:Montague Bikes

File:Montague-Electric-Bi-Frame-early-1990s.jpg

Montague Corporation was formed in 1987 by David and Harry Montague.{{cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=T. Rees |title=A Local Life: Bicycle innovator Harry Montague, 77 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021903417.html |accessdate=11 February 2019 |work=The Washington Post |date=19 February 2011}} Prior to the foundation of Montague Bikes, Washington-based architect Harry Montague began making plans to build a full-size folding bicycle that could accommodate his 6'2" frame. He started sketching designs for the bike in the early 1980s and had a prototype (the "BiFrame") by 1984.{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Jeffrey |title=Bicycle Designer on a Roll |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1988/07/04/bicycle-designer-on-a-roll/44d75aae-2151-4268-a16d-366471536870/?noredirect=on |accessdate=11 February 2019 |work=The Washington Post |date=4 July 1988}} The BiFrame used the "Concentrus" system, which unites the two parts of the frame with concentric seat tubes, one nested inside the other.

File:Montague-BMW-1996-Olympic-Bike-Folded.jpg

Montague obtained a patent for the bike design and the Concentrus system by 1987.{{cite news |last1=Skorupa |first1=Joe |title=Crazy Bout Bikes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OOUDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22biframe%22+%22concentrus%22&pg=PA95 |accessdate=11 February 2019 |publisher=Popular Mechanics |date=August 1994}} That year, his son David Montague, used his father's folding bike as a potential business model for an entrepreneurship project while attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). With $300,000 in capital, the two launched and incorporated their folding bicycle company as Montague Corporation in Massachusetts later in 1987.

The company began selling in the U.S. market in 1988. It also sold bikes in Canada, Europe, Japan, and in Great Britain through a joint marketing deal with the Raleigh Bicycle Company. In 1989, Montague sold around 2,200 BiFrames worldwide.{{cite news |last1=Finegan |first1=Jay |title=The Year in Start-ups |url=https://www.inc.com/magazine/19891101/5872_pagen_3.html |accessdate=11 February 2019 |publisher=Inc. |date=1 November 1989}} While producing the BiFrame design, Montague worked closely with the Schwinn Bicycle Company, and in 1991 the Schwinn Montague M1000 was first marketed and sold through Schwinn dealers.{{cite news | last=Henckel| first=Mark| title =Here's some ideas if you're shopping| newspaper =The Billings Gazette| date =30 September 1990 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/413367094/?terms=%22schwinn%2Bmontague%22| accessdate =13 February 2019}}{{cite news | title =1991 Schwinn-Montague M1000 BiFrame|work=Velospace | date =5 November 2006 | url =https://velospace.org/node/1264| accessdate =13 February 2019}}

Beginning in 1992, Montague began producing a line of folding mountain bikes in a partnership with the car company BMW. The bikes were initially sold in Germany and came to American BMW dealerships in 1994.{{cite news | last=Truett| first=Richard| title =Pedal power new for BMW lineup| newspaper =The Orlando Sentinel| date =28 April 1994 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/232607403/?terms=%22montague%2Bcorp%22| accessdate =13 February 2019}} The Montague BMW BiFrame was chosen as the official mountain bike of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and was also featured in the closing ceremonies.{{cite news | last=McCabe| first=Kathy| title =Olympic Peddling| newspaper =The Boston Globe| date =4 June 1996 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/442010148/?terms=%22montague%2Bcorp%22| accessdate =13 February 2019}}

Popular Mechanics honored the company with a Design & Engineering Award for its design of the special BMW Olympic Games mountain bike.{{cite news | last=Taylor| first=Rich| title =BMW Olympic Games MTB|work=Popular Mechanics | date =April 1997 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=XWYEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22montague+bikes%22&pg=PA23| accessdate =14 February 2019}} Other folding bike models Montague developed in the 1990s included the TriFrame tandem bicycle and the Montague Backcountry mountain bike.{{cite news | last=Pargh| first=Andy| title =Pedal back to a simpler time on a retro-styled two-wheeler| newspaper =The News Journal| date =10 May 1997 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/159365174/?terms=%22montague%2Bbikes%22| accessdate =14 February 2019}}

