Originally Posted by
Jipe
2kg saving is a lot and would bring Helix at 9.38kg, still almost 1.5kg more than a Burke and a titanium Brompton. (I do not take into account weight weenies single speed Brompton that weight less than 7kg with the original frame but aren't really usable).
There is not a lot to win on the components: its a "naked bike" with few components, the transmission isn't high end but not heavy, same for the brakes, there are no other tires and no lightweight wheels in ETRTO 507. The only big weight savings on the components would require to use very expensive exotic components for the crank and brakes (something like the THM Clavicula SE crank, the Trickstuff Direttissima brake...).
The frame material is already lightweight, only possible saving is by using high end carbon manufacturing for some parts (seatpost, rear arm, fork tube, stem, handlebar, saddle...) but this would also increase a lot the price (look at the prices of Schmolke, AX-lightness, THM...).
More weight savings can only happen with a major frame redesign..
This completely ignores the opportunities to remve material from the frame which is where the additional 1.5 kg above KS spec went on - narrower guage/thinner walled tubing etc, less material on dropouts, hinges and latches etc. The frameset is significantly over engineered and can take some slimming down.