FOLDING BIKES BLOG
Stories, tutorials, and advice from the Montague Bikes team.
Fixed Foot Retention: STRAPS
Last time we checked out traditional toe clips and straps as one option for foot retention. Another option, which has become very popular for fixed riding in the last few years, are velcro foot straps. The system was originally designed by the guys at Hold Fast in...
Montague Overhaul VII: Fixed Foot Retention
In putting the final touches on my custom Montague Boston folding bike, I had to decide what type of foot retention to use. On a fixed gear, you can control your speed and slow down simply by slowing your cadence. By putting back pressure on the pedals, you can slow...
Montague Overhaul VI: Brakes
I'm nearing the end of my custom Montague build. Most of the parts are in place and it's now time to install a brake. Fixed gear bikes give you a tremendous amount of control with just your legs. You can easily regulate your speed and come to a stop without even...
Montague Overhaul V: Track Cogs and Chains
Fixed gears have been popular as winter commuter bikes for years. Long before messenger culture brought them to the limelight in the early 2000's, hardened winter riders chose them for their simplicity and added control in bad conditions. For the last two years, a...
2013’s New Year’s Revolutions
2013 promises to be a great year. It's the first time in 26 years (since 1987), that the year has no repeating numbers. In the Chinese calendar, 2013 is the year of the snake. And Montague has some exciting things planned for 2013... Folding Frames At long...
Montague Overhaul IV: BB and Cranks
I'm right in the middle of rebuilding a Montague Boston as a fixed gear commuter. With all standard components, Montague bikes are really the only folding bikes out there that can be fully customized with any parts you want. I've stripped the frame down to the bare...
Montague Boston Overhaul III: Wheels!
The next step for my custom Montague folding bike is a new wheelset. With horizontal, track style dropouts, and 120mm hub spacing, the Boston is made specifically for use as a single speed. The stock version comes with a flip flop hub; a freewheel on one side, a fixed...
Montague Boston Overhaul II: Headset
If you're anything like me, working on your bike is half the fun of owning it. Sure, you can have a bike shop do maintenance for you, and if it's a big job requiring specialty tools, this might be a good idea. For me, I want to know every part of my bike inside and...
Montague Boston Overhaul: Going Custom
My everyday commuter is a Montague Boston, a simple, lightweight singlespeed that can take a beating and keep rolling. Riding through a winter in New England takes a serious toll on a bicycle and this one has been through two. The constant moisture, sand, and road...
Going Clipless III: Stylish Shoes
We've talked about getting started with clipless pedals, we've talked about different pedal options, now it's time to look at shoes. I've been riding with Sidi mountain bike shoes, and I'm quite happy with them thus far. They have a very stiff sole (ideal for power...
Going Clipless II: Platform/Clipless Combo
Last week I shared my experience with switching to clipless pedals. I'm still thoroughly enjoying that extra connection to the bike, the added control and efficiency. If you recall, I had chosen a pedal, the Crank Brothers Egg Beater, which uses a very minimal design....
The Essentials – Tools to Ride With
If you're a regular bike commuter, you know that bikes need maintenance, adjustments, and from time to time, parts just break. There's nothing worse than being stuck far from home without a patch kit, extra tube, or the proper tool to tighten that loose stem bolt. I...
Going Clipless
I recently took the plunge into the world of clipless pedals, something I've been meaning to do for a while. I've been a long time cyclist but even for long distance rides, I had stuck to toe clips and straps. I'm strapped in right? That should be enough, right? I...
Visualizing Bike Share
The increasing popularity of Bike Share programs in cities across the world is making transportation cycling a reality for many. Not only does it provide conveniently located bikes for newcomers or casual riders, it's also developing a culture of cycling. I...
A Salute to our Veterans
Here in the United States, the 11th day of the 11th month is designated as Veterans day. A day to honor and remember the men and women who have served our country through military service. We wanted to take this opportunity to salute those veterans, past and present...
Bike Safety Lessons from the UK
Recent News It's flashed across all the major media this week, especially in the UK. Olympic medalist and Tour de France winner Bradley "Wiggo" Wiggins was struck by a van. Then, not 15 hours later, in a separate incident, Olympic team trainer, Shane Sutton was...
Bike Commute: Tuscon Style
There's an infrastructure first in Tuscon now, a bicycle crosswalk, or 'crossbike'. Tuscon Velo recently explored this new piece of bike safety engineering. Of course we've all probably seen, at one point or another, a cyclist using the crosswalk to cross the road...
Bike to Vote?
In the U.S., today is election day. Whatever one's political leanings, the governing structure of the U.S. is based on participation, so we go out and vote. We biked to vote today, how about you? Unless you vote by absentee ballot, you'll probably find yourself headed...
