Originally Posted by
invisiblehand
I already wrote the obvious reasons for getting a folder for travel/touring below.
For touring there is a strong argument that the Bike Friday is superior to any full-sized bike. That is, I think you have it backwards.
What do you mean by outperform? If you are going to do high-end FAST club rides with a really high-end bike, I can see going for the full-sized bike for a few reasons. For instance, if you want the experience of a $5000-7000 bike, then at the moment, I don't think that one can match that combination of weight, componentry, gearing, and so on. But you don't have to go very far below that before distinguishing between the two is really about personal preference instead of measurable differences. And there is little difference between the $5K and $3K bike. Mind you, I am just considering what people do with Bike Fridays and Airnimals. Comparing it to a Moulton is a little more difficult.
That written, I would always try out the options. Although with an S&S Coupler or Ritchey bike, you are really just testing out the unpack/pack sequence.
Sorry to cause a hubbub. I was just suggesting the original poster (apparently a large man at over 6' and 250+ lbs) might feel more at home on a full-size bike and therefore should try out a Ritchey bike, which is a very competitive bike in the market alongside many very competitive bikes. I looked at a steel Ritchey recently which was quoted to me at $3000 even. I did not quote the titanium/carbon version because I didn't discover it until I hit Ritchey's website, and that is also more bike than I personally need while traveling. The shop I looked at did not have one of those bikes in stock. Regardless, it is the only separable bike I know of thus far to offer a titanium/carbon option. Further, I could tell absolutely no difference between the Ritchey or another nice road bike. The feel was identical and lovely. I have not yet ridden a really high end 20" folding bike, so I can't comment on the ride. Certainly it must be unique in some way as compared to a full-size bike in the handling. The Bike Fridays as I understand are steel. A heavier rider will require more material obviously in the frame, and therefore more weight. That is assuming Bike Fridays clearances are tight because of the fold and the only way then to increase the moment of inertia is to thicken the walls of the frame section rather than the radius of the tube. Recall steel has a density of about 490 lbs/ft^3. The lighter Bike Fridays come in at just over 20 lbs, but realistically for that size rider I would bet closer to 30lbs. You can get a Ritchey under 20. Anyway, there is no doubt there are other large men that find completely different bikes suitable. No bike should be left untested if there is time to do so and dealers with stock nearby, however.
Can the Moultons pack? It's probably illusion, but they look so fragile. Many of the tubes in the space frames look to be 1/4" or less, but I've never seen one in person. I would fear a good blow by the ever careful TSA and baggage handlers would do in the frame.