Originally Posted by
staehpj1
The handling with reasonably priced folders is usually pretty bad in my experience. I know that my Dahon Helios if fine to run errands, but I wouldn't want to do much more ambitious riding than that. I might consider it for a flat tour very lightly loaded and with low daily mileage, but I am not usually inclined to do tours that meet that criteria. I don't even like it for hilly rides of short duration due to the lack of frame stiffness, inability to get my preferred body position, and the generally funky handling.
I guess if you spend more on a folder they might be more rigid, but long seat and stem masts can only be so stiff unless very heavy. I have never ridden a bike friday or similar though, so I could be wrong.
I've only ridden a Dahon folder, but I had the same misgivings as you about using it for a long tour. When I saw that the Pathlesspedelled folks had given up on the Bromptons and didn't seem to do many miles on them in NZ I took it as a confirmation of the issues folders have on long tours......I might be reading too much into that, but the options for packing a regular bike are pretty good if you keep the weight down and plan ahead.