Anyone have an Aegis Swift?

[emily_in_nc]

Hi! I have been looking on the web at various women's specific design bikes (I am 5'2" with a 28" inseam, 105 lbs.) and am especially interested in very light carbon or ti bikes as I ride a lot (club rides, training rides with DH, centuries, and multi-day events) and want to maximize my average speed potential and hill-climbing ability.

I currently have a Terry Isis that I love, but it is steel and heavier than so many of my riding partners' bikes, so I find that I am getting serious bike envy! I'm not quite ready to purchase another bike yet (only got the Terry last fall!!), but do see a possible upgrade in my future. ;)

I ran across the Aegis Swift (carbon) in my web search. They make smaller sizes for women, and I must admit that I fell in love with this bike from reading about it. It's very $$$ but sounds yummy! Does anyone on this forum have one and care to tell me if they love it as much as I think I would?! :)

Thanks!
Emily

[Kathi]

Yes, I'm riding an Aegis Swift and I love it! I've had it for 3 years and enjoy it as much today as I did when I got it. The ride is awesome, especially if you ride rough roads. Riders on alum frames avoid rough stuff that I plow right through. I saw a rider bunny hop a rough spot, everyone else went around it and I just rode right over it, hardly felt a thing. I find it very stable on the DH's and it seems to climb a lot better than my Cannondale did. I also find it to be a "springy" ride not dead like lots of people say carbon is.

I bought the frame and fork and my lbs built it. I have campy record components, a Specialities TA Crankset, Deda 4 girls short reach handlebars and Mavic Open Pro wheels. It weighs around 18lbs.

I'm exactly the same size as you and I get compliments on the fit when I ride it. I ride the 44cm.

My LBS ordered it for me, I did not go through a dealer or the company.

The only complaint I have is the paint chips easily.

Mine's an inside, outside fade - lupine and blueberry.

The company started making this frame in 1997 and designed it to be a small frame, it's not a cut down version of a big frame.

Yeah, it cost me a lot but I spend a lot of time on my bicycle (very much like what you describe your doing) so its worth it!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to brag about my Swift, it's an awesome little bike.

[emily_in_nc]

Kathi,

Thanks so much for your reply. I really enjoyed reading about your Swift. Your post confirms what I was thinking and imagining, and I am so glad that you mentioned the weight, which I forgot to ask about. Since Aegis seems to normally sell the frame and fork and then you have your LBS build the bike, no weights are given on their site, and I wondered. My Isis is between 22-23 lbs, and those 4+ lbs. would make a difference, I am sure.

I also thought I'd need the 44 cm size, and since you're the same size as me, that's probably the case. The smaller the better, really, as the smallest frame is the very lightest. ;)

The Swift will definitely be high on my wish list when the time comes to upgrade!

Thanks again!
Emily

[Kathi]

Glad to help. Do you have any suggestions for a small light weight mtn bike? I'm in the market for a new one and I'm not sure what I want. Even my LBS is not sure what I should buy.

Thanks,

Kathi

[emily_in_nc]

No, sorry - can't help here. I am strictly a road cyclist. I know that Terry used to make a mountain model, but I believe it has been discontinued. You might want to check their site just in case: http://www.terrybicycles.com.

Good luck in your search!

Emily

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Kathi
Glad to help. Do you have any suggestions for a small light weight mtn bike? I'm in the market for a new one and I'm not sure what I want. Even my LBS is not sure what I should buy.

Thanks,

Kathi

well, that's a pretty general request. I"m on a 15" Kona King Kikapu, at 25.5# it's really light for a FS. In general, unless you have unlimited $$ I'd start looking at some of the really nice hard tails, you can get them down to about #22. When you add in rear suspension, your weight will go up.

[Kathi]

Tuesday, I found out that the online company Speedgoat is in the Pittsburgh area, which is about 5 hrs from here. The owners wife is a small woman and apparently they have quite a few XS demo bikes. So when my elbow heals, 2-3 more weeks (I hope) I'm going to take a trip to Pittsburgh and try out some new mtn bikes.

