Fentuz

Oh, and I failed to mentioned that I repurposed my motorsport gopro kit after a close encounter with a 200sx ...

so the gopro is mounted just below the handle bar...

Falconista

Looks good. Can you estimate what the overall performance increase has been? How many more kmh are you getting now compared to before on a typical ride?

Fentuz

easy, garmin fenix5 plus provide the stats...
in the original 7 speed config, on a 1hrs ride, i was averaging 20 to 21kph.

with new config, I do 24kph on the same 20k run and 21-22 on a 40k run

edit: today's 26.5k with a 25.4kph moving average.

Falconista

That is a worthwhile improvement. I have to say that those spokes (or lack of) on the front wheel make me nervous. Be careful of pot holes etc.

Fentuz

I had the Ti quick release knocking around, it was not fitted because while the thread was supposedly M5x0.8... the OD was 4.3/4.4mm so it was not locking.

as I needed m5 studs for something else and the quick release shaft is there to keep every in compression, i put 110mm worth of m5 thread bar 316ss (cheese hardness to my standard but will do for that), a bit of loctite et voila...

Fentuz

So since the beginning of june, I did 280 miles and the bike is pretty good (and the rider is getting fitter).

One thing happened though, the litepro handle adaptor collapsed on a rough piece of tarmac. When I tightened the adaptor, it snapped... So, I fitted a proper Syntace VRO adaptor; this piece of kit is better because the inner bore is not smooth like the litepro, it has little sharp webs that grip into the stem.

P.L.Jensen

I like it...

BSmooth

Nice write up on the upgrades. I also have a Helios SL. Recently converted it to a 1x 10sp configuration, running Kojak tires as well. Don't ride mine often, too many other bikes but love the thing when I need the easy of travel provided by a folding bike.

Fentuz

I took the time to weigh the bike... and in current configuration, it is 11.5kg... admittedly, the seat post and saddle are 1.45kg... so I just cannot believe the OEM quoted weight of 12kg... the comp pro wheel set with kojak is 1.5ks less than the original deluxe set with marathon... and I removed the 0.5kg (mud fenders and bike stand)... the chainset is a couple of 100g lighter...

I cannot see what could be done to go under the 10kg mark...

towndock

Here is another Helios - a Helios XL. It is basically stock except for the addition of Ergo GP3 gribs & bar ends, plus paddle shifters. Both made the bike even better. This bike is remarkably pleasant to put a few miles on. Photos are in eastern North Carolina, by the harbor.

Fentuz

Today, I added a garmin Varia rear light ... in theory, it should alert me when there is a car 140m behind and above all, it should tell me when there is a second one as although I can easily hear the first car, the noise generated by this 1st car while overtaking tends to cover the second car noise making "sound invisible".
The lamp also means to light up more when I brake ...

zebede

Here is my exd helios with bobed fenders.

Nyah

I just noticed this thread. The drop-bar Helios looks nice. Interested in seeing how the drop-bars interact with it in folded mode.

Fentuz

like that (similar to the tern x18T and dahon speed D30)

tds101 

Is this the model with the 8 speed internal geared hub? I'd love to get my hands on one of these. Looks amazing.

fietsbob

Capreo cassette hub unique to accommodate the 9-t cog (according to Sheldon's site has been discontinued , in its place is This:



Cassette CS-HG70-s 9-10-11-13-15-17-20-23-26 tooth sprockets...

Fentuz

yes, I had a cassette and tool before realizing it needs a specific hub and cassette... a bit of a pain and frankly i don t think i really miss the 9 T sprocket. If I really wanted something harder, I move to 40/56 or 44/ 58 T chainrings

current setup is fairly hard on the knee when sprinting or doing a 50k

today on the gravels...

Fentuz

here is a better view.

Fentuz

With the summer heat, i had to consider hydratation... i fitted a set of bottles and a bag of tyre fixing following the tyre scare...




and went to test today



And now I need to consider a new chain as I have ridden 2000kMs since april...

Nyah

Thank you for the folded-mode photos. Looks just fine. I don't see why drop-bars are so hard to offer on production folding bicycles.

Falconista

That is a good speed for 45km. Let us know how the speed changes if you make any other adjustments to the bike. Interesting to see the performance gains you have achieved.

Fentuz

I was considering a chainring swap from 53 to 56 and 39 to 44.... but, after yesterday steep hills, 39/25 works and I don't think 44/25 would do (or even 42/25). If I was to increase the chainring, I would need a 11-28 cassette too.
It would make it ~5% faster though

Position wise, I might swap for a dropdown with the same drop but less reach and a bit of angle. Like the gravel bike.

Fentuz

As the weather deteriorated a few weeks ago, I put the fenders back on the the bike... I don't really like getting plashed and wet .
Since the fenders went back, I seems to be 3 to 4 kph slower; I rode several time "usual circuits" and the average speed drop seems the same. Is it coincidence or fact or a bit of both (cooler, damper and fenders)?

Falconista

I am surprised that the mudguards would make such a difference. I remember reading somewhere that they can actually improve the aerodynamics, like on motorbikes. Perhaps they need to be very close fitting?

Fentuz

Following a greater summer of cycling on gravel and unpaved roads, I started to commute on the helios 60 to 70kms every day (1/3 unpaved) and because of the small wheels diving in potholes and work cycle scheme, I bought a gravel bike


And rebuilt the helios in a flat bar configuration:

with a litepro seatpost and fabric saddle. It has hybrid pedals (not on picture) which allow flat on one side and clipped on the other side. The bike is ~10.25kg without mudguards.
It went back to flat because it makes it easy to fit in the boot of the frogeye.
I purposely did not fit a light weight rear quick release because I put the bike on the turbo trainer.