Tsujigiri00

Montague Paratrooper 2014 official page & specs

I'll post new thoughts after a full year of ownership.


3 Month Review:

[NOTE: pictures are pre-wash, so ignore the dirt! And the oddly-placed fender is just a $2 temporary while awaiting delivery of my good one, so don't be concerned lol]

So far I've been extremely happy with the purchase. I previously had a Tern Link D8 which did not suit the poorly-maintained roads and bike paths in my area (and which annoyed me with the pin in it's folding stem being prone to snapping). In contrast, the Paratrooper is a tank and bowls over anything I face, yet still able to fold for convenient transportation by car.

So far I consider the Paratrooper to be the ideal bike for me. So although I include a number of criticisms, they are more for people who might find them to be bigger problems.


The Fit:

The frames run quite small.

The Montague website says that the 20” frame is for people 5'11”-6'4” and the 18” for 5'3”-5'10”. I am 6'1” and my seatpost is at the maximum height (which happens to be perfect for me). But the stock handlebars are about 5” below the saddle, which is insanely low. So taller riders should beware that they will likely have to make significant adjustments to their handlebars (see below: why I dislike the Octagon and will be swapping to BMX bars), which can also include the not insignificant cost of restringing longer cables. And anyone over 6'1” should expect to require a longer seatpost (along with changing the handlebars).

My girlfriend has the 18” frame and is 5'4”. It fits her perfectly. So I'd *guess* that the bottom recommended height is about ideal for each frame.


The Fold:
The folding system is great: simple and providing nearly the same durability of a non-folding frame. However, there are some issues.
The fold requires removing the front wheel and, when doing so, the front disc brakes often (maybe 30% of the time) get out of alignment when reattaching it. This requires spending 10 minutes frustratingly readjusting the front disc brake so it doesn't rub. If you plan to only occasionally fold the bike (such as for occasionally putting it in your car, like me) then it isn't an issue. But if you plan to fold it regularly (such as for storing it in your apartment, like my girlfriend), beware that it adds a TON of time to unfolding it . . .
Another issue is that of the aforementioned fit. If the bike is on the small side for you, then having a seatpost extended high and handlebars raised above stock height make the fold much taller. (SEE PHOTOS) Of note is that higher handlebars permanently add some size to the fold. The seatpost is supposed to be lowered, but I wanted to show what it looks like raised in case (like me) you assume you won't bother lowering it.
A third, albeit minor, issue is the balance of the fold. Coming from a Tern Link D8, the folded bike could immediately plopped on the ground with solid stability. The folded Paratrooper, however, balances more precariously. In back, it balances on the bare forks (so beware of wear and tear on them) and on the rear tire. In front, to keep from resting on the large gear between, the pedal must also be positioned at the bottom so that the bike instead rests on it. It's not very stable and takes mere seconds of fiddling. It's not a big issue, but don't expect to fold it and have it instantly, stably rest on the ground. This might be a significant issue for anyone wanting to take it on public transportation, and thus repeatedly needing to plop it on the ground.


The Look:
Looks beautiful – in my opinion the best-looking bike around. The green paint doesn't show well in photos nor video, but it's gorgeous in person.


Octagon Handlebar Extender:
It's not stock on the Paratrooper. But (A.) it is stock on other models, (B.) it is officially made for Montagues, and (C.) it is the go-to solution for anyone who is at the upper (half?) of the official fit range. So I'll discuss it here.
The Octagon Extender is a cool idea. Unfortunately, I do NOT recommend it due to safety concerns. While researching it, I came across a couple of critical reviews (amongst dozens of glowing reviews) that noted how it's scary that it is held together with only 1 screw. After having it installed at my LBS, my bike mechanic said the very same thing: he said he was really concerned about it holding together with only 1 screw and recommended that (A.) I didn't do any real mountain biking with it and (B.) that I don't use it for too long. And after only a month or two, it's already making some loud squeaking, whining, and slight wobbling, so I'm planning to soon replace it with BMX handlebars that will give me the perfect height.
Despite my negative opinion of the Octagon, I am really glad I got one because it allowed me determine the exact
height I want my permanent handlebars to be. And it did so at a pretty inexpensive cost ($37 + $10 installation).
If you do decide to get an Octagon Extender, beware that the paper installation instructions that come with it are terribly inadequate. Instead use the manufacturer's installation video here (I even took screenshots of each step and compiled them into a paper guide for my LBS). Failure to install the Octagon correctly will almost certainly result in a dangerous accident!!


