Montague SwissBike LX
Folding Bike Review
Summary:
What you need to know right from the start is that this is a great bicycle however it’s all about category and how much you want to spend and for what purpose.
The SwissBike LX is in my opinion a classic hybrid. It’s a fully functional, rugged, performance mountain bike and it’s also a convenient, albeit full size, folding bike.
I must admit I like this bike a lot because it serves my purposes exquisitely.
The last mountain bike I owned was in my twenties and it did the job fine. My lifestyle at the time was work hard, play hard, party hard. That mountain bike had the quick release system typical of its period and to be honest on those days when I was hung-over or tired or both, not being mechanically/technically inclined to begin with, I really struggled to line the wheels up and tighten the levers properly (and either over tightened or vice versa depending on the day). At that time I just thought it was cool to be able to remove the mountain bike tires and throw them in the microscopic back seat of my sports car and do some trail riding. More than 10 yrs on I don’t just want to work hard, I want to work smart. I’m still a sports car kind of guy and I refuse to put a bulky, cumbersome and downright ugly bike rack on my racing coupe (in marked contrast with the stylish look and feel of the SwissBike LX). That being said I still want the performance of a mountain bike yet when you get into your 30s convenience really does matter so what’s the solution?
Strengths:
-Compared with other folding bikes in terms of usability this is a full-size, front fork suspended, high performance mountain bike designed specifically for the US Marines and not simply a folder.
-This mountain bike folder also offers convenience as the half-like Swiss knife design and quick release wheel levers can be put together in 30 seconds and allow for relative ease of transport and storage. It also comes with a removable seat post and optional folding pedals.
-Safety, security and ease of use: this bike provides cutting edge technology as in a razor sharp Swiss knife folding mechanism that swivels horizontally 180 degrees and snaps in place. Both the patented ‘X’ Frame folding system and the ‘CLIX’ wheel retention system are simple to use yet provide secondary safety devices that lock in place to ensure the bike can not/will not unfold during operation and that the tires stay in place even if not properly attached by the rider.
-High quality and strength: Standard Mountain Bike wheels and components used throughout this folder mean quality while the patented ‘seat tube system’ of folding maintains the integral structure and inherent stability of a traditional bike.
The bike comes equipped with a 24 speed Shimano drive train with EZ Fire Plus shifters and heavy duty pedals.
Weaknesses:
If there is a downside to this bike and that’s open to debate it’s a question of labeling.
This bicycle for me is the right bike, in the right place, at the right time; then again I’m not a purist of any kind. I’m not an extreme off-road mountain biker and I’m not a dedicated folding bike enthusiast or regular bus or train commuter. I’m the kind of guy who wants the best of all worlds and will sacrifice something small in the process; yet with the SwissBike LX you will not have to give up much. This is a rare breed, a folding bike that does justice to the Mountain Bike name yet also fits comfortably into a suitcase for long journeys and if you’re fairly fit and not too fussy holds its own (literally if you include one arm for the frame and one for a wheel) as a commuter bike; only diehard daily suburban commuters and competitive mountain racers should proceed with caution.
Recommended?:
Believe! For around $700, weekend warriors get a folding Mountain Bike developed for the American military that provides a whole lot of quality, riding safety, security, convenience and performance to boot.
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