So anything over 100" starts to get more serious as far as riding style, gear etc etc etc?
I am just thinking more speed is better, I am not trying to win any races but would be nice for the speed to be there when I wanted it is what I am thinking?
Unless you are a competitive cyclist in very good shape you will be hard pressed to need over a 95 inch gear on a semi stock bike with 16" wheels.
On a downhill with virtually any bike you will "spin out". But usually we need the break from working so hard on the uphill.
Your 16" bike will not be able to keep up with a 700c wheeled group ride for a couple of reasons. 1. gearing --16" bikes are very limited as to the number and how close the gear ratios are. 700c road bikes have close ratios that allow the riders to stay at their most efficient cadence. Your 16" bike gearing will have huge jumps between gears so you will not always be in your efficient spin.
2. Bike development--Compared to the number of 700c bikes that have been built through the years there have only been a handful of 16" bikes made.
3. The folding mechanisms add significant weight to folding bikes and add to the flexibility.
I have learned a bunch about folders and gearing in the last year as I acquired both a Dahon MU D10 and a Zootr Swift.
I wondered before I owned one if a 52-11 high gear would be tall enough on a 20" (406) wheeled bike. I have always liked to push bigger gears. With close to 1000 miles under my little wheels I am perfectly happy with a 52-11 high gear.
Folding bikes are different but I love the difference.
Why bikes fold