reverborama

Disclaimer: I usually end up building new bikes for myself from 70's and 80's steel frames because no one ever makes what I REALLY want and I'm finding that folding bikes are no exception. And besides, building your own bike is fun.

I'm super frustrated that I can't just buy a Montague Paratrooper frame. I really want to build a pair of folding touring bikes for me and the wife and I think the Paratrooper would make a great platform but I just don't want any of the components they have.

The plan would be to redo the entire bike with the SRAM Apex group including disk brakes and road bars -- pretty much speced out just like a Salsa Vaya:
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/vaya_orange_complete/

If I can't my hands on a Montague what other frames might work for this?
The physical limitation is I'm 6-3, 230 which puts me at the absolute upper limit, if not over, for most folding frames. I'm also fairly cheap. Couplers seem prohibitively expensive. And I really want both 26 inch wheels and disk brakes.

The Paratrooper looks like it was just made for this kind of thing. Or am I just plain wrong?

Bob

robsta

I have made heaps of changes to my paratrooper. I picked up a cheap supermarket road bike (700c) took everything off it and put it on the paratrooper. I had 26 inch wheels on with some carbon forks and now have 24 inch wheels.
I use my bike for commuting, general daily rides and short tours.
My next project is to go as light as possible without spending crazy amounts. Rather than buy parts I will look at getting a donor bike and moving the parts onto the paratrooper.

My 24 inch wheels are a breeze to pack but I think the donor bike will be something like

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant11/bike_...action=outline

or

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant11/bike_...action=outline

I've been very happy with the frame. I'm not into off road stuff but on road it has been fine. There are pics out there of one used as a triathlon bike. The fold or dismantle is great.

Maybe you could pick up a used bike from ebay / craigs etc and strip off the original parts and replace with your fancy SRAM stuff.
Good luck and let us know how you go on.
Rob

highroller

Ive seen "Hummer" Montague style frames for sale at Aliexpress.

Dynocoaster 

Get one on Ebay https://cgi.ebay.com/Montague-Bike-XC...item2eb525d3cb

reverborama

Outstanding! Now I just have to figure out what size that really is...

Are there any visual cues that will tell me whether a frame is an 18 or a 20?

reverborama

Mmm... Fascinating site. There's something funny about this frame, though:
https://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm...olesalers.html

Its brand is "MONTBIKE" and it says "Montbike military technology" instead of "Montague Military Technology." Is this (and several complete bikes I found here) a counterfeit? The dropouts are quite crude when compared to the bikes on the Montague site.

manapua_man

I picked one up off craigslist for around $400, the only thing I had to replace was the crankset and chain. (crankset was bent, chain?...I don't know what happened to the chain. I'm still trying to figure it out.) Really, the frame is surprisingly strong, and as long as you can get a comfortable seating setup, you're good to go.

CabezaShok

It looks identical to me and ive owned a 03' Paratrooper since new.

Dynocoaster 

Hummer in Minn. https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...307031845.html

MontagueMX https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...315875694.html

reverborama

The Hummer has been sold. I checked out the MX tonight. It's the 18 inch frame and was too small. I'm going to need the 20 for sure. Thanks for the tips!

DVC45

Here's one in Milwaukee CL too. Might be worth asking if they'll ship.

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/2382675896.html

reverborama

Ok, I have located two donor frames: One large and one small. I won't be able to get my hands on them for a couple of weeks due to previous commitments but and soon as I have them I'll report back. It will give me some time to start sourcing parts. This is going to be fun.

robsta

I already have a Montague. At the mo it is set up as my folder for flying but that honor has now passed on to my Xootr Swift. With the Montague Paratrooper I intend to make it more of a road bike. It will be a few months as I will be in Spain soon so the rebuild will have to wait. Because I have so many parts to replace (mainly because I used cheap supermarket bikes in the first rebuild) I will be looking for a donor bike.
Will be interested in seeing how your build up goes.
Good luck
Rob

thatsut

thanks ranch123

https://wheelsdown.wordpress.com/2008...etting-packed/

greatbam

They sell the frame by itself now.

https://www.montaguebikes.com/foldingframes/

Sheygetz

What about a Dahon MTX (or Matrix)? 26", disks, cheap fork with I believe 80mm travel.

ro-monster

Aliexpress is all about the cheap Chinese knockoffs. There are some legitimate products for sale there but you definitely need to buy with care.

darukhan

Ooh! This is great news to me, thanks for the info!

Dynocoaster 

This is on Ebay listed today
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Tidalforc...item232712c803

liamof

Laggerbomber, I live in Marin and would like to check out your paratrooper your selling for 450. Please contact me at liamof@earthlink.net
Thanks,
Liam

fietsbob

Make note of this broken frame tale of Woe ..https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-the-Swissbike

the steel ones may be less prone to failure due to such cracks.