulation of grease and oil on the wheel rim and brake pads, it's worth noting that the brakes are almost frighteningly good even in the rain. During one recent storm I accidentally locked up the rear wheel while sympathy-braking for a cyclist immediately ahead of me who was cut off by a taxi. They're not particularly high-end V-brakes, but they work.
The drive-train consists of a large single front chain-ring and an eight-speed 11-28 cassette on the back, with horizontal rear dropouts that will accommodate an internally geared hub or a single-speed setup. The stock gear range is plenty for this essentially flat city; I spend most of my time in gears 3-6, and the only time I've used the lowest gear was to climb some reasonably steep trails. One of those is the gravel access road to a nearby ravine that was extremely loose after several days of sporadic rain. Naturally, I had the Xootrcam rolling for my first off-road excursion.
Slick tires do very well as long as the surface is solid. Pavement is great, wet or dry, and hard-packed dirt is easy. Soft surfaces: not so much. The hill at the mid-point of the video above is loose sand that's had gravel sprinkled over it, and going down it on a new bike with small wheels was recklessly stupid. Climbing it on the way back was merely dumb. I debiked when the rear tire went sideways as I tried to turn in soft sand; proper technique, lower tire pressure, and/or knobby tires probably would have gotten me through okay. The good news is that the low stand-over height of the Swift means that it was a relatively graceful recovery, and I never stopped moving forward. I just walked the rest of the way to the top, and kept up about the same speed.
Off-road riding was never going to be a big part of what I do, but it is nice to have a bike that can handle the park trails within the city.
The Swift is an easy and fun bike to ride. The small wheels give it a different character and define much of its personality, but there's little compromise in weight or rigidity in exchange for its folding ability. Think of it as a rigid bike that's easier to get through doors. When winter comes, it will take up less space, but ride-ability has clearly been a bigger priority than fold-ability. Folding for the original Swift was considered more of an anti-theft bring-it-inside feature than a crowded-train-commuting necessity, so make sure you're buying the right bike for your needs.
Speaking of anti-theft, locking a bicycle is always a poor alternative to having it somewhere secure inside. But when the seat post of the Swift is removed, the bike is free to fold. Locking it in a folded configuration is bound to confuse people, but also shows off the value of the bike. Instead, I'll just lock the Swift normally and bring the seat post (with its attached crossrack and bag) with me when I need to run in to a store. I suspect that trying to ride the bike without the seatpost to hold it together would end badly and quickly.
But why...?
As an enthusiastic Xootr Mg kick-scooter rider, why did I buy a bike? The scooter is also fun and efficient, and for short distances its slower speed is compensated for by how easy it is to deal with when not riding it. It's easier to get through doors, and there's no need to lock it up and/or leave it somewhere else. For my little 2km-ish commute, it's probably the better choice. But I'm on my feet most of the time at work: a bike lets me sit down, and pedaling is easier than kicking. But the big reason to add a bike is for the recreational exercise and the ability to get to places that I wouldn't otherwise go. I've said it already, but this bike is great fun to ride, and it's practical too. It has a longer range than the scooter, and mixes better with traffic. There may not really be a need for both, but there's certainly room for them.
The One-Month Update:
I've now had another twenty days on the Swift, and have liked it more with every ride. It's quick, agile, and still stable enough for me to ride without hands - something I've never done before. Granted, I can't do it for very long, but once again that's my fault and not the bike's. While my longest ride has yet to break 20km, the bike is comfortable, reliable, and lets me play in traffic with the best of them. I'm capable of rolling along at a pace that lets joggers pass me and then jumping up to a speed that lets me merge with the cabbies when something blocks my lane. I can't think of a better bike for my urban riding, and see no reason why I'd ever want big wheels ever again.
Next spring I may start switching out some components. The stock pedals aren't bad; they're grippy and light, but they're also cheap and aren't the aesthetic highlight of the bike. The stock Kwest tires are very good, but I'd like to get a 2" Big Apple tire on the front of this New York design, and a faster 100-psi 1.5" slick on the back. I think that'll give a great mix of comfort and speed on my thudbuster-equipped ride. New brakes and levers might also be in order, but that's getting to the point of changing things just for the sake of changing things. What can I say? I love to tinker and accessorize.
I realize that there's no such thing as a 'best' or 'perfect' bike, because everyone will have different needs and desires. There's no best camera, car, or shoes, either. But no matter how hard I try, I can't find anything to complain about on the Swift. Sure, it would be great if it was outfitted with top-tier components and was given out for free, but the bike is rock solid, shifting is snappy, and it's quite reasonably priced. After ten days of riding, I'd given this bike twin scores of 4/5, which is nearly perfect. With a few more kilometers under the tires, I've had to bring it up to a perfect 2x 5/5. This is only the third time in I've given that score in over a hundred reviews, and I don't do it lightly now. I just can't find any reason for it not to get the top possible marks.
