Paratrooper Elite
The Paratrooper Elite is the highest performance folding mountain bike in the world, an aggressive hard tail built for technical single track.
Larger 27.5-inch wheels roll over any obstacle while a full Shimano XT drivetrain, Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes, and Rockshox Recon suspension provide performance never before seen from a folding bike. Built upon the heritage of Montague’s Swiss Military® folding bikes, the Elite takes the mountain line to new heights.
$2,950.00
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Frame Sizes
• Medium 18″ is for riders 5′ 7″ – 5′ 11″
Standover height is 31″
• Large 20″ is for riders 6′ 0″ – 6′ 4″
Standover height is 31″
The Essentials
• Speeds: 30
• Wheel Size: 27.5″
• Folded Size: 36″ x 28″ x 12″
• Approx Weight: 27lbs
Great For
• Race day
• Epic mountain rides
• Fast single track
• Technical cross country
Shimano XT Drivetrain
The Elite is equipped with a full Shimano XT drivetrain. The top tier groupset delivers smooth accurate shifting every time. You’ll feel the difference with every shift.
Why a Folding Bike?
Folding bikes fit your lifestyle. Having the ability to fold your bike into a compact package in seconds allows you to store it easily in the home or office, and travel anywhere with your bike. It can fit in the car trunk, on the bus or train, and is perfect for your next trip.
Why Montague?
We set out to create the highest performance folding bikes in the world. All Montague bikes use full-size wheels, standard components, and a folding design that doesn’t break any of the frame’s tubing. Our focus has always been on perfecting ride quality, handling, and comfort.
27.5" Wheels
Larger than the traditional 26″ mtb wheel, the extremely lightweight 27.5″ wheels on the Elite roll over obstacles easier, and have a larger contact point with the ground.
Montague’s top-of-the-line folding bike, killing it in the convenience department and still ideal for race day, technical cross country, and fast single-track mountain rides.”
With an emphasis on performance,… Montague Bikes is revolutionizing the folding bicycle for all cyclists.”
RockShox Suspension
The Paratrooper Elite is equipped with a RockShox Recon suspension fork. It features 100mm of travel with a lockout and rebound adjustment.
Specifications
| Color | Gloss Black/Red |
| Frame | Custom drawn 6061 Series Aluminum with DirectConnect System. Power Angle geometry. Replaceable derailleur hanger and disc mount |
| Fork | RockShox Reba RL for 27.5″ with Boost 15×110 Maxle thru-axle. 100mm travel w/ rebound adjustment and lockout |
| Rims | Mavic XM319, Black, Alloy, 32 hole with eyelets |
| Tires | Maxxis M309 Crossmark. 27.5 x 2.10” |
| Hubset | Shimano Deore centerlock disc. Front Boost 15×110 Maxle thru-axle, Rear quick release. |
| Spokes | 14 Gage Stainless, Black |
| Saddle | WTB Speed Comp |
| Seatpost | 30.0D Kalloy Uno. Alloy, Black |
| Handlebars | Kalloy. Double butted Alloy, 5 degree backsweep. 31.8 barbore |
| Stem | Ritchey Comp 4-Axis. Alloy 120mm |
| Shifters | Shimano XT trigger shifters |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano SLX |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT 10-speed |
| Crankset | Shimano XT Hollowtech 2 for 10-speed. 42/32/24. 175mm crank arm |
| Rear Cogs | 11-36T |
| Speeds | 30 |
| Brakeset | Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes. 160mm rotors. |
| Pedals | None |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano XT Hollowtech. |
| Frame Sizes | 18”, 20” |
| Folded Size | 36” x 28” x 12” |
| Approx Weight | 27lbs |
| MSRP | $2,950.00 |
| Specifications and prices subject to change without notice. Bike specifications and prices for your country may differ. We do our best to ensure that the listed specifications accurately reflect the parts found on our folding bikes. Even so, we may have to change the component specifications from time to time. We do our best to make sure that all component substitutions are of equal performance and cosmetics as those listed . Also our international distributors often ask us to modify components to better suit their local markets. Please contact your local distributor for information about bikes in your area. | |
Lifetime Warranty
We are so confident in our folding frame design that we offer a lifetime warranty so you can feel confident too. Frames and non-suspension forks are covered for the life of the bike’s original owner.
Chris Selinas –
This bike rocks! I’ve had it for a few weeks now and just got back from a 3-day weekend riding through the Grand Tetons. The trip was amazing, and my Elite tackled everything I gave it. My buddies on their Specialized and Rocky Mountain bikes had nothing on me on the trails, and then when we got back to our cars, and to the hotel, I just left mine in the trunk, while they had to fart around with getting bikes off the racks late at night in the dark. All in all, a great feature to be able to fold my bike, and I can’t say enough about how great it rides!
Will Greene –
I don’t regret going for the top of the line model. I’ve owned several mountain bikes throughout my life and I’m pretty familiar with components and specs. The parts on this bike are awesome and puts it on par with other high end mountain bikes (hardtails).
I got a tracking number the same day I ordered and I had it in 4 days. Unpacking was pretty easy and there wasn’t a lot of assembly. I had an initial question about the wheel quick release and when I called Montague they were helpful on the phone and promptly emailed me some information.
