[migaloti]

Yes, I own a folding bike...

It's made by Montague (montaguebikes.com). Harry Montague invented the first full size folding bike. His son David (an MIT graduate Aerospace Engineer), joined his father in June of 1987 to form a partnership for the design and manufacture of the most innovative folding bicycles in the world. Their sturdy foldable mountain bikes were selected for use by the U.S. Army paratroopers no less! I figured if paratroopers use them, then I shouldn't have any problems with it. And, in the 2 years I've had it, I haven't. It's lightweight and durable and collapses in less than 20 seconds to fit in the back of my (compact) car's trunk with lots of room to spare. It takes up about the same space as a collapsible wheel chair. The company also sells hybrid and commuter bikes. They always use only the best available parts that can be found at most bike stores, so there is no need to worry about your local bikeshop being able to affect repairs or maintenance as you would with some exotic brand name foldable bikes. I use it all the time. I love the affordability, the durability, and features of my Montague X50 folding mountain bike. A folding bike is great for commuters who don't have a pick-up truck or a bulky bike rack. It is also a great bike alternative for apartment dwellers who don't have a lot of space to store their bike as it folds up so neatly compact. This bike is also great if you work in the city and can store your bike inside your worksite as a crime deterrent for bike thieves... it sure beats using a lock! You would do well to check out their website.

 

[Gandalfe]

Talking about folding bicycles, check this one out. I'm not into them myself, but I thought some of youse who are would find this interesting. There are a lot of nice pictures too.

 

[rushlake]

What was that website again Don Pardo one more time for the folks.
Come on you only managed 3 references to the website in your post. You can do better, try again.

 

[superj]

the capitalization is different in one of his references. i don;t know which one to use now. ha ha ha

 

[rola643]

Poof, gone,

 

[qmsdc15]

Brompton

 

[Industry_Hack]

Yan, from Downtube, hooked my son up when his MTB got stolen in college. I think he still has that bike, which has a lot of road miles, and an equal number of up and down the stairs miles.

 

[Industry_Hack]

Hmmm. I already mentioned that. Over five years ago...

 

[scholarf]

Yes, I own a folding bike...

It's made by Montague (montaguebikes.com). Harry Montague invented the first full size folding bike. His son David (an MIT graduate Aerospace Engineer), joined his father in June of 1987 to form a partnership for the design and manufacture of the most innovative folding bicycles in the world. Their sturdy foldable mountain bikes were selected for use by the U.S. Army paratroopers no less! I figured if paratroopers use them, then I shouldn't have any problems with it. And, in the 2 years I've had it, I haven't. It's lightweight and durable and collapses in less than 20 seconds to fit in the back of my (compact) car's trunk with lots of room to spare. It takes up about the same space as a collapsible wheel chair. The company also sells hybrid and commuter bikes. They always use only the best available parts that can be found at most bike stores, so there is no need to worry about your local bikeshop being able to affect repairs or maintenance as you would with some exotic brand name foldable bikes. I use it all the time. I love the affordability, the durability, and features of my Montague X50 folding mountain bike. A folding bike is great for commuters who don't have a pick-up truck or a bulky bike rack. It is also a great bike alternative for apartment dwellers who don't have a lot of space to store their bike as it folds up so neatly compact. This adult folding tricycle is also great if you work in the city and can store your bike inside your worksite as a crime deterrent for bike thieves... it sure beats using a lock! You would do well to check out their website.

I am new to bikes and want a folding bike for touring. If i had unlimited budget, I would get the Bike Friday Diamond Llama. but my budget is ~$1000. I want something tough that I can go off roading with. Is there any caveats to getting gears reduced or is that easy to do on any bike? I am lost with the amount of options available. I just discovered origami brand. They seem cool. I dont understand the diffence between the Crane, Gazelle and Hawk. Thank you!!

 

[newleaf150]

I am new to bikes and want a folding bike for touring. If i had unlimited budget, I would get the Bike Friday Diamond Llama. but my budget is ~$1000. I want something tough that I can go off roading with. Is there any caveats to getting gears reduced or is that easy to do on any bike? I am lost with the amount of options available. I just discovered origami brand. They seem cool. I dont understand the diffence between the Crane, Gazelle and Hawk. Thank you!!

Welcome! For that budget, I think I'd look into the Montague Paratrooper. That is a folding MTB originally developed for use by the military. I have an earlier version, a 2006 Montague X folding MTB, and have been very happy with it. It folds easily and locks solidly into riding position. While its 26" wheels will never allow the Montague to fold as small as a Bike Friday with its 20" wheels, the big MTB hoops will take you places the Bike Friday can't.

I haven't ridden a Paratrooper, but I have checked a few out in shops and been suitably impressed. If I didn't already have the Montague X, I'd be tempted to pull the trigger on a Paratrooper. It is sweet to pop a QR, fold your bike in half, and toss it in the back of the car. This takes practice, but not a lot. It quickly becomes faster and easier than dealing with a rack. Also earns the occasional strange look from a passer-by who was not expecting to see someone fold a bicycle in half .

On the down side, the folding mechanism is definitely heavier than no folding mechanism. That adds weight, complexity, and potential points of failure. The use of frame bags will also present a potential problem. Nothing insurmountable, I imagine.

When you talk about getting 'gears reduced', do you mean changing the bike's gearing to make it better able to climb (or on the other end to go faster)? If so, this shouldn't be an issue provided you plan and budget for it.