MONTAGUE DIRECT CONNECT User manual
1
Even if you have ridden a bike for years, it is important for you and every
rider to read this manual before riding this bicycle.
IMPORTANT: KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Bicycle Owner’s Manual
®
2
HELMETS
SAVE
LIVES!
Always wear a properly tted
helmet that complies with CPSC or
CE safety standards when you ride
your bicycle.
Great care should be taken when
locking the quick release levers on the
bicycle. If you do not fully understand
how to operate the quick release
levers, ask a bicycle dealer for
assistance, or call Montague’s
Customer Support Team at
+1 617-491-7200.
DO NOT RIDE YOUR BICYCLE
WITHOUT ALL QUICK RELEASES
SECURELY LOCKED.
WARNING
In this manual, the WARNING sign
shows a hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, could cause death or
serious injury.
WARNING
In this manual, the CAUTION sign
shows a hazardous situation which,
if not avoided, could cause minor or
moderate injury.
CAUTION
As with all mechanical components, the bicycle is subjected to wear and high
stresses. Dierent materials and components may react to wear or fatigue in
dierent ways. If the design life of a component has been exceeded, it may
suddenly fail possibly causing injuries to the rider. Any form of crack, scratch or
change of colouring in highly stressed areas indicate that the life of the component
has been reached and it should be replaced. Do not ride in an abusive manner.
WARNING
Correct Fitting - Make sure
your helmet covers your
forehead.
Incorrect Fitting - Forehead
is exposed and vulnerable to
serious injury.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Warnings 2
Table of Contents 3
Introduction 4
Record Your Serial Number 4
Register Your Bicycle 4
Owner’s Responsibility 5
Bicycle Type and Use Conditions 6
Parts of your Bicycle 7
Before your First Ride 8
Make Sure your Bicycle is
the Correct Size 8
Know How your Bike Operates 8
Check your Brakes, Steering,
and Quick Releases 8
Prevent Toe Overlap 8
Hot Spots, Moving Parts, Sharp
Areas, and Pinch Points 9
Frame or Fork Problem 9
Life Span of a Bicycle 9
Before Every Ride 10
Before Each Ride Checklist 10
Carbon Fiber Composite 10
Examine the Frame and Fork 11
Examine the Wheels 11
Examine Tire Ination 12
Examine the Brakes 12
Examine the Steering 13
Saddle and Seatpost 13
Suspension 14
Quick Release 14
Lights and Reectors 14
General 14
Riding Safely 15
Caution: Wet Weather Riding 16
Be Seen (Especially at Night) 16
Think Safety 17
Riding Instructions 18
Using your Brakes 18
Changing Gears Correctly 18
Descending 19
Obstacles and Impacts 20
Assembling your Bicycle 21
Packing List 21
Assembly 21
Installing the Seatpost 21
Installing the Pedals 22
Installing the handlebars 23
Installing the Front Fender 24
Operating RackStand 25
Unfolding your Bicycle 26
To Unfold your Bike 26
Adjusting the Frame
Quick Release 27
Front Fender 28
Attaching the Front Wheel 28
Adjusting your CLIX Front Wheel
Quick Release 29
Securing the Front Brake 30
Folding your Bicycle 32
Installing RackStand 33
Proper Maintenance
and Adjustment 35
Torque Specications 35
Handlebars 35
Stems 36
Octagon 37
Seat (Saddle) Adjustments 38
Pedals 39
Single Speed Chain Adjustment 39
Control Cables 40
Rear Derailleur Adjustment 40
Front Derailleur Adjustment 41
Internal Gear Systems / Belt Drive 42
Brakes 42
Wheels 43
Fitted Accessories 45
Bearing Adjustments 46
Lubrication 46
Maintenance Schedule 47
Warranty 48
Registration Card Insert
Section One
Section Two
Section Three
4
IMPORTANT: KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
This manual is designed to give you
the information you need for the safe
operation and maintenance of your new
bicycle. Please read it thoroughly before
riding your bicycle.
Section One of this manual involves
safety and bicycle care. Understanding
and following this information will help
you and your Montague bicycle avoid
injury or damage.
Section Two of this manual covers
specic operating instructions for your
Montague bicycle. Even if you’re an
experienced rider, you should review this
section before your rst ride.
Section Three of this manual gives
basic instructions for making small
adjustments to your bicycle and
performing regular maintenance.
