downtube

Using that as a hook you could have kept it going all day.....this would have been the best BF April Fools prank ever.

You don't have permission for next year....I'm taking your idea

Thanks,
Yan

bhkyte

I thought of it last year!
When my Helix arrives I am going to store it next to my Dahon Curl.....

downtube

Why did you not use it? I dream about these possibilities!

Thanks,
Yan

bhkyte

I imagined investing and someone doing that to me and didn't feel it was a nice thing to do.

downtube

It's hysterical.

Thanks,
Yan

shrooms

You imagined it right no point to make fun of victims of the scam.

downtube

I don't see this as a scam.

Thanks
Yan

Joe Remi

No, it's not a scam. It's a guy with an idea for a folding bike with no communication skills outside of asking for money for a bike he can't build and sell.

jur

As production nears, those with access to the closed Helix website have been required to sign an NDA, or risk being locked out of the web site. There is at least one case where everything backers-only has been copied to a forum somewhere in SEA, and of course myself, having posted some pics in this thread too (although I have been careful not to divulge sensitive issues). So I can only give news of a more general kind but no pics which aren't available at the public section of the Helix site.

We have also been given the promise of getting regular updates every 2nd Friday, as pics or posts in the "activity stream", which is a bit like a visual element blog.

Joe Remi

An NDA?? Dude, that's funny!

jur

Actually, not so; there are proprietary details for example production methods, and accessory design details which are not for public consumption just yet.

Abu Mahendra

If that's true, Helix is in trouble unless it did a thorough background check on all backers. Were I an industrial spy, I would have simply signed on as a backer so I could get at these proprietary details.

Gibsonsean

Excerpt from email today from Helix:

At this time, we have reached our production capacity for a timely delivery and will be closing pre-orders on April 7 at 10:00 pm EST. This will be the last opportunity to purchase Helix for delivery this year and the only time that pre-order pricing will be offered.

Retail orders will begin winter 2017.

jur

I'm sure that happened anyway. I'm quite sure Brompton has signed up very quickly. And any number of Asian interested parties. Helix isn't publishing drawings, for example. But yes, it would be naive of them to expect backer-only details to remain a secret.

maxxevv

What proprietary production methods ...?? All the necessary details worthy of spying are in the patent.

If the NDA applies, its to other things he wish to patent, not the updates he should be showing to backers.

I've seen the accessories picture ( just one picture), there is no basis of patent there for an NDA, the design is very reminiscent of the Birdy approach. VERY similar, patent wouldn't have stuck in a court challenge anyway. For all that it may be, Pacific Cycles may just challenge him for royalties instead.

Gibsonsean

How does the rear mudguard fold with the wheel without obstructing free rolling in the folded position?

Abu Mahendra

You'll have to pony up to find out.

Gibsonsean

Joe Remi

Is there some kinda parallelogram linkage which keeps the fender static as the wheel rotates under the frame? I don't see how the Helix retains the folded rolling ability otherwise.

I watched the video on the website for the first time in over a year. It's a very cool folder - I love the ti frame - but I'm mystified by the size. It looks like any other 24-inch wheel folder to me, albeit narrower than, say, a Tern when folded. It would work for me as a casual rider I occasionally put in my Impala's huge trunk, but seems kinda ungainly for daily bus and train commutes.

jur

The mudguard has provision that it rotates away when folding so it doesn't interfere with rolling while folded. It's a very clever design, a video shows how it works, but due to the early nature of the reveal I don't want to give a more detailed description.

tdonline

It's supposed to be pretty light, right? That's a fair trade-off if you're not getting the small fold. If I had the bike and was taking it on public transportation, I would rationalize it would be no different than when someone wheel a stroller or luggage onto the train. Sure it takes up some precious space during peak travel time, but they are allowed to do it.

Joe Remi

I think the single is claimed 22 pounds, which is certainly a benefit. I still wouldn't pick it for multi-modal commuting, but it would be great for how I use folding bikes. Heck, I'd pre-order one before 10 pm est tonight if I could convince myself I'd ever get a bike. I'm not there.

tdonline

If the bike is as good as advertised, I'm more than happy to pay retail. Not going to risk any dough on it currently.

jur

Don't be fooled by the wheel size into thinking it is unwieldy. It folds very compactly, just a tad bigger than a Brompton.

cje9

Looks like they updated the website with retail pricing. From my recollection, everything is $300 more expensive than presale or kickstarter.

To me, 20% is a small price to pay for piece of mind - both to see if it actually makes it to delivery, and for someone to put it through a rigorous review.