More Bike Factory Price Increases

If you're looking for a full size bicycle or mountain bike that folds, Montague Corporation (makers of the Montague CX, DX, MX, Paratrooper and SwissBike folding bikes) announced today that prices are going up again. As I reported in a recent post (Folding Bike Supply Tightening), a variety of factors are conspiring to raise manufacturing costs of bikes in general and folding bike makers are not immune.

Chances are that the price increase will be in the $50 range but there's good news: if you buy from RideTHISbike.com before the end of the week, the new pricing will not apply to your order.

Montague - SwissBike Price Increases Coming

Montague Raising Bike Prices

I received word today that Montague will be raising the prices on all of their folding bikes (including the SwissBike line). The increase is to cover the rising costs of production so a rough guess would peg the increase at 5%. On a $699 SwissBike LX, that would amount to another $30.

Frankly, I don't know what the increase will be; therefore, if you're looking to buy the best full size folding bike in the marketplace, place your order soon - real soon.

Larry

SWISSBIKE LX Photo Slideshow

If you're looking at getting a quality mountain bike, take a look at these interactive photos of the new SWISSBIKE LX full size, aluminum, folding mountain bike from Montague Corporation. The $700 SWISSBIKE LX folds so you can place it in your car instead of on a roof rack; it also fits in a carry bag you can sling over your shoulder (see photos) or even a large suitcase for travel.

Beginning on Monday, the SWISSBIKE LX will be available from RideTHISbike.com for $699 including free shipping (within the lower 48 US states). Complete specs and details will be available at that time.

SwissBike - The New Folding Mountain Bike

By Larry Lagarde

Back around Christmas, I was speaking with Dave Widing of Montague Bicycles. Dave shared with me that they were working on some exciting new products and would soon be launching a new line of full size folding bikes. Known as SwissBike, these are full size folding mountain bikes based on Montague's famous X bike platform.

Earlier this week, I followed up with Dave about the SwissBikes and learned that 2 of the 3 models in the line are now shipping so I'll be getting one to ride and review here. Hopefully, I'll have the bike (a SwissBike LX; click on the photo to enlarge) in time to take with me to Gallup, New Mexico when I do an advance ride of the Tour of the Nations route and the great single track in the mountains above Gallup (a.k.a. the High Desert Trail System) with Matt O'Mara of Adventure Gallup and Beyond.

(Image Right: Map of the High Desert Trails; click to enlarge)

Based on the awesome rides I've experienced with bikes such as Montague's MX & Paratrooper (the Army Recon folding bikes), I look forward to offering the entire SwissBike line in coming months. Meanwhile, here's the press release that Dave sent to me regarding Montague's SwissBike line.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New SwissBike™ Unfolds To Be The Perfect Mountain Bike

This new mountain bike combines high-performance with a patented folding technology that makes access to, and enjoying cycling easier than ever!

CAMBRIDGE, MA - Spring 2007 - Montague Corporation, the world leader in full-size bikes that fold, announces the launch of a new line of bicycles bearing the SwissBike™ brand. These full-size, high performance bikes fold in half like a Swiss knife for easy storage or transport using a patented technology originally developed for the U.S. Marines.

The SwissBike is perfect for cyclists who demand the performance of a full-size mountain bike, but also need the convenience of folding for travel, commuting and storage. SwissBikes are unique as they combine elegant design and precision engineering to provide cyclists a high level of convenience without sacrificing performance.

There are three models of SwissBike. The SwissBike XO is the flagship model, sporting the Sram XO drive train, and Montague's patent pending CLIX™ wheel retention system, www.clixqr.com this model is made in Switzerland at the foot of the Alps, and can climb any mountain or tackle any trail with ease. The XO has an MSRP of $1,995.00. For those who like the folding feature but are on a budget, the LX (MSRP $795.00) and the TX (MSRP $645.00) offer the same Swiss knife-like folding with Shimano's 21-speed and 24-speed drive trains and Montague's patent pending CLIX™ wheel retention system.

"The SwissBike range of bikes offers a great ride for all levels of riders," said Jonathan Vandenberg, Sales Manager for the SwissBike. "We have incorporated all of our patented technologies into the SwissBike to provide the cyclist with improved performance, convenience and safety. At the same time these bikes are fun, healthy and good for the environment."

The Montague Corporation is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is dedicated to advancing cycling through the development of inventive technologies that provide its customers with an unprecedented combination of safety, performance and convenience. Visit www.swissbike.com or call toll free (617) 491-7200 for more information about Montague products and technologies.