Off Duty, Military Health and Fitness - Marine Corps Times

This bike stacks up

Looking for a mountain bike that’s just like you — tough, tactical and totally portable?

Check out the Montague Paratrooper, a folding mountain bike that was originally developed in 1999 in conjunction with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

At the time, the Pentagon wanted a folding tactical bike that could be air-dropped into harm’s way alongside an airborne soldier. Company president David Montague said his patented bikes have since seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

No tools are required to fold and stash the camo-green Paratrooper in a Humvee or Light Armored Vehicle. All that’s needed to fold it into a 36-by-28-by-12-inch package is to remove the front wheel and unlock one frame for quick release.

The bike comes equipped with front suspension, 24-speed EZ Fire Plus shifters and heavy-duty double-cage aluminum pedals to tackle rough terrain. The best part: It uses standard mountain bike wheels and components that can be serviced at any bike shop.

“It offers all the performance of a full-size bike, but it fits in the trunk of the car or the closet,” Montague said.

The civilian variant sells for about $800 (M16 rack not included).