sanford_w/o_son

so I've been getting more into bike touring, and i'd like to start doing tours that require first travelling a good bit by train or plane. i'm going to get a bike that's more dedicated to touring, and after mulling over normal bikes with s&s vs. takedown bikes vs. folding bikes, i've decided the folding bike would be the least re$trictive on airlines. while there's a lot that's pushing me toward a swift, i think i'm going to pony up for a bike friday nwt because of the custom fit, steel frame, and case trailer (so i'm not confined to looping).

i imagine using this bike for a very long time to come (maybe 20+ years?), but (never having ridden a folding bike) i'm just not sure i'll use it much outside of a multiday loaded tour (with the trailer case) a couple times per year. so this is a roundabout way of getting at the question of components. posted below are two nwt configurations, both separated by about $500 worth of component upgrades. i'm most concerned with longevity, a little less concerned with performance, and by far the least concerned with saving weight. which upgrades should i seek out for my needs?

my limited bike knowledge says that i should upgrade the cranks, bb, hubs, and maybe the chain. am i right so far?

i have a feeling that the brake upgrade isn't worth it (probably a slight increase in performance and a little less weight). makes sense?

seatpost worth the upgrade? (i'm going to pop a brooks champion flyer (sprung saddle) on this sucker)

i really don't know much about what to look for in headsets and what "great" ones do that lesser ones don't. i do know that the price for that particular upgrade will *probably* be like +$100. worth it?

btw, this is all assuming that multiday loaded touring on a nwt using the travel case trailer is a good idea. stop me if i'm wrong here and i'll go back to the drawing board.

thanks for your help!


NOT AS EXPENSIVE MODEL

Frame Bike Friday New World Tourist™
Headsets: 1 1/4, 1 1/8", & lockrings 1 1/4" BF Alloy Headset
Stems BF 25.4 Ahead for Adj Riser(size w/ bike)
Handle Bars Bike Friday Touring H bars 50cm
Handlebar: Tape & Grips Black Cork Tape
Brake levers Avid FR-5 mica
Brakes: V, canti, & dual pivot Avid Single Digit 5 w / solid pads
Shifters SRAM Dualdrive 3x9 double shifter (ESP compat.1:1 only)
Derailleurs, Front Not required with 3x Hub
Derailleurs, Rear SRAM DualDrive Std. med cage (compat. (ESP 1:1 only)
Cranks Shim Sora spline double 39/52 (165, 170,175) 130
Chainrings 46 tooth with protector ring (130)
Bottom Bracket, bearing sets Shimano Tiagra/Sora Spline Double 113mm BB
Chains KMC Chain Z-9000 Sil/Brn 116L 9sp
Cassette: cog sets, cogs, spacers, etc 11-32 9sp SRAM PG-970
Rims Sun CR-18 (406) 32o 20x1.5"
Spokes DT 14 ga. Stainless w/ brass nip
Hubs, Front Shimano Deore 32o M530 qr
Hubs, Rear SRAM DualDrive 32o 3 X 8/9 Rear Hub
Tires Schwalbe Marathon Slick 20 x 1.35" (406) Kevlar 40-65psi
Tubes 20x1.125-1.5" SV 406 (label 18x1 3/8)
Seatposts & Shims Uno 28.6 x 350 SP Silver
TravelCases BF Extra Heavy Duty Shipping Box only
Pedals Not included in base price
Saddle Not included in base price
Weight (show) 24.5 lbs. (With out pedals or saddles except on stock bikes and bikes with a reclining inclination.)

MORE EXPENSIVE MODEL

Frame Bike Friday New World Tourist™
Headsets: 1 1/4, 1 1/8", & lockrings 1 1/4" Chris King GripNut Silver
Stems BF 25.4 Ahead for Adj Riser(size w/ bike)
Handle Bars Bike Friday Touring H bars 50cm
Brake levers Avid SpeedDial 7 mica
Brakes: V, canti, & dual pivot Avid Single Digit 7 cartridge pads
Shifters SRAM Dualdrive 3x9 double shifter (ESP compat.1:1 only)
Derailleurs, Rear SRAM DualDrive 9 med cage (compat. ESP 1:1 only)
Cranks Shim 105 10s 39/52 (165,170,172.5,175) 130
Chainrings 46 tooth with protector ring (130)
Bottom Bracket, bearing sets Shimano 105 10s (5600) 68xEnglish
Chains SRAM PC951 9 Speed Chain
Cassette: cog sets, cogs, spacers, etc 11-32 9sp SRAM PG-970
Rims Sun CR-18 (406) 32o 20x1.5"
Spokes DT 14 ga. Stainless w/ brass nip
Hubs, Front Shimano XT 32o (M760) qr Silver
Hubs, Rear SRAM DualDrive 32o 3 X 8/9 Rear Hub
Tires Schwalbe Marathon Slick 20 x 1.35" (406) Kevlar 40-65psi
Tubes 20x1.125-1.5" SV 406 (label 18x1 3/8)
Seatposts & Shims Thomson Elite 27.2 x 250mm w/ 28.6mm shim
TravelCases BF Extra Heavy Duty Shipping Box only
Front derailleur Not required
Pedals Not included in base price
Saddle Not included in base price
Weight (show) 23.9 lbs. (With out pedals or saddles except on stock bikes and bikes with a reclining inclination.)