If we remember correctly, it was Chris Chance of Fat City Cycles fame who first coined the phrase "Sport Utility Bike". This was long, long ago -- like late 80's old, when the Yo Eddy! and Wicked Fat were first let loose to the world. It's a pretty handy concept, the SUB. And given the fleeting fame of Fat Chance, it's a surprise that no one else co-opted it and made a big end run by marketing the daylights out of it. It got us to thinking: What, exactly, would a true SUB do? If you get fixated on the "utility" word, then we know what it wouldn't need to be: Expensive, attention-grabbing, needy for maintenance, lightweight, pedal-efficient, etc, etc. In other words, it's something totally different than what most of us probably use now as an SUB: A high-zoot bike from 3 years back chock-full of worn out XTR. A true SUB would be a beast far afield from a retired race bike -- it'd need to have the heft of a half-track, the stolid handling of a pack mule, and an adequately anonymous mien so it won't be the sure-thing bike ripped off when you dart into the liquor store. With the Swobo Folsom, we get Swobo's ideal of SUB extraordinaire. You want simplicity? It's a singlespeed. No shifters, no derailleurs, no cables or housing. It's not a fixie, though its beefy rear-entry dropouts make it easily retrofittable into one. It foregoes hand brakes for a coaster brake. You can relive childhood glories of fishtailing in the driveway, not to mention safely answer your cell phone, sip a Shiner Bock, or flip off a cabbie -- never once compromising your ability to stop on a nickel. Beyond simplicity is the easy handling of the Swobo Folsom: Its geometry falls somewhere between that of an Electra Townie and a singlespeed you'd buy for racing -- predictable without being stupidly, dangerously slow to steer. Its 4" riser handlebar accentuates this stability, while giving it added capability to meet a wide range of fit needs. And stylish anonymity comes in spades with its clear coated, matte primer grey finish. The sparkle of the small Swobo decal on the top tube is the only thing that makes it distinguishable from the lamppost you'll find yourself chaining it to at Happy Hour. Do your joys of riding include: Eating good pizza, drinking lots of beer, then drunkenly slaloming down the sidewalk; impressing your 4-year-old-on-training-wheels with your sub-3 second wheelies; running red lights whilst smirking at the drones in their luxury sedans? If your answer is "yes" to any of these or other similar questions, then the pure simplicity of the Swobo Folsom is right up your alley. Components on the Folsom are comfy where it counts -- the Swobo grips and saddle feel best in street clothes, not lycra. And they're as tough as the Big City itself where it matters: The Swobo rigid alloy fork, Shimano coaster brake, Truvativ crankset, and 36-hole wheelset will laugh at obstacles both big and small. The oversized 7005 aluminum frameset has the sensitivities of a garbage truck. It's a bash-proof beast sure to last forever twice or three times. The Swobo Folsom comes in two sizes: A 16" model suited for riders 5'1"-5'9", and a 20" model for riders 5"10-6'4". This ain't Seven Cycles brain surgery here: Adjust the fit by jacking the saddle up or down, and shoving it forward or back. Rotate the bars closer or further away to dial in the bar reach. Please note this item will require a small amount of assembly on arrival. Folsom Price: $499.00
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configure/buy Folsom
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