Originally Posted by
Schwinnsta
I like bikes with a stiff frame. I liked the Raleigh 20, at least as far as the ride quality and stiffness.
For me, now, a requirement would be that the bike take be capable of mounting 2-inch diameter tires with fenders. Will your bike take 2-inch tires with fenders. Here, you need fenders. Lots of rain. Many of the bikes that I had, would not take 2-inch tires with fenders. If the frame has good stiffness, and takes 2-inch tires, it does not matter that much whether it is aluminum or steel. Gearing is not so important to me, though it would likely be if there were hills.
I had to remove the Dahon Speed OEM fenders when I went from factory 406/1.5" to 1.75", so most certainly won't fit fenders with 2.0", at least OEM ones, but perhaps would work with 2-piece fenders that don't go under the fork crown or rear bridge, but attach on each side and stay above that. But I think the tires will fit fine.
Lots of rain here in winter. I've avoided riding in rain like the plague, not only due to no fenders, but more importantly, it grits up the rim brakes and eats at the rim sidewalls. Hence, next bike will be discs.
Stiffness normally comes down to the sophistication of the folding joint in bending and torsion. However, I think an improvised deltech cable greatly reduces that need, forcing the hinge closed more tightly. I have not yet applied that theory to another folder besides Dahon. For tightness, the Dahon Jaws and New Jaws hinges should not require deltech for tightness, at least on paper, but deltech sure does reduce bending load on the hinge joint for both. But of course a folder with no main beam hinge, like a Bike Friday and many others, is best of all, obviating that question.