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.

Labels: Montague Bicycles

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.

Labels: Montague Bicycles, SwissBike

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.

Labels: Adventure Gallup and Beyond, army recon folding bike, full size folding mountain bike, Gallup New Mexico, High Desert Trail System, Matt O'Mara, Montague Bicycles, SwissBike, Tour of the Nations