Steel and Aluminum; I ride both (Speed Uno and Mu SL) and I find the Mu SL is a better ride btw. Steel rides better than Alu is a myth; has been. Tires and frame designs are what make folders ride nicer -- Big Apple is more comfortable than Stelvio or Durano especially at lower tire pressures and yet, I was able to keep up to Carbon bikes like Trek Madone, Project one etc with only 9 speeds (2x9 system) due to the bigger tire circumferencce. People think having more gears mean a better bike. I beg to differ completely. More useful gears make a better bike rather than just more which is really all weight and no purpose. In the 8000 miles touring trip I did a few years back with the BF NWT, I realized I only used 8 out of the 24 gears. The 9 speeds I have on the Mu SL are customized so I actually use most of the 9 -- hard to do as cadence and terrain dictate what gear you will use most.

I do not see anything wrong with converting a touring bike into a fast road bike like some people making a long haul trucker lighter for fast rides. Eventually though, they will figure out that a dedicated road bike, not one converted from a hummer, will always make a better bike for fast rides. Otherwise, Bike Friday will never make a Pocket Rocket Pro when the New World Tourist and the Tikit should suffice. And which is why Dahon has a Speed version and the Verge with the Verge X20 or X30h which are nice, fast, and stiffer and more responsive than a Speed TR. I have ridden them most and in terms of speed and having the road feel, a Speed TR with lighter components do not make a Mu SL nor a Tern Verge.

Anyhow, really am impressed with what you had done with the Speed TR! Awesomely tricked out.