I have been keeping my eye open for a Montague Folding Bike. However, they are hard to come by used and new ones are pretty pricey. There is a bike by Shimano that looks very similar to the Montague and is much cheaper.

Montague has a great reputation, but I have heard nothing of the Shimano. As with all things that are much cheaper I am skeptical. Since there are no local dealers that I could try one out with, was wondering if anyone has had any real world experience with them.

I want to ride rough mountain trails and want a pretty "hardy" product that won't give out on me 10 miles away from the plane.

Thanks in advance for feedback!

Killing a frame takes talent, you can get the occasional bad weld, but frames tend to be bulletproof. Its the components that give you grief. Shimano make several levels of components, from wal-mart grade to the XTR racing grade of mountain bike gear. You do tend to get what you pay for, so look at the components and get ratings for them. Wheels are a separate issue and can cost more than a frame for really good ones. I used to ride mostly Mavic, but their warranty and customer service has become as good as complaining to the IRS. Lately I have switched to DT Swiss and haven't looked back. I have them on both my Dean Duke and the Scott Cyclocross, roll smooth, fast and stay true. Best of all the bearings don't seem to be failing and squealing like the Mavic's were.

I am of the opinion that "hardy" and "folding" are mutually exclusive design considerations, though I admit I've never owned or used a folding bike. But for any substantial mountain biking - I would never consider a folding bike. And either quick release or unbolting a through-axle design and loosening the stem gets you something that is very compact - at least about as much so as any folding frame. JMHO.

I have 2 Montague Paratrooper folding mountain bikes. These are close to real mountain bikes, but the frames might be a touch smaller. The components are not premium components, but are very adequate and won't give out on you in the middle of nowhere. If you are tall, you may need extensions for your seat and handle bars. I am very happy with these bikes.

Since they are large-frame bikes (unlike other folding bikes), they do take up space in your baggage area and two bikes in the plane don't leave a whole lot of room for tons of other gear. However, when you need a bike at your destination, the Montagues are hard to beat and ride very well.

Thanks guys.

Have had a number of first hand reports on Montagues from folks I know and I believe they would be more than adequate for what I am doing.

Dogpilot I will look at the components, but I also agree with the comments that if the folding action is not done right it could be a problem. I would think it could be a weak link. That was what intrigued my about Montague, the hinge looks bulletproof. Was hoping that someone had actually tried out the Shimano. Maybe I need to just be less cheap!!

I am not competing or putting on thousands of miles, just want to do the occasional weekend trip.

Larry

I'll plug the LaPierre Passport, if you can even find one. Solid, yes. Cheap, no.

-DP

I have ridden a couple of BikeFriday bikes and was really amazed at how solid and efficient they were.

I have a couple of friends with the mountain bike and swear by it.

Not cheap, however.

Made in Oregon.

http://www.bikefriday.com/bicycles/mountain

TD

I have owned a Bike Friday New World Tourist. One of the owners of the company is a pilot and designed with aircraft in mind. They are defiantly not cheap, in fact you could nearly buy 3 or 4 medium quality bikes and leave at several destinations for their cost. They do fit in a Samsonite suitcase and come equipped with nice quality Shimano components, mine was Ultegra equipped. While it was solid, rode well, decent geometry and rather light, 20" wheels gave it a rather harsh ride. The smaller wheels of a compact bike give it less step over ability and transmit more road variations directly to your body. It did have a shock absorbing seat post, which utilized elastomers to absorb shock, it didn't help my aging wrists a bit. So I sold it, for $2,800 I might add and bought a Scott Cylocross bike instead.

I made up this PVC rig to support the rear drops, chain and forks as a rigid flat unit. I used PVC and a fork mount and a Pedro's chain holder, along with a really cheap bike bag off ebay. I use the bag mainly to keep chain grease off my wife's stuff. Which was unfortunately slimed on the first trip I did with just the frame gizmo. So I got the bag and all is calm. If its just me, I clamp it on the tracks. I do use this in the car for trips as well, since any bike you hang on your car, if your gone for more that 120 seconds, is thief bait.

Good thought DP. I will try that.

Squash wrote:I have 2 Montague Paratrooper folding mountain bikes. . . . If you are tall, you may need extensions for your seat and handle bars.

I'm 6'3" and the seat post is long enough at full extension. I did need to swap out the fixed stem with an adjustable one to raise the handlebars to a comfortable height. It's a very comfortable ride. I switch between my road bike and the Paratrooper for my commute depending on road conditions and what I feel like riding. Did I say it's a nice ride?

