gdhillard

Just found and quickly snagged a 2005 Helios P8 on EBay ($300) and will expect it in about a week. I will be moving to Roanoke, VA, in June, and will take some trips out there fro Albuquerque to check out housing, jobs and the bike scene. Plan on setting up a suitcase/trailer, a la Bike Friday, to use once I get there. Any suggestions for what to check or change once the bike gets here? Thanks.

Jyyanks

Congratulations on your purchase. I have 2 Dahons and the one thing I need to change on both is the seat! But saddle are very personal so you may actually like the stock seat. Good Luck and welcome to the fold!

feijai

I own two bikes identical to yours. And used to own a third.

Some 2005 Helii have plastic bushings (or whatever you'd call 'em) in the clamp which affixes the handlebars to the stem. The same goes for the clamp on the stem riser. This plastic breaks. Be sure that you have replaced both with a thin piece of copper. You can see the copper bushing here (yes, I know the pic's not of a Helios):



Verify that the small white block of plastic, located inside the handlebar stem latch assembly, isn't cracked.

Buy a good tube of bike grease and keep all the latch areas well greased or they will squeak. And learn how to properly tighten the main body latch.

Being aluminum, the Helios is a very jarring ride, especially with the default tires on there (Schwalbe Marathons). Replace the tires with something faster and cushier (and can be kept at lower pressure) while still being light: the obvious pick here is the Greenspeed Scorcher. I suggest the kevlar belted version if you can get it, simply because it also has reflective sidewalls. I'm not positive that this tire will fit on the Helios (have not tried it) but suspect it will nicely.

The Helios is one of the lighter folding bikes out there. It's also pretty flexible. You'll get used to that. The black seatpost will get scratched up nastily eventually. Accept it.

It has been my experience that Dahon's not the sharpest when it comes to replacing parts on this bike. However, Thor, who haunts the bikeforums folding bike forum, is as good as they come in providing service, even in Italy. Rely on him heavily.

gdhillard

Super helpful! I appreciate the guidance.

Dynocoaster 

Congrats and welcome to the fold. Check hinges for play. Check brakes for wear. Tighten spokes as needed. Check rim tape if/when replacing tires. Check head set for play. I recently purchased a Speed P8 off of Ebay and the hinge and some spokes were loose. Otherwise have fun with your new Helios.

gdhillard

Just added a 2006 Speed 8, and the Helios has not even arrived yet. These folders seem to be breeding like rabbits!

jur

Wow, that is a rare condition. Folderitis is an affliction which results in uncontrollable folder buying, but this usually only starts after the first folder arrives. To get it before, well... time for Folderitis Anonymous.

vmaniqui

and be warned that there is no cure...

wernst

So, how does one "learn how to properly tighten the main body latch?"

Mine is a skosh loose and I want to tighten things properly.

-Warr

brakemeister

latches have to hurt in the palm of your hands when u close them .....( a little dab of grease on the cam part of them will make them perform soo much better as well )

the helios is a pretty flexy flier... compared to newer models, BUT I still like mine ....

gdhillard

I have been on the Speed 8 about 30 or more mile a day for the last week. I have little interest in riding my full sized bikes, and have started to canablize parts off the for the folders. Went with older daughter to the library,e on Speedy and she on the Helios, and she had a huge smile, and wants to have the Helios. Really love these little bikes.

Dynocoaster 

Congrats and the folderitis only gets worse.

feijai

On the helios, the latch is tightened by turning a bolt on the inside of the latch (if memory serves -- I can't verify as my Helii are in Italy right now, and I am not).

gdhillard

Just had the Speed 8 up for a loop in the foothills, with top speed of 33.4 mph.

bhkyte

folderitis byproxy?
acute puesdo folderitus?
folderitus of the 1st kind?
collective unconsious folderitus syndrome? (bit Yung for that one.)

Must go to bed.............

lucille

Haha! I guess you can catch folderitis just from reading this forum!

Enjoy your bikeS!

gdhillard

Been doing about 30 to 40 miles a day on the Speed 8. Added some nice pedals and toe clips, and just put on some Ergon GSR2 grips. Love the bike. The Helios has been taken over by my daughters.