- Swift Folder
TOCleftThe Swift Folder is a
folding bicycle , designed by Peter Reich of Design Mobility Inc. inBrooklyn , New York, in collaboration withJan VanderTuin of theCenter for Appropriate Transport in Eugene, Oregon.The Swift Folder is available from Design Mobility as a bare frame for customers to build up themselves, or assembled into a complete bicycle to the customer's requirements. The bicycle is also sold under license by
Xootr as the Xootr Swift, fully assembled to one standard specification.Folding System
The Swift Folder design employs a vertical folding method, using the seat-post and a split seat-tube as the locking mechanism.
To fold, the seat-post is released from the two parts of the seat-tube by their respective quick release clamps, then pulled up into the upper part of the seat-tube to unlock the frame. A pivot in the main frame tube then allows the rear triangle (comprising the seat-stays, chain-stays and the lower portion of the seat-tube) and rear wheel to swing down and forward under the main tube. The seat-post is then slid back down through the upper part of the seat-tube to lock the rear wheel in the folded position.
To unfold, the seat-post is again pulled up to allow the rear triangle to swing back and up into the normal riding position. The seat-post is then slid down through the upper and lower parts of the seat-tube, locking the rear triangle and wheel into place.
The Swift frame is simple and robust, and allows a quick fold, but when folded is not as compact as some other folding bicycle designs. The bottom bracket forms part of the folding rear triangle, and as a result the bottom bracket to rear fork-end distance remains constant throughout the fold. This keeps the chain tension constant, which is an advantage when the Swift frame is used in a fixed-gear, single speed, or
hub gear bicycle.Construction
The Xootr Swift frame is manufactured from aluminium alloy, while the fork is "
chromoly " steel. Design Mobility's Swift Folder uses steel for both the frame and fork. Both frames are assembled with TIG welding. Both frames are generally built to common "industry-standard" sizes and threads, and can accommodate a wide variety of gear systems, brakes and other components.The Swift Folder is normally fitted with "20 inch" wheels. The standard
ISO 5775 wheel size is 406mm (traditionally known as 20 x 1.5 to 20 x 2.125), the same size used on mostBMX bicycles. A wide variety of tyres is available in this size.References
* A to B Magazine Feb/Mar 2001
* New York Magazine July 28, 1997External links
* [http://www.swiftfolders.com Swift Folder home page.]
* [http://www.xootr.com/xootr/swift/bikes.shtml Xootr Swift home page.]* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBIwu-q5lX0 YouTube video of Xootr Swift folding and unfolding.]
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