This is an interesting thread and has some colorful prose. The Mezzo look like an interesting bike and I would love to see one in the flesh and try one out. Unfortunately here in the US it seems that their distribution has been limited and perhaps they may no longer be available, except possibly left over stock.

I see many comparisons to Brompton, so I have a question. I have been reading here that the Mezzo is a fast bike. It seems to me that a Brompton would be faster since the Mezzo seems under geared. If speed is important a Brompton 6 speed would have a much higher top speed, based on the available gearing on a Mezzo.

Actually, on a folding bike with 16" wheels maybe speed wouldn't be so important anyway. Does anyone have input on comfort? It seems like a steel bike with longer wheel base and suspension would be more comfortable than a short aluminum bike w/o suspension.

FWIW, I don't own a folder but an intrigued with getting a couple for my wife and me for european travel and travel in the US to cities with good mass transit. For my purposes, should I really look more into the Mezzo? From what I have read it seems that it doesn't fold as small, weighs as much, costs nearly as much, is slower, seemingly less comfortable and the luggage transport options are not as good.

I can understand that for other people with other applications it might be a good alternative, but maybe not for me?