Folding Bikes - Touring Suggestions

I'm planning on purchasing the Dahon Speed TR (http://dahon.com/speedtr.htm) as summer approaches, and expect to use it (among other things) to do some short 1-2 week self-contained tours. I did read some touring journals from others on a folder, but most were light/credit card. My question is: Do standard panniers fit on a folding bike? Or would you suggest a trailer instead? Does anyone have any suggestions (pitfalls, things to avoid, special considerations for touring on a folder...)? Thanks in advance. :)

With the QR tour rack, you can use standard panniers on a Dahon Speed TR. (And probably on any other folding bike, Dahon or other brand, where it fits.)

http://www.dahon.com/qrtourrack.htm

I had a problem with my Arkels... they were a little big for the standard folding bike rack. You'll have to get panniers that run a little smaller than normal.

At the end of the day, I used my trailer and got rid of the panniers altogether. A trailer would be the best option for a folding bike, I think.

Koffee

I've had no problems at all using rear panniers with my Bike Friday NWT. Handlebar bags are problematic, however, though I've found a small one which I can fit on. I've never attempted front panniers with any of my bikes, folding or otherwise. I've done some significant touring with my BF, including passes in the Pyrenees, mountainous parts of Mexico, and unpaved rail-trails, and it was no differrent from touring with my old standard touring bike.

Personally, I've never understood why some folks favor trailers. And since you specified 1-2 week tours, there certainly doesn't seem a need to carry a huge amount of stuff. Why shlep all that extra weight?

Oh yeah, I forgot about the handlebar bag. It didn't fit on the Bike Friday either.
You'll need to get a special handlebar bag for that.

Koffee

Google Gaerlan on the internet. He's a folders-only shop near SF. His website has some excellent advice on folder touring. He also sells folder touring equipment that might meet your needs.

Thanks for the replies everyone. At least this gives me a starting point.

Emperor Norton's was an interesting story from what I have heard of him on weekend radio.He was a well loved figure in San francisco.

Emperor Norton's was an interesting story from what I have heard of him on weekend radio.He was a well loved figure in San francisco.


Ah! You've tumbled to our distant relationship.....He's on the West Coast....I'm on the East Coast ...




......................................Emperor Norton II ;)

Denise Goldbery rode her Bike Friday across the US while towing the bike friday trailer. You might want to check out her journal on Crazyguyonabike.com

~Jamie (who would love to do a few folder bicycle touring case studies for BT101) N
www.bicycletouring101.com

For your information, he is not a folders only shop. He caters to recumbents also. He started out soley with recumbents before getting into folders. hey, here is a link to a folding recumbent lowracer.


http://www.jjscozzi.com/xport_4.htm warning.........lots of cool pics of the entire project.

Dahon is offering this trailer on their new site... pretty nice.
http://www.dahon.com/newsite/b-carryfreedom.htm