I've had mostly the opposite experience in my bike shops. My most local LBS is a Brompton dealer so that experience doesn't count (I feel like selling Bromptons takes a bit of investment so in general they're already folder friendly). I didn't try to instigate a fight since I had my Bike Friday :-D At the next two nearby stores I always get curious looks from the employees. At one of the stores the owner/head mechanic was quite interested and chatted with me when she wasn't occupied with a guest.

I suppose that recently folders have been getting a little more common here. I just did two bike counts on our bridges this week. There were about 600 cyclists over the two bridges over a total of 4 hrs. I saw 3 Bromptons, at least 25 dahon and similar style (downtube etc.), 1 swift, 1 Montague, and a kick bike(!). (No BF, Reach, A/Strida, Carryme) That's already 5%!

They are one of the best folding bike shops in the world. They really work to find the best bike for your needs and not the other way around. They are opening a second shop I believe.


Juan

bfold - cannot say enough about them.

Picked up another folder yesterday! White/Cloud 2010 Dahon Speed D7 for $200! It was an elderly and she was the sweetest dang thing ever! She even gave gave me a lock, pump, and a set of GOLF CLUBS! Bike didn't see much action so i'm thinking I should take it apart, clean and relube/grease everything. It's just been sitting there. The thing is in like new condition. It was an hour away but dealing with her was light years ahead from the LBS. I almost wanted to take her out for coffee. She was a hoot. So now I have 3 folders .... 2010 Schwinn Tango $40, 2010 Downtube Nova $190, 2010 Dahon Speed D7 $200. Almost picked up a 2003 Brompton for $400-$450 but it wasn't in the best condition and I prefer bikes that have been taken care of or at least not used much. Alright guys, I'm going to have to start a new thread properly comparing the 3 for the budget conscious guys like me.

one reason LBSes don't like folders is that many of them use weird/ nonstandard parts, so they are tricky to fix.

my LBS has no problem fiddling with my Xootr Swift because it is so ... normal