Record Your Serial Number
Your bicycle’s serial number is stamped
on the underside of the bottom bracket
shell (Fig. 1). Record the serial number
in this manual below in the event that
your bicycle is lost or stolen. You may
also want to register your serial number
with your local police department.
Register Your Bicycle
Bicycle
registration is
the only record
we have of who
owns this bicycle.
Registration and
proof of purchase
are necessary to
make a warranty
claim. There
are two easy
procedures to complete the registration
(mail or email):
• Fill in the registration form in the
back of this manual and mail it to us.
• Go to www.montaguebikes.com/
register and submit the registration
form to us via the internet.
Model Name:
Color:
Serial Number:
Date of Purchase:
Place of Purchase:
INTRODUCTION
Serial Number Location
Fig. 1: The serial number
is located on the underside
of your bike on the bottom
bracket.
WARNING
Make sure to read this complete manual
before riding your bike. Failure to do
so, or failure to follow its guidelines,
could lead to serious injury or death.
5
The frequently updated website also
gives you a link to new instructions. If
you make a decision not to complete
the registration, make sure you visit the
website frequently.
Since the components on your
Montague are industry standard, repairs
or replacements can be performed at
virtually any retail bicycle dealer.
If you have any questions about your
Montague after reading this manual, or
encounter any problems when folding
or unfolding your bike, please visit the
support section of our website at
www.montaguebikes.com/support or call
Montague’s Customer Support Team
at +1 617-491-7200. A knowledgeable
representative will be happy to answer
any questions and help you to fully enjoy
your new Montague.
Owner’s Responsibility
Before riding your Montague, carefully
follow all assembly instructions.
Ensure your bike is the correct size for
your comfort and safety. When standing
over the frame (straddle frame) you
should have a minimum of 1.0” clearance
between the boom tube and your body
(Fig. 3, page 8).
Note: Montague does not make
bicycles intended for children. Please
make sure all riders are adults.
Bicycle riding can be a hazardous
activity even under the best of
circumstances. Proper maintenance of
your bicycle is your responsibility as it
helps reduce the risk of injury.
All quick releases must be securely
fastened before riding any Montague
bicycle. The quick releases are pictured
on page 7 in Fig. 2. They are: the Clix
front wheel quick release (#25), the seat
post quick release (#8), the frame quick
release (#9), the rear wheel quick release
(#32, on select models), and the Octagon
stem quick release (Fig. 47 page 37,
on select models). Caliper brakes also
have a small brake release lever (Fig. 33
page 31) For instructions on operating
the quick release levers read Assembling
Your Montague Bicycle and Unfolding
Your Montague Bicycle on pages 21-31.
Double check to ensure all bolts and
screws are tightened to the correct
torque specications.
Make sure anyone to whom you loan
your Montague understands how to work
the quick release levers and how to fold
and unfold your Montague bike properly.
The owner is responsible for required
normal maintenance services, such
as those listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule” section of this booklet (page
47) in order to keep the bicycle in good
operating condition.
INTRODUCTION CONTINUED
Make sure to read this complete manual
before riding your bike. Failure to do
so, or failure to follow its guidelines
could lead to serious injury or death.
WARNING
6
Damage or injury resulting from
negligence, improper operation, improper
or unauthorized repair or maintenance,
environmental inuences, or improper
use are not warranted by Montague
Corporation. Montague Corporation
excludes incidental and consequential
damages.
Bicycle Type and Use
Conditions
There are many types of bicycles. Each
bicycle type is made for a specied use
or use condition. If your use of a bicycle
applies more stress than its condition
limit species, this could cause a failure
of the bicycle (or a part of the bicycle).
This section shows the use condition for
dierent types of bicycles. If you are not
sure of what condition(s) apply to your
bike, consult your Montague dealer or
call Montague for more information.
Condition 1
These bicycles are made to ride on a
paved surface where the tires are always
on the ground.
Condition 1 bicycles typically feature
at or drop style handlebars and 700c
wheels and smooth tires. These bicycles
may have accessories such as a rack,
fenders, or kickstand attached.
Condition 2
Condition 2 bicycles are made to cover
all the riding conditions expressed by
condition 1 with the addition of gravel
roads and groomed o-pavement trails.
Condition 2 bicycles typically feature
at handlebars and 700c or 26” wheels.
