lindyfd

First of all, thank you for this forum and specifically the Clydesdale section.

I was looking for a folding bike to commute with and decided on the Montague. My commute consists of riding to the train station (about 1.5 miles) then another 1.5 mile ride to my job in Brooklyn. Mostly flat terrain with slight rises.

I am 5'11" 300 lbs. 38 years old. Haven't been on a bike in years but wanted to get back into it.

Been commuting with it for a week now and I am quite happy with the bike. I replaced the seat as the stock seemed kinda 2x4ish and added a cateye velo 9. I am going to try a different handlebar with a bit of a rise in them as I find myself riding with my fingertips often. Also the gearing is on the low side as I'm sure a mountain bike is supposed to be so a larger ring may be something I will look into. I find I am using the top 3 or 4 gears all the time.

Folding the bike is pretty easy but does require removing the front wheel and carrying it seperate. They do sell a bag for the Montague bikes but it is on backorder so I will report on that when I get it. It is a little awkward on a really crowded train but considering it is a large wheel bike it's not too bad.

Really digging the bike so far and will update as time and miles go on. And if any weight loss happens I will gladly tell the world about that too!

velocycling

Good Job! Finding a bike that will allow you to commute. Making exercise a part of your normal routine as to some extra part of your day.

I too, do the bike train bike. But my transit allows us to take regular bikes on board. I might have to look into a folder if I move to an area where they do not have the capacity for bikes on board.

lindyfd

Bike is still great. 95 miles on it so far and no issues other than normal wear. Finally received the bag and it is more or less useless for commuting. Takes longer to get the front wheel in the bag than it does to fold it. Bagging the bike is very frustrating. Still need the bigger sprocket and taller bar.

As for losing weight, no dice so far. Oh well, at least I'm saving gas money.

lindyfd

At just under 300 miles on the bike, still great. Even after getting hit by a car. Added the adjustable riser stem and it is a totally different bike, way more comfortable and it doesn't interfere with the folding. A new set of tires are in order soon, going to go with Kenda Kwest. Can't recommend the bike more.

Still haven't lost any weight but whatever...that would be a fringe benefit. Guess I need to ride more!

donalson

sounds like about the perfect solution for your commute... what did you do before you had the bike?

for just getting back to riding the big wheels is prob a good idea, but for compactness the small wheels make since... my LBS sells Brompton folding bikes and I so wish I could justify one.

as for weight loss... that is not a real surprise... my guess is you are prob riding what maybe about 15 min a day and even that is split into 5 min or so segments... better then nothing but not much... to get some longer rides you might consider getting off a stop early on the way home (depends on how far out that stop is I suppose lol)

good of you to get on two wheels...

lindyfd

Before I bought the bike I had a 20 mile drive east on Long Island. No traffic, 20 minutes at worst. Job transferred me to Brooklyn and driving was no longer an option. 47 miles one way and 3 hours in traffic. Luckily I live near the train.

Going to start getting off at different stops like you suggested. And also ride more on the weekend. It'd be great if I could find a few folks of similar riding ability to ride with.

anthonygeo

Unleash the pics!

donalson

look around for cycling clubs in your area, talk to your LBS... most decent shops will know about group rides or even sponsor rides, around here we've got the a club that starts off with the "neo cruisers" which is an entry lvl group ride, just over 20 miles, 12-14 mph pace is norm but no drop so everyone sticks together... the same club has groups all the way up to super fast 25+mph type groups and everything in between, all have a specific average pace and typical distance so it's not hard to move up from one group to the other as you grow... I don't ride with them much as I'm not a morning person and they meet at 7:30am on sat.

Bill Kapaun

You may not be losing weight, but I'll bet you lost a few inches?

donalson

very good point, about 6 or 7 years ago I did some serious weightloss/training... I had pics of me a few months apart, I was only 1lb down but people thought i'd lost 40-60 lbs based on how my body had changed... my bodyfat % went down about 10% so i'd taken off a lot of inches and fat while putting on a good bit of muscle... i'm going this week to pick up a mayo tape and starting to keep close track of my measurements once again

lindyfd

Come to think of it, my pants are a bit looser. My LBS's never gave me the warm and fuzzies but mayhap I'll give them another try. As for pics, only 2 so far...


Just arriving at work.



This is where I keep it during work hours, in the cube van strapped to the manhole gate.

