Welcome to my in-depth Colony Swarm Pintour Freecoaster wheel review.
This thing rides like a cassette – snappy, responsive, buttery – until you roll backward and BOOM: silence.
No pedal catch.
No weird slack.
Just effortless fakie steeze.
If you’re like me and you’ve always wanted the best of both worlds – the power and precision of a cassette with the freedom and creativity of a freecoaster – the Swarm wheel might just be the most exciting thing you’ll bolt onto your bike this year.
(However, I still prefer a cassette, though – hey, I’m old-school, lol.)
Colony straight-up nailed this one.
By combining their new Swarm Planetary hub with their proven Pintour rim, this wheel brings something totally next-level to the table: a freecoaster that feels (and sounds) like a cassette, and actually makes sense for everyday riding.
Whether you’re a park rider, street tech machine, or someone just getting into fakie combos – this freecoaster wheel opens the door to all kinds of SERIOUS progression.
Let’s dive into the details and see what makes this planetary-powered beast a total game-changer.
Colony Swarm Planetary Pintour Freecoaster Wheel Review
1. Key Features Of The Swarm Freecoaster Hub
The Swarm is Colony’s leap into the new wave of planetary freecoaster hubs.
It uses the Free Night patented clutch system that combines cassette control with freecoaster freedom:
- Roll forward? It engages like a regular cassette with fast, responsive feel.
- Roll back? Instant freecoaster mode with zero engagement until you pedal forward again.
And yeah, it feels wild – in the best possible way.
Other awesome perks:
- No pedal gap when riding forward
- Eliminates pedal kickback when rolling fakie
- 30% lighter than traditional freecoasters (that’s why this complete wheel is also much lighter than others on the market)
- Uses standard-sized bearings thanks to reduced internal forces
- 14mm chromoly male axle that can take serious abuse from street and park shredding
- Both drive and non-drive side hub guards included (YES!)
- Sounds and feels like a cassette
Just note: This hub is designed to run dry, so don’t add grease or lube if you ever open it up.
GET YOUR COLONY SWARM PINTOUR WHEEL NOW2. Pintour Rim Specs
- Size: 20 x 1.75″
- Material: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Double wall for strength
- Pinned seam construction
- ERD: 388mm
- Width: 37mm
- Holes: 36H
- Color: Black
Matched with solid 14G black spokes and brass nipples, laced 3-cross – this thing is ready for action straight outta the box.
3. Full Wheel Specifications
- Hub: Colony Swarm Planetary Freecoaster
- Driver: 9T planetary (RHD or LHD)
- Axle: 14mm chromoly male
- Rim: Pintour double-wall, pinned
- Spokes: 14G black
- Nipples: Brass, black
- Lacing: 3x
- Weight: 2 lbs 14 oz
- Price: $289.99
4. How The Swarm Pintour Freecoaster Wheel Rides
In short, it rides incredibly unique.
You get that instant cassette-like engagement the second you start pedaling.
No lag, no mushy feel.
Epic? Yes!
But the second you go fakie or land backwards, it instantly disengages into freecoaster mode – smooth, silent, effortless.
More epic? Yes, and double YES!
It feels so natural, especially if you’re used to cassettes but want to start messing with backwards tricks.
Even better? There’s no need to “catch the slack” – it transitions automatically.
I’d say switching to a freecoaster hub after years of riding a cassette hub is much easier with a planetary freecoaster hub.
And with hub guards already installed, you can hit grinds from day one.
Last but not least, because the planetary freecoaster is much lighter than the traditional freecoaster hub, this complete rear BMX wheel adds way less weight to your bike.
GET YOUR COLONY SWARM PINTOUR WHEEL NOW5. Real Rider Feedback
- “Feels like a cassette going forward, freecoaster going back. It’s unreal. I’m riding it for three months and still super hyped about it.” – Shaun T.
- “I’ve never had a wheel feel this responsive and this light at the same time. And the switch from a cassette to a freecoaster using a planetary system was the best decision I made.” – Javi M.
- “No more accidental pedal catch on rollbacks – I hated those! That alone is worth the price.” – Ryan P.
- “Hub guards included? Thank you, Colony. Thank you.” – Nico F.
6. Potential Cons Of The Swarm Pintour Freecoaster Wheel
- Only available in black: no color options if you like to spice things up
- If you’re not used to planetary hubs, there might be a small learning curve
- Designed to run dry: opening it up and adding lube could mess it up
- Pinned rim (not welded, which could be a slight downside if you’re riding super hard and landing sideways a lot – but it’s still strong and holds up well for everyday shredding)
Conclusion: Should You Get The Colony Swarm Pintour Wheel?
If you’ve ever wished your cassette felt like a freecoaster – or your freecoaster pedaled like a cassette – then the Colony Swarm Wheel is what you’ve been waiting for.
It will completely change how you ride.
You’ll find yourself throwing half-cab bars more confidently, rolling out of fakie tricks smoother than ever, and (very likely) – for the first time – trusting your hub in both directions.
This thing isn’t just some gimmick.
The planetary system works insanely well.
You don’t need to “get used to it” or adjust your style – it adapts to YOU.
From tech street lines to transition flow, it just performs.
Clean, simple, and game-ready.
What impressed me most, though, is how little I think about it now. And that’s a good thing.
It means I’m focused on riding, not wondering if my hub will skip, engage weird, or catch me off guard.
At under 3 pounds with included hub guards, laced to a tough double-wall rim, for under $300 – I honestly don’t think you’ll find a better bang-for-your-buck freecoaster wheel setup that unlocks this much possibility.
So if you’re even a little curious about switching to a planetary freecoaster or upgrading your current setup, THIS is the move.
GET YOUR COLONY SWARM PINTOUR WHEEL NOW
