Helix Update?
#1128
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,460
Bikes: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1321 Post(s)
Liked 374 Times
in
288 Posts
Conspiracy theory #128 : Creator delays releasing product for several years in order to have backers so grateful to receive anything that they don't complain about deficiencies. Now in all seriousness, my ShareRoller bike motor is also very late (started early 2016 if I remember correctly) but it appears to be very close to fruition although tiny incremental delays still occur. I just think the whole process makes it clear that bringing a product to market is no easy task and I've a new respect for those that succeed.
#1129
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Releasing a product is no easy task, you sir have got that right.
Even in an established company, even releasing just a hardware update to an existing product can be a daunting task.
My dream as a kid was always to build something cool that works and is then successful. And I very effectively devised, doodled and built proof of concepts and working prototypes. Then proceeded to design for manufacturing with already the first failures or shortfalls appearing. And even when that succeeds there's then deployment, acceptance and field operations.
I've seen how difficult the whole process is when working with a reduced team and moderate ressources. I cannot imagine doing it mostly alone and from scratch. Then again what I build isn't a bicycle.
Even in an established company, even releasing just a hardware update to an existing product can be a daunting task.
My dream as a kid was always to build something cool that works and is then successful. And I very effectively devised, doodled and built proof of concepts and working prototypes. Then proceeded to design for manufacturing with already the first failures or shortfalls appearing. And even when that succeeds there's then deployment, acceptance and field operations.
I've seen how difficult the whole process is when working with a reduced team and moderate ressources. I cannot imagine doing it mostly alone and from scratch. Then again what I build isn't a bicycle.
#1130
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#1131
Señor Mambo
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Fremont, CA
Posts: 1,406
Bikes: TST roadie, Cannondale CAAD 3, Surly Karate Stokemonkey Leap, Tern Cargo Node, Helix Alfine; 36er and 29er Triton Unicycles; a couple Bike Fridays; one Brompton; RadPower Radburro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times
in
12 Posts
New 12 minute video up!
Video details main parts of the bike and up close folding. Peter also explains the manufacturing of certain parts.
Yes, it looks like more delays because of the custom parts coming from Taiwan. Far from being able to modify this bike with off the shelf parts, Helix’s parts are becoming way too specialized a la Brompton. Can’t wait to pay $400 for a little plastic bit. But this time, it’ll be in titanium! Ack!
Yes, it looks like more delays because of the custom parts coming from Taiwan. Far from being able to modify this bike with off the shelf parts, Helix’s parts are becoming way too specialized a la Brompton. Can’t wait to pay $400 for a little plastic bit. But this time, it’ll be in titanium! Ack!
#1132
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
The custom parts made in Taiwan seem like they are causing most of the delays, but at least the locally made parts are apparently on schedule. I hope there aren't any more delays, but I've become so used to them now, I wouldn't be surprised if there are more problems. I just hope Peter tells us quickly instead of leaving another gap between meaningful updates. I hope that the custom parts are not going to wear out (I think they are mostly Ti, right?), because as spambait11 says, it's going to suck if we can't get hold of replacements or have to pay through the nose because they are so exotic. I would love for Helix to became a popular bike like Brompton, so getting replacements isn't that hard.
Video is pretty good though, and is by far the best look we've had at the bike yet. I wish Peter had shown the folded bike in a bit more detail, but it was great to see him fold it slowly, showing how the mechanisms work.
Video is pretty good though, and is by far the best look we've had at the bike yet. I wish Peter had shown the folded bike in a bit more detail, but it was great to see him fold it slowly, showing how the mechanisms work.
#1133
Large Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A new episode of The Helix Show™! Loyal fans have eagerly anticipated a summer special episode, and here we are, halfway through season 3 and subscribers are treated to this rare extended length episode featuring The Creator himself! And we aren't even in season 5 yet!
#1134
Senior Member
We've opened the hatch, now we're watching a video. None of this will make sense at the end of Season 6.