They also have a singletrack trail to ride on, so I'll really get the feel of the bikes.

Also, I ordered a saddle from them on Tues. afternoon and I received it yesterday or very early this morning, not sure which. No sale price but they didn't charge shipping! I'm impressed.

I will definitely order from them again.

[Kpicha]

Sorry to butt in, I have to agree with Kathi that Speedgoat is a great place to do business with! They are fast and very knowledgeable and pleasant - two thumbs up :)

If you're looking to spend upwards of $1000 on a frame, the Titus Racer X is a great option. If you want a little more travel, check with Charles at www.hammerheadbikes.com for a smaller version of his 100x. Its basically a Racerx tweaked for 100mm of travel. Another great option would be the Titus Locomoto and Ventana Pantera. Both single pivot bikes with lots of standover. Ventana might even be able to do a custom frame you but they are pricey.

The Santa Cruz Juliana might be another option to look at. Its a very comfortable bike from a great company and many women love that bike. It didn't work out for me b/c the top tube was too short and I felt cramped. I also didn't like the shorter wheelbase. ALthough, it was great for tight singletrack, it wasn't as stable as I would have liked for higher speeds.

If you don't want to spend so much, check out the XS Ironhorse Hollowpoint. That bike has one of the best suspension designs I have ridden; and I have a Turner :) Boy, if someone could make a high quality frame with that design, it would be a killer ride!

Anyway, enjoy your bike shopping! Its always fun, eh! :D

Cheers,
Kristina

[Kathi]

Wow! Thanks for the information.

My LBS thinks a ti hardtail frame is the way to go. Of course, he's talking Airborne because that is what they sell.

Hopefully, I'll be able to find a variety of small frames to try. I'm just waiting for my elbow to heal so I can ride again.

[Kpicha]

Kathi,

What happened to your elbow? I apologize if you already went through this on another thread- I missed it. :(

How much longer do you think it will take to heal? I hope not too long!

Mmmm, Ti hardtail :) Sounds yummy! Check out this Seven Teres http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?13@73.0mFJai63IGO.6@.efbdca1/26 Its one of the most beautiful bikes I've ever seen! Not a hardtail, but close anyway :) The owner is only 5'3" and they did a custom frame for him. There are tons of options out there! I think I would get overwhelmed if I was going through the custom frame route :)

Cheers,
Kristina

[Kathi]

I'm not sure if I mentioned it or not. When I went over the handlebars I either hyperextended or twisted my arm. The inside of my elbow was very painful. At the emergency room they took a good size rock out of my arm and told me the elbow was just bruised.

Since my elbow was so sore 10 days after my accident I saw an orthopedic because my pcp thought I might have a hairline fracture. Was diagnosed with tendonitis. No MRI was done but I am doing physical therapy. Doc. said if tendonitis is the problem I was off the bike for 2-3 weeks, that was 2 weeks ago, therapist is saying at least another week.

If its not better in another couple of weeks I go back to doc. for further evaluation.

This condition is also known as golfers or pitchers elbow.

So, I'm riding my trainer bike with aero bars for now.

[Kpicha]

Ow, what a bummer! I have the same thing in my knee from a skiing accident. Hopefully, your's won't return however, those things tend to be a lifetime of "Here I am. I still exist to bother you on occasion":D Well, at any rate, I'm glad its not really serious!

[Kathi]

I read on the net that getting PT early really helps this condition heal.

The good news is that it is so rainy here that I doubt that I would be doing much mtn biking, the bad news is that a lot of good road rides are coming up and I don't know if I'll be able to do them.

As far as the new mtn bike goes I want one that is equal in quality to my Aegis. However, I like the price range of the Titus and Airborne.

That Seven looks really nice and we do have a shop here that sells Seven, hmmm!

Yeah, sometimes I think there can be too many options.