These bicycles have “semi slick” tires
with light knobs on them and direct pull
brakes.
Condition 3
Condition 3 bicycles are made to cover
all the riding conditions expressed by
conditions 1 and 2 with the addition of
rough trails, small obstacles, smooth
technical areas, and areas where tires
are momentarily not on the ground;
NOT FOR JUMPS. These bicycles are
typically referred to as Mountain Bicycles
or Cross Country Mountain Bicycles.
Condition 3 bicycles typically feature
at handlebars and 26” or 27.5” wheels.
These bicycles have wider tires with
large knobs on them and direct pull or
disc brakes.
If your use of a bicycle applies more
stress than the specied use condition
of the bicycle, the bicycle or its parts
can be broken or damaged. Riding
a bicycle that is damaged could
decrease your control and cause you
to fall. Do not ride in use conditions
that apply more stress than the limits
of the bicycle. If you are not sure of
the limits of the bicycle, consult your
dealer.
WARNING
INTRODUCTION CONTINUED
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PARTS OF YOUR BICYCLE
1. shift levers
2. handlebar
3. brake lever
4. stem
5. saddle
6. head set
7. seat post
8. seat post quick release
9. DirectConnect™ frame quick release
10. reectors (front & rear)
11. boom tube (also comes with 2 tubes)
12. spoke reectors (front & rear)
13. tire (front & rear)
14. water bottle mounts
15. seat tube
16. rear V-brake or
caliper brake (select models)
17. front V-brake or
caliper brake (select models)
18. rear disc brake
(select models)
19. front disc brake
(select models)
20. down tube
21. crank arm
22. seat stay
23. cassette
24. front derailleur
25. CLIX® front wheel quick release
26. frame Direct Connect™
27. chainstay
28. chain wheel
29. rear derailleur
30. pedal
31. rim (front & rear)
32. rear wheel quick release or nut
33. wheel spokes
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
10
11
12 12
13 13
14
15
17
16
19
18
20
21
22
23
24 25
26
27
28
29 30
31
31
32
33
Fig 2. Parts of your bicycle and location of quick releases
8
Make Sure your Bicycle is the
Correct Size
You should ask
your dealer or
Montague to help
nd a bicycle that
has the correct
dimensions for
your body. You
should be at least
1” of clearance
above the boom
tube (2-3” clearance for mountain bikes)
when you stand over the bicycle (Fig. 3).
You can adjust the saddle (pages 21 and
38) and handlebar (on select models)
(pages 36-37) to oer the best comfort
and performance.
Before you make these adjustments,
refer to the Proper Maintenance and
Adjustments section beginning on page
35. Montague bicycles are designed
for a maximum total weight of rider plus
luggage of 250lbs or a maximum total
weight of rider plus luggage plus bicycle
of 280lbs.
Know How your Bike Operates
The elements of your bicycle, if not
used correctly, can decrease your
control of the bicycle. Before you ride
fast or outside a controlled environment,
learn the operation and performance
of all the mechanisms of your bicycle.
Practice using the various features of
your bicycle at slower speeds in a at,
open area before taking the bike on
public roads. If your bicycle does not
operate as necessary, or if dierent parts
are necessary for the safe operation of
your bicycle, speak to your dealer or call
Montague Corporation +1 617-491-7200.
Check your Brakes, Steering,
and Quick Releases
Press each hand lever to ensure the
brakes are moving freely and stop the
bike. Braking performance changes with
riding conditions. Practice braking at low
speeds before taking your bike out into
high trac areas or trails. If your brakes
are not working properly, DO NOT ride
your bicycle. Take the bike to your local
dealer for service.
Check that all quick releases (front
wheel, frame, seatpost, and on some
models rear wheel, caliper brake and
Octagon) are fastened. Nothing should
rattle or be loose.
Review Riding Safely on page 15 and
Riding Instructions on page 18 before
attempting to ride your Montague bicycle.
Check the steering as shown in Fig. 7,
page 13.
Prevent Toe Overlap
Some frame sizes, especially smaller
sizes, use a short-wheelbase design
with the front wheel close to the pedals.
Increasing the distance between the
front wheel and the pedals could place
the handlebar too far away or make the
BEFORE YOUR FIRST RIDE
1” - 3”
Fig. 3: Bicycle stand over.
A bicycle that does not work properly
can cause you to lose control and fall.
