Do you know what screen name he registered under?

PeterBoutakis

Just discovered the Helix on Friday, and signed up to get notices as the project develops. Supposedly the Kickstarter campaign will start shortly.

Assuming I want to go down this route... what are the opinions on the 1X10 vs Alfine 11 speed options?

It's a very interesting bike if it sticks to its promised price range. Certainly something I would consider.

I like Alfine IGH, but for the money, and considering Zee components are not crap, I'd probably save a few bucks and go with the 1x10. Especially with the real wide gear 1x10 cassettes popping up here and there--11x36 is pretty standard, but 11x40 is out there, with kits to go 11x42. I still don't think you'd get the range of an Alfine 11 with 1xAnything drivetrain, however. So it really depends on your needs.

I just saw this bike posted on BikeRumor (with a hilarious post by someone claiming this is a "total ripoff of Brompton") and then found this thread. Love the idea, would like to see this option out there, and would definitely consider it against other folders in the same price range.

Again... assuming I actually pursue this... I think I might just go with the Alfine 11. I find that the IGH advantages outweigh the disadvantages in situations I'm likely to use the Helix in.

However... and I swear I read this not long ago but of course I cannot find the reference anymore... is an IGH worse when climbing inclines? I know the gearing should be equivalent, but...?

IGH will be both heavier and have more internal inefficiency (drag) compared to a good and well adjusted derailleur system.

But it will also shift nearly instantly and there is no additional stress on the chain from running in any gear.

I have both, and if you do a lot of climbing, would recommend you get a double chainring and 8-10 gears in the rear: While a good solution for urban use*, an IGH is indeed heavier and has more drag than a well-tuned derailleur.

Going back to a derailleur-based bike after riding around with an IGH is like removing your shoes after a day of skiing. Light feet :-)

* Lets you change gears even at a stop, and requires very little maintenance

Counterpoint: I used to do a fairly hilly commute and didn't mind doing it on a Nexus 8 IGH. Besides the range -- no matter how I geared it, I was always looking for either more top end or low end gearing. The drag of the internals wasn't really an issue I noticed, anymore than the slight drag from the dyno front hub. I imagine that an Alfine 11 would address the gearing issue somewhat, and I even rigged up a double-chainring --> Nexus 8 setup, but sold it shortly after without trying it out on an actual commute.

But now I ride a derailleur drivetrain bike. Part of the switch is that I learned to work on der drivetrains, so adjustments are no longer an issue. And for my uses of a folder, the 1x10 drivetrain on the Helix would be fine, especially with a wide range cass out back.

It's all good, no matter what you're using for a drivetrain, but for the price, I would save a few bucks and get the der drivetrain Helix. OTOH, I'd get either of the Downtube belt drive IGH bikes because they are such a screaming deal...

Based on the efficiency numbers for most IGHs and derailleur systems I've seen, tires are likely to make a bigger difference than transmission.

And I used to ride only derailleur bikes and now almost entirely IGH.

The NuVinci has the worst drag, but I can feel the some even with my Rohloffs.

I don't mind the Seattle hills with most of my IGH hubs except the Nexus 7 and NuVinci, at 32-24 gear inches with my current setups, I'm not spinning anywhere steep with those hubs. My Rohloffs go down to 17 and 19 gear inches and I can spin up any hill in this area with them.

No thanks, My $600 foldie Is just fine,,,,$1300~$1600,, for a foldie,,LoL

When I owned my Xootr Swift and I had the NuVinci N360 hub built into my a custom wheelset I thought I was going to be in heaven,...I DESPISED IT!!! The drag was huge. I'd slow down and STOP on a downgrade. I guessed it was faulty, so I loosened up the cone nut a bit. (I guess that's correct) It caused less drag - bit it was still an issue for me. I sold the bike to someone who knew about the hub and loved it. I'd have been better off with a standard derailleur,...

Show me ANY road bike, titanium frame, with that level of compentry on it, for $1300~$1600.

Hint: They don't exist.

Willing: To be proved wrong.

No kidding. This is what piqued my interest in the Helix. Same thing with the Downtube belt drive IGH bikes -- most full-size bikes with belt drive and Nexus 8 hubs are in the $1000-1200 range...

...and they fold!

When I think back about the Dahon I used to have it make me appreciate the Birdy that much more, and paid less than $300 for a like new Speed P8. But like we used to say, different strokes...

The Helix looks interesting, or at least the marketing does. If they can launch it as presented at their price point it will be worth checking out. With the larger wheels and ti frame it should't require suspension to have a decent ride. Like CF, the more mainstream ti gets the better for everyone.

You lack ambition lol.
There are many folders worth investing in other than a cheap commuter bike. They can really preform and go off road, I have a downhill BMW moutain bike.

Spending more on a folding bike than the ridgid bike offen means it opens up more cycling opputunies with a bike that is comparable to a ridgid bike.

Haven't been on this thread for a bit... so, ah, the consensus is that the 1X10 is better overall than the Alfine 8 or 11? My only reference is my 6 speed Brompton, and I suspect that's not the best reference.

I don't think "better" is the right word... some people want more of an urban bike while others are more interested in minimising weight while retaining gear range... or simply like a derailer better... although $100 for a Zee rear hub, cassette, shifter and derailer seems like not bad pricing... assuming these are all Zee branded.

I sent Peter Boutakis an email asking for an update on the Helix folder... here is the reply I got from him. Still looks to be an interesting bike...

Anyone interested in an older Pacific Reach Trail, Downtube VIII or original Downtube Mini in mint green? Gotta raise some cash somehow...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Pine Cone, thank you for your interest in Helix.
Since our last blog post we have had to spend some time making updates to out patent applications to account for slight design changes. We have also completed and submitted our Kickstarter campaign for review and approval. Once the project is approved we will announce the official launch date. We are planning to bring Helix to Kickstarter this month. Details regarding our production schedule will be included on our Kickstarter page.

Thank you for your patience during this difficult start up period. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions.

Best Regards,

Peter Boutakis, Founder
Helix Folding Bike
peter@ridehelix.ca
https://www.ridehelix.ca

I was very interested in this bike, but the Kickstarter time stretch, and that it is still in a quantum state, led me to pick up the BD-1 instead. Some interesting design and engineering ideas, but my experience with the GoBike has made me a bit gun shy...

Maybe in a year or so and some used ones start showing up I'll revisit it.

Double post.

Marking.

Still curious about this bike myself, and just saw on their website that they will resume taking orders come Winter 2017.


Anyone know if any bikes have been delivered yet?

None yet. They are getting close now. The original plan of teaming up with a company was abandoned (reasons unknown) and a factory is being set up. I still believe they will pull it off. (there is another Helix thread with more info.)