CAVU

Squash wrote:I have 2 Montague Paratrooper folding mountain bikes. These are close to real mountain bikes, but the frames might be a touch smaller. The components are not premium components, but are very adequate and won't give out on you in the middle of nowhere. If you are tall, you may need extensions for your seat and handle bars. I am very happy with these bikes.

Since they are large-frame bikes (unlike other folding bikes), they do take up space in your baggage area and two bikes in the plane don't leave a whole lot of room for tons of other gear. However, when you need a bike at your destination, the Montagues are hard to beat and ride very well.

+1 I love mine. GREAT bike and break down? I have never had. (I get an annual tuneup at my bike shop and they love the bike)

I did spend a couple hundred and upgraded the seat and basic survival gear for the estrogen unit.

Does anyone have any experience getting a Montague Paratrooper (or other folding bike) into a Stinson 108? I've seen the folded dimensions of the bike and think it might be doable, but the geometry of the Stinson door frame and limited opening make it questionable.

I also wonder if there's a model that will fit into the baggage compartment.

I've been thinking about a folder for a long time, and recently have had several occasions where one would have come in really handy.

I think I'm ready, but only have budget for one, so I want it to be the right one, even if it's a little pricey...

-Bill

RDUStinson wrote:Does anyone have any experience getting a Montague Paratrooper (or other folding bike) into a Stinson 108? I've seen the folded dimensions of the bike and think it might be doable, but the geometry of the Stinson door frame and limited opening make it questionable.

I also wonder if there's a model that will fit into the baggage compartment.

I've been thinking about a folder for a long time, and recently have had several occasions where one would have come in really handy.

I think I'm ready, but only have budget for one, so I want it to be the right one, even if it's a little pricey...

-Bill

It looks I'll be taking my Montague to JC, by the time I get there Saturday it's looking like it will be a long walk from the available parking spots! Plus I just banged up my shin in the creek changing out my hydro electric jetting (the water level is dropping fast with this hot weather, 89 up here on the mountain) so I'll be riding instead of walking. If you're there, or anyone else for that matter, and you see me riding by, you're welcome to try it out.

for what it is worth, I have a Montague Paratrooper and two Dahon Unos. The Para requires the removal of the front wheel to pack it in the Cub. The Dahons fold fast and two bikes pack easily in the Cub. All work fine but I like the Dahons.

Dahons bicycles are fabulous! The small models are not for mountain biking long distances, jumping etc. but, for regular roads and traveling I just love them! I have the Picolo and Boardwalk models. Changed to knobby tires, which I like better even on the pavement. We would take them to Molokai and bike from the airport to Makio Pt. both bicycles could handle the trails and dirt (being very careful). Great bikes!

I'm partial to the folding bikes from Pacific Bicycle company. They are a manufacturer in Taiwan that bulds most of the bikes for other common brands, but also fabricates bikes under their own logo. I have a Pacific Reach Racing that I have used on some really long road races. I did the Seattle to Portland ride (204 miles in 1 day) on this bike and that isn't something that you could contemplate on most folding bikes. I averaged 17.4 MPH while riding (reacharge time at the rest stations each 50 miles isn't included in my average speed). I have nothing but good things to say about the design and how compactly it will fold. My bike is set up for road rides, but they also have a trail version with fatter tires and different gearing. Here are a couple of pics of my folder. The suitcase I packed it into is a standard 30" hardshell suitcase! The picture in front of the Arrow was before I got my Maule. I don't cheat on my plane...





They also have a new design called the Pacific IF Move. It has the most ingenious folding mechanism I've ever seen. It is heavier than the Reach model I have and has wheels focused on city riding, or improved trails, but you couldn't ask for a more convenient bike to travel with. Here's a link to a video of the Move in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0f1LlRzCsQ

Here's a link to the company's product line and pricing. These bikes are not cheap, but like all things, you get what you pay for. I've been through a couple of Montagues and other bikes that weren't up to the kind of riding I do. The Pacific Reach has never let me down!

http://www.pacific-cycles.com/

I havent put this in My 170 yet, but that was why I built it.

Found the bike at the dump, built the coaster brake rear wheel.

Same photo twice, here it is in two bits

Ah, the folding Beach Cruiser. Interesting departure from the status quo.