Originally Posted by
champignon
I think I'd be more in "tourist" mode rather than "biker" mode on my trips, and since I've been going to these places for years without any bike, having any sort of bike would be a real plus. In addition, since I'm not going to be relying on the bike I'd use on these trips for transportation, rather for exercise and venturing further than I can on foot, I think I could make the adjustment to having a lesser bike. The issues you raise about travel damage to a bike are very concerning, and all of my trips involve more than one flight, and possibly more than one TSA or similar inspection. This again makes me think of the question of whether a Strida might work, in that it could be packed into a golf bag of some sort (from what I have read) and it likely would not be as subject to damage enroute as a more complicated bike. Plus, its (folded) shape would lend it be more easily put into a public trash can if I needed or decided to dispose of it during a trip :-)
When I travel, I'm both depending where I am so I need a bike that can do both. I read that you have 2 nice bikes so I assume you're more fit and performance oriented. I apologize if I made this assumption. Like Ozonation said, you'll be wanting to venture much further because in a foreign place, that's what you'll be doing. To be limited by the bike when your performance and endurance cycling level can take you further can become a disappointment. I know I do. Besides having a multi-geared bike in a position that you're used to most (roadie position) will lend yourself to more biking satisfaction. Let's face it, I don't particularly like the Mu SL's hybrid higher cockpit layout as I'm a roadie. But that's a compromise that I have to live with it. If I want a more customized roadie fit, then I would go for the Bike Friday Pocket Rocket or a Tern Verge X30 which I wouldn't mind upgrading towards!
Many triathletes (professional and amateur) alike travel with their exotic race bikes in their Thule or the Bikend Helium (very nice and light) have to go through the same issues as we do, though I suspect that we as folder owners will receive few issues. The issues I had with TSA were minor. My rear derailleur hanger and the lattice hinge assembly got damaged before, but I know super nice guy Thor is always there if I need parts. But I learnt that if you provide good instruction for TSA people to pack the bike back, then usually the bike will rarely get damaged. When I was at the Phoenix Sky Harbour airport in 2011, I saw a line up of super exotic bikes being inspected by the TSA after Ironman Arizona. Oh gosh, talk about BIKE PORN! Don't worry about your Dahon ever getting damaged. If my Mu SL finally get severely damaged, then cest la vie. Next Tern Verge X30 I guess. Don't loose any sleep about your bike. It's really not worth it. It's just a thing you know. Just travel with it and deal with it.