Originally Posted by
merry2
i ask specifically about smaller wheels because i think that you pedal more compared to a 700cc wheel because of the obvious size difference. so, to me that seems like you'd have to work harder to complete a specific distance goal.
That would only be true if the small wheeled bike were equipped with the same gearing as the 700c bike. Which is generally not the case. Folders are generally equipped with higher gearing, which offsets the difference in wheelsize.
Often not quite enough to make up 100% of the difference in wheelsize, but most of it. Almost ANY folder has tall enough gears that you can cruise along at speeds up to 25-30mph without spinning the cranks at a ridiculous cadence (assuming you're strong enough and/or you have the tailwind or downhill that makes it possible).
Another way of looking at it: maybe you're under the impression that small wheels require lots of fast pedaling to go anywhere because that's how BMX bikes are. But that's not because of their small wheels; it's because BMX bikes have a single speed, and it's usually a pretty low one to allow for fast acceleration. A higher performance folding bike has no such limitation.
i have to believe that going up hills is also a bit different on smaller wheeled bike.
Not much. Again, the gearing often isn't that different from big wheeled bikes. The smaller wheel may wander around just slightly more on slow climbs, but it's not a big difference in my experience.
To me, it is a given that a good quality bike should be selected for distance. i'm more interested in the other aspects of riding long distance on these bikes.
As long as you get one of the more performant folders (Bike Friday, Swift, one of the faster Dahons), wheel size won't be much of an issue when it comes to going the distance. As with big wheeled bikes, it is ALL about the FIT. If the bike fits and you're in reasonable shape, piece of cake. If the bike doesn't fit you right, you'll be hopping on the SAG wagon 70 miles into your century.