Montague Paratrooper Mountain Bike Transformation (Part 1 - The Plan)

2003 - Purchased a  Montague Paratrooper folding mountain bike.  It has served me well for bashing around on the local trails with the kids when they were younger and early on I set it up for some overseas touring.

2008 - A Bike Friday Pocket Llama with its 20" became my ride of choice for everyday riding and touring.

The Paratrooper languished in the back of the corner of the garage...

2017 - With the theme of downsizing and simplify echoing through our household it is time to reduce the bike fleet and the old Paratrooper came up for consideration.  As a true mountain bike it is outdated by current standards and an unhealthy clunk has developed in the suspension forks. However, I do like to do road rides with some of the local Meetup groups and enjoy riding the local dykes and networks of cycle paths where a full wheel hybrid type bike is more suitable than the Bike Friday...

Time as come to give the old Paratrooper a new lease on life.  Trying to keep to a minimal cash outlay and by re-purposing bike parts have kicking about I propose that the Paratrooper will be transformed into a nice little bombing around bike.  And it folds!

Here is the plan:

1. Tires - replace the knobbies with a set of lighter, higher pressure street or hybrid tires
2. Forks - replaced the worn out suspension fork with a rigid one
3. Handle bars - add bar ends and softer grips for improved comfort for longer rides 
4. Stem - replace with higher angle to soften riding position to a slightly more upright
5. Electronics - add speedometer/odometer
6. Fenders - maybe
7. Rack - unlikely as my BF is all set up for this if hauling is required