# 3D-Printed Folding Bikes Montague Bikes' Foldable Bicycle System is Created with 3D Printing By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-06-15 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foldable-bicycle References: [3ders.org](http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160614-montague-bikes-provides-optimal-storing-convenience-with-3d-printed-foldable-bike-system.html) There are plenty of [foldable bicycle designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bromptons-g-line) out there, but one standout comes from Montague Bikes. Company president David Montague describes that one major difference that sets Montague Bikes apart is that: "We make full size bikes that fold, not folding bikes." With [3D printing technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personomic-saddle), Montague Bikes created an entirely new folding system called 'DirectConnect ' that begins with releasing the wheel and using a lever on the bike's frame to fold the entire unit in half. In this position, the parts lock and securely stay in place. The rapid prototyping that can happen with a 3D printing machine is what led to the development of this innovative folding system. What would ordinarily cost many months and thousands of dollars took Montague Bikes just a few weeks and a couple hundred dollars. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Transportation](https://www.trendhunter.com/transportation) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **3d-printed Bicycle Parts:** The 3D printing technology used by Montague Bikes presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the bicycle industry to explore more efficient and cost-effective ways of producing bike parts. - **Foldable Bike Designs:** Montague Bikes' DirectConnect folding system has disrupted the traditional folding bike market, presenting an opportunity for other bike manufacturers to innovate and create more user-friendly and compact foldable bike designs. - **Rapid Prototyping:** The rapid prototyping made possible by 3D printing technology has disrupted traditional manufacturing processes, presenting an opportunity for industries to explore more efficient and cost-effective ways of prototyping and testing new products. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Bicycle Manufacturing:** Montague Bikes' use of 3D printing technology in creating their innovative folding bike system presents an opportunity for the bicycle manufacturing industry to adopt more advanced production methods. - **Design and Engineering:** 3D printing technology provides a disruptive innovation opportunity in the design and engineering industry, allowing for more efficient and affordable prototype creation and testing. - **Transportation:** The development of compact and innovative folding bike designs can present a disruptive innovation opportunity in the transportation industry, particularly for commuters and urban residents looking for a more efficient and sustainable mode of transportation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Adventurous Folding Bike Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flatbike-change-adventure.md) - [Wheel-Wedging Folding Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wheel-wedging-folding-bicycle.md) - [Practical Three-Fold Bicycle Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/threefold-bicycles.md) - [Collapsible Belt-Driven Commuter Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/priority-folder.md) - [Featherweight Folding Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/featherweight-folding-bicycle.md) - [Fast-Folding E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/btwin-e-fold-900.md) - [Compact Foldable City Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-cycle.md) - [German Foldable Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fold-hybrid.md) - [12-Speed Folding Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/12speed-folding-bicycles.md)