Helix Update?
12-04-18 | 03:19 PM
#1376
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 229
Likes: 8
. That’s a shame.
12-21-18 | 07:54 AM
#1382
Cyclin' twosome
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 2
From: Billings, Montana
You mean another bike that is delayed for years would be very welcome in this thread? 
To me the biggest difference between a Brompton and a Helix is not their wheel size or frame material. The biggest difference is that the Brompton actually exists. Beyond that, all comparison is hypothetical. It's like comparing your spouse to some movie character. The movie character might seem way better looking, they own a big house, can do kung fu, etc. ... . But one is real and one is not.
To me the biggest difference between a Brompton and a Helix is not their wheel size or frame material. The biggest difference is that the Brompton actually exists. Beyond that, all comparison is hypothetical. It's like comparing your spouse to some movie character. The movie character might seem way better looking, they own a big house, can do kung fu, etc. ... . But one is real and one is not.
12-23-18 | 01:41 AM
#1383
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Bikes: bikefriday nwt diamond
12-23-18 | 04:47 AM
#1384
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 98
From: NorCal
Bikes: Haibike Sduro Trekking SL, Rivendell Appaloosa, Concinnity singlespeed, KHS mini velo (Japan market), Trident Spike trike
12-23-18 | 09:55 AM
#1387
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 453
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Now: HPV Gecko FX 20 w/ assist.. Old: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
It's looking like a neck-to-neck tie for delivery on the Helix and the ShareRoller (now called OneMotor) crowdfunding goodies. Coming down to the wire. Will it be a photo finish or will one pull out ahead? After 3+ years, both of them are getting tired, lol.
12-23-18 | 02:59 PM
#1388
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 5
From: France
Bikes: Brompton, Time, Bianchi, Jan Janssen, Peugeot
I find this so exciting. Anybody running a book on this?
Seriously, having looked at the Helix website, and presumably an early version of the bike, it does look a tad complex - and therefore vulnerable - to me. I can understand why it is so far behind schedule.
Seriously, having looked at the Helix website, and presumably an early version of the bike, it does look a tad complex - and therefore vulnerable - to me. I can understand why it is so far behind schedule.
12-24-18 | 01:37 PM
#1389
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 98
From: NorCal
Bikes: Haibike Sduro Trekking SL, Rivendell Appaloosa, Concinnity singlespeed, KHS mini velo (Japan market), Trident Spike trike
That complexity - or whatever else it is that has held the bike up so long - has been disastrous. An entire ebike market has developed since this thing was announced, and that's where the sales are now. He'd have to practically give these things away to get any sales..I don't see this lasting much longer than the time it takes to deliver the pre-sold bikes.
12-25-18 | 10:01 AM
#1390
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 453
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Now: HPV Gecko FX 20 w/ assist.. Old: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
That complexity - or whatever else it is that has held the bike up so long - has been disastrous. An entire ebike market has developed since this thing was announced, and that's where the sales are now. He'd have to practically give these things away to get any sales..I don't see this lasting much longer than the time it takes to deliver the pre-sold bikes.
12-26-18 | 02:07 AM
#1391
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
I dunno, Joe. If I had money to burn, I buy one and put a lightweight electric kit on it and have arguably the lightest tightest folding electric bike on the market. With bonus points for coolness factors like 24" wheel and titanium. Most folding e-bikes the frame is pretty much an after-thought.
You'll have to compromise somewhere between the folding or the rollability for it to happen.
12-26-18 | 09:16 AM
#1392
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 98
From: NorCal
Bikes: Haibike Sduro Trekking SL, Rivendell Appaloosa, Concinnity singlespeed, KHS mini velo (Japan market), Trident Spike trike
I'd possibly buy one, too, if the price was around Brompton territory. I just don't think there's enough people like us still out there to support it, plus I suspect retail will be closer to $3k. These are just my hunches, of course.
12-26-18 | 10:18 AM
#1393
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 453
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Now: HPV Gecko FX 20 w/ assist.. Old: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
The bike folds "well enough" especially for the bigger wheels. Rollability doesn't matter to me; ride matters a whole lot more. But, if it was $3k, I'd not be interested. My Pakit was around $2200 at 19lbs but obviously 16" wheels don't ride as plush as 24". The price would have be pretty much the same as a Pakit though for me to even consider it - giving up the added convenience of the smaller wheels for the better ride of the larger. But - if I was considering the Helix (plus a motor kit) versus ANY other commercially available 24" or 26" e-bike, I'd definitely go with the Helix. No contest. Gotta compare apples to apples....and a motorized helix compared to a stromer or other full sized bike is a winner in weight and foldability.
12-27-18 | 12:48 AM
#1396
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 5
From: France
Bikes: Brompton, Time, Bianchi, Jan Janssen, Peugeot
I wonder when Helix will send their first bikes out to the press for review ? They need publicity quickly, for reasons already pointed out, Can’t help feeling DIY people such as myself and yourself are not, and should not be, their target market. It’s the ride to work unless it is cold and wet market, the commuter one in other words. For that they need a lot of support from existing shops, not to mention bikes requiring minimal maintenance.
01-06-19 | 02:39 PM
#1400
Widely Despised
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 174
Likes: 8
From: Revoltistan (in SE MI)
Bikes: Dahon Helios, Dahon P8, Bike Friday tandem, Ingo, Trek, Columbia, Helix
Some day I'll want the electric assist option.
I don't want the mid-drive, which would likely mean a both
a new frame & long engineering development process.
I want something like the Copenhagen wheel, which is
contained entirely (batteries too) within the wheel.
This would be a straight swap out of one wheel,
& it wouldn't compromise the fold.
For something which wouldn't require any development
by Helix, the Rubee might work well for occasional
use.
Who wants what?
Ref...
https://www.superpedestrian.com/en/tech
https://newatlas.com/rubbee-x/52228/
I don't want the mid-drive, which would likely mean a both
a new frame & long engineering development process.
I want something like the Copenhagen wheel, which is
contained entirely (batteries too) within the wheel.
This would be a straight swap out of one wheel,
& it wouldn't compromise the fold.
For something which wouldn't require any development
by Helix, the Rubee might work well for occasional
use.
Who wants what?
Ref...
https://www.superpedestrian.com/en/tech
https://newatlas.com/rubbee-x/52228/
Last edited by Revoltingest; 01-06-19 at 07:04 PM.