GTizzy

Hey All!

Since we're already in March, where's the Helix? I though it was shipping about now.

Any update from backers?

downtube

It's going to be a while. I am not sure that all the final components were chosen yet ( maybe the online portal is not updated ). I'm sure the Shimano 11sp hubs will be a very long wait. I normally wait 5-6 months for Shimano Nexus 8 hubs , once I waited 11 months for Capreo components ( never ordered them again ). These type of delays kill cash flow for normal operations. Helix got customer funds up front, so that was not an issue.

Overall, I expect the bike to be very nice, however I do not expect it to arrive anytime soon.

Thanks,
Yan

jur

Chinese New Year wasn't figured into the component ordering schedule. Also, factory setup and tooling is taking much longer than anticipated. Schedule has slipped 2 months already, and I would expect more slippage especially when they actually start a trial run..

BruceMetras

One of my customers has one on order.. he brings his Alfa Spider to me with his old school MTB draped across the front seat and back shelf to ride back to his house.. he's really looking forward to the Helix .. his take was that going with a second manufacturing partner set them back a few months.. understandably ..

downtube

One variable they probably did not account for was the exchange rate. It ballooned up to 1.48 for a little while, it is back to 1.34 today.....I was really worried that.

Thanks,
Yan

shrooms

Yan did you think to bring a quality titanium bike to the market? If yes what were the issues? Thanks a lot in advance.

downtube

Let me first say that if you are looking for a Ti folder you should support Helix, I believe this will be a quality product. They will start selling preorders in March. I have investigated Ti frames and it is not easy. The atmosphere affects the weld, hence it is more complicated than steel or aluminum. Realistically I would either do it in the USA or Ukraine. I have connections in Ukraine, and they have an abundant supply of legally obtained titanium ( I learned that there is a large grey market for Titanium that is not "legal" ).

Honestly last year sales doubled, and so far this year we are experiencing another doubling.....so a four fold increase in a short timespan. I have no idea what is going on but we are not setup for much more of an increase. I have a few new models on the way to help round out our offerings, but a Ti project would require too much time right now. Once again please support helix, it looks like a winner and they need support to make things happen.

Thanks,
Yan

shrooms

I will definitely support Helix or Burke (Seattle Cycles) when they will have finished bikes to sell. It would have been punishment to pay for Helix then wait, hope, and worry. Thank you for the suggestion anyway.
I'm glad that your sales increased. Arm sales also increased several folds. Everything on the market moves in circles, I guess.

xraytech

Also they should consider Chommoly as an option.

xraytech

Out of curiosity, what were the Kickstarter Backing Option?

Nevermind found them...

GTizzy

Hey Helix backers: what was the April 8th update?

jur

Nothing fantastic unfortunately. Just putting everyone in the picture, which is the same picture as last time, sorry, we're busy, some specs changed, big news soon. I moaned and groaned until some pics of the factory setup and boxes of parts were posted.

Very sparse info. No updates to the schedule. He must be a good poker player.

Joe Remi

I'll be shocked if this ever happens at anything remotely close to the original price projections. This project feels like it started years ago.

ThorUSA

when talked to industry folks at the sea otter last week, especially our friends from Canada ... they were not smiling at all.
I is like talking to European friends about current US politics ...

I think ith all that money collected that they should have the time to sen weekly detailed emails to backers

downtube

It takes me about 6 months to get Shimano Nexus 8sp hubs, 11sp take about the same time. Helix just finished component selection 1-2 months ago, I am certain the delays are not over. However once it is finished, I am also certain they will have a great product.

Thanks,
Yan

Winfried

But then, how long has Dahon been working on a copy of the Brompton?

Eight years?

Joe Remi

Dahon has been producing actual bicycles people can buy for decades. Helix has so far collected money. Good work if you can get it.

blakcloud

Kickstarter is a gamble. Have a look at the Ultimate Cooler Fiasco.

The best line from the article if you don't want to read it is:Not saying this will happen to Helix but you have to admit things are not off to a good start.

tcs

Only here on Bike Forums - Folding Bikes would someone use Dahon as an example of a company who can't accomplish things.

downtube

This is not a good comparison. The guy running the coolest is a horrible individual, not too many people are at his level.

Here's my honest opinion, I wish Peter would have zoomed into the hinges and explained more in his video's or documented more. However I feel he has good character/energy, so I consider it a fair investment with high probability of success. The exchange rate between the US dollar and Canadian dollar brought my cost down to around $1000, so the investment was lower than expected....however I believe that increased risk by a similar factor ( since component prices were most likely quoted in a currency exchanged with USD not Canadian ).

The fact that they inspected/tested each component means this is going to delayed way past any schedule. FYI I consider this wonderful news, since they are being meticulous. I do not expect my 10sp model before July/August.

Please understand a delay does not mean dishonest or improper. I knew when I bought it the schedule was unrealistic ( due to component ordering ), and there will be no bikes without the components.

Thanks,
Yan

jur

Someone needs to sell their Helix order:

Their email address is available, so if someone want to check this further, I will PM the email address.

jur

I think the inventor played his cards (and still is) very close to his chest. He claimed several of the folder's fittings are innovations that are in the process of being patented. As such, he can not make the details public at least until patent applications have been submitted. Another reason he mentioned was to keep the competition in the dark, some of whom would not be stopped by patent laws.

Al very reasonable sounding arguments but the lack of regular comms is inexcusable. His explanation for that is he doesn't want to drip feed the info, but have one big reveal.

Joe Remi

So far the "one big reveal" is that this bike is old news not happening. If I were in the market for a nice bike which folds compactly, I'd go buy one. This isn't one of those things.

shrooms

Do you know one we don't? I don't see any titanium bike with disc brakes which also folds compactly on the market.

Joe Remi

There is no ti folder with disk brakes on the market. That's my point.