Inspect the entire bicycle thoroughly
before every ride, and do not ride it
until any problem has been corrected.
WARNING
9
steering unwieldy. On bicycles where this
distance is short, when the handlebar
is turned during very slow speeds your
foot or toe-clip could overlap or touch the
front wheel or fender (Fig. 4).
This overlap is aected by the size of
your feet, the length of the crankarms,
and the pedals
you choose. At
usual speeds, the
handlebar does not
turn suently for
overlap to occur.
When you ride
slowly, do not pedal
when the handelbar
is turned.
Hot Spots, Moving Parts, Sharp
Areas, and Pinch Points
Some parts of your bicycle can injure
you if mishandled. Sharp areas include
chainring teeth, pedals, and brake discs.
Brakes and their parts get hot. Moving
parts can cut skin and even break bones.
Clamps and pivoting parts such as brake
levers can pinch, as can the chain where
it runs over sprocket teeth.
Frame or Fork Problem
Frame problems are uncommon, but an
early warning sign can be the presence
of a shake or shimmy while riding at
some speeds. If you experience this,
or any other problem, decrease speed
Fig. 4. Toe overlap.
immediately and do not ride the bicycle.
If your bicycle behaves in an unusual
manner or makes excessive noise, take
the bicycle to your dealer for service.
Life Span of a Bicycle
Bikes and the components that
comprise them are not indestructible.
Depending on the riding forces,
conditions, and mileage endured, you
should replace your bike or its parts at an
appropriate frequency.
The safe life of a part is determined
by its construction, materials, and wide
range of operating conditions, so it is not
possible to provide a precise schedule
for replacement. Any cracks, scratches,
or signicant color changes indicate that
a component’s life has been reached and
should be replaced. Consult your dealer
if you have any areas of concern.
Good maintenance practices and
frequent inspections will ensure that you
get the most out of your investment.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST RIDE CONTINUED
If your foot or toe-clip touches the front
wheel or fender, this could decrease
your control and cause a fall. Do not
pedal when you turn at slow speed.
WARNING
A frame or fork problem can decrease
control and cause a fall. If your bicycle
gets a shimmy or any other issue,
decrease speed immediately and take
it to your dealer for service.
WARNING
Bikes are subjected to wear and
high stresses. Dierent components
react to these stresses dierently.
If the design life of a component is
exceeded, it may suddenly fail and
cause injury to the rider.
WARNING
10
Ensure that your bicycle is in proper
working condition each and every time
you ride. If a part of the bicycle does not
function correctly, consult this manual
and bring the bicycle to your local dealer
for repair.
Before Each Ride Checklist
• Frame and Fork
• Wheels
• Tire Ination
• Brakes
• Handlebar and Stem
• Saddle and Seatpost
• Suspension
• Quick Releases
• Lights & Reectors
• General
Carbon Fiber Composite
Some models have carbon ber
components. Pound for pound,
carbon ber is stronger than steel or
aluminum. But it behaves dierently
when it is overloaded in an accident
or impact. An overloaded metal part
will bend or deform before it breaks,
showing evidence of the load (Fig. 5).
An overloaded carbon ber part will not
bend or deform, so a damaged carbon
part (with reduced strength due to the
damage) may look normal - even after
the same load that bent the metal part.
But when the sum of the forces nally
exceeds the strength limit of the carbon
ber, the carbon ber part breaks, it does
not deform (Fig. 5).
In an accident or impact that does not
break the carbon ber, the carbon ber
could have internal or hidden damage
but appear normal. If that occurs, please
carefully read these instructions and
examine the carbon ber. These tests
are not conclusive: If you are not sure a
part is safe, replace it.
BEFORE EVERY RIDE
This is not a comprehensive maintenance program. Montague recommends that
you have your bicycle tuned and safety checked by a bicycle technician on a regular
basis but no less than annually. If you notice any irregularities in your bike and/or
its performance take it to a bicycle dealer before attempting to ride. Overuse of any
brake system may cause loss of control resulting in personal injury.
WARNING
A bicycle that does not work properly
can cause you to lose control and fall.
Do not ride a bicycle with a part that
is damaged; replace the part before
riding.
WARNING
Fig. 5.
Overloaded forks:
• The metal fork
on the left bent
when overloaded
• The carbon ber
fork on the right
failed at a much
higher load, but
separated.
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