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Montague Corporation’s Paratrooper Review
December 9th, 2006 by Randy Policar 
Disclaimer: As a product reviewer for Commute By Bike, I am providing my unbiased opinion of any products provided to us by any company. I do not posses any type of relationship with the product’s company or parent companies. Companies that send in their goods to be reviewed do not compensate me any way.
My background: I am 5′9” 185 lbs. I am a bicycle commuter that travels 8 miles round trip and I am also a typical weekend warrior mountain biker.
Testing Grounds: Backwoods of New Cumberland, Stony Creek Trail, and the streets of Harrisburg PA.
Product Tested: Montague Corporation’s Paratrooper
Specifications:
Color Cammy Green
Frame 7005 series aluminum front & rear triangle
Fork SR SUNTOUR® 75 mm Travel with preload adjustment and disc brake mount
Rims Jalco® alloy, 32 hole, machine finish brake surface
Tires 26″ x 1.95” knobby
Hubset Formula® , sealed alloy
Spokes 14G stainless
Saddle Velo ® Mountain Aero, Double Density
Seatpost Ultralight butted alloy, 300mm
Handlebars Ultralight butted alloy, 30 degree rise, 5 degree bend
Stem Alloy threadless®
Shifters Shimano® EZ-Fire Plus
Front Derailleur SR SUNTOUR®
Rear Derailleur Shimano® Deore
Crankset SR SUNTOUR®
Speeds 24 speed
Brakeset Front: Disc micro adjust
Rear: Alloy V-style Shimano® levers
Pedals Bear trap with toe clips
Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge
Frame Sizes 18”, 20”
Stand over heights 29”, 30”
Folded Size 36” x 28” x 12”
Weight 29 lbs.
MSRP $645.00
Montague Corporation’s Paratrooper is a full size folding mountain bike that is ready for action. This is a bike that is excellent out on the trails or as a daily commuter. On the trails, it felt rigid and responsive. While on roads it easily handled the acrobatic maneuvers I had to perform thru traffic. This is currently my choice of bike for my commute. It’s comfortable, rides well, and quick. Everyone that rode the Paratrooper fell in love with it instantly. Most of all the Paratrooper could even be airdropped.
It has a very unique look that would definitely catch some eyes. But at first glance you would not suspect it to be a foldable bike.
No tools are needed to fold and unfold this bike. Just remove the front tire, open the quick release lever on top of the tube and fold. This whole process could easily be done in less than 30 seconds. Removing the seat is optional.
When folded, the Paratrooper could fit anywhere. Stick it in the closet for storage, in your trunk or even inside the car when on the go. With the Paratrooper, there’s no need for a bulky bike rack.
Strengths:
Montague Corporation’s Paratrooper is built to last
Full size mountain bike that happens to be foldable
No tools needed to fold bike
Affordable
Light weight
Could be stored anywhere
Weaknesses: During the testing period, the only issue that I experienced or found was the advertised weight of 29 lbs is different from what this bike weighed. It weighed 32 lbs. I believe this is because of the different frame sizes (18“ and 20“).
Would I recommend it?
Definitely! Montague Corporation’s Paratrooper is an all around great mountain bike. This bike would be perfect for anyone whose storage space is limited. If you or your loved one are in the market for an awesome mountain bike the Paratrooper is the bike for you.
December 10th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
Wow that’s a pretty cool looking ride. I can’t wait to try it. First thing I’m going to do with it is see how it can handle jumps and how it handles some single track!
December 18th, 2006 at 12:32 am
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December 19th, 2006 at 12:10 am
Randy,
Love the photos.
I rode the more affordable cousin of the $695 Paratrooper folding bike (the $595 Montague MX) in Glacier National Park and on several rail trails out west. I also rode it’s flashier cousin (the $750 Hummer) on the single track of North Carolina’s Dupont State Forest. In both cases, these full size folding mountain bikes performed flawlessly.
FYI, the frame is the same on all three bikes. The primary difference is the paint scheme (the Paratrooper is a conservative military olive green whereas the paint is flashy on both the Hummer and MX). The MX has caliper brakes on the front instead of a brake disc (drivetrain components are a little better on the more expensive models). The Hummer is branded with the HUMMER logo in large, bold letters.
One last note: these are great bikes for long distance touring in remote places. The frames & forks have drop outs for panniers too.
Respectfully,
Larry Lagarde
RideTHISbike.com
Urging bicycling for recreation, commuting, health and a better future.
August 24th, 2007 at 11:02 am
I love this cheeky devil of a ride.It rocks my socks.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Where can I find a manual for this design. I have the Hummer XT but no manual. Any leads?
December 19th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Mojo, you can find it here! http://www.montagueco.com/supportmanuals.html
Jim
January 12th, 2008 at 2:42 am
i have a Montague X which i have basically transformed into a super heavy duty bike. I changed the stock RST shocks to a rock shock recon 2008. i also put disk brakes on both front and back tires. I highly recommend upgrading the shocks… it makes a world of a difference.
this bike can take a beating like no other. it is a heavy duty mountain bike with a few key upgrades, and it has never let me down. if you want more info just send me an email!! id love to help anyone who has questions.
zmaxcomputer@gmail.com
cheers
February 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I am 6′-3″ and about 270 pounds, would the Paratrooper best suit me or should I consider something else?
March 11th, 2008 at 7:56 am
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April 27th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I’m 5″7 and 175 lbs. Am I fine with the 18″ version?
May 1st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I am 6 feet 3 also, and I would like to know if I shouldn’t be worried to order the 20 inch frame bike.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I’m 5′7 and 175 lbs, and I ordered the Montague Paratrooper. This frame fits me just perfect. If you’re over 5′9 I’d recommend the 20″ version. I chose the Paratrooper over other models simply because I like the rugged hardcore look of military green. The bike will get dirty, hence no need for flashy colors. Since owning it I’ve upgraded some of the stock components such as replacing the front RST shocks with Rock Shox, added an ultra lightweight and more streamlined saddle, shimano M520 pedals, WTB wheels, etc. In addition, I plan to lighten up the bike a little more by adding carbon fiber components where I can, and completely overhaul the stock drive train, which has given me a little trouble recently. A good tune up will help, but a better drive train will ultimately be the best solution. As a previous commentor stated, I also plan to add rear disc brakes and build another wheelset for road use. If Montague offered, I’d highly recommend buying just the frame, and build it up from scratch using better components. This is just as good as any fixed frame hardtail out there that I’ve ridden, and the folding feature of this bike takes away absolutely nothing. It’s impossible for this bike to fold on you during a hard ride. This bike is solid. This bike is strong. This bike is light. This bike just rocks. With better stock components, this bike would be a masterpiece (and the price would surely reflect that!).
May 13th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I’m 5′7 and 175 lbs. I am fine with the 18″ version. It’ fits me perfectly!
August 14th, 2008 at 1:45 am
I have been getting a lot of requests about the REAR disk break i had installed. It can be done! but it has to be done carefully. If anybody wants more info just send me an email.
l8er!
zmaxcomputer@gmail.com