Originally Posted by garfangle
I am consider a Dahon Presto Lite along with Dahon's Speed D7/P8 and Vitesse D5. I really like that the Presto Lite weights just 18 lbs while the other bikes weight between 25 and 27 lbs. Is there really that much difference with the reduced weight to make up for the higher price? Is it much easier for carrying and transport purposes?
The Heilos P8 is the lightest folder at a resonable price last time I looked. Its 10.5 kg with no options but since all Dahons come with racks/guards and associated gubbins this is around 1.5 kg (2kg for the cheaper Dahons with steel racks) lighter than what you buy in the shop. Can you get the Vitesse D7 over there? Very light and excellent value (about €350 here).
A 2 kg saving makes the bike significantly easier to carry around, for me anyway. To affirm what other guys say the extra weight makes little difference in the way the bike rides, as they always repeat in the road bike forum - 1kg off you == 1kg off the bike.
Problem is though, if you get the Presto Lite your muscles wont be as big and unfortunatly your going to need them for punching people who laugh at you for riding what looks like a silly kids bike.