Its a new proposition of Helix: the standard Helix but with the wide range transmission.

Previously, the Hong Kong specs AKA wide range cassette was only available for the more expensive Ultralight component package.

I just see that the availability of several accessories is delayed "Mudguards, Travel Case, Rear Rack & Trailer Hitch available Fall 2024." the rear rack and mudguards was announced for shipping in June.

The standard Ultralight is 9-34t (e13 XCX 11 Speed). Back when I ordered it, there was not the HK configuration.

The mudguards and rear rack delivery is now announced for July 1st.

Yes, I also received a mail from Helix announcing that the pre-orders for the rear rack and mudguards were open with now an announced delivery date of July 1st instead of fall 2024 first then June this year.

The announced dates for accessories under development are not reliable.
Once they are in stock, they are shipped quickly.

New to the forum. I have been eyeing the Helix since KS. However had always thought the KS cost was too good to be true, and was willing to pay a premium to receive the bike once it was available at retail.
Then a couple of months ago, decided it was about time now that I have I have seen retail bikes delivered within a reasonable leadtime and accessories becoming available. But then spent ages agonising over which model.
Well, last week finally bit the bullet and placed my order with Helix for the Ultralight Hong Kong spec, travel case, mudguards and rack. Hoping I’ve made the right decision I am now eagerly awaiting delivery. Fingers crossed.
I’ve decided to post on the forum my experience as a retail purchaser as I’ve not seen any recent posts from anyone like myself to help others like me who are on the fence about purchasing a Helix (for good or bad).
Current est. delivery 4-6 weeks. Although I’m pessimistic as I have seen that the case, mudguards and rack is not available till June.

Excellent!

There are almost no feedback from people who have bought an Helix without being a Kickstarter backer.

Welcome and thanks for posting. Looking forward to updates as I've long been curious about the Helix. Wish it supported wider tire sizes and that there were more tire options for 24" wheels.

Update: Just checked my customer portal and I have been assigned a Bike #: 3282 and Serial #:[Redacted]
Shame the map in the portal can't be drilled down to see the number of bikes sold to each country. Would have loved to know how many are in the UK.

My order for bike #16## never appeared, my refund never appeared, last communication from them in 2022.

While they continue building bikes, there's a slice of paying customers left in limbo.

When you wrote "My order for bike #16##" do you mean order as Kickstarted backer or pre-order after the end of the Kickstarter campaign?

Cripes, so long ago I don't remember.

Learned of it on Kickstarter, ordered later so maybe a preorder. Compounded things by prepaying for the UL upgrade when that was announced.
Yay me.

Oh my that sucks. They did not treat their early supporters well at all. I wonder how many people are in a similar boat as you?

I don't know much about the whole kickstarter thing, but if they fully paid for the bike, including upgrade, it sounds like Helix owes them a bike. If their early price is causing Helix to blow them off, that's not cool and possibly actionable. I don't know how things went once production started and subsequent pricing.

Backing a Kickstarter project is giving money to the project owner to help him realize his project, not buying a product, there is no buyer protection.

The perk announced for the backers is a reward for their gift. There is no obligation for the project owner to give the perk to the backers nor to refund the money, even if the project is successful (and for Helix, since the project was about producing a titanium frame folding bike for much less than anybody else, since it was proven that it wasn't possible to produce Helix at the price announced in the Kickstarter campaign, its possible to claim that the project failed to justify that all backers didn't receive their perk even if Helix was eventually produced).

Unless it can be proven that the project is fraudulent (for instance that the project owner didn't really tried to realize his project and just took the money), backers cannot complain if they do not receive any perk.

Pre-orders are different, its a sale, with all buyers protection like for anybody buying any product online.

(above) Thanks for the explanation, Jipe.

Regarding them prepaying extra for the ultralight upgrade, I'll be interested if that constituted a sale.

Pre-order is a sale.

But a sale from a Canadian seller to a US customer, don't know what are the rules and buyers protection for such a international sale?

