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This could be subdivided into several issues.
Comfort can be related to any suspension, the seating position (ability to get the bars the right height and distance from the rider, and position of the bottom bracket relative to the saddle – fore an aft as much as vertically). I think something like the saddle should not be over stressed, as it is extremely easy to change the saddle if you don’t like it – Bike Friday actually list most of their bikes without a saddle or pedals, so that the owner can choose the most suitable one. When buying a bike I usually ask for the saddle to be changed to one of my choice.
Free-running capability. This is very important if you don’t want to waste effort, and tests have shown big differences here. Using suitable tyres is probably the most significant point, so although a coasting test is useful, it is important to make sure that the bikes are fitted with comparable tyres – see note on tyres below.
Off-road – probably deserves some mention, but not usually a major factor for most buyers. See my report and also notes on tyres below. If you want to do serious off-road riding, (not just reasonably good towpaths and cycle tracks), then a 26 inch wheel really can be an advantage - but it is really only necessary in quite difficult conditions. Folders with 26 inch wheels are available - Dahon produce a number of models, for example, but they are much less portable than the smaller wheeled folders, and are more likely to attract unwelcome attention if you try to take them on a train!
A very crude generalisation is that larger wheels tend to handle seriously muddy, sandy and other difficult conditions better than smaller ones, and also are less quick to respond to small movements of the handlebars (ie they initially feel more stable, though this is partly a question of familiarity).
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