Helix Update?
#1476
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I hope the Helix does well, by the way. Could be a good touring vehicle, assuming the parts are standard and easy to come by.
#1477
Widely Despised
Yes.
All info I've seen about the Helix says that it will be a fantastic bike for
my purposes...taking it with me in my travels to cover both on & off road.
And, yes, the parts subject to wear are very "off the shelf".
The only part I uinderstand is that you don't own, nor have tested, a Helix.
I hope the Helix does well, by the way. Could be a good touring
vehicle, assuming the parts are standard and easy to come by.
I hope the Helix does well, by the way. Could be a good touring
vehicle, assuming the parts are standard and easy to come by.
my purposes...taking it with me in my travels to cover both on & off road.
And, yes, the parts subject to wear are very "off the shelf".
#1478
Senior Member
If/when the deliverables are being delivered the threads picking it’s inevitable nits and idiosyncrasies will likely be as entertaining as this one has been.
Best wishes for a “happy ending” to all of you of great Helix faith. Ill keep tuning in to see how this plays out.
#1479
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I agree,...good luck to all. I hope the Helix finally ships, and all the updates are favorable.
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If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
#1480
Widely Despised
I hope for the benefit of the many patient, empassioned backers and waiters that this bike meets their expectations when (if) it malkes it from the vapor-ware state to a reality. ( its still vapor-ware at this point IMO)
If/when the deliverables are being delivered the threads picking it’s inevitable nits and idiosyncrasies will likely be as entertaining as this one has been.
Best wishes for a “happy ending” to all of you of great Helix faith. Ill keep tuning in to see how this plays out.
But the Helix addresses those shortcomings, eg, folded size, wheel size.
Here's hoping that teething problems are minimal & correctable.
#1482
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Latest update out and very exciting. Some more details about previously undisclosed design elements, a very heartening explanation of what has been going on since Christmas and a confirmatiom that the first bike will be shipping in a week or two.
#1483
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Latest update is certainly interesting! The guy is a mad perfectionist, and has a solution to every single problem (and more) that I ever had with my current folding bike, but I've gotta be honest that when a perfectionist actually manages to finish a project, the results can be amazing. Let's hope the final product will be as good as it is promising. Really looking forward to the next update, as it should include news of actual shipped bikes. Also looking forward to those ahead of me in line for their bikes receiving them and writing about them here.
Choice quote of the update: " I know that in some instances the project has been critiqued for perfectionism " while talking about the frame shot peening process, which wasn't even planned originally, and was taken in house because the external company wasn't up to snuff.
Choice quote of the update: " I know that in some instances the project has been critiqued for perfectionism " while talking about the frame shot peening process, which wasn't even planned originally, and was taken in house because the external company wasn't up to snuff.
#1485
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I guess this is quite important for the Helix economically. Only when mass production is running at acceptable quality it will be possible to estimate how much the price for a bike will be on the long run.
#1486
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So is an assembly line set up already and production is running? Workers are trained for assembly and everything? Is there any information on how many bikes were produced already?
I guess this is quite important for the Helix economically. Only when mass production is running at acceptable quality it will be possible to estimate how much the price for a bike will be on the long run.
I guess this is quite important for the Helix economically. Only when mass production is running at acceptable quality it will be possible to estimate how much the price for a bike will be on the long run.
As referenced in a post above, one of the outsourced production steps - frame finishing, has recently been brought in house due to quality issues and there has been a design change to one of the components, so there are some tweaks in progress to the back end of the production line, therefore no bikes 100% complete yet I assume - otherwise they'd be shipping now, not in a week or two.
We don't know current or projected production rates for sure, but we do have a sense of what they are expecting/hoping to acheive. I don't think they would want that shared at this stage though.
#1487
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So is an assembly line set up already and production is running? Workers are trained for assembly and everything? Is there any information on how many bikes were produced already?
I guess this is quite important for the Helix economically. Only when mass production is running at acceptable quality it will be possible to estimate how much the price for a bike will be on the long run.
I guess this is quite important for the Helix economically. Only when mass production is running at acceptable quality it will be possible to estimate how much the price for a bike will be on the long run.
This implies that he can fulfill obligations in a bit over a month with a small team, and no formal assembly line.
