road use 1-2 h sounds like more than the average commuter. if not in shape already you will soon get there, and enjoy gears in the 70-100 range. for steep hills san francisco style you could need gears less than 30, but for 'normal' hills 45 gets you up most without problems. multi gears should preferably be close-ratio on top, and can have more spread at the bottom.

thats the theory. in practice i get around most of the time, and pass almost all other commuters with my 2-speed brompton. spd cleats and healthy knees helps in hills. but in generally hilly areas i prefer to use a bike with more gears.

for my legs in flatland a top gear under 80 is joyless.. you know your legs better than we do

you must also make the decision if you can live with a folder that does not fold the chain inside itself, if not the exposed chain on the folded package soon creates a gooiy mess on your clothes, in the bike bag, in the wardrobe or in the car booth. if the fold is in the 'wrong' direction a good alternative is belt drive, ergo hub gear.