Originally Posted by
Fentuz
Hi,
I did a thread about my helios and how I learnt to modify it on the cheap.
Helios... race bike type or TT?
I didn't like the telescopic handle bar stem/post either so I fitted the one you find on Speed TT and Mu SL (and many others). This type is shorter and has a T fitting that required something like the litepro stuff above.
However, while I generally like the litepro bite, do NOT use this "extender". The clamp are made of smooth soft anodized aluminium and when you get on rough road or get out of the saddle a put some weight on the front while climbing a hill, the extender stem collapses... The genuine product,
Syntace VRO adaptor, fitted by Dahon and Tern is properly designed with a knurled inner surface and hi tensile bolts; these 2 things allow adequate clamping a since fitted, I've never had any other issue (even off road).
I'll get the Helios out later this morning after my morning ride. I am excited about the possibility of finding a new life for this bike since it never really worked out too well in the past. I didn't care too much for the ride and strangely enough a regular non folding road bike wound up fitting better in our sailboat at the time (folding proved to not be an advantage when we decided to use seat lockers with long narrow openings). Any way I have no immediate use case for the bike, but longer term have some trips in mind were it would be very nice to have a folder.
BTW, Is there any chance your drop bar setup will fit in the 62" samsonite oyster case? It is a bit of fiddling to get the regular bar setup in so I am guessing no, but if you know for sure one way or the other I'd be interested. I'd think a bull horn bar might have a good chance. Not a priority or anything, just curious. Given the level of fiddling to get it in the case and the fact that many airlines have more liberal bike baggage policies I don't know if I'd ever bother to try to pack it in the 62" case for a trip again any way. When I did in the past I always worried that TSA would unpack it and be unable to get it back in, despite me including packing instructions with pictures. The bike did get loaned to a frind who took it to a year's teaching gig in Spain. She then wandered europe for a bit. So it is more well travelled internationationally than I am.