New in the Shop: Swift Industries
The Seattle brand has been producing functional and stylish bike bags for over 15 years.
Starting Small
Swift Industries was started in 2008 by two people with one sewing machine in a Seattle basement. Their funky, brightly coloured panniers shook up the existing bike bag landscape, starting in Seattle and gradually expanding across the world. Swift's growth mirrored that of utility biking, bikepacking, and touring, and Swift's eye-catching bags quickly became the accessory of choice for stylish bike builds. Though the product lineup began with commuter-oriented panniers, Swift Industries now boasts a full suite of innovative bags suitable for every type of riding, including technical bikepacking gear for extreme conditions. The bright colours and stylish designs that made the brand so popular remain as well, with a wide range of options to complement any colour scheme, and remain a great way to take your bike's appearance to the next level.
Innovation and Branching Out
One reason for Swift Industries early popularity was their approach to bike bag design, which married classic elements and styling with modern materials, design, and attachment. Early on, Swift's randonneur and handlebar bags grew on classic 1950s French designs with lightweight materials and secure rackless attachment. This same approach is still evident today in Swift's lineup, with timeless designs that look just at home on a vintage restoration as they do on a modern bikepacking or gravel bike. Traditional saddle bags are offered alongside modern seatpacks, for example, enabling the ability to really dial in the right set up for each bike, while still having a complete and matching kit.
Versatility and Modularity
Swift Industries' well thought out designs mean that most bags can be set up in a variety of ways, and many can be used off the bike as well. The Bandito and Zeitgeist Packs can, for example, be used on the front or rear of the bike, with careful design touches to ensure they work just as well in either position. The Sugarloaf Basket Bag includes carrying handles and hooks for a shoulder strap for easy transportation once you arrive at your destination. The Sidekick Stem Pouch can attach to the stem, a basket, other Swift bags, or anywhere else it fits. Whether you're pairing a bag with your saddle, handlebars, or even your outfit, Swift Industries bags have the right amount of versatility and customizability to set up your bike exactly how you want.
Swift Industries at Oak Bay Bikes
OBB currently stocks various Swift Industries products and can order many more. A brief overview of each product follows. Although all are available through OBB, in-store stock varies. If you still have questions about availability or which bag is right for you, please reach out via live chat, email: orders@oakbaybikes.com, phone: 250-598-4111, or stop by the shop and ask one of our knowledgeable sales staff in person!
Sugarloaf Basket Bag
The Sugarloaf Basket Bag is designed to pair perfectly with a Wald 137 Front Basket. The outside of the bag is made of durable, water resistant outdoor fabric with accessory pockets, and the inside boasts numerous organizational pockets so you can keep everything organized. The bag features wide, comfortable handles and D-ring shoulder strap attachment points for easy carrying off the bike.
Zeitgeist Pack
A Swift Industries classic, the Zeitgeist Pack is one of their most popular bags. An adaptable design makes this bag a perfect fit for both handlebar and saddle attachment. It features a rigid liner for stability while an internal compression strap secures your cargo over rough terrain. The fitted flap keeps things dry and features two daisy chains of webbing for strapping more cargo on the outside. Collapsible side pockets offer a little more organizational space for smaller items.
Bandito Bicycle Bag
The Bandito Bicycle Bag features versatile attachment points, making this cylindrical pack a perfect fit both under your saddle or on your bars. A rigid plastic liner helps the bag keep its shape and prevents sagging with heavy contents. D-rings on the side panels allow a shoulder strap attachment for off-bike carrying, and a daisy chain of webbing across the front offers a strapping point for more cargo.
Moxie Top Tube Bag
The Moxie Top Tube Bag is a perfect storage solution for quick access necessities like your phone, keys, wallet and a snack. A water resistant zipper and foam padding keep things safe inside, and the small outer size means it doesn't get in the way. The Moxie straps to a top tube and either a stem or seatpost with three Velcro straps. The perimeter of daisy chain webbing ensures secure attachment on any bike.
Hold Fast Half Frame Bag
The Hold Fast Frame Bag occupies the small space above the water bottles on your bike. In addition to the main compartment, there's a smaller zipper pocket on the non-drive of the bag perfect for a snack or cell phone. Webbing daisy chains on the top panel and extra long fixed Velcro straps mean the bag fits a wide variety of frames. On the underside of the bag there is a webbing daisy chain that runs the length of the bag for additional storage of long narrow items. Three sizes are available.
Gibby Stem Bag
The Gibby Stem Bag is a stem bag for quick access to small items, has a liter more capacity than the Sidekick Stem Pouch, and offers one-handed entry and closure. The daisy-chain mounting system provides stable attachment on a variety of handlebars and stems making this bag perfect for commuting, touring, gravel riding and mountain biking.
Kestrel Handlebar Bag
The Kestrel Handlebar Bag, at a compact 2L, is perfect to stash a layer, snacks and tools. With an internal pocket and MOLLE webbing on the back of the bag, it's easy to find room for all your gear and stay organized. A lash tab under the bag is perfect for strapping on gear like a small pump. A great choice for storage on any bike and any ride.
Sidekick Stem Pouch
The Sidekick Stem Pouch attaches securely between your bike's stem and handlebars with three Velcro straps for easy access to ride essentials. Two MOLLE compatible snap straps can be used to attach the Sidekick to a Kestrel Handlebar Bag or through the struts on a Wald Front Basket. These versatile pouches are a perfect companion on anything from leisurely neighborhood rides to long bikepacking expeditions.
Catalyst Pack
The Catalyst Pack is a handlebar and saddle bag that's a bit more compact than the Zeitgeist Pack, perfect for smaller frames and narrower bars. The outside flap keeps things dry and includes a small zipper pocket and a daisy chain of webbing to attach extra gear. The compact size and solid structure makes this pack a great option for a lightweight bikepacking setup for rougher terrain.
Olliepack Seat Bag
The Olliepack Seat Bag is designed to stay stable and out of the way while navigating rough single track. The bag features a simple attachment with two rail buckle straps and a grippy Velcro strap for the seat post. The main compartment closes by compressing and rolling for a tight closure, and an external stretch mesh pocket allows for quick access to items.
Gemini Cargo Pack
The 4L Gemini Cargo Pack is designed to be a simple, functional match for a three-bolt mounted cargo cage. A roll top closure makes for easy access, weather protection, and expandable capacity. The pack offers a rigid internal structure for easy loading and extremely durable fabric at all contact points. Velcro straps make attaching and removing the bag quick and easy and the rubberized backing prevents movement and keeps the packs in place no matter the terrain.
