Why is Dahon Speed heavier than Speed Pro?

[bike.ski]

I'm looking for a light weight folder that I can take on the airlines and use for moderate touring. The Speed Pro is as light as the Helios P8 and has 21 speeds. But then I think I don't need that wide a gear
inch range, so the Helios might be satisfactory. But how about the Speed P8 - it has the same frame as
the Pro and is cheaper. Why is it heavier and could I lighten it at reasonable cost?

Also do these bikes have anyway to adjust for riding position - I have felt too upright on the folding
bikes I have ridden briefly including the one I mention below.

Currently I have a 22 lb folder with Scram X7 and 9 with a carbon seat post and 14 spoke wheels
(weinmann Zac 2000) and generally eemly good features. It is labelled Peerless (got in on ebay). But I need a second bike for my wife.

Incidently would I be correct to also consider Helios SL (although it is over my budget right now).

[rdh]

You should go to gaerlan (http://www.gaerlan.com) for a discussion on airline travel with Dahons. He says the P8 is preferable to the higher end Dahons in this regard. He also has some slick custom modifications of the P8 (called P3X9 Tour) that make it more like a Speed TR yet still readily transported on an airline.

[DaFriMon]

I'm looking for a light weight folder that I can take on the airlines and use for moderate touring. The Speed Pro is as light as the Helios P8 and has 21 speeds. But then I think I don't need that wide a gear
inch range, so the Helios might be satisfactory. But how about the Speed P8 - it has the same frame as
the Pro and is cheaper. Why is it heavier and could I lighten it at reasonable cost? . . .

Incidently would I be correct to also consider Helios SL (although it is over my budget right now).

The extra weight of the P8 is probably spread out over most of the components, but in particular I'd suspect the tires, wheels (although the dual drive rear hub on the Speed Pro is probably heavier than the rear hub on the P8), crankset, and the fork. The fork is aluminum on the Speed Pro and steel on the P8. You might want to contact Dahon dealers like Gaerlan about the cost of getting a lighter wheelset. You may find that for the extra cost to significantly lighten the bike, you might as well have gotten the Speed Pro to begin with.

Personally, I don't sweat light weight that much for a touring bike, as I expect to be carrying moderate to heavy loads on it anyway. The Helios SL is probably a great bike, but I think I'd pick something sturdier for touring. I probably wouldn't use my Speed P8 for touring as long as I have my two Bike Fridays, but I could use it that way if I had too.

[pharnabazos]

This is a minor point, but my Speed P8 came with a big ugly kickstand, which I can see in the Dahon standard pics. I don't see the kickstand on the Pro. I wonder if they include this in the weight?

[CrimsonEclipse]

I've contacted Gaerlan before, the guy is REALLY helpful.

cheers

CE