Monday, May 6, 2013

Montague Boston 8

Montague Boston 8.  Photo Credit: Montague Bikes.
Montague's Boston 8 is a folding bike that features a Shimano Nexus internal 8-speed hub and 700c tires and folds up to fit in your trunk or on a bus or train.  The MSRP is $1050.

Montague has a storied history.  Harry Montague was a Washington, D.C. bike commuter who built a full-size, foldable mountain bike in his garage in the early 1980s.  According to his Washington Post obituary (Montague died in 2011), Montague wrote letters to 40 bicycle manufacturers about his design, but no one was interested.  He then started his own business with his son building custom foldable bikes. 

In 1997, Montague made a "paratrooper bike" for the U.S. military that has been used in Afghanistan.  The paratrooper bike has been on display at the America on Wheels Transportation Museum, and it is for sale to the general public as well.

The Boston 8 and the single-speed Boston are perfect for multi-modal commutes and for travel.  Here are the 2013 specs for the Boston 8 and a video introduction:

Specifications
Color Matte Black
Frame Custom drawn 7005 Series. Aluminum tubing with horizontal dropouts and FIT System..
Fork Full Cro-Mo, with CLIX™ Wheel Release System Ramped Dropout.
Rims Alex. Alloy, 32 hole, Black. 700c.
Tires Kenda Kwick Roller Sport 700c x 28mm slick.
Hubset Formula. Alloy, with CLIX™ front quick release. Shimano Nexus internal rear.
Spokes 14 Gauge Stainless
Saddle Areo Performance with “Center Gap”.
Seatpost 27.2 X 300mm Alloy.
Handlebars Riser style 30mm rise. 530mm wide. Alloy.
Stem Kalloy, Alloy Direct Connect, 7 Degree Rise.
Shifters Shimano Nexus 8-speed.
Front Derailleur NA
Rear Derailleur Shimano Nexus internal gear 8-speed hub.
Crankset SR Suntour. Alloy 42T chainwheel. Alloy 170mm crank arm.
Speeds 8
Brakeset Promax. Alloy. Dual Pivot Caliper brake with Alloy levers.
Pedals Platform trekking pedal. Aluminum Cage.
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
Frame Sizes 17", 19”, 21”
Stand over heights TBA
Folded Size 36” x 28” x 12”
Approx Weight 27lbs
MSRP $1049.00