1987
Harry Montague developed the first full-size folding bike in the 1980s to fill his desire for a portable bike that fit his 6′ 2″ frame. In 1987, Harry’s son, David Montague, formed the Montague Corporation while in graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The company brought this cutting edge new bike to market and started a legacy of designing and producing full-size, high-performance bicycles that fold — bikes that sacrifice nothing in performance and still provide space saving convenience.
1987
Harry Montague developed the first full-size folding bike in the 1980s to fill his desire for a portable bike that fit his 6′ 2″ frame. In 1987, Harry’s son, David Montague, formed the Montague Corporation while in graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The company brought this cutting edge new bike to market and started a legacy of designing and producing full-size, high-performance bicycles that fold — bikes that sacrifice nothing in performance and still provide space saving convenience.
The first bicycle designed by Montague was dubbed the “BiFrame” for its patented Concentrus system, which unites the two parts of the frame with concentric seat tubes, one nested inside the other. Since then, Montague Corporation has never hit the brakes, winning numerous awards along the way, including Popular Mechanic’s Design & Engineering Award.
Performance and portability are in the Montague DNA. From the very beginning, our focus has been on full-size high performance foldable bikes.
1990s
The World's First E-BikesThe world’s first electric mountain bikes were developed by Montague Corporation in the early 1990s. Montague supplied folding bicycles to several car companies, including BMW and Mercedes Benz, and when they began research into electric vehicles, Montague was tasked with delivering the world’s first electric bikes. These early e-bikes were based on Montague’s Bi-Frame design with hub motor systems developed with Heinzmann GmbH & Co in Germany.
1990s
The World's First E-BikesThe world’s first electric mountain bikes were developed by Montague Corporation in the early 1990s. Montague supplied folding bicycles to several car companies, including BMW and Mercedes Benz, and when they began research into electric vehicles, Montague was tasked with delivering the world’s first electric bikes. These early e-bikes were based on Montague’s Bi-Frame design with hub motor systems developed with Heinzmann GmbH & Co in Germany.
1990s
The World’s First E-Bikes
The world’s first electric mountain bikes were developed by Montague Corporation in the early 1990s. Montague supplied folding bicycles to several car companies, including BMW and Mercedes Benz, and when they began research into electric vehicles, Montague was tasked with delivering the world’s first electric bikes. These early e-bikes were based on Montague’s Bi-Frame design with hub motor systems developed with Heinzmann GmbH & Co in Germany.
1996
Olympic Pedigree
The BMW/Montague folding mountain bike was chosen as the Official Mountain Bike of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. These bikes were used by athletes for transportation to and from the Olympic venues and featured prominently in the closing ceremonies. The popular model was distributed through high-end consumer catalogs such as Sharper Image, Neiman Marcus, and Hammacher Schlemmer.
1996
Olympic Pedigree
The BMW/Montague folding mountain bike was chosen as the Official Mountain Bike of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. These bikes were used by athletes for transportation to and from the Olympic venues and featured prominently in the closing ceremonies. The popular model was distributed through high-end consumer catalogs such as Sharper Image, Neiman Marcus, and Hammacher Schlemmer.
1997
DARPA Military BikesMontague was awarded a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to work with the United States Marines in developing the Tactical Electric No Signature (TENS) mountain bike. Montague developed a new folding frame design, increasing the bike’s load bearing capacity and enabling it to fold faster and easier for paratroopers exiting from military aircraft.
1997
DARPA Military Bikes
Montague was awarded a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to work with the United States Marines in developing the Tactical Electric No Signature (TENS) mountain bike. Montague developed a new folding frame design, increasing the bike’s load bearing capacity and enabling it to fold faster and easier for paratroopers exiting from military aircraft.
The Paratrooper
Montague launched a consumer line of bikes, the X-Series, based on this new military frame design. With the success of X-Series and the publicity surrounding DARPA development, an overwhelming demand for the original military design led to the release of the iconic Montague Paratrooper bike for professional and civilian use in 1999.