I understand he will go slower, hence his schedule is pretty easy. IMHO
Thanks
Yan
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Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
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Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#1488
Senior Member
Re: Production capacity
The number mentioned above - 500 - is optimistic. I remember expecting reaching 250 per month after a few months, starting with no more than 100.
This quite fits the July-August schedule for my two orders which are numbered in the 1300's. And I would not be surprised if it takes more than that. (Sad indeed, because that will mean having to endure our yearly bike vacation with those old Bromptons again, but not surprised!😀
This quite fits the July-August schedule for my two orders which are numbered in the 1300's. And I would not be surprised if it takes more than that. (Sad indeed, because that will mean having to endure our yearly bike vacation with those old Bromptons again, but not surprised!😀
#1489
Senior Member
... as you work seven days a week.
I'd rather say his schedule is not "pretty easy" but just way more realistic than your's.
#1490
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I would not like to see it, but I could do it. I assumed 12 hr days would be a minimum.
My argument was that he doesn't need an assembly line with numbers he provided as projections. I am sure I could do that on my own.
Thanks
Yan
My argument was that he doesn't need an assembly line with numbers he provided as projections. I am sure I could do that on my own.
Thanks
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#1491
Senior Member
And - as you say you could do that on your own - it would probably also mean you would have to do it on you own as I highly doubt that you would find employees that would love to work at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week at high speed w/o a break.
Does sound neither sound like a desirable let alone fun place to work at nor like a very sustainable way of working or a workplace that could deliver quality.
Unfortunately your way of working does not only not work but also not scale (as nobody will be willing to work this way), so you will miss your predicted delivery goals that you calculated based on a team of three. It does neither leave room for failure nor time to enhance or standardize (as you are too busy fulfilling your goals to spend time to do so). Your business will be doomed pretty soon (as you will be burned out quickly and are neither able to receive new orders nor lead or employ or train other staff nor to enhance your product as you are busy building bikes yourself all day long).
So you'll probably miss your deadlines, produce faulty bikes, loose your family, ruin your health and doom your business (that you just built up over a couple of years and finally want to start earning money with). Does not sound like a clever plan to me.
Last edited by berlinonaut; 02-03-19 at 11:39 AM.
#1492
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Two hours ago (1230 ET, 1730 GMT) I received this email:
Either a mistake I am still on their customer list or PB is taunting me. Regardless, best wishes to Helix. This is a profound milestone for backers. I'm happy you will finally get what you've been waiting for...3˝ years...OMG has it been that long?! Bittersweet.
On Sun, Feb 3, 2019 at 12:29 PM Helix Folding Bike <hello@helix.ca> wrote:
Helix - Order Checkout
Dear Helix Family,
We have some great news - the first Helix bikes will be shipping this week and we now request that you to finalize your order.
Once your order is checked out, your drivetrain selection is final, however you may edit your address right up until the time of delivery.
Your order will display an estimated delivery month, we will continue to update you of our progress on the portal.
Regarding accessories for your Helix, we are working to have them in production as soon as possible and will update you on their availability in the upcoming weeks.
To checkout your order, please login to the portal here: https://helix.ca/login
The Helix TeamCopyright © 2019 Helix Labs Inc., All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you pre-ordered Helix.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
Helix - Order Checkout
Dear Helix Family,
We have some great news - the first Helix bikes will be shipping this week and we now request that you to finalize your order.
Once your order is checked out, your drivetrain selection is final, however you may edit your address right up until the time of delivery.
Your order will display an estimated delivery month, we will continue to update you of our progress on the portal.
Regarding accessories for your Helix, we are working to have them in production as soon as possible and will update you on their availability in the upcoming weeks.
To checkout your order, please login to the portal here: https://helix.ca/login
The Helix TeamCopyright © 2019 Helix Labs Inc., All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you pre-ordered Helix.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list
Either a mistake I am still on their customer list or PB is taunting me. Regardless, best wishes to Helix. This is a profound milestone for backers. I'm happy you will finally get what you've been waiting for...3˝ years...OMG has it been that long?! Bittersweet.
Last edited by RichardLee; 02-03-19 at 03:38 PM.
