Ordered my Baxter through Newhall bikes in Newhall, CA, because it's a really cool shop and Roger deserves our support. I love the bike - especially after installing my Brooks saddle and a mustache handle bar. The bike is such a blast to just jump on and ride that I am resisting installing clipless pedals, even for my 30 mile round trip commute. Once all prepped up the Baxter weighs in about 30 lbs by the bathroom scale method. That's about 4 or 5 lbs heavier than my cyclocross commuter, but the Baxter is so drippin' with style that I don't care! It's the bicycling equivalent of a 57 Chevy pickup... or a Stearman byplane. I do have two bones to pick. The bottom bracket needed tightening after the first ride. No big shakes. But the rear disc brake rotor came loose as well. At the bike shop Roger found that the lock ring could not be tightened since the threads where stripped. (Better the ring than that expensive hub!) Not surprising since the threads on the lock ring are very shallow... maybe 3 threads total. He installed a better lock ring with more threads. I'll have to check out the lock ring on the front as well. All the best. DanO

Posted by: Daniel O'Connor | April 13, 2010 9:42 am

I love the bike. Just wish it came in a different color, gloss white. Bought it anyway and am very happy. It's a pleasure to ride. A true internet biz model usually has some level of customization. How about working to get custom paint colors ordering options as part web purchasing options. I got an extra $150 burning a hole in my pocket for a different color.

Posted by: Brian | January 14, 2010 7:59 pm

In the spring of 2009, after about a month of research and test drives, I had figured out the ideal commuter bike for me only to find that it didn’t exist. But then it did. Combine a light frame, full-size wheels, internal hub, zippy ride, pretty colors and Swobo’s thoughtful design and utilitarian aesthetic and you have the Baxter. After several months and several hundred miles, it still makes me just as happy. And I can’t tell you how often people chat me up about my bike. One change I did make was to swap out the hoopty bars with Swobo’s flat bars; more neutral for me and lets me ride faster and/or longer which was part of my original wish list. I finished off accessorizing with Topeak’s sliding rack system that allows me to use either basket or bag. Topeak makes a rack that clears the Baxter’s disc brakes. So does Swobo’s by the way, and at a very reasonable price.

Posted by: Hiram Pines | January 07, 2010 2:51 pm

Part 2: Well I have had 2 rides already, and loved it. Let me again start with the bad, as it was just a couple of things, I might as well get it out of the way. First let me say the criticisms are totally personal and if anyone disagrees with me they would be right too. Unfortunately my 50 yo 230 lb body needs one lower gear. I have looked into the smaller chainring, and I probably will have to get it. Also, I ordered Shimano PD-M647 SPD Pedals, I know it would be impractical to include this as standard equipment. Especially as competitively priced as the bike is. But I wanted to mention it in case others like the idea and want to upgrade on their own. Ok, now for the good. If you want a bike to cruise around town, parks, commute, tour, or just have fun this is it. It shifts beautifully, the brakes are the best I have ever used on a bike, it handles well, gives a nice ride, and is a beautiful piece of engineering. The brakes the gears, everything worked perfectly OUT OF THE BOX! Value is a very personal interpretation. But let me say for the price your getting a Carbon Fiber painted fork. On one web site for custom frames I noticed the painting of a carbon fiber fork alone was $250. So the fork alone is over the top on a bike in this price range. As long as I mentioned paint, that is another nice thing. Swobo included some touch up paint. Now since assembly is about 4 bolts and 2 pedals, the paint will be saved for later if even ever used. Oh and another secret, Klasse all in one car wax in the red bottle. It looks like a few layers of clear coat on it. One final request of Swobo. I ordered some great graphic tees from you. How about some decals to put on the bike? The nice beefy tubes would serve as a great canvas for that. All in all, this is a really great bike for what I am using it for. I am not sure there is anything I could have selected that was better. In my bike shopping I believe I could have spent quite a bit more and not had anything better. I guess in this economy people are being more careful and looking for value in their purchases, and I think that the quality, value, and design are the greatest qualities of this bike. Ok hope this review might help people. Thank You for reading it. Jay