The Paratrooper
Montague launched a consumer line of bikes, the X-Series, based on this new military frame design. With the success of X-Series and the publicity surrounding DARPA development, an overwhelming demand for the original military design led to the release of the iconic Montague Paratrooper bike for professional and civilian use in 1999.
General Motors
In 2002, Montague partnered with General Motors to design and manufacture the HUMMER Tactical Mountain Bike, a version of the Montague’s rugged X-series bikes that folded to fit in the back of the Hummer H2. Included with Hummer vehicles and sold through GM dealerships, the Montague Hummer bike gained a cult-like following.
General Motors
In 2002, Montague partnered with General Motors to design and manufacture the HUMMER Tactical Mountain Bike, a version of the Montague’s rugged X-series bikes that folded to fit in the back of the Hummer H2. Included with Hummer vehicles and sold through GM dealerships, the Montague Hummer bike gained a cult-like following.
Mitsubishi
As an off-road capable bike that fits in any car trunk, Montague’s new X-series mountain bikes became the ideal companion for the SUVs taking the automotive industry by storm. Montague partnered with Mitsubishi motors to produce the Mitsubishi MX bike as a companion to their new Montero SUV.
700c Road Bikes
In 2010 Montague debuted a re-designed frame for a brand new line of 700c-wheel folding road bikes. Built for pavement, commuting, and road riding, the new Folding Integrated Technology (FIT) reduced weight with more elegant lines and an updated folding mechanism for a faster easier folding.
Worldwide Distribution
Over the years, Montague has grown from an idea and a desire for a better folding bike to an international force in the bike industry. Montague bikes are distributed in over 25 countries, delivering unmatched performance and portability to riders in every corner of the globe.
Worldwide Distribution
Over the years, Montague has grown from an idea and a desire for a better folding bike to an international force in the bike industry. Montague bikes are distributed in over 25 countries, delivering unmatched performance and portability to riders in every corner of the globe.
RackStand
In 2016, Montague introduced the award winning RackStand. A new concept in bicycle rack systems, RackStand serves as a cargo carrier, mudguard, kickstand, and work stand all in one – and even makes folding and storing Montague bikes easier.
RackStand received a Eurobike Award, one of the leading international design awards in the bike industry given to new products that exhibit a high level of innovation, functionality, quality and sustainability.
DirectConnect
In 2016, Montague debuted a completely re-designed folding bike line with the new DirectConnect folding system. The improved folding system removes the quick release from the top tube, makes folding easier, and provides stronger connection between the two halves of the frame.
DirectConnect
In 2016, Montague debuted a completely re-designed folding bike line with the new DirectConnect folding system. The improved folding system removes the quick release from the top tube, makes folding easier, and provides stronger connection between the two halves of the frame.
Advocacy
Park & Pedal ProgramsPromoting cycling in our community and decreasing harmful emissions has always been part of the Montague mission. Montague launched the first official Park & Pedal program in the U.S. in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The free program encourages car commuters to switch to biking for a portion of their commute with designated parking on the outskirts of the city near commuting routes and bike paths.
Advocacy
Park & Pedal Programs
Promoting cycling in our community and decreasing harmful emissions has always been part of the Montague mission. Montague launched the first official Park & Pedal program in the U.S. in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The free program encourages car commuters to switch to biking for a portion of their commute with designated parking on the outskirts of the city near commuting routes and bike paths.
M-E1
An Electric Bike for the FutureIn 2020, Montague launched the M-E1, a revolutionary electric bike with an all-new folding design integrated with a step-through frame. The patented frame allows the M-E1 to fold in seconds without removing any parts, and easily roll while folded, ushering in a new era of electrified transportation.
M-E1
An Electric Bike for the Future
In 2020, Montague launched the M-E1, a revolutionary electric bike with an all-new folding design integrated with a step-through frame. The patented frame allows the M-E1 to fold in seconds without removing any parts, and easily roll while folded, ushering in a new era of electrified transportation.
