I'm looking for a MTB that won't take up too much room in the back of 180 Maule. Back seats are out, so I've got a lot of room, just don't want to take it all up with the bike. I've had folding bikes on sailboats before, but they are real wimpy. Are there any decent folding MTB's? Folding issue aside, what are your favorites? Price?

I have a Trek Fuel. The seat and wheels come off quick release, and it fits easy in an archer with one seat out even with the rear wheel still on it. Light weight too, and a really good bike. Kind of pricey, but I got mine for rebuilding my friends airplane engine (O-360.)
I like the new tubeless tires, as you will not get flats as much far out away from the plane.

Just remember you get what you pay for, and you can always buy used.

This is what I use.
http://www.montagueco.com/bikes/paratrooper-folding-bike.html

Rob

I picked up a Montague Paratrooper (Actually it was the same bike in Hummer logo they were packaging on promotion with the SUV a few years back) through Craigslist for dirt cheap. That said, even the new ones are a pretty good value. Other than the frame on mine being a little small for me - it is an 18" and I am 6'-3" - It is still an extremely capable mountain bike with seat and stem extensions. I will probably buy a 20" framed version if I ever see one for sale on Craigslist or have a few extra bucks lying around. For now it has worked very well for 5 - 10 mile rides away from the airplane and back.

The folding mechanism design is impressive - even to an engineer. Very stout. The best folder I have seen by far if you are planning to off road the bike.

My backseat is in the 172, and it fits fine in the baggage area. I just bought folding pedals for it to condense it a bit more to get my backpack in there as well, or my kid's bikes. PM me if you want more info.

Flynengr

Hummer bike.... I have a customers bike who I service. He put a chris king headset on it with a rockshox reba on it. It serves as a reasonable bike with good folding capability. It doesn't get quite as small as i'd like but still would fit well in a maule especially if you took the wheels off.


Mike

I have the Paratrooper too. Very good value and a great bike.

Another Paratrooper owner here.

While I felt the need to upgrade the bottom bracket/cranks/pedals and wheels, it's a really stout frame and even the stock components oughta work
well enough for casual use.

I have a couple Montague MXs that we got in 2001. They are "real" bikes...not wimpy at all. I've ridden it off-road and also used it as a daily commuter putting 3-4 miles a day on it without any problems. They aren't as compact as a small-wheeled folding bike, but they are a lot more fun to ride. My only complaint is that they are tail heavy, but I'd still recommend one.

hello

I don't need no stinking folding bike.

Tim

I've got a Dahon folder. After a ride-off between a 'traditional frame' folding Montague, and the Dahon in the Fairbanks Aerodrome campgrounds, whilst weathered in, 2001:

* The Montague was the better bike all around, but both were good

* The Dahon was enough less money, when you add in the carry bag and stuff that I went that way

* I don't ride it a LOT, but it extends my airport radius from 3sm riding "Shank's Mare" to 10 or 12 or more.

* It's nicer than most aerodrome "beater bikes" at my field

* It's WAY nicer than the free beater bikes at Fairbanks, but you don't have to schlepp those around. A sincere THANK YOU to all who keep that up!

* Any of the folders would rattle around in my Cessna "Light Freighter" with the back seat out

* It just BARELY fits behind the aft seat of an 8GCBC Scout with the narrow folding seat; wouldn't fit with the wide rear seat. Can stow some cargo around it, especially with the external baggage door.

* Ditto the above on Cubcrafters TopCub. Probably negatory in a stock Supercub.

* You'll meet lots of new friends at fly-ins who'll want to borrow it to go meet their buddy up the ramp.

Thanks. cubscout

Zona wrote:I have a Trek Fuel. The seat and wheels come off quick release, and it fits easy in an archer with one seat out even with the rear wheel still on it. Light weight too, and a really good bike. Kind of pricey, but I got mine for rebuilding my friends airplane engine (O-360.)
I like the new tubeless tires, as you will not get flats as much far out away from the plane.

Just remember you get what you pay for, and you can always buy used.

+1 on the Trex Fuel. I recently bought a Fuel EX 9.8 new. The is the "cheapest" model in that line with a US made carbon frame. Pricey, but my local bike shop agreed to 20% off. Probably could have tried harder for a lower price, but figured they need to make a living.



Haven't tried to get it into the Husky yet, not sure it would fit "inside".

Mountain biking is probably my next favorite past time besides airplanes. Either way the bike of the future is the Bionicon. Picked one up last year, pricey but absolutely amazing. Surely the most impractical with regards to stuffing in your plane but awesome for hitting the trail with.

Please.............

Turner 5 spot........ Hands down nicest bike I have ever rode, mine is candy red.....Pricey hellz yes ( having your own bike shop w/ full time mechanic helps) ! But worth every cent.

28lbs and 5.5" of travel.........

Mike

You gotta watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIKfEU8yl8&NR=1

that was sick.....I wish I had a 1/100th of his talent on a bike....