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How cool/useful is the Specialized SWAT Storage Box? Do you use it?

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36K views 62 replies 33 participants last post by  dutchronnie  
#1 ·
Thinking of selling my 2012 Stumpy FSR comp 29er to buy a Stumpy FSR Carbon 6Fattie. I'm considering this bike over all others in carbon just because of the SWAT storage compartment. I love riding without a camelback and this would allow me to store tube, tools, etc very conveniently.

Do you use your SWAT storage?

Does it stay water tight?

Is it worth buying a carbon frame bike just for SWAT?

I have a carbon FAT Bike but don't necessarily need a carbon Full Suspension bike, aluminum has done great for me.

Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I bought without thinking much of the SWAT stuff, yet it proved itself invaluable quite quickly. I love it.

Thinking of selling my 2012 Stumpy FSR comp 29er to buy a Stumpy FSR Carbon 6Fattie. I'm considering this bike over all others in carbon just because of the SWAT storage compartment. I love riding without a camelback and this would allow me to store tube, tools, etc very conveniently.

Do you use your SWAT storage?
-YES

Does it stay water tight?
-Haven't tried

Is it worth buying a carbon frame bike just for SWAT?
-If you hate wearing a pack, yes

I have a carbon FAT Bike but don't necessarily need a carbon Full Suspension bike, aluminum has done great for me.
-Rider's preference really

Thoughts?
 
#3 ·
SWAT is ok for the local trails, but for the bigger rides away from home I don't feel safe leaving my backpack at home.

Just an example of things I can't bring when I go pack-less:
-1,50 lt water supply
-fruits or a bigger meal
-more than 1 tube
-place to stuff a jacket or warm clothes

A (hydration?) hip pack (or stuffing my shorts) is OK for summer, but for the cool season I don't have enough room.

And don't forget that if you go pack-less you must find a place for keys, cellphone, a minimal medikit, small repair kit and a couple of bars. With shorts like the Endura Single Track I can stuff my wind jacket in the rear pocket but it's far from ideal.

So in the end... SWAT is ok for local rides.
 
#7 ·
You really bring all that on a ride? Multiple tubes?

In my swat I have a tube, 2 levers, cO2 cartridge, pump, 2 energy snacks, and water bottle. If it's cooler than 70f out this gets me through a 20 mile ride with a couple thousand feet of ascending.

SWAT is ok for the local trails, but for the bigger rides away from home I don't feel safe leaving my backpack at home.

Just an example of things I can't bring when I go pack-less:
-1,50 lt water supply
-fruits or a bigger meal
-more than 1 tube
-place to stuff a jacket or warm clothes

A (hydration?) hip pack (or stuffing my shorts) is OK for summer, but for the cool season I don't have enough room.

And don't forget that if you go pack-less you must find a place for keys, cellphone, a minimal medikit, small repair kit and a couple of bars. With shorts like the Endura Single Track I can stuff my wind jacket in the rear pocket but it's far from ideal.

So in the end... SWAT is ok for local rides.
 
#5 ·
Great input so far, that I pretty much agree with.

If you're going on a long, fun ride, odds are you'll use a backpack, and you can carry a more complete (and robust) set of tools with you. If you're racing, especially something on the short end, you're probably out of the running with most mechanicals anyway, so having tools on board isn't a help in that respect.

However, if you just want to jump on the bike, pop in a water bottle or two, and ride for a while, it is handy to not need to bring a pack. I think this scenario is the sweet spot for SWAT.
 
#6 ·
In the process of building my SWAT equipped bike, so don't have first hand feedback, yet. I am obsessed with getting weight off my back. To that end, whether I use my 3L pack, my fanny pack, or a water bottle, the prospect of having a tube, levers, snacks, etc reside permanently off of my back and low in the frame is very palatable. So...I think it will be useful on every ride.
 
#14 ·
I am beyond sold on SWAT. On quick rides, all I have to do is fill a bottle and go. For longer rides it means I now use a Camelbak Palos (read: fanny pack) to carry everything else. 24oz bottle on the bike, 50oz bladder in the pack, and my back doesn't get sweaty and gross.

My SWAT compartment on my Fuse Expert Carbon holds a 650Ă—3" tube, Specialized Airtool high volume pump, tire lever, tubeless plug kit, and still has room for a shedded jersey or some snacks.

SWAT is something that once you have, you will always want.
 