I’d like to think that the majority of kickstarters fail due to the owner’s naivety in planning how much money is required to startup a business, particularly cash flow. I’ve seen many mature businesses fail just for that reason alone because they have been too ambitious in chasing an opportunity or winning a job.
I’m an optimist and would like to believe that Peter (owner of Helix?) will slowly honour the KS investors and pre-orders as more retail units are sold and cash is realised for refunds etc.
If we assume each unit is sold at 30% margin (est. conservative side). And taking standard RRP of $3000. Then for every bike sold, only $900 cash is generated, which means at least 2 retail bikes needs to sold to fulfil every KS or pre-order, that’s excluding any loans to pay back equipment lease or purchase.
From what I can see, Helix as a company isn’t a mom and pop shop in the back of someone’s shed with low overheads.
When I do receive the bike, it will not be my first titanium bike. My allroad titanium bike with carbon wheels costs significantly more and is not that much lighter to be honest. Although I have travelled abroad with it a few times. It’s still not that convenient. Takes about a couple of hours to pack properly (I take great care when packing 😅) and the bike box takes up a lot of room. Definitely takes more planning regarding transport at the other end. I am hoping that with the Helix, I am able to participate in more 100 mile+ rides abroad with far less planning as I can just use up one of my two luggage allowances and spend less time packing up between uses.

If it's already a sale, Helix would be wise to get it fulfilled while they can argue that any new tariff should not apply because it was already sold. Helix should also endeavor to maintain a good reputation. Late, we can understand, the bike appears to be a helluva achievement, a big lift. And with the manufacturing videos I have seen of multiaxis laser cutting and welding with robotic torch and fixturing, it's not mom and pop. But just follow-thru with everyone that has paid for a bike.

I live in NYC. I really want to buy one but I can't shell out this kind of money after all of the controversies. I've been around since the beginning of the Kickstarter campaign too. To make the original backers pay additional money for their bikes after all of these years is wrong. The owner used the initial seed money to get the business off the ground in China. Also, I'm still not convinced of the Helix's ergonomics, how the parts fit and work together. At least the Brompton T-Line is tried and true at this point, and I've ridden it. It's crazy, I still consider the Helix in the prototype stage at this moment. Not enough are being made.

From everything I've read, the Helix was designed and is built in Canada, I think Toronto, I think I read someone picked theirs up there. No?

I'd say definitely beyond prototype stage, but (to their credit) they have incorporated improvements as they are perfected.

Going to visit Toronto in Sept for the Lady Gaga concert. :D Have reached out to Helix to see if they were willing to let me visit their shop while I’m there. Maybe get some questions answered on behalf of some of the forum members. I’ll hopefully have my bike with me as well🤞.

I purchased mine few weeks ago as well
My bike number is #3283 !!
4~6 weeks is the estimate, but I doubt it will be sent so soon.
Fingers crossed

Even if it's proven, Kickstarter doesn't care because they've already taken their cut.

The sale date doesn't matter. If the new tariffs are in effect on the day the bike crosses the border, the buyer must pay them. That's why some boardgame publishers keep in China the manufactured games, waiting for better days and lower tarrifs.

Indeed. I discovered Helix years after their Kickstarter campaign. I think they underestimated the engineering difficulty. I don't know what happened, but it seemed difficult for both the company and the backers.
At least they're still operational, which is quite a feat in itself.

They posted a photo on Instagram of a buyer retrieving an SRAM Red Helix from their office.
It's definitely beyond the prototype stage. I have the 2023 version and have never felt like I was riding a prototype.

You should be fine. My Helix was two weeks late, but it was summer, and their office was closed for about a week or more.

You were right. Got my fedex notice for shipping. I also got a photo of my bike as well. I should be getting my bike within 2 weeks.
FYI, they have tan-wall version of the ultralight tires, so I had mine fitted with it. I was told it will be added to their shop page soon.

No update on mine which is still in production queue.I'm guessing they are making specs in batches.
I did get an update from Ana at Helix who says they don't typically allow the public to visit, but could accomodate me in Sept provided I sign an NDA.