NOTE: Today’s post comes from James Caron who has built a beautiful road riding machine with a pre-DirectConnect Montague FIT frame. Read on to learn more about the components James selected and his plans for the bike.
I recently lucked into a bare Montague Fit frame when I called Montague HQ with a technical question about my old Paratrooper. Brimming with ideas, I hopped on the opportunity and began my custom build.
A few different configurations flitted about in my head while I searched for parts, but I was really intrigued with the idea of a drop bar folding road bike. I knew it would likely sacrifice some weight compared to my non-folding roadies, but that wasn’t the point. I wanted something that would fit in the trunk of my Hyundai and be ready for a club ride, or even an event ride on a moment’s notice.
- I tried a couple bars, and settled on a 46cm FSA Adventure, with flared drops.
- The fork, as this frame came without the usual Montague bit, is a Soma ‘Cross fork, which happens to be set up to take pannier racks.
- The groupset is Tiagra 4700, 3×10 50/39/30 crank, 11-34 rear cogset.
- Brakes are TRP Spyre front and back, 160mm rotors.
- WTB 27.5” wheels. I decided to experiment with 650b/27.5 to get fatter rubber between the stays, and it feels fabulous!
- Tires are Gravel King slicks, 1.95” front, 1.75” rear
- Brooks C17 saddle
- Brooks microfibre bar tape, in black
I’m still working on configuring accessories and cargo options for longer rides, but I’ve taken this bike on a few metric centuries, and some club rides, and I think I have it right about where it needs to be, mechanically. I plan to try low rider racks on the fork, to fit my Ortlieb front panniers, and I have a large bikepacking seat bag to hang out back.
As for my anticipated trip, I will either pack my Fit up and take with with me on my flight to California, or I’ll send it via Bikeflights, depending on cost/convenience.
I’ll be joining Bike the US for MS for their Southern Tier Coast to Coast ride to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research.
Their main page is https://www.biketheusforms.
For two months, we will be traveling from San Diego CA to St. Augustine FL. As the ride mechanic, I won’t be doing the whole ride on my bike, but I will have my FIT with me to get miles in whenever the opportunity arises. And with this style frame, it could even serve as a temporary loaner for our regular riders (rider size permitting) if I need to work on their bike for more than a few minutes.
With how comfortable this bike has gotten, I might even have a struggle getting my bike back if I lend it out!
After this ride is over, I’m planning to take the FIT on some hybrid bikepack/tours. Stay tuned for more updates!
Cool ride! I’ve been wanting to outfit my Crosstown hybrid folding bike with better gearing to go faster. I might just have to try what you did here.