Freedom Folding Bikes in Boulder, Colorado has been supplying the front range with Montague’s high performance folding bikes and creating some incredible custom builds in the process. You may remember the fully custom Paratrooper equipped for bikepacking that was featured on our blog earlier this year. That was built by Chuck, the owner of Freedom Folding Bikes. Now he’s created a drop bar gravel machine with our FIT model, just in time for cyclocross season.

The FIT is already designed as an endurance road bike, more versatile than the roadies of yore, but this build takes the off-road capability to the next level with 35mm Continental Cyclocross Speed tires, a wide range cassette, and an FSA Energy hollow forged compact crank.

Bontrager drop bars with SRAM Red (green edition) double tap shift/brake levers are paired with SRAM Force front and rear derailleurs. The drop bars offer more hand positions and a more traditional road/cyclocross feel. The bike stills folds (although slightly wider than its flat bar counterparts), so it can stow in the car trunk without the need for a rack.

Chuck also upgraded the disc brakes to Avid BB7 calipers for better compatibility with the cable pull of the drop bar levers. That stopping power will be appreciated through the banked turns and steep obstacles on race day.

When you already have SRAM levers that so perfectly match the green accents of the FIT, how could you resist matching bar tape as well? The color scheme really ties this build together.

If you’re in the Boulder area, stop and see Chuck at Freedom Folding Bikes. He’ll be happy to build your dream Montague.

Find Freedom Folding Bikes online at www.freedomfoldingbikes.com.