Originally Posted by
feijai
The important words I gathered here were: novice and leisurely.
This means that you want neither of these bikes, particularly the SL. What you need is a less expensive bike. My suggestion: a Dahon Speed P8.
Why I think the SL is particularly bad choice for you: the SL is ultralight and speedy: but you're going to really pay for that in butt pain. Folding bikes in general are tougher on the derriere, and a stiff, aluminum performance folding bike is a worst case scenario in this respect. You say you'd like performance, but I'm guessing you don't need *that* kind of performance. Get a more comfy bike.
The tikit is a cool bike, and not terribly uncomfortable, and you will like it: but it starts at $1000 and that's a lot to pay for your first folding bike if you're a novice cyclist. I think a cheaper but still good quality bike is a much better pick for you.
Dahon Speed P8. Costs $500 or so, comfy (as far as folding bikes go), still fairly good performance. About 27 pounds (mostly because of its Big Apple tires). Folds to slightly smaller than the tikit.
You also didn't mention your height, reach etc. Both Dahons have only somewhat adjustable handlebars and limited sizing. You'll want to make sure the bike fits you.
i've thought about this as well, if i'm getting more bike than i can handle. at first i was gonna get a cheap model and then upgrade later on. but then i thought why not just get a nice bike now? and i want something light that i can carry around, but that costs a premium. i didn't think about ride quality as a factor, i thought i would replace the seat if it bothered me, but i guess more preformance = less comfort.
i'm average sized, 5 foot 9 and 170 lbs. i dont know my reach offhand, but i have very slightly shorter arms for my height.
i was planning on getting a 2008 dahon mu sl since it's on sale at $900, and the 2009 one is $1300. But if the 2008 has a frame folding problem, then this is less appealing.
also a quick question, how easy is it to roll the dahon around when folded? i've read the tikit is not ideal for this because the weight is not balanced on the wheel and requires constant force to correct.