Helix Update?
09-17-18, 07:25 PM
#1276
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Long Development Time
Okay but seriously, it's been three years and no one thinks they are actually getting a Helix bike, right? I've been following this thread since the beginning and was holding out to buy one, but finally decided I needed to start living my life and just bought a Brompton.
Helix is like my friend who has been working on his PhD for six years and needs just a little more time to finish it... I don't understand why Peter doesn't just release it instead of tweaking the design every few months. I don't think anything will change...
Helix is like my friend who has been working on his PhD for six years and needs just a little more time to finish it... I don't understand why Peter doesn't just release it instead of tweaking the design every few months. I don't think anything will change...
My wife and I put a deposit on 2 Helixes (Helices?) back in February 2017 and we honestly believe our bikes will be delivered, and probably this year.
Kirk
09-19-18, 08:40 PM
#1277
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I purchased a used M6L from Craigslist for $800 in 2005 and it was in fair shape (it was made in the 1990s). I ride that bike everywhere and even modified an ALICE pack frame to carry it on my back. In 2014 I purchased from Kinetics in the U.K. the Sturmey-Archer 8-speed conversion kit (new wheel with 8 speed hub with cables/shifter) - the bike hit a new lease on life and now it is a credible hill climber (42 tooth front sprocket - I don't need speed and I carry a lot of equipment). The sequential 8 speed hub makes the 6 speed it replaced look like junk.
I was thinking of getting the NuVinci kit from Kinetics, but and I just saw an orange M3R on eBay for $899 BIN. I'd be tossing the rear of that bike to fit the NuVinci kit (it come with a new rear triangle), so the damaged rear doesn't matter. I thought about it and the price of the used Brompton is too high at $899, as the you can have Kineics build you a brand new NuVinci Brompton for $1800 delivered. That's only $900 over the cost of the used Brompton - and near the same price if I had just the NuVinci kit purchased. I decided to pass on the used Brompton and sell some toys to fund a new Kinetics Brompton NuVinci for $1800.
Anyhow, I've been watching out for the Helix for years now and even a $2000 price tag wouldn't shock me ---- I just don't believe this bike will come out. I also don't believe the Helix will backpack (they now make a Brompton back pack harness) or travel as well. Further, once you put a Shimano 8 or 11 speed, a S-A 8 speed, a NuVinci, or the Rohloff 14 on a Brompton, I don't see Helix as a much better bike - cause a few extra pounds doesn't mean much to me, but size/portability does.
So if the Helix does come out, I'll wait and get it used - just like I did the Brompton. At this point, all the backers should just get a high end Dahon (nice bikes - they just don't fold as small or pack as neat for air travel) and experience what folding bikes are best for - taking a bike everywhere.
09-19-18, 09:23 PM
#1278
Senior Member
I almost popped for a Kinetics 8-speed kit for my S6L the other day. Then I bought a used 8-speed Bike Friday PakiT instead!
09-20-18, 10:47 AM
#1279
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You, my friend, are on a ROLL!!! 
09-20-18, 12:50 PM
#1281
Senior Member
I hear there's an ointment for that...I haven't been able to locate it though!
Congrats on the new acquisition.
*(multiple bicycle syndrome)
09-20-18, 01:56 PM
#1282
Senior Member
Hehe, I'd probably own a Helix by now if that dude would stop screwing around and sell them.
09-22-18, 12:32 PM
#1283
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Most of the custom parts have arrived, but the dropouts are what seem to be holding up the assembly of a final bike. The dropouts are slated to arrive mid-October..... 2018. (At least I hope it’s 2018.)
Last edited by spambait11; 09-22-18 at 12:40 PM.
09-22-18, 08:21 PM
#1285
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As other posters have mentioned, the parts are supposed to be coming really this week, so hopefully assembly and shipping can begin soon (frames and other Helix factory made components have been in production for a little while now).
09-24-18, 01:19 PM
#1286
Widely Despised
Many pictures of parts arriving makes it look like I'll be getting my bike well before June 2019.
I have plans for it then. And if it does arrive in time, I calculate that the price savings from making
a January 2017 down payment will yield a 15% return (after tax) on my money.
I have plans for it then. And if it does arrive in time, I calculate that the price savings from making
a January 2017 down payment will yield a 15% return (after tax) on my money.
09-24-18, 02:21 PM
#1287
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June 2019?? 4 years after the announcement? You guys really are true believers
09-24-18, 03:37 PM
#1288
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The thing with kickstarter/crowdfunding is that once you get the item, if it performs well, you don't care about the wait any longer. Like buy a Brompton or other expensive bike, after you've had it a year or so, you forget about the cost. And, eventually, cost-over-time is minimal if you maintain it well.
09-29-18, 09:56 AM
#1289
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A backer on the Helix forum is looking to transfer their 2 bikes at what they originally pledged if anyone is interested. Low backer number would probably be in the first few weeks of delivery.
10-01-18, 10:27 AM
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It would interesting to see what offer is made for these bikes. No matter what anyone says, there appear to be zero bikes available for viewing ---- where are all the test/dev models that all these changes were based on?? So to me, the fair price for these two bikes is $200 at best - cause backer that's selling now has clearly given up hope and any $$$ offered is better than nothing.
