Tandem Cycling - Touring on a Folding Tandem

We have completed two extended cycle tours, flying Australia to Europe with our KHS tandem and carrying 4 Ortleib panniers. The first trip (five weeks in South of France in May-June 2002) was relatively hassle-free, but on the second 9-week trip (France and Italy in 2003) the trains in Italy were a hassle, with some refusing to take the tandem, (though we bluffed our way through each time). In addition, the non-folding tandem is awkward for one person to load and unload on trains, (with the stoker trying to man-handle four panniers).
We are planning another trip (May 2005) and my partner, the captain, wants to buy a Folding Tandem and pull a trailer. Bike Friday Q is the preferred option at this stage, but we haven't really explored alternatives to a Bike Friday. We know all Bike Friday owners think they are fantastic! Does anyone have any constructive criticisms, alternatives (because the BF's are costly) and in particular, comments about the experience of tandem touring with a trailer rather than panniers.

We haven't had any personal experience with trailer. But freinds of ours are on a 4 mnth tour of NZwith a BOB. They love it. Another NZ couple who have toued extensivly with a trailer are Carl & Sandy . Their trailer sounds interesting as it has brakes. Good for those long downhills. Here in their link http://www.penwarden.co.nz/Cycling/Cycling_Index.htm. We are using panniers . We have done all our touring in NZ. We head to Aussie on 22nd April till 22nd June We intend to spend a mnth in SA & a mnth in WA. Just doing some nice loops and catching up with friends and relations.
Cheers Brian & Sue

Montague used to make a real folding tandem. Maybe you can locate a used one somewhere (e-bay?). One size only: 21x18 with 26 inch wheels.
Test rode one for 'bout a hundred miles years ago . . . ideal travel tandem that folded and unfolded much quicker than any S&S tandem.
Good luck!

We have completed two extended cycle tours, flying Australia to Europe with our KHS tandem and carrying 4 Ortleib panniers. The first trip (five weeks in South of France in May-June 2002) was relatively hassle-free, but on the second 9-week trip (France and Italy in 2003) the trains in Italy were a hassle, with some refusing to take the tandem, (though we bluffed our way through each time). In addition, the non-folding tandem is awkward for one person to load and unload on trains, (with the stoker trying to man-handle four panniers).
We are planning another trip (May 2005) and my partner, the captain, wants to buy a Folding Tandem and pull a trailer. Bike Friday Q is the preferred option at this stage, but we haven't really explored alternatives to a Bike Friday. We know all Bike Friday owners think they are fantastic! Does anyone have any constructive criticisms, alternatives (because the BF's are costly) and in particular, comments about the experience of tandem touring with a trailer rather than panniers.

I realize this thread is a bit old and you may have already purchased a bike, but I will respond anyway. My wife and I have a Bike Friday Tandem Two'sDay that we used on a fully loaded tour in the Dordogne region of France. It performed beautifully and we love it. We are selling it now because we have a baby and decided two separate folding bikes would be better with our baby trailer. the tandem is listed on EBay right now. I can highly recommend this bike and the company that makes it. really a great product. good luck.