yes they need an allen key to take off and yes than they are somewhat dangling around.... BUT in most cases you wont need to take them off at all anyhow .... like when you put the bike in the back of the car ...or under the table in the cubicle ..or or ...the advantage is that you have a rock solid regular parts cockpit...

pedals fold and sont need to be taken off....

If super small folding is the higher concern than look for 16 or 20 inch bikes ....

thor