Updated 27 July 2011: my two-year report on the Xootr Swift can be found here. But in a nutshell, I still like it.
Concept: 3 out of 5 Execution: 2 out of 5 Yeah, but: A disposable price that doesn't need disposable batteries.
The Long Version: I have a thing for lights, and a thing for bike accessories. I also have a thing against buying batteries - small, recurring costs bug me. So when I found this little hand-cranked dynamo bike light, I knew I was going to give it a try.
I haven't been using it long enough to have a good sense of the durability of the Filzer Dynamo, but it seems well-built and has a nice and slightly grippy surface. The light itself is modest with a blue tint, which is good for making the bike visible at night, but isn't going to light the cyclist's way. Personally, I like my lights bright enough that they help my visibility during the day. Canadian cars and trucks have their lights on all the time, and if it helps a six-fool-wide multi-ton vehicle get noticed, I don't see how it can hurt skinny little me.
Mountain Equipment Co-Op sells this light for $8.75. It's hard to beat that price, especially since it has a built-in rechargeable battery. So the fact that it isn't the brightest bulb isn't really unexpected. It's far, far, far better than nothing, which is exactly what it's likely to replace for most bikes. If the batteries run down they can be fixed faster than a flat tire. For more serious lighting needs - getting my arse hit by a car is an ongoing concern of mine - I'd suggest getting a brighter battery light to use in combination with this one. When I have the second light I can foresee adding a diffuser material to the Dynamo to increase its visibility from the sides.
One of the interesting things about the three LED dynamo light is that it feels really nice to hold. It has an oval profile, and the crank handle folds back into the body when it's not in use. Frankly, it makes a pretty decent flashlight for general use, and it's so cheap that there's no reason not to have one around. Ah, if only it was that easy.
The Dynamo light comes with a really big caveat: the batteries self-discharge, and if they're allowed to stay discharged, then they won't hold power any more. If that happens, then this eco-friendly fossil-fuel-free-transportation-enabler is heading for the local landfill. That's got to be the height of counter-productive irony. It also means that this can't just be put in a glove compartment or emergency kit until it's needed. You'll also need to take it off the bike and occasionally crank it while the bike's in storage over the winter. No problem, of course - as I mentioned before, it does double duty as a flashlight... except that the streamlined shape that's so comfortable to hold makes it too bulky to put in anything less than a coat pocket.
The Filzer 3-LED dynamo is a good light: not the brightest, but not the most expensive either. Every bike should definitely have a light, and if the care and feeding of the dynamo sounds acceptable, then there's no reason why it shouldn't be this one. Riding an unlit bike is inexcusably stupid when there's such a cheap and serviceable light on the market.
The Two-Week Update: Some additional use has shown me one more trait of this light. I still consider it to be a decent-if-modest light, but I've noticed that it rattles. Not much, and not loudly, but it bugs me. I may be over-sensitive, but now when I know that I'm not going to be riding during or after dusk, I'll leave it at home or carry it in my bike bag.
Concept: 2 out of 5 Execution: 4 out of 5 Yeah, but: Who needs a test ride?
The Long Version: I hate shopping, but I like buying, and enjoy doing research. Going into a store and being lost and uncertain bothers me - it makes me feel lost and uncertain. But in this brave electronic internet world, there's lots of information and options available, and I feel right at home with it.
Buying a bike is always an interesting experience. My first bike (as an adult capable of making purchasing decisions) was picked out of a lineup at a manufacturers warehouse sale. I knew nothing about it, but it turned out pretty well. It was a mountain bike, pre-suspension era, and it was blue. After some time, I decided to get more serious, and bought an exotic road bike. I lusted after it for months before I bought it, and although I flirted with a couple of others and went on some test-rides, my original this-is-better obsession held firm. It was a great bike, too. It was heavier than comparably priced road bikes, but had full suspension, and riding it felt more like flying. The only place where you'd be likely to see one is at a triathlon, and even there they were serious machines. They're even more exotic now, since the company now only makes bike racks, so so much for that.
It's been many years since I've actually ridden a bike, and a year since I finally sold my old racer. Cycling had stopped being fun; the skinny road bike needed the fancy shoes and wardrobe, which turned transportation into a special event, and the mountain bike somehow never took back its primary role. I was obsessed with being Serious and somehow, even when I realized that the mountain bike was just more fun, it wasn't enough. And getting bikes in and out of the house / up the stairs / on and off an elevator was just a hassle, and then where do I store the thing?
