Singular Swift or On One Inbred?

[sillybigfella]

Thinking of getting one of these in the near future. Two questions; how are they for bikepacking, and how do you fare generally bikepacking with a singlespeed in somewhere like mid-Wales?

Cheers

[Ian]

I've owned a Swift, set up as a SS but never bike packed with it. The ride was really good, and was my first introduction to a 29er. I was surprised at how much extra traction there appeared to be and the large wheel ironed out the bumps to the extent that you didn't feel completely battered by riding rigid. I sold the Swift for a Pegasus, upon which I have done all my bikepacking in recent years.

No experience of an Inbred I'm afraid.

Bikepacking SS - yep, all my bikepacking is done this way. I find it fine. You can't ride everything, but I ride most things. I use 32:19. I've tried lighter gears and frankly it didn't seem to make it any easier, I was just slower. As far as SS is concerned, I like the fact that you don't have to worry too much about maintenance. It just works and keeps working.

[Bearbonesnorm]

My Inbred rides really well. It's never going to be a light frame but saying that, I don't think Swifts are stupidly light. I've considered chopping it in for a Scandal but the more I think about it, the more I think I'd miss the Inbred (always tend to ride steel frames).

If cash is an issue then I think an Inbred is a winner

[pedalhead]

Ian's pretty much said exactly what I would. The Swift rides really nicely considering it isn't the lightest thing in the world. The stock steel fork is very forgiving & I rarely missed suspension for the 6 months or so I was riding one. It's fine for loaded riding, relatively stiff for a steel frame imho. I do of course prefer the ride of my Ti frame but for the money I reckon the Swift is a great option. I've not ridden the On-One, which I'm sure is also a fine frame & great value.

Again, same as Ian, I run 32:19 on the loaded bike (32:18 at other times). That'll get me up pretty much anything that I could climb unloaded on the 32:18. The steepest climbs are a walk, but that's the lot of a singlespeeder anyway . Tbh, the weight of your gear will make more difference than anything else.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I run 2 rear cogs on the back of my SS, an 18t and a 20t which I can change between in a minute or so ... it's a bit of a faff but has proved useful for those multi-day trips where there's a real mix of terrain. I'm convinced (but may just be making it up in my head) that the 20t let me climb some mountain roads in France I wouldn't have managed on the 18.

One thing I do find when using a SS for trips, is I become much more concerned about the weight of my kit. When I'm using gears it doesn't concern me too much.

[sillybigfella]

I could get an inbred for 800 quid (geared), but have seen complete swift builds for just over a grand.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Think I put this together for about £750 with a bit of careful shopping*.

*Fat front wheel is no longer.

[sillybigfella]

I'd decided on a ss inbred with rigid forks, but on-one can't offer it as a complete build. The cost of buying the standard bike and then to buy rigid forks and paying for the labour to swap them over will probably make it too expensive. :( Shame really.....

And I'm poor show with a spanner.

[pedalhead]

Where are you based? I'm sure someone on here could help with the spannering...

Ah, Mid Wales. Well if you fancy a trip to the Cotswolds I can help out, though there are a few of your locals on here, without wishing to actually volunteer anyone :D

[Ian]

I'm handy with a spanner and can be paid in either whisky or beer :D

[Taylor]

I'm handy with a spanner and can be paid in either whisky or beer :D

He's a cheap date if he wants paid in beer!

[sillybigfella]

Cheers for the offers. I'll draw up the tender contract this weekend. :D Just a shame on-one couldn't be more flexible.

[Bearbonesnorm]

SBF I'm pretty much just up the road from you ... and don't drink

Shout up if you need a hand.

[valleydaddy]

You can pay Stu in tea bags because that boy does love a brew

[sillybigfella]

Yorkshire Tea or Tetleys?? Digestives or Custard Creams?? Mug or china cup??

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm very cheap ... those Lidl 29p for 80 tea bags are fine by me

[sillybigfella]

I've emailed Planet-X bikes and they're going to see what they can do. :)