Swift Folder
Encyclopedia
The Swift Folder is a folding bicycle
, designed by Peter Reich of Design Mobility Inc. of Brooklyn
, New York, in collaboration with Jan VanderTuin of the Center 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.
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.
is manufactured from TIG welded aluminium alloy, while the fork is "chromoly" steel. The frame is generally built to common "industry-standard" sizes and threads, and can accommodate a wide variety of gear systems
, brakes
and other components. The rear fork spacing can accommodate most standard road and mountain bike wheel-hubs.
The Swift Folder is normally fitted with "20 inch" wheels. The standard ISO 5775
wheel size is 406mm (traditionally known as 20x1 to 20x2.125), the same size used on most BMX
bicycles. A wide variety of wheels and tires is available in this size.
Folding bicycle
A folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings and workplaces or onto public transportation or more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane...
, designed by Peter Reich of Design Mobility Inc. of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York, in collaboration with Jan VanderTuin of the Center for Appropriate Transport
Center for Appropriate Transport
The Center for Appropriate Transport is an innovative non-profit community center, dedicated to bicycles and alternative transport. It is near the most extensive river bike trail in the United States, at 1st and Washington streets in Eugene, Oregon....
in Eugene, Oregon.
The Swift Folder is available from Design Mobility as a bare frame
Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
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
Xootr
Xootr is a manufacturer of folding kick scooters and folding bicycles. Xootr scooters are characterized by 180 mm polyurethane wheels with aluminium hubs, and a hand brake for the front wheel . Compared to the other folding scooters with smaller wheels, these larger wheels provide an easier ride,...
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
Hub gear
A hub gear, internal-gear hub, or just gear hub is a gear ratio changing system commonly used on bicycles that is implemented with planetary or epicyclic gears. The gears and lubricants are sealed within the hub-shell of the bicycle's rear wheel, as opposed to derailleur gears, where the gears and...
bicycle.
Construction
The Swift Folder frameBicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
is manufactured from TIG welded aluminium alloy, while the fork is "chromoly" steel. The frame is generally built to common "industry-standard" sizes and threads, and can accommodate a wide variety of gear systems
Bicycle gearing
A bicycle gear or gear ratio refers to the rate at which the rider's legs turn compared to the rate at which the wheels turn. Bicycle gearing refers to how the gear ratio is set or changed. On some bicycles, there is only one gear so the ratio is fixed. Most modern bicycles have multiple gears,...
, brakes
Bicycle brake systems
A bicycle brake is used to slow down or stop a bicycle. There have been various types of brake used throughout history, and several are still in use today...
and other components. The rear fork spacing can accommodate most standard road and mountain bike wheel-hubs.
The Swift Folder is normally fitted with "20 inch" wheels. The standard ISO 5775
ISO 5775
ISO 5775 is an international standard for labeling the size of bicycle tires and rims. The system used was originally developed by the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation . It is designed to make tire sizing consistent and clear. It replaces overlapping informal systems that ambiguously...
wheel size is 406mm (traditionally known as 20x1 to 20x2.125), the same size used on most BMX
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
bicycles. A wide variety of wheels and tires is available in this size.