Originally Posted by Jonesandrew (Post 22498168)

Hi Namor, I'm using an 11 speed e-thirteen 9-39 cassette (433% range). With a 42T chainring the chain interferes with the swing arm when running in 1st gear. With a 38T chainring the chain just skims past the swing arm in 1st but you'll still need to add some protection to avoid damage to the arm. The previous owner of my bike covered about 200 miles and I estimate I might have added another 300. Up to now I can see no durability issues whatsoever. In my opinion the durability of the frame and locking mechanisms will compete very well with those of Brompton and other premium folders. Good luck finding a used bike.

Originally Posted by Jonesandrew (Post 22491779)

I like it enough to consider using it in place of the Cannondale Topstone gravel bike which have been using for the last 2 years to commute to work. It's not as stiff as the gravel bike of course, but I find it more comfortable on a cycle path which has been damaged by tree roots pushing up from below. The seat post flexes quite a lot and behaves in a similar way to the long travel Cane Creek Thudbusters which I have on my older folding bikes and it's this feature which provides the extra comfort. The steering has a similar level of twitchyness to my 20" wheel folders. That was a surprise, I expected it t be more stable due to the larger 24" wheels, but it just means I have to be a little bit careful when riding one handed just as I've learned to do on my 20" wheeled bikes. I'd like it better if it could accommodate a wider range of gears. I like to have a range of 500% on all my bikes. The standard Helix 10spd derailleur only has 328%. I've managed to squeeze a wider range cassette on which yields 433% but to make it work I've had to add a wear strip to the underside of the swing arm to stop the chain sawing through it when running in 1st gear. I like that there's no paint finish to get scratched or worn away. I also very much like that it doesn't have the "clown bike" appearance of my previous folders. I like that I can still fit it into the same travel case I've previously used although I do have to deflate the tyres to make it fit, which is a bit inconvenient. I don't like that the fold is less slick and takes longer than my Brompton style folders. This is mainly due to the fork and steering lock mechanisms being much slower to operate. The wheel to wheel connector can also be fiddly to engage which can be annoying at times.

Originally Posted by gleearch (Post 22524543)

Does anyone have any comparison photos of a folded Helix against a Birdy or Brompton? I'm curious how the fold compares against these bikes or against other folders.

Originally Posted by Jipe (Post 21130423)

My Birdy with 20" wheels is also smaller !
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e036b82384.jpg

So, let say "smallest in its class , i.e. 24" wheels".

Originally Posted by Ozonation (Post 21130136)

I cannot recall if anybody had posted images of the Brompton side by side with the Helix when both are folded, but if it helps anybody, here are some images of the two together. NOTE: The seat of the Helix can go down MUCH further, and would be virtually at the same level as the Brompton when both bikes are in their folded configuration.


I left the seat up on the Helix because: 1) my removable bottle holder on the top tube is in the way; 2) the quick release back rack is in the "out of the way" position; and 3) I was too lazy to pop the seat down and then try to remember my ride height later! So, in the images, don't let the seat height trick you into thinking the Helix is fantastically larger than the Brompton: larger by a bit, yes; by that much? - no.

And yes, the garage door could use a new paint job....


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...04459e3c7d.jpg
Side by side

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b2595d0229.jpg
Superimposed (sort of!)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...22efd9d233.jpg
Width from the top (ignore the handle bag and rack attached to the Helix).

Originally Posted by Jipe (Post 22525208)

This picture is my Brompton compared to my Birdy Titanium, not to Helix !

Originally Posted by Jonesandrew (Post 22525612)

Oops! sorry, did that in a hurry.

Originally Posted by CKHelixOwner (Post 22636669)

Sorry not to be able to respond to anyone -- it appears my posts are being deleted. not sure why.

Originally Posted by Jipe (Post 22525613)

...as can be seen, the Birdy is only slightly bigger folded than the Brompton ...

Originally Posted by tcs (Post 22638448)

Don't own either; these are just the dimensions off the factory sites:

Brompton 58.4x56x27cm, 88301cm3
Birdy 78.5x64x34cm, 170816cm3

Originally Posted by Eendbaas (Post 22788595)

Im thinking of getting a helix to replace my brompton, I do love the brompton but I just cannot get a good upright position without compromising the foof.

one thing I do like a lot about the brompton is trolly mode, where you can push the bike by the handlebars, kind of like a stroller.
I use this a lot when travelling with my bag attached to the front carrier block.

if you leave the handlebars up on the helix, is it useable as a stroller like this as well?

Originally Posted by Joe Remi (Post 22791682)

Isn't the Helix restricted in how high a bar you can add to it, too? Long ago I did some comparison shopping and I'm pretty sure a Helix has a lower bar height than an H model Brompton.

Originally Posted by Ozonation (Post 22791659)

I have both, and while I haven't tried the Helix in this way, I'm going to say... probably not. You could sort of push it around in that configuration, but it would be awkward and cumbersome. In fact, I'm not sure you can because the Helix actually rolls on its wheels, so you have to push it along from the saddle position since the wheels can only roll one way. The Brompton sits on the little trolly (EZ) wheels so in this mode, it's independent of the actual bike wheels.

Until Helix releases its bike specific racks (which I understand the prototypes work quite well) if you want all out versatility, the Brompton is still king. What is it about the Brompton that you can't get comfortable on? I'm going to play dumb and ask what is "foof"?

Originally Posted by Jipe (Post 22791852)

About the bad road riding, cobbles and potholes, I doubt that the Helix will be much better than the Brompton.

The wheels are bigger but not that much and like on the Brompton these have relatively narrow, high pressure tires (that's a major drawback of Helix: tire width is limited to 40mm, while most ETRTO507 tires are wider that that, the choice of tires for Helix is very limited).

The Helix has no suspension at all and seems to have a very stiff frame with a straight, thick single arm fork that must be very rigid.

From what you say, I think a Birdy with a comfort stem (the Birdy stem is adjustable in height) and a rear rack with easy wheels will do the job much better for you than Helix since it has an excellent suspension (especially the front one) and wide 50mm tires. The Birdy is excellent on cobbles and trails.