Folding Bikes - Lapierre Passport???

Looking for alternatives to a Montague Paratrooper I've found this.

http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/lapierre/passport

Does anyone know the Lapierre Passport bike? It's a MTB, French, 2000 EUR...

Any other bike to consider?

Do you want to keep the 26 inch wheel size?

Do you want to keep the 26 inch wheel size?

I do not care about tire size, I'm more interested in folding/transportation and abuse resistance.

The Lapierre Passport is a very good high performance "folder". It is slightly heavier than a breakaway (Dahon Flo) but provides rear suspension (only minimal). However, you can have the very same effect with almost any full suspension bike. Just put a quick release lever in the rear suspension element bold. Then the rear can be folded. Works for most 4 pivot systems. And as well for couple of 1 pivot systems. Just be aware to select a frame where front and rear derailleur can remain attached and do not compromise the fold. Nicolay has used this fold for their Helios CC Travel (http://www.nicolai.net/products/e-frames/e-helius-cc-trv.html), for example.

The Nicolai looks nice and expensive, I've seen the bag they sell... more than 511 EUR, just for the bag :eek:

http://www.distritobiker.com/products/accesorios/index.htm

The Nicolai looks nice and expensive, I've seen the bag they sell... more than 511 EUR, just for the bag :eek:

http://www.distritobiker.com/products/accesorios/index.htm
Yes, Nicolai is a premium brand, the frame alone is >€2.000,- all hand made. I think it is very good, but just too expensive. Lapierre is probably as expensive too. Anyway, the folding trick works with most 4 pivot full suspension MTBs. You can use some Cube or Poison for example which are good too with frames cost less than 500€.

Here is a pic I found:
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8643/dsc0311zr5.jpg
Don't know the frame model, unfortunately, but it is a very common geometry.

Very nice but just too expensive. It's clearly a better bike than the Montague Paratrooper.