Thread: Helix Update?
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Old 02-12-19, 07:47 AM
  #1600  
Jipe
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Originally Posted by Gibsonsean
Could not disagree more. The design is unique in all sorts of areas individually (folding mechanism, locking mechanisms) and in combination.

There is no other bike on the market which, in combination
- offers a bigger wheel riding experience and geometry
- folds essentially to the size of it's wheels without any disassembly or detatchment of parts
- rolls on it's wheels whilst folded
- weighs 10 to 12 kg
Bigger wheel size: there are few other folders with same wheel size (but that accepts the normal ETRTO507 tire size what Helix doesn't), not widely used because useless, only drawbacks. ETRTO 507 wheels is well known, any manufacturer can use that size, do you really think that all other folders manufacturers that use ETRTO 406 wheels are stupid ? Moulton demonstrated that even smaller ETRTO 369 wheels perform very well with an adapted frame.

Folds essentially to the size of it's wheels without any disassembly or detatchment of parts: useless, the wheels are too big, other folders are smaller folded than Helix.

Rolls on it's wheels whilst folded: several others folders roll folded better than what Helix will do.

Weighs 10 to 12 kg: other folders (including the Brompton) have the same weight with the same equipment, some weight less. Note that the weight of Helix must still be proven, manufacturers very often announce underestimated weights.

All these claims are pure marketing, nothing technically valuable. Same as the claims " Smaller, Lighter, Safer, Easier to use, " no, it isn't smaller, no it isn't lighter, no it isn't safer, no it isn't easier to use than other folders and than a Brompton for instance.

Moreover, Helix doesn't address one of the main weak points of the Brompton which is comfort (due to the relatively narrow, high pressure tires and poor rear suspension) because Helix has no suspension and has also relatively narrow tires (and please do not come to explain me that a rigid titanium frame and that ETRTO 507 wheels will make Helix comfortable , as an owner of a ETRTO 622 titanium high end bike, I can tell you that it isn't true).
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