About Montague

Since 1987, Montague has been developing high-performance folding bikes that ride like conventional full-size bicycles and fold compactly in just a few seconds. Born from an idea at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, USA, Montague continues to stand for technical innovation, thoughtful engineering and the highest standards of quality.

From its patented folding frame and DirectConnect™ mechanism to the award-winning RackStand™, Montague continues to refine and advance its bikes. Today, Montague bikes are available in more than 30 countries and developed by a team that lives and breathes cycling every day.

  • 1987

    In the 1980s, Harry Montague developed the first folding bike with the ride quality of a conventional full-size bicycle. His goal was to provide maximum mobility without compromising comfort, stability or performance.

    In 1987, while studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), his son David Montague founded the Montague Corporation and brought this innovative concept to market.

    To this day, Montague stands for high-performance bicycles that fold compactly in just a few seconds—without compromising ride quality.

  • The first bicycle developed by Montague was called the BiFrame. Its patented Concentrius system connects the two frame sections using two concentric seat tubes, creating an exceptionally strong and reliable construction.

    Since then, Montague has continuously refined its folding technology and received numerous awards for its innovative engineering, including the Design & Engineering Award from Popular Mechanics magazine.

  • A pioneer in e-bike development

    As early as the beginning of the 1990s, Montague developed the first performance-oriented electric mountain bikes. As part of projects for automotive manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, innovative BiFrame-based e-bikes with hub motors were created in collaboration with the German company Heinzmann GmbH & Co.

  • 1996

    In 1996, the BMW/Montague mountain bike was named the official mountain bike of the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. The bikes were used during the closing ceremony and by athletes travelling to and from the Olympic venues.

    Montague bikes gained wider recognition through leading retailers such as Sharper Image, Neiman Marcus, Hammacher Schlemmer and National Geographic.

  • 1997

    Commissioned by DARPA, Montague worked with the United States Marine Corps to develop a new folding frame for military mountain bikes. The result was an exceptionally robust design with a quick and easy folding mechanism.

    This development initially led to the X-Series and, in 1999, to the legendary Montague Paratrooper for the consumer market.

  • 1999

    In 1999, Montague launched a new range for consumers: the X-Series, based on its military design. Following the success of the X-Series and growing public interest in the DARPA research, demand for the original military mountain bike increased.

    Montague subsequently decided to manufacture and distribute the Paratrooper for both military and civilian use.

  • 2002

    In 2002, Montague partnered with General Motors to design and manufacture the HUMMER Tactical Mountain Bike, a version of Montague’s popular military bike that folded compactly enough to fit on the back seat of a HUMMER H2.

    This partnership once again demonstrated Montague’s commitment to pioneering innovative solutions.

  • 2007

    In 2007, Montague launched a new range of rugged mountain bikes based on the X-Series platform. The SwissBikes featured a more dynamic riding position and a stronger focus on performance-oriented mountain biking.

    The SwissBike XO was the lightest and most technologically advanced bike in Montague’s extensive portfolio.

  • 2010

    In 2010, Montague introduced a new frame design and an entirely new range of full-size folding bikes with 700c wheels. These bikes were designed primarily for everyday riders.

    The redesigned frame featured sleeker lines and, most importantly, an improved folding mechanism that made folding quicker and easier. With these models, Montague was able to offer a bike for every riding style.

  • 2013

    Montague introduced a custom range of framesets, allowing riders to personalise its award-winning folding bikes for the first time. Starting with the frame, customers could build their own Montague bike using components of their choice.

    Frames were available for road, single-speed and mountain bikes, allowing every rider to select the configuration best suited to their riding style.

  • 2015

    In 2015, Montague partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to launch the first official Park&Pedal programme in the United States.

    Free parking facilities were created along popular commuting routes with access to nearby cycle paths. The programme encouraged commuters to park outside the city and complete the rest of their journey by bicycle.

  • 2016

    In 2016, Montague introduced the multi-award-winning RackStand™. This innovative system combines a luggage rack, mudguard, kickstand and work stand in a single solution, while also making the bike easier to fold and store.

    The RackStand™ received the prestigious Eurobike Award in recognition of its innovative functionality.

  • 2016

    With the new DirectConnect™ folding system, Montague introduced a completely redesigned generation of bicycles. The new frame design makes folding easier and creates an even stronger connection between the two frame sections.

  • 2020

    With the M-E1, Montague introduced a new generation of folding e-bikes. Its patented step-through frame allows the bike to be folded in just a few seconds without removing any components. Even when folded, the M-E1 remains easy to move, setting new standards for flexible electric mobility.