File:Montague-Paratrooper-in-Afghanistan.jpg

In 1997, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) gave Montague a two-year grant to develop an all-terrain, heavy-duty, folding electric mountain bike that could be utilized by paratroopers. With this grant, the company created the Tactical Electric No Signature (TENS) mountain bike which was equipped with a battery-powered motor that was largely undetectable by ear, radar, or infrared devices. The bikes, which had a new "X-Frame" design, were used by U.S. military members in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.{{cite news | last=Barber| first=Jeff| title =How the Military Has Influenced Mountain Bike Design and Usage Throughout History|work=SingleTracks | date =11 November 2016 | url =https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/how-the-military-has-influenced-mountain-bike-design-and-usage-throughout-history/| accessdate =13 February 2019}}{{cite news | title =Montague on a roll| newspaper =The Boston Globe| date =3 June 2002 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/442611489/?terms=%22montague%2Bcorp%22| accessdate =13 February 2019}}

File:Montague-Hummer-Bike-and-Hummer-H2.jpg

The first civilian bikes using the new X-Frame design (dubbed the "X-Series") were introduced in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The first two bikes in the X-Series were the Montague CX 21-speed Comfort Bike and the Montague MX 24-speed Mountain Bike.{{cite news | title =Foldable, full-size bike makes for a perfect fit| newspaper =Statesman Journal| date =24 July 2000 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/202293482/?terms=%22montague%22%2B%22x-series%22| accessdate =14 February 2019}}{{cite news | last=Cummings| first=James| title =Folding bike a is a convenient traveling companion| newspaper =Dayton Daily News| date =29 May 2000 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/409862641/?terms=%22montague%2Bbikes%22| accessdate =14 February 2019}} In 2001, the company released the Paratrooper military mountain bike, which was a commercial, non-electric version of the TENS bike it had developed for DARPA.{{cite news | last=Cummings| first=James| title =Durable military bike is now available to the public| newspaper =Dayton Daily News| date =8 July 2001 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/410329678/?terms=%22montague%22%2B%22paratrooper%22| accessdate =14 February 2019}}

In the early 2000s, Montague developed a promotional bicycle, dubbed the "Hummer Tactical Mountain Bike," for General Motors' Hummer line of vehicles. Promotional distribution of Montague-designed Hummer bicycles took place through GM dealerships.{{cite news | title =Hummer Hits the Trail on a Tactical Mountain Bike|work=Motor Trend | date =17 March 2003 | url =https://www.motortrend.com/news/news030317-humbike/| accessdate =14 February 2019}} In 2008, Montague introduced the SwissBike line which featured the company's first mountain bikes designed for road use, including the SwissBike LX{{cite news | last=Gottlieb| first=Jed| title =Cambridge firm's folding bikes pass urban, military test | newspaper =Boston Herald| date =28 April 2008 | url =https://www.bostonherald.com/2008/04/28/cambridge-firms-folding-bikes-pass-urban-military-test/| accessdate =14 February 2019}} and SwissBike TX Commuter.{{cite news | last=Noel| first=Josh| title =Packable bike unfolds into full-size ride| newspaper =Chicago Tribune| date =28 June 2009 | url =https://www.newspapers.com/image/237208189/?terms=%22montague%22%2B%22swissbike%22| accessdate =14 February 2019}} By 2009, Montague bikes were being sold in 18 countries with 400 dealers in the United States.{{cite news | last=James| first=Amanda| title =Cambridge bike company makes the fold | newspaper =Boston Herald| date =9 August 2009 | url =https://www.bostonherald.com/2009/08/09/cambridge-bike-company-makes-the-fold/| accessdate =14 February 2019}}

