Submitted by
ThreeD
a Cross Country Rider
from Attleboro,MA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2012
Strengths: 1. Looks, it is a very nice looking bike. I love the color. 2. The feel, it is the first all steel bike frame I've ever owned and wish that I hadn't of waited so long to get one. The bike is just a joy to ride and it seems to disappear underneath me when I'm on the trail. I've had people tell me that I ride the bike really well and that it fits me to a tee. It is a large and I'm 6'0" tall and plan on getting another frame to build up geared.
Weaknesses: I can't think of any.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is....I'd recommend this bike to anyone who wants a ride that is comfortable, cranks up hill, handles the downhills with confidence and is just a great looking bike.
Bike Setup: It is set up as a single speed, fully rigid. I've got Ragley Carnigie handlebars, Phil Wood Hubs, Thudbuster Long travel seatpost.
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Submitted by
tylerschwirtz
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2011
Strengths: Rides great, looks great, didn't cost too much!
Weaknesses: None so far, after riding a 40 lbs+ DH beast, my Swift feels like a feather
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! it handles better and climbs better than my 26" FS and does everything better than my 26" HT. It smooths out small stuff on the trail, rolls off larger obstacles, and is always a great ride!
I'm not sure if I'll stick with the SS setup but will keep this bike for a long time.
I have definitely recommended this bike to others.
The only issue I had was in ordering the frame. The Prairie Peddler took forEVER! He kept telling me he was about to ship the frame but it took over 3 weeks after he charged me and multiple emails and phone calls before it was even sent.
Overall, excellent bike, substandard customer service from distributor.
Similar Products Used: This is my first 29, haven't rode rigid since my Trek 820
Bike Setup: Rigid, e13 SS crank 32T, 18T with Surly spacer kit on X9 hubs with Arch Rims, Elixir 5s, Salsa Moto Ace 17degree sweep, Brooks B17 saddle (black)
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Submitted by
D Tope
a Cross Country Rider
from La Crosse, WI
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2011
Strengths: Built to take a beating! Solid welds! Awesome geometry! Can be built up to any spec you desire.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the best bikes that I have ever owned! It's super fast, roadies always take a second look when I pass them with my 2.1" tires and driving only a single speed. The steel frame is super comfortable on my 50 mile rides on the Rails to Trails Paths. This bike is an all arounder. I can not wait to put multiple gears on it so I can tackle some hilly rides. Did I mention that this bike is SUPER fast.
Submitted by
1x1mtb
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2011
Strengths: Fantastic value for the money! I bought just the frame and built the rest up myself. What a frame this is! Every inch of it is pure quality with serious attention to detail. I use mine for everything from quick 2 hour blasts to 2 week epics and it has performed flawlessly every time. I have built up and owned many bikes through the years, but this has to be my favorite by far.
Weaknesses: If I had to pick a weakness it would be that the frame is a tad heavy. Not super heavy for a steel frame, but those coming from years with aluminum frames will notice. For me this is not an issue because I too am a tad heavy so having a stronger frame is much appreciated when running rigid with gear! Besides, it is still lighter fully built than my S-Works Enduro!
Bottom Line:
If your on the fence, buy it! Singular products are fantastic! They have won my devotion with a great product and wonderful costumer service. My next two bikes I have in the works are both planned to be built on Singular frames!
Similar Products Used: Nothing recent, this is my first non-full suspension bike in a while.
Bike Setup: Rigid single speed with On-one Midge bars, BB7 road discs, Thomson cockpit, Surly hubs laced to Halo Freedom rims (fantastic with this bike), and Surly 32t ring with White Bros 18t Trials freewheel.
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Submitted by
Slackadaisical
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2011
Strengths: The great thing about the Singular Swift is it can be run with either an internal gear hub, dérailleur or SS set up [oh look, it’s got a Phil Wood EBB!]. Cable runs are well thought out and the brake guide on the top tube is off set out of the way, to the side meaning the frame can be shouldered and you won’t mangle your undercarriage when you come off [as it were]. The pick up test left me feeling that the frame could be lighter, but the test ride was an eye opener. The bike feels really planted, seems to roll with more purpose than a 26” bike and contrary to received wisdom [being a 29er], it climbs really well. Traction over a variety of surfaces is excellent too. Rarely do I feel the bike ‘let go’ over broken, uneven surfaces. The fork is deceptively well suited to the frame. Running a 180mm disc on a long steel fork means I get pronounced brake judder, although at the same time it does a surprising good job at smoothing out the ride. I considered it a matter of time before fitting a bouncy fork, but considering the quality of ride, my style of riding [ha!] and the lighter front end, I think I’ll keep the supplied fork for the foreseeable future.
Weaknesses: I’m going to have to nitpick here. The Swift could be a bit lighter, it would be nice to have a selection of frame colours to choose from and a lugged frame would be absolutely gorgeous. The bike would also cost a lot more. Tire clearance: can you have enough? No. You cannot! Stupid question...sorry! Currently I'm running 2.4" Racing Ralphs mated to a ZTR Flow rims. That’s a fat tire on a wide rim, which gives about 5mm of clearance either side at the back. That’s adequate. However, living in England means it’s inevitable that sooner or later you will start ploughing through sticky, gloopy mud. I really wouldn’t complain if there was a little more daylight to be seen there.
