Helix Update?
01-03-22, 11:03 AM
#2651
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I haven’t posted here in a while but after waiting for years with no tangible progress I finally decided to submit a request for a refund for my two pre-ordered bikes. I just received credit back on my statement and hope that remaining backers/those with pre-ordered units get their bikes soon. I’ve since acquired a couple of e-bikes and Helix no longer fits into my long-term plans. I wish Peter and everyone else waiting on bikes the best of luck.
01-03-22, 04:15 PM
#2652
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Remember that they have no obligation to provide a bike to their backers, backers didn't buy a bike, they give money to support the Helix project and if they receive something, its a reward. There is of course also no obligation to refund backers.
Batstar is, if I understand well, not a backer but a customer, he bought 2 Helix during the pre-order campaign that was launched after the end of the kickstarter campaign. Pre-order is an order but without a committed delivery date and a right for the buyer to cancel his pre-order with a refund from the seller.
Last edited by Jipe; 01-03-22 at 04:22 PM.
01-24-22, 07:38 PM
#2653
Member
Here in Hong Kong there are now a few helix riders saying the bike is good for riding… but to be honest, the high price point does allow a lot of other choices such as buying a foldable frame plus high end crankset, cassette, carbon fork/handle bar, etc etc…
Likes For monsterfather:
02-16-22, 12:26 AM
#2658
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I can confirm it is a fractured weld. There are two welds very close together at the base of the steerer where it joins the upper half of the handle post hinge. It is the lower weld which has fractured. The mode of failure was loss of steering while riding, the locking mechanism did not fail so the handle bars did not detach from the bike. The rider managed to stop safely. Helix have requested owners not to ride the bikes as a precaution until investigations are complete. They have posted: "Right now it is impossible to determine whether or not this is an isolated issue, so as a precaution I ask that you all stop riding your bikes immediately until we have determined the cause of this failure. This is the highest priority and we are working quickly to resolve this asap.
02-16-22, 04:16 AM
#2659
Junior Member
I've been regularly monitoring the Helix Backers forum since the first failure was announced there, and I haven't seen any notifications of any further weld failures.
02-19-22, 01:15 AM
#2660
Senior Member
Received this in my email today in case anyone is looking for a Helix...
Spring is Almost Here, are You Ready to Ride?
We are excited to announce new pricing for Helix.
When we started on our journey to make the world's best folding bike, we wanted to offer it at a price that would make this revolutionary bicycle accessible to all. As we finalized our design and built our factory, many factors changed and the cost to manufacture Helix ended up being higher than we expected.
As we gained experience, made improvements to our manufacturing process and optimized many other variables, we have made a big step towards realizing our original goal and in the process changing the economics of titanium bicycle manufacturing.
Helix is now available in Standard configuration for $300 USD less. Starting at just $2,690 USD, it is now the lowest cost titanium bike on the market.
While other bicycle companies are raising their prices and adding large margins to be able to sell in stores, we are committed to keeping Helix the best value possible by selling it directly from our factory.
To celebrate this milestone we are including Tubolito tubes, Tioga Ti rails saddle and extending FREE SHIPPING worldwide through the month of February.
Limited Quantites Available.
We are excited to announce new pricing for Helix.
When we started on our journey to make the world's best folding bike, we wanted to offer it at a price that would make this revolutionary bicycle accessible to all. As we finalized our design and built our factory, many factors changed and the cost to manufacture Helix ended up being higher than we expected.
As we gained experience, made improvements to our manufacturing process and optimized many other variables, we have made a big step towards realizing our original goal and in the process changing the economics of titanium bicycle manufacturing.
Helix is now available in Standard configuration for $300 USD less. Starting at just $2,690 USD, it is now the lowest cost titanium bike on the market.
While other bicycle companies are raising their prices and adding large margins to be able to sell in stores, we are committed to keeping Helix the best value possible by selling it directly from our factory.
To celebrate this milestone we are including Tubolito tubes, Tioga Ti rails saddle and extending FREE SHIPPING worldwide through the month of February.
Limited Quantites Available.
02-19-22, 03:53 AM
#2661
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It looks like sale aren't going as well as previously.
The "limited quantities available" aren't sold quickly as previously, this is probably the reason of the discount.
There are also eventually accessories announced: front carrier (with a very small box/bag on it, nothing comparable to the Brompton bags), rear rack (seems to fold like the Birdy folding rear rack), mudguards... but only engineering drawings, none are shown with real pictures and still not available.
The "limited quantities available" aren't sold quickly as previously, this is probably the reason of the discount.
