MK5 Swift

It’s several years overdue, but I recall some excitement on here a year or two pre-pandemic about the MK5 Singular Swift. It looks like Sam finally has some final pre-production frames that he’s testing and a provisional availability of Summer this year.

Pricing will be important (looking at current Singular steel frames I’d guess that it’ll be out of my range, but I’m happy with my 2016 version), but all in all it’s looking encouraging!

https://www.facebook.com/SingularCycles

Was always tempted by a Swift when they were 500 quid frame and fork, but yeah, suspect they will double at least. Even a Krampus is £900/950 nowadays, and the Swift will be nicer steel.

Was hoping for more of a sloped top tube, and the seat angle looks very relaxed in the other photo, but nice to see they are making a comeback. Given the new stooge speedbomb is, I believe, £800, can’t see these being under four figures.

Looks like an old QR fork, but that might just be because it’s a sample frame.

Given the new stooge speedbomb is, I believe, £800, can’t see these being under four figures.

OTOH the slightly crazy prices of 2nd hand stooges shows there’s definitely an unmet demand for “British” steel bikes.

the seat angle looks very relaxed in the other photo

The Dirtball has a ton of extra tubing and welding though. Probably wishful thinking but it would be nice if it was back to a more ‘normal’ price.

I think there’s a good justification for it not being steep on a rigid bike and in particular a singlespeed. You’re more likely to want maximum seated power (i.e. a balance between quads and glutes) on the flat or a slight incline. Whereas a geared bike you don’t care so much and want the power/weight distribution when your sat spinning up a steep slope. And for your own comfort you’re not going to want the front end so low and your weight over it without suspension on long rides.

always liked a singular, that looks lovely

OTOH the slightly crazy prices of 2nd hand stooges shows there’s definitely an unmet demand for “British” steel bikes.

it shows that small batches of stooges have a bit of cult following because they are well awesome n that. There are folks trying to sell more normal stuff like brother cycles big bros etc and the prices keep dropping and folks still aren’t that interested.

The Dirtball has a ton of extra tubing and welding though. Probably wishful thinking but it would be nice if it was back to a more ‘normal’ price

not with global manufacturing prices and the cost of shipping these days!

Was hoping for more of a sloped top tube, and the seat angle looks very relaxed in the other photo

I’m guessing this is Sam’s, so it’ll be XL, so smaller models will probably be more slopey.

And the seat tube is bent, so the effective angle from BB to saddle is greater than the actual angle of the seatpost itself. And there’s an EBB in there, so depending on your gearing choice, you can set it rearward in the frame to steepen the angle a bit further.

Edit: just seen the seatpost is bent, too!

tazzymtb

There are folks trying to sell more normal stuff like brother cycles big bros etc and the prices keep dropping

tell me more……

Looks like an old QR fork, but that might just be because it’s a sample frame.

Pretty sure that both ends will be full boost bolt thru in production.

I commented on FB to Sam, this doesn’t, but production model with have an EBB, boost spacing both ends, tapered headtube so will happily take sus fork… he said geometry and head angle is slightly old-school, but in a good way.

Never owned a Swift, have a Gryphon and a Peregrine here, so would of been so tempted.. but i have pre-ordered the Speedbomb…. tempted to have a rigid SS Speedbomb and a geared, sus fork Swift now though!

Any one want a slightly knackered kidney?

Gryphons are about to appear and they are 900. Swift looks quite similar but I see more bendy tubes. Think the days of cheap-but-nice frames for <500 are done. I am waiting for a Gryphon though so hopes its nice!

I should have clarified, it looks good, and the comment on price was an expectation it will be around a grand, which seems the going rate, compared to brother, surly etc

I wish he’d kept the old geometry and just updated the head tube, seat tube for a dropper and bolt through as the original pedals so well

Geometry’s pretty much the same as the MK4 I think, certainly not hugely different.

Geometry’s pretty much the same as the MK4 I think, certainly not hugely different

MK4 newbies, MK1 FTW 😉

get Sam to order you a ti one, then you can have the geometry you’d like 🙂

Pre-orders are finally up – Swift Mk5 steel frameset – singularcycles

Due for delivery in August.

I’ll be sticking with my Mk4 but I know quite a few folk were interested.

So tempted. Must resist.

Very nice

Yep

Want. You just can’t beat the clean lines of a nice steel hardtail, especially 1x.

I’ve owned 5 Cotic bikes now, still have one (flare), but my riding has changed and is now tamer than ever (mostly gravel bike) so keep looking at hardtails… New Solaris is now available to pre-order but I don’t like the colours. I often look for second hand swifts online, or even a hummingbird, but I’ve never found one suitable.