Bottom Line:
This is quite a lot of bike for the money. Well thought out, well made and well finished, with good attention to detail, i.e. all cabling options, the seat post slot is front facing keeping a lot of mud/grit etc. out and the welds are neat. The biggest revelation has been the way the miles have effortlessly rolled by, whether on trails, sand, un-ploughed fields or road. It’s been a great bike to ride. I can’t think of anything I’d be happier with for the money. If that was not enough Sam at Singular is a lovely chap to deal with. It’s just a question of getting hold of him when he’s not racing or out the country! Other than that, the Swift’s got a proper metal badge, WAHEY!
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Chameleon. The same. But different.
Bike Setup: Rohloff Hub with external click box, Hope BB, Mono Mini’s [braided hose] & Pro II Hub, Raceface Deus XC cranks, Blackspire Big-Slim pedals, Thompson Elite stem, On-One Mary bar, Cane Creek Thudbuster, Selle SMP saddle, Chris King No thread set, ZTR Flow’s with Racing Ralphs and lots of ‘copter tape.
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Submitted by
mikebike357
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, ME, USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2011
Strengths: Comfortable ride and predictable handling. Well made with a classic paint job. Flexible in that it can be run fully geared or single speed. Phil Wood eccentric bottom bracket high quality. Comes with a rigid fork if you choose to use it.
Weaknesses: A little heavy. Fox F29 fork crown knobs don't clear the cable guides on downtube (only an issue if you really wreck). Cane Creek +5mm headset helps with knob clearance. Limited (only one) color choice.
Bottom Line:
If you want a bike that is comfortable, handles well, looks awesome and doesn't say Trek, Gary Fisher, Niner, Specialized or Giant, look at Singular. The frame is a great $$ value for what you get. Probably spent around $1800 to build it up. Other frames I considered were the Surly Karate Monkey & Vassago Bandersnatch but chose the Singular on value & looks.
Similar Products Used: Lots of other 29ers in trying to find one I liked
Bike Setup: RS Rebas @ 100mm travel, XC setup
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Submitted by
Even Flow
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, SC
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2011
Strengths: Great ride feel, beautiful finish, overall quality
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I absolutely love this bike. I received it on a Friday and the next morning entered a 6hr race. I had never ridden a rigid bike nor a single speed nor a 29'r and still had a great ride. The ride feel is smooth and fast and nimble.
I stayed pretty modest with the component set-up but it is more solid than any of the stock bikes I was looking at and has so far been problem free. Right now my set-up is at 24lbs but rides lighter than that.
I like this bike so much that I just have no desire to ride my FS geared bike anymore.
The welds are clean and the paint is flawless. I get a lot of positive feedback about this bike.
Strengths: great "feel," value, aesthetics, versatility
Weaknesses: as others have noted, it is a bit heavy
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It is comfortable enough to ride all day- to me, that says a lot for a HT. Climbs, handles great. Descends better than I thought it would. Setup 1x9, but I like that it easily changes to 3x9 (or 2x10), and SS. EBB has not been an issue. And, it looks super classy. 4 overall chilis because it could be lighter... but I haven't ridden a lighter HT 29er that I like riding more than this.
Similar Products Used: Spot Longboard, Scott Scale
Bike Setup: 100mm squish fork, 1x9
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Submitted by
CB2
a Cross Country Rider
from West Hartford
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2011
Strengths: Quality, value, style
Weaknesses: a little heavy, no rack mounts
Bottom Line:
Well thought out geometry and refined handling. Came faced, chased, and frame-saved. Best rigid fork I've tried. Over the course of two New England Winters and Springs the Phil Wood EBB is still silent, and slip-free with minimal maintenance. Comes with a full compliment of housing guides in case you want to run it with gears (hose clips were included too).
Similar Products Used: salsa el mariachi, gt peace 9r multi, specialised camber pro 29er
Bike Setup: rigid, 1x9, mainly x.9/xt, x.9 hubs with stans flows rims and small block 8's
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Submitted by
pimpbot
a Cross Country Rider
from oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2011
Strengths: Creak Free EBB, great geometry, Amazing finish, Buttery smooth ride, great price, even at full list price. Stiff in the right ways, yet compliant in the right ways.
Weaknesses: A bit on the Heavy side (although, it doesn't ride like it). Front deralleur stop is in an odd place under the BB. Reba crown knobs contact down tube.
Bottom Line:
Love. This. Bike.
My favorite bike of all time. The thing gets up and hammers when asked, but doesn't rattle your bones over the choppy stuff. It floats over rough stuff. Great handling in the ribbony singletrack.
It's a bit heavy, but you don't feel it except on the scale. The blue PC finish is outstanding, but the Singular sticker chips a bit easily. My rubber coated U-Lock managed to chip it a bit.
Outstanding customer service from Sam at Singular, too. Great guy to deal with.
Bike Setup: Reba SL 100mm fork, XTR 180mm cranks with Homebrew Components spiderless ring, Homebrew Components two piece cog, Hope Mono Mini brakes, Titec H-Bar, total build about 24-25 pounds or so.
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Submitted by
SlowerThenSnot
a Cross Country Rider
from HURRICANE
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2011
Strengths: Well made, steel, philwood eeb that doesn't creak
Weaknesses: a bit heavy
Bottom Line:
This was a bike i built up for a buddy.
Its snappy, one of the best feeling rigid forks bar none... A surly KM or vassgo jabber handle like a pickup truck compared to this bike
its a great bike for the money that well let you try single or geared
If you want a well finished nice looking, versatile 29er then look no further. The welds are quality & the paint finish stunning. Its quick through the singletrack yet eats up the miles on the open trails. There's also loads of mud clearance for the winter months.
