Originally Posted by 14R
If you plan to travel a lot be aware that everytime you put your bike together you will need to readjust the gear cables and 60% of the time you will need to readjust the break cables. I tried that several times and after one trip with several stops, I gave up and now I only travel with bikes that do not need ANY kind of assembly when I arrive. I currently have a Merc, a Brompton and a 12 hour old Dahon Curve.
Just keep in mind that a 40 minute procedure to disassemble and pack a bike on a trip with 3 destinations that you want to bike at is at least 4 hours dealing with packing and unpacking. Good luck on your choice.
As Bacciagalupe points out, no readjustment should be necessary. I do not disconnect the cable from the derailleur, just the mech from the hanger (this on my bikes that have one, my Swift is SS). Assuming mountain levers, brake cables come off at the levers and go back without adjustment. The swift takes maybe 20 minutes to assemble if I'm going slowly. There is not that much assembly.
Traveling with bikes requires compromises. So, I know what you mean 14R. I bought my Swift for just such travel, shorter stays that make my other bikes less appealing on short trips because of their more complicated packing an unpacking.
For the Swift, the little bit of disassembly, IMO, is fully rewarded by traveling with the smaller case and having a great bike that fits well and rides great. The 29” suitcase really is a very manageable size. Fits nicely in trunks or back seats, etc.