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
Here is more information that I received yesterday about the Tour of the Nations, a supported 5 day bike tour that will wind 230+ miles through New Mexico's rugged desert landscape between Albuquerque and Gallup (image right: tour topo map).
The Tour of the Nations runs from August 5-10, 2007, costs $600 and participation is limited to the first 200 registrants. This is an unprecedented opportunity for cyclists to experience the culture of the Native American peoples inhabiting the Isleta, Laguna, Acoma and Zuni pueblos. If you can go, book now before it's sold out (image right: tour brochure - click to enlarge).