#23 ·
How the heck are you guys cramming all that stuff into your SWAT? I tried to cram the tube that came with my Stumpy 6Fattie into the SWAT (so I guess a 650x3) and I don't think I could fit one more thing in there. I figured I would put a much smaller tube in there so I can fit in more stuff. After all, I'm hoping to only use the tube in emergencies so I'd guess running a traditional 29er tube would be fine to get me home. Any suggestions on packing the SWAT box?
 
#26 ·
I can fit a tube, c02 kit, tire levers, chain tool, energy bars, hanger, missing link etc. With room to spare but I have a XL frame. I ditched the backpack and now just carry a fanny pack with my cell phone, keys, etc. It's a cool feature just like the Eagle 1x12 on my Pro model but I don't think there must have's. Convenient and cool but I wouldn't buy one bike over the other based on swat or eagle
 
#28 ·
Convenient and cool but I wouldn't buy one bike over the other based on swat or eagle
I spent the holiday in Moab and was able to get my first rides in on my XL 650b, so I have some thoughts on the SWAT storage. First---I use a Source Hipster pack, so I do have some places to carry other "junk" outside of the frame.

---for anything that is not soft (i.e. mini tool, CO2, etc) make sure it is wedged tightly in the frame. the racket that those items can make on a high speed descent is beyond distracting. even the CO2 cartridges made noise in the provided sleeve.
---the inner surface of the frame is unfinished and very abrasive. as things move about and shift during the ride or pulling the protective sleeves in/out, the sleeves already have holes worn in them. This is after 3 total rides.
---the screws securing the bottle cage to the SWAT door refuse to stay tight and do not come with pre applied lock tite. This ends up resulting in another source of distracting noise.
 
#29 ·
I think of it as a glove compartment.

Now that cold weather is here I might want a warm pair of gloves or a spare dry pair. They fit nice and travel quietly.

I only put clothes and food in there, if anything.

I have always tried to make every bike I've had self sufficient, to hop on and ride, so when SWAT came along I was all for it.

The carbon bottle cage that came with my bike is the least favorite shape I have. For some reason I have a hard time putting the bottle back in. I have given it a long time, thinking I would get the hang of it. But no, it just doesn't agree with me. I need to change it.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk
 
#31 ·
Don't you know saddlebags aren't cool bro? I kid I kid. Man I used to rock the crap out of a small saddle bag. Now days I'd take all kinds of crap from my crew if I rocked one. Picking up my first SWAT infused bike today from the shop. I'll chime in after a few rides as a new user. It wasn't a major selling point for me, but I always do ride prepared so I am looking forward to getting a few items off of my back.
 
#35 ·
I have used lots of xpensive sadle bags and they all tore eventually. Fitted a swat box.... use the Spez super thin inner tube rolled tight in talkin powder and in its own ziplock bag, have space for 60ml Stans, 60ml Smoove, patches, tyre lever, big CO2 can... not much more space left or needed.

This is "toolbox" .... so either this or a Wobly shaking sadle bag... food, gels and drinks should be in Bottles, Camebak or pockets.

Can't comment on new inframe swat... BUT would like to have one of those new frames!!!
 
#37 ·
So when you buy a new Specialized mtb with SWAT, what does it come with? Do you get all the SWAT accessories included in the price of the new bike, or do you have to buy them seperately? And what is all included? (Multitool? Chainbreaker and quick link? Pump? Levers? Sleeve? Other?) Thanks.
 
#38 ·
For camber, stumpjumper, enduro: Comp carbon models come with the zee cage, burritos inside and the slot for the multitool. Expert/elite carbon models add the multitool. Pro and S-Works add the chain tool and quick link.

All Levo models get zee cage with tool.

Fuse Expert Carbon and S-Works Carbon get zee cage with tool, two burritos, too cap chain tool.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
 
#40 ·
I've been embracing the SWAT box on my 3 week old carbon Expert 29/6Fattie warranty frame. I got the door and the water bottle cage but NONE of the other standard equipped items like the downtube bags, etc. I thought it would be nice to have the bags for tube/pump/CO2 protection so I had my homies at the shop look up and order them. I thought they were a bit ridiculously priced when I was charged $26 otd for the 2 puny bags but I went along with it. Turns out days AFTER I ordered and paid, I was in the shop and they told me they found out that price was THEIR dealer cost less shipping, markup, yada-yada. I figured we see where the "chips fall" when they got here. They came in the other day and I got the call. Get this....the retail for those 2 f**cking sacks is $80, yes EIGHTY!! :lol: Once again, I'm screaming "Oh My Sack!" So, if you got them with your complete bike, don't lose them if you like them!