Kate:

I just re-read your original post carefully, and in all candor, I'm afraid that your expectations might be a little too high for this bike. You're focused on two large mountain bikes which fold. They are big and heavy and I think you will tire of lifting, folding, carrying them, etc. Not to mention the difficulty and expense of packing them into a suitcase. I'm 6' tall and 190 lbs, and I don't like lifting 30 lb bikes, not only because of the weight, but because of the awkwardness of the folded package. You have to reach out and lift up, it's quite a strain on the back.

It also seems to me that your requirement of trail-riding is not that intense. You talk of occasional light trail riding, not jumping cliffs and screaming down steep hills. It sounds like most of your riding is on streets. A 20" wheel would serve you much better for the travel/mobility needs you describe. You may be happier getting a lighter 20" folder with wider tires and/or a suspended seatpost (Thudbuster). On those rare occasions when you want to do a serious mountain bike ride, you can always borrow or rent one.

You may wish to try riding a 20" wheeled bike before you decide. Warm Planet Bikes in SF at the CalTrain station is a good place to visit for a variety of folding bikes.

Just my $0.02 worth