Any Experience with Montague folding bikes?

[CLynn85]

I saw these guys at a trade show last week and fell in love with the Paratrooper model. I'm not a huge mt. bike guy, mainly just had older cheap bikes that I've run into the ground but would really like to get a quality bike that I can take with me where I go. And they had a pretty good show-special that I'm sure I could get the price on still.

http://www.montagueco.com/

 

[TacoRocco]

Those bikes look quite interesting. I'd like to see some replys to this post.

 

[Brian McVickers]

We have one at Overland Journal for as a long term test vehicle.
Here is our blog posting http://www.overlandjournal.com/blog

More to come and I'm sure Jonathan Hanson can answer any questions, he has been riding it.

Regards,
Brian

 

[paulj]

I have the first model, which I bought around 1990. Compared to the mtn bikes of the time it was a bit heavier, due to the extra tubing, mainly in the central vertical post. Also the clearance for wide tires a bit tight. Otherwise it worked as advertised. Of course the whole bike technology has changed a lot since then, including the Montague designs.

 

[RgrBox]

I've seen a lot about these bikes.. but the weight would be my first problem. The lighter the better.. I have a Cannodale Killer V800, which has worked for me very well for the past 10 years..

Be careful of the weight.. and many of these types of bikes go all out of the frame, but "zero" on the rims, wheels, gears, brakes etc.. So spending big buck on a bike and then having to change everything at once for better quality hard wear sucks..

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I've had our long-term Montague Paratrooper for about a month now, and have ridden it extensively on the dirt roads and trails around our place. It also served as around-the-event transportation for several people during the Overland Expo.

Yes, it's a bit heavier than an equivalent non-folding bike. But . . . it folds. It fits in the back of my FJ40, or in most hard-shell roof cases. And once it's locked together - which takes maybe 60 seconds - you'd never know it wasn't a normal rigid-framed bike. I've torqued it pretty hard on low-speed technical stuff, and it feels perfectly stiff.

There are a few no-name components on it, but the drivetrain is Sram and works well.

I like the bike a lot, and would recommend it without hesitation.

 

[CLynn85]

Wow. These are some pretty compelling comments. Glad to hear all positive remarks.

The one thing I wasn't impressed with on the demo bike I rode were the shifters, seemed to be no-name pieces that functioned so-so, and made me question some of the other componentry.

Maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if I can still get the promotional price.

 

[1speed]

A guy brought a Hummer branded bike into my friend's shop one day while I was there, I believe it is the same frame. It had some pretty low end components on it. Check the individual components. Both Shimano and SRAM make components from Walmart level to professional race level and their low end stuff can be truly crappy. The names, while the best in the industry, don't in and of themselves guarantee quality. Upgrading components can be done one at a time but is not a cheap proposition! Cheap components however can make for a miserable ride and an unreliable bike. Buy the best you can afford at the beginning and upgrade little by little.

 

[Chris]

I have been riding the next level up IMHO called the Swissbike, my wife rides the Paratrooper. Both get my vote. all in all very nice expo type bikes.

There is another Swiss bike that is even another level up....same frame but better components.

If your into some clean electrical power for them check out the Electric Cyclery in Laguna Ca. They sell them with Bionix power. That too is very nice.

You can also do a search, bikes have been talked about in the past right here on this forum. a bunch of great bikes and related info.
:drool:

 

[Christophe Noel]

The primary selling feature to these bikes is the folding aspect, and little more. As a folding bike, it's okay, nothing exotic. Then again, it's pretty inexpensive for a folder. The spec on these bikes is really basic.

I doubt I would ever own one. If space, storage and transportation were a big concern for me, I'd get a Ritchy Break Away or something similar. What good is a folding bike if it isn't fun to ride??

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Well, I can only speak for myself, so take it in that context. However, in my experience with the Montague (and as someone who also owns a very nice Scott hardtail), and riding on the several hundred miles of dirt roads and trails that surround our place, I'd have to say that if I weren't having fun with this bike, I'd be forced to conclude I just wasn't trying very hard.

Besides - in my experience, bicycle owners are exceeded only by 1911 .45 owners in their zeal to constantly upgrade components. So think of the Montague as a solid, folding blank canvas.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Cool folder. I've often mistakenly seen them and thought the bike was an old Klein Mantra.

 

[Christophe Noel]

It definately has the look of an old Klein Mantra. I had one of those briefly in the early 90s.

Ultimately, this bike is spec'ed much like anu entry level bike like a Trek 4500. You don't have to be a component snob to know that's pretty basic. While the frame may be fit to survive a tour of duty behind enemy lines, I think a better spec might be in order. I still say it would be worth it to pony up for a Sling Shot or Ritchy if riding was any kind of priority. No one says you have to have a $1500 Black Box carbon fork to have a good time, but that fork is pretty primitive even by entry level bike standards.

 

[FlyNdrive]

I bought one of the Hummer branded Montague bikes. Not because of the model or Hummer on it, but because it folds up and is able to fit in the back of a small Cessna. It is light and holds my 250 lb frame.

All in all it does everything advertised.

-Ben

 

[spacer]

I bought a Paratrooper to use while I was away, as I traveled a LOT (truck driver, and for a while, trucking safety instructor). I'm a big guy, and the frame has held up extremely well during the last few years.
I found the crankset to be a cheap unit, with riveted 'rings, and I went ahead and replaced it and the bottom bracket at the same time. A Hussefelt downhill set I picked up at a discount work very well.
The seatpost was a bit short for my 6'4" height, so I picked up a longer Bontrager in a San Antonio bike shop. Once the seat was at the proper level, I found the handlebar height uncomfortable (ah, but a few years ago...), so I installed a stem riser.

The bike isn't as lively as the Cannondale I sold to make room for it, but it fits in the trunk of a car, in the back of the Cessna, and is rock solid when set up to ride. Adding a solid rack interferes with the folding function, so I picked up a QR rack, and while I had a small front rack mounted on the brake bosses (the bosses aren't used with the disc-equipped models) I removed it due to its rubbing the rear wheel's spokes when folded. It's still visible in this pic, though, and will likely be re-mounted if I decide to tour with this bike.