Components:
The gears seem to work great (though only once have I used anything but the middle large gear).
As previously mentioned, the disc brakes have been frustrating because reinserting the front wheel (after folding) frequently causes the disc to rub and require annoying readjustment.
I dislike the tiny stock pedals and replaced them with some big ole BMX ones. I would chalk it up to my large feet, but my diminutive girlfriend also elected to do the same and much prefers the BMX ones.
I'm happy with the front shock (SR Suntour. Suspension XCT V4). I had read a lot of criticism about them prior to the purchase. But they work for me. I keep it dialed pretty tight since I'm almost exclusively on pavement (albiet poorly-maintained pavement). They are simple to adjust (just keep turning).


Recommended Replacements:


Handlebar Grips:
I absolutely hated the stock handlebar grips. They felt like a tiny metal tube in my big hands. I replaced them with large Ergon GS1 grips ($32) and love them.


Tires:
I currently mainly ride on streets and bike paths. So I replaced the stock stubbies with Big Apples size 26 x 2.15. I doubt I need to tell the forumgoers here how wonderful these tires are – I never knew tires could be so great!
I decided on 2.15 width because I called Montague and asked what width the Paratrooper supported. They recommended the 2.15 width, and I can confirm that there are zero issues at that width. I suspect it can accommodate 2.35 width (SEE PHOTOS), but I can't confirm it so the risk is your choice.

gdlerner

Thank you nice review,I don´t need a bike now but this one is on my list...

dadbar

Nice review.

I have an older Montague (ca. 2005) which I bought used. Mine has V-brakes but it's still a pain taking the wheel off and having to deal with releasing the brake. I find that I usually fold the bike without taking the front wheel off as it will still fit in my trunk that way (2006 Jetta). Saves a LOT of aggravation.

Tsujigiri00

I've been considering replacing my front disc brake with a V-brake for easier folding, so your comment really piques my interest! Why is the V-brake a hassle to take on-off? Does it require any more additional adjustment each time you do it (e.g. does it get off-centered and require fiddling)?

Thanks!

dadbar

This is an idiosyncracy of my bike perhaps- the brake release clearance is very tight so it takes some fiddling to get the ferrule out of the bracket to release the brake....and the tires are a bit fat so it takes some effort to get the wheel past the brake. Maybe I'm just being a whiny little piss ant about this....but I've solved my problem by not taking the wheel off.

When I need something really compact, I just use my Dahon anyway.

gdlerner

Tsujigiri00 what do you think which size will be for me I am 1,70cm about 5´7" and my inseam is 79cm? How long is the main tube?
Thanks

dynaryder

Do you count the number of times you spin the QR? Count the turns,then use the same number to install the wheel. No more rub issues. You could also swap the standard QR for a Clix or install a Quick Nut.

BikeLite

The CLIX is standard on the front wheel.

Sherwood Nash

You'll need to buy a new wheel with CNC brake rims then too....

sash_animator

I do love these bikes. I've had a couple over the past 5/6 years. BUT BE WARNED.

My montague swiss lx bike snapped in half as i was over taking slow traffic on a busy london street at night. With out any warning i slammed into the tarmac and luckily the taxi behind me stopped.
The frame snapped on the upright post under the saddle.
My injuries could have been so much worse, i was lucky to get away with just lots of bruises and grazes.

I have seached on the web about this and found a couple of other inccidents; another one with exactly the same model bike also in central london, and he broke his ankle !!!

I would suggest if anyone has a Montague bike to take the seat post completely out and inspect down inside the frame with a torch to see if there are any small cracks appearing. And do this every month.

Montague Bike also says there is a liftime warranty on the frame - but so far they have ignored all my e-mails. I guess it means nothing.

I still like these bikes but be careful.

ThorUSA

Most likely like all bike companies the direct emails can get lost and its not the correct way to get things done. You wouldn't send an email to Ford in Detroit if you have a problem, but you would go to your local dealer. Same with bike companies. Find a dealer, bring the frame to him and I am sure he will take care of you.
I just don't think that the Montague peeps will ignore you ...

Yes after the dealer did his warranty work and contacted the company the peeps might get in contact with you and solve the issues the dealer cant do nothing about. But again that needs to come from the company and not the other way around, usually. I know that the tern folks got in contact with the broken frames they ha in London and as far as we know have made good with the few folks who had trouble.

thor

sash_animator

Unfortunately the online dealer I used doesn't seem to be trading anymore.
I've spoken to montague supplier for the uk - sounds like lifetime warranty means "5 years"
Think I might have just gone over that unfortunately.

ThorUSA

its a good thing that Dahon and Tern as my suppliers do not get hung up on technicalities when something breaks.
I would keep trying to find a dealer who would help despite the fact you bought it somewhere else
I cannot belive that they wouldn't even try to make good on you ..

manapua_man

Seems like all the companies saying "lifetime warranty" are actually talking about whatever their expected (usually short) product lifetime is, rather than however long the thing is in use.

I've got an older (05 I think) paratrooper that's still good though, so ymmv.