Yet another Bike Friday thread.

I'm sorry but have done a search and not only on this forum, and yet some questions are unanswered. So, since quite a few here own these bikes, I thought I'd give it a try here.

Wife and I ride Surly LHTs with 51.5cm ETT and 55.5cm ETT respectively. Was looking at getting two folders for light [rear pannier only] touring and fun rides on vacation.

We live in India, so are buying these bikes unseen, let alone after a ride, and any mistakes are difficult and expensive to correct [350 dollars shipping and 35% duty].

Lots of my queries got answered on Bikeforums.net but a few did not.

1. Handlebar-we both are used to and like drop bars. We use the compact FSA wing bar. Can this be used on a BF without being cut into a splittable bar?

Read on this thread

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=42399

that a small compact bar can be packed without being made into a split bar?

2. Fenders-Planet bike with stays, or BF without stays

3. If a split handlebar, does it feel as solid as a regular handlebar?

4. What would be the internal dimensions of a Samsonite required to pack the bike? Is it possible to find the internal dimensions required for a suitcase to hold a BF? Shipping a suitcase from the US is absurd for me with the freight and customs. I'll land up paying almost 400 plus for the suitcase alone, while Samsonites are usually half the price in India as against the US.