Helix vs IF Reach
 

I'm still searching for the perfect folding bike, to hopefully one day replace both my current folding bike and my around town full bike.

These two have been piquing my fancy for a while and I was wondering which of the two you guys would choose and for what reason.

The way I see it the Helix has bigger wheels, a smaller fold and is possibly slightly lighter with the same setup.
The IF Reach on the other hand has front and rear "suspension", potentially a faster fold and is available to buy right now.

I think logically the choice would be the Helix, but for some reason the IF Reach just really tickles the right spots for me. I think it looks better and I like the fold more. As usual, it's a logic vs gut choice for me, and I'm hoping some external input will help sway it.

The Helix hasn't been released as of yet, so any discussion between the 2 will be mere speculation.

IF Reach is real and now. Hopefully people that backed Helix won't
be part of those folks that never got anything for their money:

https://www.kickstarter.com/fulfillment

I would just sit and wait till a real Helix shows up; if ever. Also;
during initial marketing - a lot of promises in regards to weight & sizes
will be made. Then after the research & development phase; those
numbers may change.

What are your needs?

I've seen the IF Reach in the flesh: It's just a more expensive Dahon, with 451 wheels instead of the much more popular 406, no lug welded in the front to carry a bag on the frame, and proprietary fenders.

For less money, I'd check Dahon's LockJaw Hinges-based models such as the Dash P18/X20/Altena (although they also come with 451 wheels, for some reason.)

Reassuring ride on a responsive frame, with a fast fold that can be rolled. I know the Dahon LockJaw models fall short on at least one of those points. The ability of fit a rack of some sort would potentially be nice, but not a priority for me. I'm comfortable cycling with a backpack on.

Thanks for the suggestion though. What was your overall impression of build quality etc when you saw the IF Reach?

Build quality with the Pacific Cycle's Reach will be excellent .. that you have found a new IF Reach is cool.. AFAIK, they've been discontinued .. one of my customer's had one and really liked it. the suspension is what sets the bike apart from most folders and makes a huge difference in the real world .. the quick fold and ability to roll easily on its wheels is great if you need those features .. I still ride my non-IF Reach Road most everyday and was my first choice for an e-assist project .. excellent ride characteristics and non-proprietary drivetrain components are a big plus..

They to still be available online. I sincerely hope I can find one. Pacific cycles website is certainly listing them as no stock though.

Thanks for your thoughts in the build.

I love my two Dahon Dash, but I don't think a PC Reach is essentially a Dash. A Reach has disk brakes, thru-axles, a smaller fold and front/rear suspension.

Helix is vapor-ware. Reach is real. And, btw, the PC Reach is not discontinued. I saw one on the showroom floor in Jakarta two weeks ago, and EWalker in Singapore has several on the floor on display. $1,999 buys one.

I can tell you the Dash offers a reassuring ride. If traditional diamond geometry and Lockjaw hinges don't reassure you, folding bikes ain't for you then.

BFold of New York City has a Pacific Cycles Reach listed as stock on their website.
But only the Racing SL model; US$2,700.00.

Pacific Cycles Reach Racing SL : Bfold

I'm looking at the IF Reach with the folding main triangle, not the "Reach" with the hinging rear end. Nice looking bike but not a fan of the fact you have to remove the front wheel and handlebars.

IF Reach Folding Bicycle – NYCeWheels.com :

"This bike is currently not available in the US."

Fortunately I'm not in the US ;)

here you go...
 

...in the flesh, on the sales floor in Jakarta, ready to go...
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/13h9uj20xq1...38_2.jpg?raw=1

The new Reach seems like a breakable bike rather than a folding one.
Is that part of the consideration? (ie. folding)


The cheaper spec'ed Dahon Clinch and the Tyrell IVE is worth considering.
If fold size can be bigger, I do think the Dahon lockjaw Dash series bikes are nice looking and a good roadbike like ride.

Tyrell IVE is a different beast. No disk brakes, no suspension, 85kg weight limit, 18" wheels. The Reach is sui generis.

IF Reach looks awesome, I was looking into a Birdie or the IF Move before going with Downtube.

IF Move – NYCeWheels.com

The Tyrell IVE doesn't look bad, but I'm not a fan of the fold as much as I am that of the IF Reach. Relying on little frame mounted wheels for rolling to me isn't an ideal solution.

Pacific Cycles has released the frameset about usd 1500 in Taiwan with some custom components.

**********?? jesler bicycles

http://www.jeslerbike.com/ProductImg/20160907000040.JPG

http://www.jeslerbike.com/PageImg/images/IMG_4939.JPG

The Helix should trump just about every other folder out there: 24" wheels should make for a smoother ride, still small enough to be nimble, can fold down in multiple ways, titanium frame, and the smallest actual fold available. In theory. Time will tell when the bikes supposedly start getting delivered in October.

I also looked at the Dahon Dash series for a long time. Kind of regret not picking one up when one of the bike stores was clearing them out.

Have you considered a Brompton?

Not sure you really need suspension in a folding bike, unless the places you go to demand such additional ability.