It rides great out of the box but I made a few customizations. The seat post diameter is not the most common so I had trouble finding a suspension post that would fit. I ended up using a 27.2 suspension post with a Cane Creek shim to get it up to 30.0. That works fine. If Montague ever makes a full suspension folding bike I’ll probably be first in line!
Lee C –
Ordering process was smooth and the bike arrived with me by fedex in about 4 days. The box was a little banged up but the bike turned out to be fine. The packing was thorough. Assembly was easy too but I didn’t realize this bike didn’t come with pedals. I guess this is normal for high end mountain bikes. This is my first bike with hydraulic disc brakes and they are amazing. You can get very strong braking with just one finger on the lever. I have a Mazda 3 (sedan not hatchback) and the bike fits in the trunk no problem.
Andres –
Purchased the Elite for the convenience of folding and storing the bike. Very good, high quality components. I test rode a Paratrooper Pro locally to check the frame size before I got this and the Elite feels and shifts much better and is much lighter. Recommended!
Marco G. –
I have a 2009 Paratrooper that I love but some things needed replacing and I decided to bite the bullet and get the Elite with the new folding mechanism. I was surprised that the 650b wheels don’t make the folded size much bigger than my old 26″ trooper. It’s A LOT lighter too which makes it easier to handle. The parts on this bike are really pro level but my only comlaint is with the saddle and the grips which I’ve since replaced. I’m picky when it comes to saddles though. Still five stars.
Tsarzar76 –
I was looking at S&S coupler bikes for traveling with but couldn’t find any that were really mountain bikes just road and touring rigs. I saw a few full custom ones from artisan frame builders but those are a couple grand for just a frame. When I came across Montague I did a lot of research to figure out if I could fit it in a 62 linear inch case for flights. Montague helped me with some measurements and I pulled the trigger. Just like an S&S bike you need to do a bit of disassembly for what I do but it is possible. If you’re willing to wrench a bit you can fly without oversize fees with a real mountain bike. Awesome investment.
Chip Winger –
This bike opens the doors of opportunity. As a pilot I enjoy riding singletrack while on layovers. This bike allows me to pack it in the airplane’s baggage compartment and get it to the trailhead without the need of a bike rack. The Paratrooper Elite performs well in climbs and descends just as sweet wether it be on technical or flow trail descents!
Tim F –
I wasn’t planning on spending this much initially but I fell in love with the black and red frame (much flashier than montague’s other paratroopers) and after some research on the components on this bike I didn’t want to be later wishing I got the better one. If its in your budget I’d say it’s worth it to go for the best. It feels like a legit mountain bike not anything like what you would think a folding bike is. And it turns heads on the trail. People are always asking me about it. It took me a little while to get used to the front wheel quick release as its different than any one I’ve used but the folding is pretty easy
Breanna M –
I’ve ridden a lot of Montague bikes over the years; the early Bi-Frames, hummer bikes, and paratroopers. I also had one of ther tandem bikes at one time. This Elite is by far the best feeling ride of any of them. I don’t think montague has had this quality of components on any bike before. I only give 5 stars if something is absolutely perfect and I felt the handlebars were a bit narrow for a trail bike like this. 4 stars but I really love it…
PCT –
Purchasing and Assembly
I called an placed an order with Montague by phone as I like to talk to someone when possible instead of doing it online. They were friendly and got the order shipped the same day. I was expecting more assembly than I had to do but there were a few tools included for the pedals and stem bolts. Directions were clear.
Quality
The quality of the frame itself looks great, just as good as other aluminum bikes I’ve inspected. Welds look good, the paint looks good. It arrived with no scratches or visible defects. The parts are sort of a known quantity as they’re all Shimano, Rockhsox, and Mavic. Good stuff you know you can count on because lots of other mountain bike use them. I’ve had a warranty claim with a Rockshox fork in the past and they were helpful so I can be confident on these too.
Ride
Hands down the best ride I’ve felt from a folding bike and I can compare it to the Dahon Matrix which is another large wheel folder (26″ in that case). I had an old coworker with one and I tested it extensively in my quest to find a folding bike. In the end I wanted better components than that and I’m happy with the Elite in that regard.
Fold
Every folding bike company wants to tell you that it’s easy to use their system but after familiarizing yourself with it, the Montague system really is easy. There’s only two levers and no spinning or tightening / loosening screws. The only downside is having the front wheel separate but with the carrying case it works out fine.
Value
It’s seems a little expensive when you compare it to other mountain bikes with similar parts but not by much. The added folding feature you get for the extra dough seems worthwhile if you need the function. I personally have my bike with my a lot and can’t risk leaving it on a bike rack when I park my car places. If you’re comparing it to the other Montague bikes, this is the only one in my opinion that has a set up truly capable of riding really hard off road. You’d spend about this on a serious mountain bike anyway so to get a serious bike and the folding is a pretty good deal.
Marc Lee –
I knocked off a star because the bike wasn’t quite as easy to pack in a format suitable for commercial airline travel as I would have liked, but I didn’t care that much because I was looking for a 27.5 hardtail anyway. And as a mountain bike it’s awesome! In that regard I don’t need to repeat what others have already said in other reviews, but I did want to add kudos to whoever set it up and packed it. The setup (brakes and shifting) was as good as I’d expect from a local bike shop and it was really easy to pop a few things on, like a pump, water bottle cage, seat bag, etc., and start riding. It helped that I’d bought those ahead of time, though.
Alicia –
Nice