Well, this thread quickly got off topic but it's all good. I got my question generally answered.

It's a mute point anyway since I can't find a LBS (and I went to 6 in the last two days) and not one carried folders even though one of them was a suppose to Dahon dealer. Go figure.

Since I'm leery about buying anything I can't see in the flesh (so to speak) I nixed the folder option. However, in the process of going through these shops, I actually did find a bike I like.

Again, thanks to all for the quick feedback and pointers. Who knows, there may be a folder in my future. One never knows....

OK back on thread, I've motor paced on my 20" wheel bike behind my wife's car at 50+kmh, it was frightening.

Heck, I got up to 52 MPH on the Moulton a couple of weeks back (on a descent). What's that, about 90 KPH? Felt incredibly stable. That long wheelbase and suspension is remarkable. Felt better than my big roadie bike at that speed.

The fastest I've ever gone on my Raleigh Twenty is a little over 40 mph, and yes I was going downhill. I generally average 14-15 mph on rides...or I should say I used to when I was riding more regularly. I've been having knee issues (I have a torn tendon) lately and have been averaging closer to 13-14 mph. A properly fitted folder should be just as fast as it's non folding counterpart until you get up to 20+ mph. It's all about the engine, baby!

I have a good mind to hop on the train and go to Ballarat when the Swift's new wheelset is ready. (Or is that Bendigo? Can never remember.) Or perhaps you can join me on the Alpine Classic this year.

Lots of Folders on Miami's Craigslist
 

Not sure you checked at Fritz's Bikeshop in South Beach (around 15th- 16th st & Washington ave just south of McDonalds) but he usually has 4-6 Dahons in stock. Not to forget, lots of used Folders listed in the Miami CL as well. Even a Mu Uno like mine with the Bolso Carrying bag and that's rare as the Mu Uno's usually get picked up the first day of the Ad. Usually I see a new model used Dahon Boardwalk in CL every few weeks for $100-$150. Keep looking, they are around here. I payed $75 for my Red/silver Boardwalk then 3 months later someone stole it at our neighborhood Home Depot. They are in demand here !

Looking at that list for sale in CL-I see a new model Boardwalk for $120 in Key Largo--that's a fair price.
http://miami.craigslist.org/search/b...y=folding+bike

It's the latter B, and I thought you weren't doing the Alpine Classic anymore?
A few of my friends do that ride each year, I'm yet to do it.... it never seems to work out.

If you make it up here, my Sat morn riding bunch leaves at 7:10 for our competitive ride, we're called "The 7:10 bunch" for some strange reason.

Never say never-at least to folding bikes. I never thought that I would buy a used one. Well, I did (face-to-face sale at an estate sale, not online at the usual sites) and very happy still with this purchase. Along with the challenges it brought with it to make it ridable, even attractive again.

There are Dahons Available in Miami
 

SM--was at Fritz's Bikes in South Beach(also in Miami) again this week as I was last week and they have Several Dahons(mariners. Boardwalks, Mu Uno) in stock(as they had last week when I was there). This Shop(fritz's
s) could NOT have been one of the 6 stores you were at. And Yes, they are the Main Dahon Dealer in the Miami area. And they had other folder brands as well in stock.

folder fanatic - Yep, never say never.

miamimike - I don't live in Miami anymore. Thank the Lord. I left 4 weeks ago.

So I was looking locally where I live now.

However, the next time I visit relatives in Miami maybe I can convince them to take me to Fritz bikes for a looksee.

Even if I see one I like, no problem carting it back to where I live now - cause they are, after all, portable.

my folders can do between 8~16mph comfortably pedaling faster if i wanted maybe max 18~20 but don't have the need to do so can be dangerous on a small wheel. I normally average 8~11mph a safe comfortable speed city/street riding.

i've checked the last 6 record holders for RAAM [Race Across AMerica] a grueling race across the USA coast-to-coast all done in a couple of days pedaling as much as 20hrs a day and ALL the top winners had an average speed of 11~12mph no kidding !!!

any folding bike priced between $50.0 up to $2000.00 can do that[speed] easily

OK, on my Moulton GT, which has 17" wheels but is not technically a folder, I have done 65 mph. The Moultons are simply amazing. Did it downhill with a tailwind on this road heading east (towards Kailua). They had just resurfaced a few weeks before so it was very smooth. Usually can't get over 45 mph because there is a head wind but on that day there was a very rare tail wind.

But is that average moving speed or average overall speed? Because they do stop to sleep, and if that time is figured in, then they probably have a moving average that's a bit higher.