Reading customer reviews on folding bikes, one thing I have noticed is some people saying that they could not climb a bridge or a hill "because of the small wheel size".
As a cyclist and someone who can reason out the principles of gearing and leverage this makes little sense to me. So are they just goofy, or is there something else that explains some peoples difficulty? Most claim that they can get over the hill on a full sized bike because of the higher speeds the bigger wheels get. This also sounds goofy to a "spinner" like me.

But as I have never ridden a 20 inch bike, I try not to assume I know anything.

The other thing I am looking at is weight limits. the Downtube claims a limit around 200 pounds, and I am capable of getting down to that, but would still be close. The Tern is at 240 I think, and i am looking at their midrange eight speed.

Thing is, I am also still looking at the Citizen Gotham II. It has a 220 weight limit, so I am a bit below that, and of course the price is right, especialy considering that I would be customizing it almost at once with different front crank, modified alloy north road bars, and lose the grip style index shifter for a decent vintage suntour friction thumby. I have lots of parts on hand, so further outlay won't be high.

I know that this bike gets sneered at a bit, but in the "folders, read this first thread" it is listed as a viable low cost first folder.

Sorry for the questions/angst, but I have not purchased a new bike in over 15 years, since the mountain bike craze. All 23 of my regular bikes are vintage, or failing that, just old and loved.