Big Changes Happening Now
by Larry Lagarde
If you want a full size bike that rides like a normal bike but folds quickly to half the size, the Montague and SwissBike lines are fun and affordable but big changes are in the works. In a matter of weeks, 6 models will be gone, replaced with bikes that are outfitted differently and more expensive to buy.
In September, Montague showed prototypes of their new product line at Interbike 2009. Sensing greater demand for commuter bikes that fold, Montague made the decision to refocus their lineup of full size folding bikes into 2 different lines: pavement bikes and mountain bikes. The pavement bikes would have skinnier, 700c tires, caliper brakes and use Montague's new, curved, dual top tube design. The mountain bikes would have knobby 26" mountain bike tires front suspension forks, disc brakes front & rear (exc. for the entry model) and Montague's trademark, oversized, top tube design.
Full Size Folding Bikes For Pavement
Montague Crosstown
MSRP: $659
Starting as early as mid January of 2010, Montague's entry level pavement bike will be the Crosstown. Featuring a gloss black/white paint scheme, 7 speeds and Montague's patented Octagon adjustable height stem (allows for instant adjusting of the handlebar height and instant removal of the handlebars for more compact folding), the Crosstown should appeal to a great many commuters.
Montague BOSTON
MSRP: $769
The single speed BOSTON will appeal to Fixie and messenger bike purists. Decked out in black with 700c Kenda slicks, this light and clean looking folding bike functions out of the box as a freewheeler but becomes a fixie simply by flipping the rear wheel in the drops.
Montague Navigator
MSRP: $989
The Navigator is for road commuting cyclists that want to maintain their cadence and effeciency regardless of hills, traffic or stop lights. Featuring a dark blue and black color scheme, 27 speeds and the adjustable height Octagon handlebar stem, this is Montague's mid-priced multi speed folding road bike.
Montague FIT
MSRP: $1319
With lighter components, slicks and plenty of speeds, the FIT is my favorite of Montague's road bikes. Painted in dark green with gloss black at the rear, the FIT offers 27 gears, the adjustable height Octagon handlebar stem, 700c Kenda Kwick Roller slicks, Shimano Rapid Fire shifters and more.
Full Size Folding Mountain Bikes
Montague SwissBike X50
MSRP: $549
Starting in 2010, Montague's entry level bike will be the X50. Sprayed with a grey front, black rear and pinstripe in between, this bike features 18 speeds, caliper brakes, a spring saddle but no suspension.
Montague Paratrooper
MSRP: $879
The Paratrooper is the bike that made Montague famous. For 2010, this 24 spd mountain bike will be outfitted with disc brakes front & rear (formerly, only the front wheel had a disc brake), giving the Paratrooper folding bike much more stopping power wet or dry. Other than the rear disc brake, all other specs are unchanged.
Montague SwissBike X70
MSRP: $1199
Replacing the SwissBike LX is the X70. Featuring a color scheme of Cardinal red with a black rear, this 27 speed folding mountain bike features discs front & rear as well as a Rockshox Dart 3 suspension fork with 100mm of travel. This combination makes the X70 folding bike even better for serious trail riding, downhill or heavy weight touring (for road touring, you'll want to swap the knobbies for cross over tires).
Montague SwissBike X90
MSRP: $2349
Replacing the SwissBike XO as Montague's premiere, full size folding bike is the 27 speed X90. Featuring a blue front frame and a black rear frame, it's the componentry that sets the X90 apart from all other Montague products. We're talking Juicy 7 hydraulic disc brakes front & rear, kevlar Maxis Flyweight tires, Ritchey MTN Pro stem, Sram XO trigger shifters and a Truvativ Stylo 3.3 crankset, By the way, the X90 is the only Montague model coming stock with a suspension seat post.
Availability
Montague will be stocking all the above bikes by mid to late January and all of the new models can be pre-ordered now by phone @ 504-324-2492. As to the old models (DX, CX, MX, TX, LX & XO), these are running out now (in fact, I am getting the 3 last '09 Paratrooper and CX bikes). If you want a sturdy & practical new Montague for less than $500 (the DX cross over bike), a comfortable CX dual sport folding bike or a Paratrooper in flat black (the SwissBike LX), I suggest you order immediately before these bikes are completely gone.
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2 comments:
Looks like Montague is really revamping their bike line. Do you know if they've done anything about sizing? To date, Montague offers each model in two sizes. They claim that the smaller size fits people from 5ft 3in to 5ft 10in, but I am skeptical that a regular sized bike could have that much range. Since I ride a 15 in frame (mtn bike), I've never seriously looked at a Montague. If they would at least do a S,M and L, I think there would be more possibility for smaller riders.
Although most Montague folding bikes are only available with a saddle to bottom bracket length of either 18" or 20", Montague has offered models (such as the Montague CX) in a 16" size as well.
Since Montague is phasing out the CX, I asked them whether a model will be available with the shorter 16" saddle to BB dimension. I was told that at least one 700c pavement bike and one 26" mountain bike will be available in a size suitable for riders that are 4'8" to 5'3" tall. It's still unclear which models will be offered in this smaller size though.
LL
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