Helix Update?
#776
Señor Mambo
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Okay, let me start by saying that I would've rather much preferred to keep things internal but after reading about the possible suspicions on the test bike, I feel that this needed to come out for comparison.
That's the only photo that I'm aware of for the test bike update, helixhelix. I wonder if anyone here with Photoshop skillz can help out.
That's the only photo that I'm aware of for the test bike update, helixhelix. I wonder if anyone here with Photoshop skillz can help out.
Peter already stated months ago that internal cable routing was too hard, hence all cable routing will be external.
You’re right though: shifter cable seems missing.
Last edited by spambait11; 12-29-17 at 01:20 PM.
#777
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#778
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Possibly because it's the single speed model? But then why have that tensioner there...unless it's required to keep the chain from hanging loose in the folded position.
Nah, don't kill 'em. Maybe not at $2K but B's have their place in the ecosystem. For example, I love the "shopping cart" mode which Helix will be incapable of.
Nah, don't kill 'em. Maybe not at $2K but B's have their place in the ecosystem. For example, I love the "shopping cart" mode which Helix will be incapable of.
#779
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#780
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#781
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#782
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I still have my suspicions. It might just very well be my own little world with my own made up demons.
Last edited by DaKineDatFolds; 12-30-17 at 06:15 AM.
#783
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...I still am. I'm still up in the air about the need for a studio-like test bike. More realistic would've been a test bike with a few grease spots on it, attached to a work stand, with a half-eaten sandwich and some empty beer bottles on the work bench....with my own made up demons.
A careful studio photo means the bike used had been ready for some time before which would put into question the timing of the announcement if only to purposely coincide with the holiday season cheer. If indeed there is a facade, the test bike wasn't quite ready. It may have been "close enough" to provide good news.
Further in that line of reasoning, if one takes the bother to get a studio portrait of a for all intent and purposes production-ready build, test completion notwithstanding, why not all configurations and numerous angles, then put it up on the public website for all the world to see including the pre-orderers in order to put them at ease, and generate even more fervent interest among the undecided. Believe me, as an internet software professional, it takes no more than a couple minute to set up FTP (far less if the FTP software is preconfigured with settings for the remote web server) and a few seconds additional to upload even high res photos at speeds common nowadays.
Last edited by RichardLee; 12-30-17 at 09:05 AM.
#784
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One of the biggest gripes right now on the backer board is how ugly the seatpost quick-release lever is, which is true.
#785
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#789
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#791
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Why do you folks like titanium so much? My favorite tubing is 747 triple butted steel. Titanium is *nasty*, like aluminum. It feels shardy and tearing and full of slivers. You have to actually work with the material with tools to get it.
Do you really think you are going to out live the rust? Or do you just like the gunmetal steel aesthetic?
Do you really think you are going to out live the rust? Or do you just like the gunmetal steel aesthetic?
#792
Widely Despised
The joys of titanium.....
- That wonderful color of bare metal...like nickel or stainless
- Lighter weight than stainless.
- No paint to chip
- No worries about fragility, as with carbon fiber
- No corrosion. (Salt is all over the roads here.)
- High strength + low elastic modulus = Lots'o energy absorption without permanent deformation.
- Retains properties at high temperatures.
I had a Dahon disintegrate in a truck fire.
All aluminium became puddles, & the steel turned orange with rust.
At least titanium frames & components would survive.
I know it's nasty to machine & weld.
(A friend ruins tooling machining massive ingots for rolling mills.)
But that makes it feel exotic & a wee bit sinful....a geekworthy illicit pleasure.
- That wonderful color of bare metal...like nickel or stainless
- Lighter weight than stainless.
- No paint to chip
- No worries about fragility, as with carbon fiber
- No corrosion. (Salt is all over the roads here.)
- High strength + low elastic modulus = Lots'o energy absorption without permanent deformation.
- Retains properties at high temperatures.
I had a Dahon disintegrate in a truck fire.
All aluminium became puddles, & the steel turned orange with rust.
At least titanium frames & components would survive.
I know it's nasty to machine & weld.
(A friend ruins tooling machining massive ingots for rolling mills.)