#1135
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: France
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: Brompton, Time, Bianchi, Jan Janssen, Peugeot
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 598 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Then there's the economics. The more delays, the greater the loss. The company will have to sell a lot of bikes and quickly to get close to breaking even.
Then there's the problem of the market reaching saturation point. Does the world need another folding bike? They're a dime a dozen as it is.
Then there's the problem of the market reaching saturation point. Does the world need another folding bike? They're a dime a dozen as it is.
#1136
Senior Member
His biggest problem at this point is there just isn't much of a market left for Helix to enter. This bike needed to happen at least two years ago, not during a massive transformation in the bicycle market from non-assist to ebikes. The future is here.
#1137
Widely Despised
is the best candidate to replace my aging creaky Dahon Helios.
For a small folded size & light weight, this one will best handle
the dirt paths & bad roads I ride on.
It looks like turning it into an ebike will be much easier than
developing the original. It's a prime candidate for a rear hub motor.
#1138
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: France
Posts: 1,030
Bikes: Brompton, Time, Bianchi, Jan Janssen, Peugeot
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 598 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Good to see there are still true believers out there
This bike isn't yet in production so effectively doesn't exist. You have no idea how it will perform. No matter, the crux is It needs lots of new sales to those who don't have folding bikes, and that's the market where the problems lie. There are just so many models out there.
This bike isn't yet in production so effectively doesn't exist. You have no idea how it will perform. No matter, the crux is It needs lots of new sales to those who don't have folding bikes, and that's the market where the problems lie. There are just so many models out there.
#1139
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If he ever releases the bike, manages to not go bankrupt providing the existing customer base (pre-orders and backers) AND if the bike performs as intended and provides entire Ride/Fold/Feeling satisfaction, then IF I were him and IF I still had money for such frivolities, i'd launch a heavy, balls-out marketing campaign all around. That could save the whole thing.
...notice a pattern?
...notice a pattern?
#1140
Senior Member
Sounds iffy.
#1141
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 263
Bikes: 1984 Cannodale full touring bike, Giant full carbon dura ace, Belinsky frame Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Video details main parts of the bike and up close folding. Peter also explains the manufacturing of certain parts.
Yes, it looks like more delays because of the custom parts coming from Taiwan. Far from being able to modify this bike with off the shelf parts, Helix’s parts are becoming way too specialized a la Brompton. Can’t wait to pay $400 for a little plastic bit. But this time, it’ll be in titanium! Ack!
Yes, it looks like more delays because of the custom parts coming from Taiwan. Far from being able to modify this bike with off the shelf parts, Helix’s parts are becoming way too specialized a la Brompton. Can’t wait to pay $400 for a little plastic bit. But this time, it’ll be in titanium! Ack!
#1142
Large Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You didn't pay the one time subscription price of $1,200 on The Kickstarter Channel. All episodes, including the recent extended length episode of The Helix Show are only available to subscribers. A subscription to the The Helix Show provides exclusive access to a story arc that still has at least two more years of surprise episodes! Each episode is a heart wrenching story of The Creator's battle against self inflicted problems, delays and common sense. Viewers will follow along with The Creator as he travels a soul searching path leading to an inevitable realization of defeat and subscriber frustration.
The Helix Show. Season 3 available now. Only on The Kickstarter Channel.
The Helix Show. Season 3 available now. Only on The Kickstarter Channel.
#1144
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 263
Bikes: 1984 Cannodale full touring bike, Giant full carbon dura ace, Belinsky frame Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Well, that’s some freaking amazing bike!!! This thing has to work, if he runs out of money all he has to do is show a rider loan officer of any bank and he will have the money! I’m impress beyond believe. That bike is a $3000 dollar bike easily on today’s market. If he sells it for 2K, it’s a hot cake. The only thing in question is longevity and service. With all the costume parts and new unproven mechanism, time will tell. 24” folder to suitcase legal, as easy as that! No words!
#1146
Senior Member
#1147
Senior Member
#1149
Senior Member
#1150
Senior Member