#1493
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Two hours ago (1230 ET, 1730 GMT) I received this email:
Either a mistake I am still on their customer list or PB is taunting me. Regardless, best wishes to Helix. This is a profound milestone for backers. I'm happy you will finally get what you've been waiting for...3˝ years...OMG has it been that long?! Bittersweet.
Either a mistake I am still on their customer list or PB is taunting me. Regardless, best wishes to Helix. This is a profound milestone for backers. I'm happy you will finally get what you've been waiting for...3˝ years...OMG has it been that long?! Bittersweet.
I'm sure it is just that you have not been removed from the mailing list. I don't know what you did to be banished but time heals all wounds. Maybe it has been long enough and, if you are still keen on a Helix, Peter might reinstate your order if asked?
Based on today's update, things are looking very promising for shipping of the first batch in the latter part of next week! Don't know how big the first batch is, but I hope it includes #39. To think, after all this time, I could be riding the Helix this time next week!
#1495
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The base prices seem a little low for Ti frame bikes. As the owner of a Ti Brompton and the ex-owner of a Ti 18 pound mountain bike something doesn't add up here. The frame of a Ti bike should cost $2,200 alone. Something doesn't feel right. Also the $100 difference between the single speed and the 10 speed seems strange. I could be wrong but a Ti bike made in Canada should be more expensive. We're talking China prices here Can someone enlighten me about this?
#1496
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I received my Helix order confirmation today. I am considering downgrading from the 11 speed internal gear hub to the 10 speed derailleur because I have never owned a bike with an internal gear hub and I am not sure if it is worth the added expense and maintenance requirements. Please share your opinions on this matter. Thanks : )
Last edited by RedTrek; 02-03-19 at 08:56 PM. Reason: Correction
#1497
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From the Helix web site:
I was wrong about the internal hub requiring more maintenance. Since I am accustomed to derailleur system and I don't care about the above mentioned advantages of the internal hub, I will downgrade, but I would still like to hear opinions about this. Thanks!
The 10 speed derailleur is the highest performance model. It offers a wide range of gears that allow you to climb steep hills and also ride fast. It requires the most maintenance of all three models.
The 11 speed Alfine offers the simplicity, clean look and low maintenance of the single speed with slightly less performance than the 10 speed. The gears are fully enclosed and away from the elements making it a good choice for wet conditions. It is however the heaviest of all three models.
The 11 speed Alfine offers the simplicity, clean look and low maintenance of the single speed with slightly less performance than the 10 speed. The gears are fully enclosed and away from the elements making it a good choice for wet conditions. It is however the heaviest of all three models.
Last edited by RedTrek; 02-03-19 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Correction
#1498
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As well as the above stated advantages, i believe chain dropping folding can be an issue on many folders with derailleurs. This may be a consideration for some preferring the Alfine but it based on the update before last, seems Helix addresses this explicitly with some clever mechanism so shouldn't be an issue.
#1499
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The base prices seem a little low for Ti frame bikes. As the owner of a Ti Brompton and the ex-owner of a Ti 18 pound mountain bike something doesn't add up here. The frame of a Ti bike should cost $2,200 alone. Something doesn't feel right. Also the $100 difference between the single speed and the 10 speed seems strange. I could be wrong but a Ti bike made in Canada should be more expensive. We're talking China prices here Can someone enlighten me about this?
#1500
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The base prices seem a little low for Ti frame bikes. As the owner of a Ti Brompton and the ex-owner of a Ti 18 pound mountain bike something doesn't add up here. The frame of a Ti bike should cost $2,200 alone. Something doesn't feel right. Also the $100 difference between the single speed and the 10 speed seems strange. I could be wrong but a Ti bike made in Canada should be more expensive. We're talking China prices here Can someone enlighten me about this?
Broadly, the counter view has been as follows:
- Ti tubing is not so expensive in and of itself
- the high costs of working and welding Ti, requiring lots of time from highly skilled labour, a significant driver of the price of Ti frames, are ameliorated by in house production and templating and automation of much of the manufacturing process including all welding
- the standard components specced are not particularly high end
- if the bikes are marketed directly, there is no middle man taking a cut
- Helix is clearly priced to compete with Brompton and the manufacturing process is set to scale so the business plan may be prioritising volume over margin