10-01-18, 02:11 PM
#1291
Senior Member
It would interesting to see what offer is made for these bikes. No matter what anyone says, there appear to be zero bikes available for viewing ---- where are all the test/dev models that all these changes were based on?? So to me, the fair price for these two bikes is $200 at best - cause backer that's selling now has clearly given up hope and any $$$ offered is better than nothing.
One can assume that the final street price for the Helix may be considerably higher than the price backers paid plus there's a long waiting list already and possibly a even longer one once and if delivery starts.
Chances that this adventure may come to a positive end within something like "foreseeable time" are possibly better than during the last years - so your idea of "200$ is better than nothing and they should be happy about it" sounds a bit simple-minded, to say it politely. If I was a backer and would like to sell an early position in the waiting queue it would clearly not be for that sum - it would probably be a better bet to wait for delivery and hope that the bike performs well, because in that case there would be surely a lot of people willing to spent reasonable money above the backers' price to get one immediately. One does not need to be a gambler to go into that direction rather than to grab 200$ now and roughly loose four to six times that amount for sure immediately.
10-01-18, 02:28 PM
#1292
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What makes you think this bike will be so wonderful? sorry, but good folding bikes are a dime a dozen now.
10-01-18, 02:33 PM
#1293
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The backer in this instance says his needs have changed.
Given the nature of the updates we get, I doubt there are any backers on the backer forum at this stage who are thinking Helix will never materialise. It more a question of when at this stage, with a percieved risk around running out of money.
As Belinonaut says, as far as is discernable from the forum, the transfers to date seem to have been for the original pledge price. Most, but not all, are between existing backers. I as a non-backer bought out a backer with a very low order number rather than go with pre-ordering or waiting for the bike to come to market.
I made the decision after reviewing the updates and weighing the relative risks against my appetite and the likely relative savings assuming the bike does come to market. The risk now looks to me significantly lower than it did back then and the savings will be at least the same.
Given the nature of the updates we get, I doubt there are any backers on the backer forum at this stage who are thinking Helix will never materialise. It more a question of when at this stage, with a percieved risk around running out of money.
As Belinonaut says, as far as is discernable from the forum, the transfers to date seem to have been for the original pledge price. Most, but not all, are between existing backers. I as a non-backer bought out a backer with a very low order number rather than go with pre-ordering or waiting for the bike to come to market.
I made the decision after reviewing the updates and weighing the relative risks against my appetite and the likely relative savings assuming the bike does come to market. The risk now looks to me significantly lower than it did back then and the savings will be at least the same.
10-01-18, 03:06 PM
#1294
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I am trying to locate the text of a folk proverb that might not be originally English and it says something like "Better to lose in a wise company, than to find in a fool's company". It pertains to general strategy in life where on the average it pays to engage in serious ventures rather than foolish ones that, on a case by case basis, may occasionally turn out to be successful.
10-01-18, 03:17 PM
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The backer in this instance says his needs have changed.
Given the nature of the updates we get, I doubt there are any backers on the backer forum at this stage who are thinking Helix will never materialise. It more a question of when at this stage, with a percieved risk around running out of money.
As Belinonaut says, as far as is discernable from the forum, the transfers to date seem to have been for the original pledge price. Most, but not all, are between existing backers. I as a non-backer bought out a backer with a very low order number rather than go with pre-ordering or waiting for the bike to come to market.
I made the decision after reviewing the updates and weighing the relative risks against my appetite and the likely relative savings assuming the bike does come to market. The risk now looks to me significantly lower than it did back then and the savings will be at least the same.
Given the nature of the updates we get, I doubt there are any backers on the backer forum at this stage who are thinking Helix will never materialise. It more a question of when at this stage, with a percieved risk around running out of money.
As Belinonaut says, as far as is discernable from the forum, the transfers to date seem to have been for the original pledge price. Most, but not all, are between existing backers. I as a non-backer bought out a backer with a very low order number rather than go with pre-ordering or waiting for the bike to come to market.
I made the decision after reviewing the updates and weighing the relative risks against my appetite and the likely relative savings assuming the bike does come to market. The risk now looks to me significantly lower than it did back then and the savings will be at least the same.
10-01-18, 06:36 PM
#1296
Widely Despised
It looks like a great folding bike, like nothing else on the market.
- Big wheels
- Fits in airline luggage without incurring oversize fees.
- Folds quickly.
- Light weight
- Titanium means durability, no corrosion, no paint scratches
You can get all those features in others, but not all in one bike.
10-01-18, 06:54 PM
#1297
Senior Member
Btw, "$200 guy" has only posted here. You've been trolled!
Last edited by Joe Remi; 10-01-18 at 09:12 PM.
10-02-18, 08:56 AM
#1298
Widely Despised
10-02-18, 10:07 AM
#1299
Full Member
No, I think he was serious and has a good point. I can't imagine that front fork design holding up under much wear to begin with.
But I hope I'm proved wrong, and I appreciate the backers' idealism and support for folding bike development.
But I hope I'm proved wrong, and I appreciate the backers' idealism and support for folding bike development.
10-02-18, 11:04 AM
#1300
Senior Member
I do not think valueing a backer's position at $100 per bike is serious. I don't remember the original prices, but you're talking about a backer selling off their investment for a loss of at least $2000. Come on, that's just insulting. There's no point is giving your money away when you can just hold the position and see if the bikes show up.