Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 2,761
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Price (related to quality), weight, ride quality (16/20" wheels vs 26) and esthetics. My Bike Friday NWT has nearly the same wheelbase as my Specialized RockHopper with a suspension fork and weighs nearly the same. Widths are dictated by the handlebars, which are close to the same. The 20" wheels make the BF shorter overall. I also like to see the front wheel in my periphreal vision! Oh yeah, you can lock them up through the frame.
The only reason I have a Bike Friday is the price I paid for it and the possiblity of flipping it. It is not the commuter folder so I can't speak to that group of folders. If I sell the BF, I will be looking for a commuter level folder. My thoughts are a Bromton. They are very expensive and would be out of my range. I would rather pack one of my bikes in my Jeep. They fit really well in the back seat with the front wheel removed.