Hi there.

This is my first post here.

I want to buy a folding bike in the next couple of days. i have narrowed the choice down to the MU p8 and the Vitesse p18. Aside from the fact that there are another 10 gears on the p18, is there really a considerable difference in how the bikes perform? Is the vitesse really any quicker, or is the benefit only in going up hill?


Thanks

Tony

Hi and welcome, what are you using the bike for? Distance? The 8 speed great commuter and the 18 speed great for trips and long distance.

I think 8 gears is plenty, it's the range that's the issue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbVKWCpNFhY)

https://www.dahon.com/bikes/2008/mu-p8-0 and https://www.dahon.com/bikes/2009/vitesse-p18-0
the p8 is 1.3 kilograms lighter - that's nearly 3 pounds.

The gear ranges are 32" - 93" for the p8 and 26" - 94" for the p18. The means that when you are pedalling as fast as you can the highest gear on each bike you will be going slightly less than 1% faster on the p18. You're right, it shows more advantages when going uphill, you can switch to a lower gear on p18 (30% lower) when the hill is a challenge, on the p8 you may be getting off and walking. Personally, I find 32" more than low enough, and as you get fitter you will need the lowest gears less and less.

If that's the only thing between these bikes, I'd go with the p8. It also only has one shifter so that's one less thing to maintain or go wrong, and you'll appreciate that 1.3kg when you pick it up.

But test drive each one, and then the choice may become obvious.

LL Bean has Dahon Mu P8 for $699 + $25 shipping.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/60107?feat=sr

Review of the Vitesse 18 https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...e-p18-09-34611

vitesse.

But if you are in the 8th gear, where do you go from there?

;-)

I actually have ONE left of the Vitesse 18
https://www.thorusa.com/dahon/current/vitessep18.htm
Killer price too

thor