Singular Swift 29er Singlespeed Review
Singular Cycles is a small frame manufacturer from UK specializing in 29er bikes. Although I’ve coveted one of these steel steeds for quite some time, they only recently became available here in the United States and are exclusively distributed by The Prairie Peddler in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin.
A quote from Singular’s website tells the following:
Singular Cycles brings you bikes for the type of riding you do. A blend of modern concepts with proven design and materials makes for beautiful bikes, which ride like a dream.
We’ve become disillusioned with ever more fragile bikes and components which offer no real benefit to the everyday rider who wants a bike which rides sweetly, looks lovely, and doesn’t need replacing every year.
Singular Cycles – singularly distinctive bicycles.
When the package first arrived, I remember opening it to find the Swift frame inside, the glorious shade of blue, vintage style logo, smooth welds, and the bling of a Phil Wood eccentric bottom bracket…an overall classic and clean look. It was love at first site. Even today, I own several bikes, but this one is the one that gets a lot of my attention and gets pampered.
The introduction of 29ers to market is still relatively new which lends for increased experimentation to their counterparts. Nothing is “written in stone” so to say. Singular’s geometry is quite unique. The head angle is a bit on the steep side as well as the top tube. The seat angle is slacker which we really liked because there isn’t much of the bike sticking out behind you when riding. It sports a Reynolds extra long 485mm axle-to-crown rigid fork with a 48mm offset.
I set the bike up to be fully rigid and have ridden off-road as well as on pavement. It is a fun bike to ride on both!
Being fully rigid takes a little getting use to when riding off-road…the first couple of times out your arms will be quite sore. However, after a few outings your arms will become more tolerant and you will find the advantages of a lighter front end providing a very agile bike. The bike was very flickable over the rough stuff and with the 29″ wheels ironed over obstacles on the technical sections of the terrain. An unfamiliar feeling was that of the geometry never changing on a climb or descent…this because there was no flex from suspension. I love suspension, but as much as I love suspension, I loved this feeling as well. I promise that if you get out on a fully rigid bike you’ll discover this love too!
On pavement…you can’t ask for much more of an enjoyable ride. I’ve ridden the bike with my girlfriend a few times out on the paved trails and although she is a real head turner as well I’m at a loss for who’s company I enjoy more. This bike just puts a smile on my face at all times.
If you’re in the market for a cross country trail bike and interested in a bike that can be setup as rigid or geared, then give this frame serious consideration. It is a real head turner, one that gets you instant respect whether on dirt or asphalt.
Interested in purchasing? Contact The Prairie Peddler.
Prairie Peddler
theprairiepeddler.blogspot.com
200 West Blackhawk Avenue
Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821-1425
(608) 326-7357
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