Perhaps someone (now or in the future) will be interested in this. When I was researching this bike before purchase online info was scarce, so here's what I've learned after riding it for a year and nine months.

TLDR: I specifically wanted a full-sized folding bike with the Shimano Alfine 11 gearbox and a Gates belt drive (the Montague Allston was the only one I found) and I'm mostly satisfied with it. If you need a full-size folder with internal gearing, it delivers, though there are quirks.

About me: I'm in my early 60s and use it for fitness riding in the NYC area (greenways as much as possible, mostly in Brooklyn with occasional ventures into Queens and Manhattan). I've put about 5,000 miles on it so far.

First Impressions - Not Great

The bike didn't arrive looking brand new. The rear hub was dirty/stained, and the frame had fingerprints and smudges. Cleaned up fine--no scratches, no real signs of use--but still not the best first impression.

The tubes were worse. Both leaked immediately: one slow leak, one full deflation near the valve. No punctures, just what I'd call substandard stock tubes.

The Good Stuff

Folding: Halves the length (though gets about twice as thick). Definitely useful for storage/transport. The carry case keeps dust off, though it's unpadded.

Shimano Alfine 11: Solid upgrade over the Alfine 8 on my previous bike. Better climbing range, better top end.

Ride feel: Stable and comfortable enough, though since it comes in only medium and large sizes is probably big for me at 5'6" (which would explain the hand tingling I get 90 minutes or so into a ride).

Handlebar grips: Good texture, no slipping.

Saddle: Padded enough for comfort without being bulky or chafing.

The Not-So-Good Stuff

Rackstand: Sounds clever, not so great in practice. Fender doesn't align perfectly (expect some spray), kickstand mode isn't very stable, and you have to remove luggage to use it.

Pedals: Serviceable but small.

No bell: It seems an odd omission for a bike at least partly aimed at city riders.

What I Changed

Tires/tubes: Swapped to Schwalbe Marathon E-Plus tires + Air Plus tubes. Heavy (~5 lbs for the pair), but ~5,000 miles in and not a single flat.

Grips: Changed to Ergon GS1 EVO with wings (red to match the red accents on the frame). Better on long rides, less tingling/numbness.

Pedals: Upgraded to MKS Ubi-Lite Easy Pedals (quick release). Saves my shins when carrying the bike upstairs.

Bell: Added a Crane E-Ne. All-metal, reliable, and as loud as any in its size range.

After 21 Months

Bike + my setup (tires, lights, bell, bottle cage, luggage, etc.) comes in at 41 lbs, so hills are a workout. But everything works smoothly: the folding mechanism still feels solid, shifting is crisp, and no major issues.

One quirk: in the winter, the Alfine 11 tends to weep oil. Not catastrophic, but worth knowing if you'll ride it year-round.

Bottom Line

If you're at least 5'8" (my guess) and need a full-size folder with an internal hub, the Allston does the job once you deal with the stock tubes and some quirks. If you don't need it to fold, you can get better quality for the money elsewhere.

Edit: At TDS101's suggestion, I took some photos (from the Canarsie Pier, just off the Jamaica Bay Greenway). I had to scale the pictures down to 75% of original size because they were too big to upload as taken. Sorry for my finger in some of the photos!


Montague Allston, left front

Montague Allston, left center

Montague Allston, left rear

Montague Allston, right rear

Montague Allston, right center

Montague Allston, right front

Montague Allston, rackstand. Sorry for the blurriness, but I thought it worth posting regardless to show the rackstand in use.

Thank you, very informative!

You're welcome. Thinking of one?

Some pics would add greatly to your fantastic review...

Good idea. Don't know why I didn't think of that. I'm planning a ride on the Jamaica Bay Greenway tomorrow, so I'll take the pics from there.

Sweet!!! Have a wonderful trip...

I’ve always been curious about the Montague bikes. Thanks for the thoughtful review.

Thanks for the review.

Belt drive is a plus.

Alfine 11 being oil lubed and not grease, and the lube being easily changeable, is a plus, makes the hub last a lot longer, but without the high cost of annual professional IGH service to disassemble and regrease ($100+ in my area). Lots of info online for the oil change procedure, here's a good one, and they recommend early after 500 km of riding, as the gears may initially shed some metal. After that, much longer interval of 5000 km (you're overdue on both):

Shimano Alfine 11 oil change article

Rack stand: Interesting, I hadn't thought about this. My main reason for that would be field service requiring pulling the rear wheel off, but with the rack stand around the axle, that might not help. My rear rack, going to frame mounts, but having 25mm spacers on each side to clear disc calipers (which I don't have) means I could swivel the rack down and easily clear the axle, but not sure if that would give easier off and on to the rear wheel. For me, probably more trouble than it is worth to loosen up the rack. Usually I invert the bike, but I need to buy those little tripods for the handlebars to stabilize it inverted, due to my aero bar and forearm rests. I may instead look into a double-kickstand, that would raise the rear wheel once rear cargo weight is removed.

Indeed. I should have mentioned it.

$100 is what I paid for disassembly and regreasing (though that included the overpriced oil change kit).

This will be useful for those competent - I wouldn't think of attempting it.

The rear rack of a Brompton makes a good work stand once you yank the rear wheel out to change out a tube, the rear end under in parking mode and all. Lots of people think the rack is useless because Brompton carry stuff better on the front carrier block system.

Love the review. The Alston is one I've been eyeing lately.