A Nice Story About the Designer of the Swift
 

And he's down to 17 frames. They're almost gone.

The Last Days of the Swift Folder

The quote about the Ti Swift is interesting. Seems to suggest that this interview is old, since Titan started making the Ti Swift over 3 years ago - unless he's referring to a new design?

I thought the Ti Swift was @jur's design/effort. Or was it in collaboration with Peter Reich?

That was my understanding as well, although he contacted Reich and got his blessing. I'm curious to know more about what Reich was referring to - either he was referring to jur's design as his own (or the interviewer misunderstood him), or he was contemplating a new design with the same manufacturer that is already selling jur's version - which seems unlikely.

Hi all, just saw the name mention... Nice story about Peter Reich.

I think the Ti Swift he is referring to must be of his own design. There was an interested party for a Ti Swift a year or so ago, and we collaborated with Peter involved as well. Peter mentioned that he didn't like my hinge design and we kicked some alternatives to and fro. Other features were also discussed. But almost abruptly things went quiet and I didn't pursue it further. Maybe Peter did go further with it. I hope it turns out well.

Thanks for the clarification!

That Peter has only a few frames left to sell is sad news to me.
I bought one from him last year to build a back up bike for my Xootr.
I decided to have a back up bike because I don't want to end up someday without a Swift Folder. Never ever.
It's such a bike!
I hope someday there's many more batches of frames to come.
The design deserves to live on. It's probably the best bicycle on the planet.

That's exactly what the Xootr crew felt too.

I really want to share why Xootr stopped selling them, but I promised I wouldn't. Aaargh!

Suffice to say, it wasn't for lack of economic demand..

Some years ago I chanced on a blog by an architect, James Black who had a steel Swift fixed gear bike. I found it to be very appealing, but the steel version was more expensive than the Al ones made by Xootr. Even though I had since bought a Brompton, which I enjoy a lot, I bought a Xootr Swift and ride it in rotation with my other bikes. The James Black bike still appeals a lot, as the chromo frame seems more svelte and I still prefer steel to Al. If you aren't familiar with this beauty, check it out at james.architecture. burger.com. The Swift design is one of 3 iconic designs I have always thought to be amazing, the other being the Brompton and the F series Moultons. And, the hype is pretty much true...on smooth pavement it is about as fast as my 700 c bikes although I haven't gotten the gearing above 88 gear inches. The only change I would make would be to increase the wheelbase because I find the Bromptons longer wheelbase to really help its ride.

Hey, mlau. If the Alameda in your profile is in the Bay Area, we should grab a beer one day and chat. :)

I have always heard good things about the Swift - it is a shame they are no longer in production!

His Co designer now in Eugene , is getting older, and has , as I hear , Health issues ..

his versions: 4130 steel and added a front cargo capability.. ..

Totally!

I might take a tonic water though....I'm pretty bad with alcohol.

No worries. I'm on the east end of Alameda. If you see a Dahon Curl, that's me.

I might have seen you earlier!

I'm on a black beat up brompton, on the West end. My office is in South shore