Ali_Pine

My Paratrooper is about seven years old now. Somewhere around 4000 miles - Winter is spent in SNOW country.

'Clipless' pedals first couple of months. Getting ready for the third set of tires. Murphy's law caught up with the last cable a week ago. Saddle replaced with Brooks last spring. Mostly just minor maintenance.

It goes in the back of a Subaru with no problem. Rides well - doesn't need to be walked like the dog did. Used many days while traveling x-country. Spent last summer spend a lot of time in the rain riding in Colorado. Bearings need service soon.

lindyfd

Seven years! I think I made a good choice.

I just put a set of Kenda Kwest tires on and what a difference. I can maintain 12-15 mph now. With the stock knobbies I seemed to hover around 9-11 mph, with a jeep-like hum from the tires. I also put on the adjustable stem (riser?) and that made a huge difference too. So i guess its more of a hybrid now.

LabRat2k3

That's a pretty cool bike. I guess I had a misconception that all folding bikes looked like clown bikes with little tires and tall seat posts. If you start challenging yourself by getting of the train a little farther from home every couple of weeks you will be surprised how quickly you make gains.

lindyfd

Replaced the forks as they seemed a bit wonky. The front axle would move rearward about an inch when I used the brake. I don't know if that is normal but the fact that I am 50 pounds over the weight limit made me wary. So I had the shop put on a set of Surly rigid forks. Never was a fan of suspension forks anyway, they always felt vague to me.

Gonna get some more pics soon

donalson

a rigid fork tends to be a good upgrade for a clyd on an inexpensive bike they are flex y flyers and as you noticed don't instill confidence

lindyfd

Folded on the train.




These are from today, 11 mile ride through a local park. Furthest I've ridden at one time and the bike was great.

lindyfd

So, at 480 miles (I know, I'm slacking) and I've been having problems with the extended neck (steering tube?). Seems it doesn't stay tight because it only uses a clamp to hold the bearings together....if that makes any sense. The extended setup does away with that star nut in the tube and only a clamp maintains the bearing preload. It gets progressively harder to control as the steering bearings go loose.

The adjustable stem is not recommended.

Gotta think up some kind of contraption to hold the mess together. Maybe threaded rod straight through. I will update when I come up with something.



Other than this issue (which I brought upon myself) still a great ride.


Thanks for reading

lindyfd

up to ~800 miles, the octagon extendable neck is not recommended. Not enough of the thing grips the steering tube so when you're up on the pedals mashing the whole thing comes loose thereby loosening the forks.

Bike is still awesome (knock wood). Replaced chain and rear cassette.

If anyone is looking for a sturdy folding bike, this is definitely a viable option.

Ozonation

Glad to hear it's working out so well for you. Have you discovered any rear rack (or any rack) options for the bike?

lindyfd

Not yet. It does have threaded holes in the rear dropouts but I haven't put much effort into finding a rack. I know the rack that just clamps on the seatpost would work. As far as the front, I swapped in Surly Trucker disc forks and that fork has tons of bosses on it, I'm assuming for a fender, front panniers and such.

Might try welding together my own custom rack.

leonine0

Considering all the upgrades, would you get Montague Navigator instead if you would start over?

I am deciding between Paratrooper (maybe Pro) vs Navigator. I'll use it for some commute and fun on paved road and some dirt road. I like that Navigator has higher handlebar and probably because of it, it felt better (I'm 6'2). Worried that Navigator didn't have shocks.

lindyfd

I would've probably gotten the Navigator. I never heard of it until after I bought the paratrooper (not to say the paratrooper isn't a great bike). I like being a bit more upright than the flat bars allowed and I really didn't have a need for knobby tires. The skinnier kenda kwest tires I put on did fine in the limited dirt I did ride in. As for shocks, I never really liked them. They made the front end feel kinda vague. The rigid forks (for me) made for a much better ride.




Quick update on it though, two months ago I ended up breaking the locking mechanism that holds the frame straight. Not the hinge but the doodad that locks it in. The hinge is strong and safe and even after the lock broke (which turns out to be just a QR axle skewer) the bike got wobbly, it didn't just stuff my face into the ground. It was really my own fault as the lock got rusty and I ignored it. After three years and well over 1000 miles under my 300 pound butt the bike still works great. A new skewer was just about $15 and am just as confident on it as I was before.