I haven’t been in the market for a steel hardtail frame for a few years, and though I wasn’t shocked at them all being about £1,000 now, it’s a bit hard to swallow. I guess we just have to accept that’s what they now cost, you can’t have a ‘nice’ steel bike with SLX or equivalent quality components for under £3k.

It does seem that ‘the industry’ is going a bit full circle – mountain bikes have got more and more capable and so the terrain required is more extreme. Lots of people are now riding the stuff we used to just call trails or mountain biking that’s local on gravel/monstercross bikes, but they’ve limitations and end up somewhere near XC mountain bikes, so the logical next step is just to get one of those, which is what we mostly rode 15-20 years ago…

I’m rambling, but long live the nice steel hardtail, and as I’ve just put new 650b wheels in my flare, I’d better not order anything, probably…

I wonder how SPA cycles make there stuff so cheaply

The Rove is only £600 for frame and fork, and in Reynolds 725, with sliding dropouts, boost spacing, internal dropper routing

Shame they just went far too old school with the geometry

Pictures on the pre order link look great. Given the cost on all steel frames (and some aluminium) £950 frames etc seems decent vfm

I’d love a Mk5 but am still riding a Mk1 and can’t justify it in any way as the Mk1 just pedals so well and is all day comfortable……. Still my favourite bike after so many years.

I’d say there was no need to change the geo, maybe a little more clearance at the chainstay, but the Mk1 just feels perfect. Don’t know if that is years of fit adjustments and just being used to it but it feels like Sam nailed it first go……

I totally understand, regardless of how well the older models ride, that marketing and current trends dictate ‘on trend’ geo but I think the Mk5 has struck a balance between the old and what is needed to gain enough interest. It looks stunning to….. Classic Singular.

I’m probably way off, just trying to justify not spending a grand on a new frame……… 😉

Looks even better with the matching fork.

It’s an interesting one, i’d like to try the ‘old school’ geometry to see how it feels. I can see how it might work for its intended purpose, and fair play to Singular for sticking to their principles and what works. Only downsides for my preferences, are long chainstays (presumably for large tyre clearance) and 3 pack mounts angled inward. Fine for bottle cages but less so for cargo/dry bags.

Price seems about right for a low-volume UK based brand. Triple butted 4130 will be not far off 853 for tube wall thickness and weight, and it looks similarly ‘unashamedly XC’ as the Holt, though obviously the Holt has more modern geometry. Also, the price includes the fork, which is good. But it would also be nice to know the weight of a frameset if you’re dropping the best part of a grand on it though – even if it’s not a deciding factor.

I love my Mk4 (I think – the cream one?) but it’ll be sold when I get back from summer hols if anyone would like it.

XL with rigid fork, SLX groupset 1×11, Hope wheels, Ritchey finishing kit, Fabric Scoop saddle.

It’s been absolutely lovely but I’ve just treated myself to a Fairlight Secan

I see that the Swift Mk5 page on the Singular site has gone from pre-order to Buy Now, so I assume that they’ve arrived.

Did anyone get one? If so it’d be great to see any builds and hear folks’ thoughts.

Not arrived yet, still on the boat & a couple of weeks off landing 😉

Ah, I assumed that they’d arrived.

It’ll be interesting to hear what folk think of them when they do get here.

Oof!

It’s landed.

That is lovely and I’m very jealous.

Really tempted to get one of these, I just need to justify to myself how it will be loads betterer than my karate monkey.

Can I ask if the frame has an ED coating? And are the post mounts 160mm or 180mm?

painted steerer? it is that paint over some left on masking? Did like my old original swift

Yay! NBD!

That is a lovely blue, got any silver cranks and finishing kit to build it with?

I’m gutted that the clean line of the top tube is interrupted by those two unsightly mount holes & screws.

Mmm, I’m interested. I was looking for a Swift when the Vagabond popped up….

I’m gutted that the clean line of the top tube is interrupted by those two unsightly mount holes & screws.

Put some low profile silicon grommets in there if you’re not going to use them ?

Put some low profile silicon grommets in there if you’re not going to use them ?

In case you’re interested.

(Size large) frame weight…

Fork weight…

hmm – i guess all those mounts and bolts (&EBB?) add up! No getting around it being a fairly hefty frame…looks nice though!

(Size large) frame weight…

That is nearly 1kg heavier than the claimed weight of my Vagabond. Wow. I had assumed this would be lighter.