Posted by: Jay | November 15, 2009 2:36 pm

Part 1: Ok, I got it today, rushed home to put it together, and it was shockingly easy. Let me start by covering the negative as there is such a small amount, I would like to get it out of the way. First for direct sales, they could include Some allen wrenches, a pedal wrench, 2 batteries, and some grease. Why not? Ok the positive. It was packed incredibly well, and very easy to unpack. Also, Swobo made assembly sound much harder then it was. I put on the wheel with an allen wrench, then two bolts on the handlebars, one on the seat, and screwed on two pedals. That is 6 things to tighten, I am not sure if it could get easier then that. Then there is one clip for a cable. Done! Oh there are 2 reflectors in a bag. Can't be to hard. I wanted the seat emblem off, and they made it sound like a bit of a job, it was simple. I needed some spacers for a rack I had, they dropped them in the mail no charge. I am a little mechanical, but have not worked on a modern bike. It was beyond easy, and any apprehension I had was unnecessary. Ok, a virgin ride in the park tomorrow. Will update then. Thanks Swobo for a great pre-assembly and packing job. Jay

Posted by: Jay | November 09, 2009 5:05 pm

I did a lot of research trying to find my new commuter bike and landed on the Baxter. The sweet style, disc brakes, and 8 speed alfine internal hub with the finger thumb shifter is what did it for me. I love love love my new bike. Have taken it on several long treks in the greater metro Denver Colorado streets and bike paths. It is so smooth and quiet; hardly a sound is made shifting and pedaling or braking for that matter. Sky has provided excellent customer service to me personally and answered all my questions promptly. Thank you for creating such a perfect commuter bike!

Posted by: Mark K | October 22, 2009 4:03 pm

This bike makes commuting fun! It ain't a speedster; it's more like a trusty friend that reliably delivers you to your destination on time and in style. I really appreciate the aesthetic of the bike and the thoughtful decisions the designer made regarding the dropouts, geometry, color, etc. I've been splitting commutes between a my clunky old Stumpjumper (rainy days) and my delicate Allez road racer (fair weather). This bike is a very welcome change as I can ride it in any weather and enjoy myself. I live in Seattle (a fairly hilly city) and the gearing range afforded by the Alfine hub is just fine for everything I've encountered. I wish it had a better beer bottle opener integrated into the seat but heck, how many other bikes even offer one. I dare you to take this bike for a spin and resist smiling!

Posted by: Chris | October 21, 2009 -1:10 am

I'm lucky enough to live just a short distance from Swobo World Headquarters so I was able to test-ride a Baxter before I purchased one. Just a brief trip up the street and back on the bike and I was hooked. The first words out of my mouth were that the Baxter was just like a Lotus. What I meant was a Lotus Elise: light, precise, balanced, yet exceptional easy to drive. Only later when I calmed down a bit was I able to explain what I meant (I'm not sure whether the Swobovians initially took my comparison as a compliment). The next scene was straight out of “Ghostbusters” – the one where Harold Ramis is trying to negotiate the rent on the abandoned fire station and Dan Akroyd comes down the fire pole exclaiming “we'll take it”. It was pretty much like that. Any hopes of negotiating a free t-shirt as part of the deal went out the window. I did leave with a free sticker, though. And yes, I still love the bike, still get excited when I ride it, and still think it's the Lotus Elise of bicycles.

Posted by: Art Michalik | October 14, 2009 8:16 pm

I love my Baxter! This bike is just so much fun to ride. Its fast, nimble and responsive. The swoopty handlebars are very comfortable. The way the top bar is squared off a bit makes it easy to carry. I was a little disappointed with the canti bosses because it has disks and the photos on the website do not show them. Oh well, no biggie. Here in Tampa it rains a lot so I put on the Planet Bike fenders and they look as good as they work. People are always asking me what kind of bike this is and I tell them the story. Bottom line: Best commuter in my book. GET THIS BIKE.

Posted by: Randy | October 11, 2009 8:50 pm

What can I say that has not been said already? Have been debating for a while whether to get one based on pictures only as no one near me had one. I stopped in at the dealer today to order one and they had one in my size on the floor! SWEET! The bike looks way better in person. Took it for a short test ride and bought it on the spot. Putting some larger 38c tires on it but that is about it. So stoked! Pick it up on the weekend.