Now I've had several changes that put me into a better frame of mind. I've stopped taking myself seriously, and learned to slow down and be less competitive overall. (Riding a scooter is good for that.) I'm happier and spend less time working, have tremendous support at home, and live in a much more bike-friendly area. And with the BMI steadily trending upward, it was time to get back into the only physical activity that I actually like. It was time to have a bike again.
Shopping for a bike took weeks of varying levels of intensity. Sometimes I was just idly thinking about it, other times I was staying up late to read just a few more reviews. What I was looking for was a bike with small wheels, making it easier to use the elevators and navigate halls and doors. Folding is an asset - and practically assured with the 20" wheels - but I just want one that can be folded for winter storage, not necessarily the ability to hop on and off crowded trains or take it into stores on errand runs. Fenders and a rack are a hassle for small wheels, so having them included with the bike is a bonus. Suspension makes life more pleasant, and I want decent tires that can take a pothole or two. Riding my Xootr scooter needs constant vigilance to avoid pebbles, twigs, and cracks in the sidewalk, so I really want a bike that doesn't have racer-skinny sneakers. There are also some hard-packed dirt trails nearby, so some off-road versatility is also on my list.
Research on the internet is a funny thing. Manufacturers sites are great for specifications and publicity photos, but they're low on real-world perspective. Consumer aggregate sites, with their pro-con lists and star ratings, encourage short-form reaction but there's not enough room to develop a narrative. The source I found most useful are the blogs where people write about their own stuff. That's actually a little scary, because I know someone who writes one of those, and it just shows me that anyone can be an authority. So as with everything, it's reader beware, and just because Google ranks it on the first page doesn't mean it's been peer-reviewed. But with that in mind, there's a lot of good stuff out there, and I've enjoyed being the reader for a change.
At various points I had decided for certain on four different bikes. I've liberated their publicity photos to create the nightmare of a mashup that forms the illustration for this review. There's a Dahon, which contributes the front wheel, fork, and fender; a Bike Friday, which provides the seat, seatpost, handlebars, and steeting column; a Xootr, which is the main frame; and an Airnimal for the rear triangle, drivetrain, and suspension. These bikes are all folding designs with 20" wheels, three of them have (or offer) some sort of suspension, and three of them are essentially internet-only in Canada. The Dahon is the cheapest of the four by a good margin, is available locally, and there's lots of them on the streets. Naturally, it's not the one I chose.
Eventually it came down to two bikes. They're pretty comparable: neither is exactly perfect, but I could flip a coin and be happy with either one. The deciding factor turned out to be customer service. One would have to be ordered through my local bike store, and they must be too busy to have been able to answer either of the price/availability e-mails that I sent them over the past ten days. The other brand was orderable straight from the manufacturer, and after a very quick e-mail exchange to sort out the shipping options and a small amount of customization, it was done. My shipping notification from the carrier was sent less than five hours after I placed the order.
I'm not actually going to say which one I picked, because that's not really the point. It will be reviewed here sooner or later, along with a host of other cycling-related stuff. The purpose of this article is really to consider the process. This is the second bike that I bought after extensive internet research, and the second bike that I've bought without any test-rides, but it's the first time I've done both of those together and bought one that I've never even seen in person. Obviously, if I was a Serious Cyclist I wouldn't be doing this, just like if I was a Serious Audiophile I wouldn't have bought my speakers (An SVS subwoofer and pair of Kef XQ1's) off of the Internet without ever hearing them. I'm not looking for custom or cutting-edge, but I'm also not willing to walk into the store and take what the salesperson wants to sell me. Finding information from a wide variety of sources has never been easier, and with some good insight the inconsistencies can usually be sorted out. I haven't been burned so far, and shopping on the internet is almost a hobby in itself.
In a week or two, I'll be able to say whether I'd do it this way again.
Concept: How good the underlying idea is. Originality counts.
Execution: How well the idea has been realized. Bad ideas can be done perfectly, and vice-versa.
Unless explicitly and prominently noted, any products or services discussed here have been bought with our own money from normal retail channels, and the opinions offered are not sponsored, endorsed, paid for, or compensated in any way.
However, there's no such thing as a truly unbiased opinion. All thoughts here are simply those of the people who write them, and should be given the appropriate consideration and viewed in the context of the individuals' experience.
that stick out into space. I wonder why the crossrack didn't happen sooner.
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