Originally Posted by
lighto
I'm not racing or anything, but I get curious at just "how much" of an advantage the road bikers have as they seem to almost effortlessly pass me on my folder (really, it's like they're not even trying).
Weight and gearing otherwse being equal, the main differences seem to the the wheel RPM (nominally some resistance and wear-&-tear-n-the-hub issues), the wind resistance (at high speeds), and biker fitness. Not knowing anything else I vote for the latter -- I usually find that on my folder (even the old cheap one) I pass average cyclists when going uphill and they pass me downhill when we're both coasting. On the flats it's a minor difference.
(is there a sticky on this topic?)