Posted by: Dan | September 28, 2009 3:03 pm

Got mine from the swell team at One On One in Minneapolis. Having screwed up my knees and still recovering, I can't yet manage my road bike and my 29er is too damn slow. The Baxter is perfect for both commuting and impressing my design-head wife. What IS the deal with the canti bosses, though? Can you sell me some fuzzy dice or death rays to mount on them?

Posted by: Jpettini | September 21, 2009 2:09 pm

First of all the customer service was outstanding! ***** five stars. I had a few questions and they were answered professionally and enthusiastically. My Baxter arrived as promised today. It does literally take 15 minutes to put the bicycle together. I rode the bicycle home from work and it was the most fun I've had riding a bicycle in a long time. So fun I took a couple of extra laps before typing this. The shifting is "Buttery" smooth as someone else said. The ride itself is incredibly smooth. I can't say enough. I fell in love with this bicycle at first ride. Thanks Swobo! Thanks Sky! C

Posted by: Calvin | September 17, 2009 3:47 pm

I sold my Bianchi, Campione to buy this kick-butt bike. I love the upapologetic old-school charm combined with hot urban sleek: shapely, appointed with nice components and then there is the modularity in the design. Yesterday I was out at the food market on Castro and 19th and a guy came up to me and said he went to college with Sky and my Baxter was the first one he has seen on the street. He was impressed. I got it from the guys at Mojo Bicycle Cafe'. I'm standing up when I ride just like I did when I was a kid on my sister's Banana bike.

Posted by: Eric Darius | July 28, 2009 10:07 am

For the record, the wheels on mine have 36 spokes :). I've been riding it for about a week - several commutes, a short charity ride through downtown Durham, and some errands. I added a Topeak Super Tourist Disc rack, rear triangle kick stand, rodeo/campus pedals, and a 700x37C tire on the front rim to improve the handling on trails. Overall, it's an excellent bike that's faster than you'd think with a really comfortable riding position and a buttery smooth drivetrain. Highly recommended!

Posted by: Jim Lamb | July 22, 2009 7:28 am

In my twenties I was a messenger and rode fixed. Twenty years later and I can't ride fixed anymore and haven't been able to find a bike I like. Then the baxter came along. I debated buying a baxter because of the price. One test ride is all it took for me to fall in love, and I've loved every minute of it. Sky and the swobo team; Thank you for such an awesome bike.

Posted by: Aldo | July 18, 2009 1:52 pm

i'm with bob...wow! nice review randy! i'm crossing my fingers that one less car will get one to review- if so, we'll be doing three reviews on it that you can look forward to (i'll repost if we do!)! it looks so dope! so fresh and so clean! the chain guard is the icing on the cake. looks like perfection at it's finest. haven't rode one yet, and would have to drive a couple-few hundred miles to test one in a shop...so lame! Michigan needs better bike shops that are a little more laid back and a little less "i'm better than you.".

Posted by: Brandon dowling | June 17, 2009 7:46 pm

Just busted out a 40 miler. The bike was excellent! It did the dirt, the trail, it did the railroad track service road with aplomb.and then when we had to hide from the railroad cops, the green paint blended in nice with the foilage we were laying in. Hey! what's up with the canti bosses on the fork anyhow?

Posted by: Gene o | June 17, 2009 4:32 pm

Looks really fresh! Congrats.

Posted by: Josh Kadis | June 17, 2009 11:52 am

I had a chance to take the Baxter out for a spin at Sea Otter and was totally stoked how nimble the handling was riding through the hoards of people in the infield of the track. Very clean lines,You guys hit a home run with this bike.

Posted by: Randy Smith | May 22, 2009 9:19 am

A fantastic bike! Well done Swobo crew Light and strong, those wheels will take a beating. Shifting is so light and clean, that Alfine hub is better than I expected. The stock posture is relaxed (which will suit most people) but could be sported-up a bit with flat bars and tweaked seat positioning. This bike should take a rear rack pretty well too. Thanks Erica (Erin?) and Sky for your hospitality at Laguna Seca

Posted by: Rode this bike at Sea Otter | April 24, 2009 11:04 am

In a word......"wow".

Posted by: Bob | March 30, 2009 8:29 am