But that makes it feel exotic & a wee bit sinful....a geekworthy illicit pleasure.
Last edited by Revoltingest; 12-31-17 at 10:21 PM.
#793
Senior Member
Why do I like titanium so much?
My Indy Fab Crown Jewel in ti is easily the smoothest ride I've ever owned, and I have two other steel Crown Jewels to compare. On smooth pavement, I get that riding on glass feeling with the ti. On rougher surfaces like exposed aggregate, if steel frames give a rumble, ti gives more of a buzz sensation, like the frequency of the vibration is being shifted into a less offensive and higher spectrum. Neither of the steel bikes gets anywhere near that - not that they're bad rides, they're just not in the same league. So yeah, I like that.
My Indy Fab Crown Jewel in ti is easily the smoothest ride I've ever owned, and I have two other steel Crown Jewels to compare. On smooth pavement, I get that riding on glass feeling with the ti. On rougher surfaces like exposed aggregate, if steel frames give a rumble, ti gives more of a buzz sensation, like the frequency of the vibration is being shifted into a less offensive and higher spectrum. Neither of the steel bikes gets anywhere near that - not that they're bad rides, they're just not in the same league. So yeah, I like that.
#794
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Helix bikes are welded inside an inert vacuum chamber to mitigate problems working with titanium. What is puzzling though is there cannot possibly be inert vacuum chambers large enough to accommodate anything the size of $100M+ fighter jet aircraft.That means either (a) inert vacuum chambers are not really necessary to effectively work with titanium, or (b) the most sophisticated fighter jets have structural integrity problems. Neither observations are consistent with all the type about sub-sonic titanium bicycles.
Nearly 6 am Jan 1...awggh... exhausted but just can't fall asleep.
Nearly 6 am Jan 1...awggh... exhausted but just can't fall asleep.
Last edited by RichardLee; 01-01-18 at 04:47 AM.
#795
Widely Despised
Helix bikes are welded inside an inert vacuum chamber to mitigate problems working with titanium. What is puzzling though is there cannot possibly be inert vacuum chambers large enough to accommodate anything the size of $100M+ fighter jet aircraft.That means either (a) inert vacuum chambers are not really necessary to effectively work with titanium, or (b) the most sophisticated fighter jets have structural integrity problems. Neither observations are consistent with all the type about sub-sonic titanium bicycles.
Nearly 6 am Jan 1...awggh... exhausted but just can't fall asleep.
Nearly 6 am Jan 1...awggh... exhausted but just can't fall asleep.
(TI is used more extensively in the SR-71, which had friction heated wings at mach 3 speeds. Many assemblies were loose at room temperature cuz operating dimensions were only achieved at much higher in-flight temps. But one can make big things with rivets, which can make very strong assemblies. And gas shielded welding works better with simply shaped parts.)
Last edited by Revoltingest; 01-01-18 at 03:15 PM.
#796
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#797
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Btw, the 'pro photo' just requires a large sheet of black paper and appropriate lighting.
Last edited by Gibsonsean; 01-01-18 at 03:25 PM.
#798
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The SR71 skin was held together w/ rivets and screws and mechanical fasteners, not welded.
https://www.totalmateria.com/Article28.htm
https://www.totalmateria.com/Article28.htm
titanium alloys can be welded by procedures and equipment used in welding austenitic stainless steel and aluminum. Because of the high reactivity of titanium and titanium alloys at temperatures above 550°C, additional precautions must be applied to shield the weldment from contact with air.
#799
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Yeah, it could be dubious that the piccie has some Photoshope-ing going on.
So how about a non-pro photo? NO paper and inappropriate lighting might result with the same reaction. "Dear Peter, there might be some doubt that the test bike is real. In two weeks, would you be a love and switch the light on for the next test bike photo?"
One POSITIVE 'to what end' fabrication is that we'd all have our bikes right now!
Last edited by DaKineDatFolds; 01-01-18 at 09:48 PM.
#800
Senior Member
In case some wonder why people question the authenticity of the posted pictures, here are some examples of how good computer renderings can be in terms of realism.
Both images were redered using a popular software called KeyShot .
Both images were redered using a popular software called KeyShot .