Maybe you are simply looking for a simple answer. If you are not concerned about weight then about the only real difference between a folding tire and a non folding tire will be price. A folding Gator Skin will last about as long as a wire Gator Skin but the folder will be just about twice as much. About $35.00 to $38.00 for the wire bead and $54.00 to $65.00 for the folder. They both will last about the same amount of time. The folder will usually be a few grams lighter and easier to store if you need to store one. The folder will fit in a back pack or even a camel-back.