File:Montague-FIT-open-and-folded-composite.jpg

The company continued developing pavement-specific bikes into 2010 and beyond. The pavement versions were the first Montague bikes to feature 700c road wheels and a new double top tube design. In 2011, Montague added to its Pavement bike line with the Boston 8, the first folding bike to incorporate the Shimano Nexus 8 speed internal-gear hub.{{cite news | last=Hamilton| first=Dawson| title =Montague Boston Folding Bike Review|work=Momentum Magazine | date =30 August 2013 | url =https://momentummag.com/montague-boston-folding-bike-review/| accessdate =21 February 2019}} Montague also continued releasing new iterations of their Paratrooper line with the Paratrooper Pro in 2012.{{cite news | last=Verducci| first=Anthony| title =Reviewed: Montague Paratrooper Pro Folding Bike|work=Popular Mechanics | date =24 June 2013 | url =https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gear/a9154/reviewed-montague-paratrooper-pro-folding-bike-15623770/| accessdate =21 February 2019}} The following year, the company started selling framesets as standalone products, allowing manufacturers and hobbyists to incorporate Montague folding frames into their models.{{cite news | last=Benedict| first=Tyler| title =Montague Folding Bikes Now Offering Framesets, Gets Fixed|work=Bike Rumor | date =5 October 2012 | url =https://bikerumor.com/2012/10/05/montague-folding-bikes-now-offering-framesets-gets-fixed/| accessdate =21 February 2019}}

In 2015, Montague helped institute the "Park & Pedal" program in the Boston area.{{cite news | last=Enwemeka| first=Zeninjor| title =Park & Pedal Program Encourages Commuters To Bike The Last Few Miles To Work|work=WBUR | date =31 July 2015 | url =https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/07/31/park-pedal-program| accessdate =23 February 2019}} The program encourages commuters to drive part of the way to work, park in one of several designated lots outside the city center, and ride their bikes for the remainder of the commute. It was originally devised by founder David Montague and was implemented in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.{{cite news | last=Annear| first=Steve| title =Program encourages commuters to drive, then bike, to work| newspaper =The Boston Globe| date =30 July 2015 | url =https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/30/park-pedal-program-encourages-commuters-drive-bike-work/5U1xbvGka9cEvYHnf0iaLL/story.html| accessdate =23 February 2019}} The program was expanded to more locales in the Greater Boston area in 2016.{{cite news | last=Dungca| first=Nicole| title =Officials expand park-and-pedal program| newspaper =The Boston Globe| date =18 June 2016 | url =https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/06/18/officials-expand-park-and-pedal-program-gateway-drug-bicycle-commuting/iV6Hfu6INZrcXnbxZyQdCO/story.html| accessdate =23 February 2019}}

Montague introduced a new folding system called "DirectConnect" in 2016. It allows a bike to be folded using one release on the wheel and one lever on the bike's frame. The company also partnered with Shapeways to 3D print aluminum prototype components for its bicycles for the first time.{{cite news | last=Von Thron| first=Lindsey Ann| title =This company uses 3D printing to make foldable performance bikes|work=Sports Illustrated | date =13 June 2016 | url =https://www.si.com/tech-media/2016/06/13/3d-print-foldable-performance-bike| accessdate =23 February 2019}} It also launched several new models in 2016 including the Urban,{{cite news | last=Cullen| first=Andy| title =2016 Montague Urban 21 Speed Folding Review|work=Folding Bike Critic | date =15 November 2016 | url =https://foldingbikecritic.com/2016-montague-urban-21-speed-folding-review/| accessdate =23 February 2019}} Paratrooper Elite,{{cite news | last=Cullen| first=Andy| title =2016 Montague Paratrooper Elite 30 Speed Folding Mountain Bike Review|work=Folding Bike Critic | date =15 November 2016 | url =https://foldingbikecritic.com/2016-montague-paratrooper-elite-30-speed-folding-mountain-bike-review/| accessdate =23 February 2019}} FIT, and Allston, the first to employ a belt drive in place of a traditional bicycle chain.{{cite news | last=Vance| first=Randy| title =Montague's Allston Bike|work=Boating | date =31 October 2016 | url =https://www.boatingmag.com/montagues-allston-bike-0| accessdate =4 March 2019}}

