Showing posts with label Montague Paratrooper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montague Paratrooper. Show all posts

Wednesday, 20 November 2019

Montague Paratrooper Mountain Bike Transformation (Part 5 - more mods)

Still enjoying my Montague bike and it has evolved into a great city bike.  Over the past year I made a few more modifications some new and some repurposed from other bikes of ours....



Titanium U-type solid lock mount takes up the only bottle mount points so I picked up velco strap bottle holder.  Added fenders too.




Due to handlebar bag and crowded bars I added a little stub to the right fork which allowed me to install a LED headlight.



LED tail light is rechargeable (like the headlight) and attaches to the seat post.


Reprocessed an unused wireless speedometer from my wife's Bike Friday.  Fresh batteries and settings - good to go.  



MEC Randonneur handlebar bag clip in mount moved over from my Bike Friday.  This is a great bag with enough capacity to carry snacks, light jacket, wallet, phone, etc. and easily pops off and converts to a should bag.



Bag not usually this full!
Mirror from my old road bike.







Friday, 23 June 2017

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  As a true mountain bike it is outdated by current standards and an unhealthy clunk has developed in the suspension forks.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