There are also eventually accessories announced: front carrier (with a very small box/bag on it, nothing comparable to the Brompton bags), rear rack (seems to fold like the Birdy folding rear rack), mudguards... but only engineering drawings, none are shown with real pictures and still not available.
02-20-22, 02:16 AM
#2662
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02-20-22, 03:16 AM
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They say "delivery April" curious to know if the previously ordered bikes were delivered on time?
The tires of the lightweight Helix that were TBA some time ago are again the Donnely cyclocross tires.
The tires of the lightweight Helix that were TBA some time ago are again the Donnely cyclocross tires.
02-28-22, 09:23 PM
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Helix
so I went down the helix rabbit hole and couldn't stop reading until I ran out of time, and was just wondering how it all turned out. Did everyone get their bikes?
03-01-22, 05:09 AM
#2666
Junior Member
No, not yet. Precise numbers not known but they've delivered about 650-700 backers bikes out of approximate total of 1150. Not sure if any pre-ordered bikes have been delivered, but there's about 650 of those in the queue in addition to the backer bikes. Approx 350-400 retail bikes have been delivered.
03-01-22, 05:29 AM
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I think no pre-ordered bike will ever be delivered because the price was too low (helix is probably loosing a lot of money on those pre-orders) and those pre-orders like any order can be cancelled by the buyers so Helix is just waiting that buyers cancel their pre-orders.
03-07-22, 03:27 PM
#2668
Newbie
No, not yet. Precise numbers not known but they've delivered about 650-700 backers bikes out of approximate total of 1150. Not sure if any pre-ordered bikes have been delivered, but there's about 650 of those in the queue in addition to the backer bikes. Approx 350-400 retail bikes have been delivered.
03-07-22, 06:16 PM
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One last point, It's great to have a folding bike that doesn't look like a clown bike and still folds acceptably small. I will still be able to use the same old Samsonite for air travel which I used for previous bikes although I will have to deflate the tyres which will be a slightly inconvenient.
03-07-22, 08:01 PM
#2670
Full Member
Any Swift owners try the Helix?
I have my Swift (amazing ride), and a Brompton (great fold and luggage options). It'd be nice to have the best of both worlds.
I have my Swift (amazing ride), and a Brompton (great fold and luggage options). It'd be nice to have the best of both worlds.
03-07-22, 10:57 PM
#2672
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But even with an upgrade of almost all its components and a Rohloff to have an efficient transmission, it isn't as efficient as a good road bike.
A then bought a Birdy and this bike has the advantages of both world: it folds as easy as the Brompton and almost as small as the Brompton, its possible to mount 18"ETRTO355 or 16"ETRTO349 or 20"ETRTO406 wheels on it, accept up to 50mm wide tires, is as efficient as a road bike, allow offroad riding and its possible now to install a Brompton front block+Brompton front bag with an H&H adapter.
03-08-22, 04:17 AM
#2673
Junior Member
No, It's an old Oyster II with 111 Litre capacity, so the sum of the dimensions is more than 62". That limitation has never been a problem for any flights I've wanted to take. All the carriers we've used up to now have weight limits for baggage which have been easy to respect. From memory, the case is about 5.5kg so it's possible to put additional items with the bike and still stay inside 20kg. If you can spare the storage space you might be able to pick up a used Oyster II at very low cost if the Stryde is too small.
03-11-22, 12:14 PM
#2675
Full Member
I also have a Brompton that I like for its small fold and easiness to carry things in its front bag.
But even with an upgrade of almost all its components and a Rohloff to have an efficient transmission, it isn't as efficient as a good road bike.
A then bought a Birdy and this bike has the advantages of both world: it folds as easy as the Brompton and almost as small as the Brompton, its possible to mount 18"ETRTO355 or 16"ETRTO349 or 20"ETRTO406 wheels on it, accept up to 50mm wide tires, is as efficient as a road bike, allow offroad riding and its possible now to install a Brompton front block+Brompton front bag with an H&H adapter.
But even with an upgrade of almost all its components and a Rohloff to have an efficient transmission, it isn't as efficient as a good road bike.
A then bought a Birdy and this bike has the advantages of both world: it folds as easy as the Brompton and almost as small as the Brompton, its possible to mount 18"ETRTO355 or 16"ETRTO349 or 20"ETRTO406 wheels on it, accept up to 50mm wide tires, is as efficient as a road bike, allow offroad riding and its possible now to install a Brompton front block+Brompton front bag with an H&H adapter.
Is it only the newest model? Or do old models work well for this too?