File:Montague-DirectConnec-Latch-Up-Close.jpg

Current Montague bike models use the patented DirectConnect folding system, and are equipped with full-size 26", 27.5", or 700c wheels.{{cite news | last=Chang| first=Lulu| title =The Paratrooper Elite is a folding mountain bike for adventurers|work=Digital Trends | date =2 April 2018 | url =https://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoors/paratrooper-elite-mountain-bike/| accessdate =4 March 2019}} When folded, the bikes measure approximately 36" x 28" x 12".{{cite news | last=Zinn| first=Lennard| title =Technical FAQ: Montague's Park & Pedal lots, folding bikes|work=Velo News | date =8 November 2016 | url =https://www.velonews.com/2016/11/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq-montagues-park-pedal-lots-folding-bikes_424488| accessdate =4 March 2019}} Montague has pavement-specific models that utilize 700c wheels, including: Boston,{{cite news | title =The best folding bikes in 2019|work=Wired | date =28 July 2018 | url =https://www.wired.co.uk/article/best-folding-bikes| accessdate =4 March 2019}} Allston, Crosstown,{{cite news | last=Cullen| first=Andy| title =2016 Montague Crosstown 700c Pavement Folding Hybrid Bike Review|work=Folding Bike Critic | date =15 November 2016 | url =https://foldingbikecritic.com/2016-montague-crosstown-700c-pavement-folding-hybrid-bike-review/| accessdate =4 March 2019}} Urban, Navigator,{{cite news | title =The Best Folding Bikes of 2018 (So Far)|work=Bicycling | date =5 December 2018 | url =https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20048132/best-folding-bikes/| accessdate =4 March 2019}} and FIT. Some models (including the Navigator, Allston, and FIT) are equipped with Montague's "RackStand" which serves as both a rear rack and a potential kick stand when released from the seat tube.

Montague also produces the Paratrooper line of folding mountain bikes that utilize either 26" or 27.5" wheels. Included in the Paratrooper line are the Paratrooper, Paratrooper Highline,{{cite news | last=Collicutt| first=Ross| title =Packable (and Fun) Outdoor Gear That Will Actually Fit In Your Car|work=The Manual | date =20 June 2018 | url =https://www.themanual.com/outdoors/packable-outdoor-gear/| accessdate =4 March 2019}} Paratrooper Express,{{cite news | last=Cullen| first=Andy| title =Montague Paratrooper Express Air Force Blue Folding Bike Review|work=Folding Bike Critic | date =15 November 2016 | url =https://foldingbikecritic.com/montague-paratrooper-express-air-force-blue-folding-bike-review-2/| accessdate =4 March 2019}} and Paratrooper Elite. Some Paratrooper models, including the Highline and Elite, utilize RockShox suspension systems. The company also offers electric pedal assist models, including the E-Crosstown.{{cite news | last=Giddings| first=Caitlin| title =10 Fast, Simple, Go-Anywhere Folding E-Bikes|work=Bicycling | date =15 November 2018 | url =https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a25102796/best-folding-e-bikes/| accessdate =4 March 2019}}

Several bike models use an Octagon adjustable steering assembly that allows the handlebar to be adjusted in height without the use of tools. Most Montague bikes also utilize a Shimano drivetrain. The Allston model is equipped with a Gates carbon belt drive and a Shimano Alfine internally geared hub rather than a traditional bike chain and hub gear setup.{{cite news | last=Love| first=Martin| title =Montague Allston bike preview: 'Performance and portability in one package'| newspaper =The Guardian| date =22 April 2018 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/apr/22/montague-allston-full-suze-folding-bike-preview-commuter| accessdate =4 March 2019}}{{cite news | last=Strickland| first=Alex| title =Mini Road Test: Montague Allston|work=Adventure Cycling | date =25 June 2018 | url =https://www.adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/online-features/mini-road-test-montague-allston/| accessdate =4 March 2019}}

• Bicycle infantry
• Tidalforce Electric Bicycle

{{Reflist}}

{{commons}}

• [http://www.montaguebikes.com Official Montague Corporation website]
• [http://www.militarybikes.com/military.html Paratrooper information]

{{Folding bicycles}}

Category:Folding bicycles

Category:Cycle manufacturers of the United States

Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1987

Category:1987 establishments in Massachusetts