Originally Posted by
xenologer
tiny wheels with skinny tires need daily topping off lest you pinch flat or otherwise destroy sidewalls
i have not found that my 20" tires have needed daily topping off, but perhaps that's because my folder rolls with super tough marathon pluses.
Originally Posted by
xenologer
wierd cable routing prone to go out of adjustment and needing often lubrication
in the 5 years i've owned my folder, i've never relubed any of my cable runs, and all of my cabling has worked just fine
Originally Posted by
xenologer
folding hinges and quick releases which need careful tensioning, and will inevitably loosen up and die of metal fatigue...
the hinges and QR's definitely need to be looked at from time to time and adjusted for correct tension, but it isn't a huge deal, it takes a little bit of know how, but the LBS where i bought my folder actually gave me a little tutorial about how to properly look after the hinges and other moving parts to keep everything in tip-top shape.
Originally Posted by
xenologer
inherently weak frame designs
that is valid criticism of many folding bikes, but not really a maintenance issue.