I bought a used Bike Friday touring bike. I haven't ridden a road bike in many, many years, but I can tell you it's zippier than my hybrid. I'm newly back to riding and just starting to see fitness effects--so, no centuries for me--but I have ridden it 18 miles on hilly terrain with no ill effects. In terms of gearing (its 24 speed) it's better than my new Trek and my old Hybrid. I do not ever plan to fold it, but the compactness makes it easy for me to throw in the car, the cabin of the truck, or my camping trailer.