Jipe

Helix has a special proprietary front wheel hub that seems very difficult to find. So building your own wheelset will be difficult.

Same for the tires that have size width x diameter for which the choice of tires is very limited. Almost all 24"/ETRTO507 tires on the market are to wide for Helix.

Jonesandrew

Wheel Angel in Singapore offer wheel sets for Helix: https://www.wheelangel.com/products/...ndustries-hubs. It’s not clear if they have their own source for the front hubs, you may have to send them yours.

Speed Mini Cycle offer a 507x30 carbon rim: https://www.speedminicycle.com/mini-...rbon-rims.html
I'm not sure if either of the above options are suitable for tubeless tyres, you would need to check.

It looks like you’re located in Canada, so you may find it easier to obtain the Stans no tubes rims which Helix uses and which obviously are suitable for tubeless tyres: https://www.notubes.com/crest-mk4-rim

There’s no reason why you can’t re-use the rear hub as well as long as you can obtain a rim drilled for 28 spokes, however changing the hub provides another opportunity to reduce weight.

One point to note, I believe the Crest Mk4 rim continues to be the lightest 507 rim available (323g) regardless of the material they’re made from. The SMC rim above is listed at 380g on their webpage.

Helix claim their Custom Ultralight tyre has 20% less rolling resistance than the Kenda Kwest tyre fitted to the standard bikes, so this may be your only option.

Jipe

Wheelangel write: Front Hub: HELIX Formula Front Hub.

So it seems they could source the same hub as Helix mount on their bikes?

Rims in ETRTO507 which is a BMX size aren't a problem, including TL ready rims. S[pokes neither.

The problem is to find 40x507 tires or narrower.

And maybe the rear hub: I read for both the White Industries and Onyx rear hubs that they are "Modified for Helix", what does that mean, what must be modified on a standard rear hub to make it compatible with Helix?

Jonesandrew

This is from the Helix upgrade guide:

• Many aftermarket hubs will work but be sure to check that the hub manufacturer offers custom end caps to be able to adjust the spacing from the more common 142mm to 135mm. Also be sure to check the end cap diameter is max 21mm left and 19mm right.

The constraints on the end cap diameters are to ensure they will fit into the dropouts because they are counterbored on the inside.

mallomar

Do you have access to the forum yet? I still don’t seem to. I was curious to see reports of anyone who upgraded to e-shift.

Hrodwolf

Not yet. They've just added a few weeks ago my bike number and frame serial number.

I saw some interesting comments on youtube by a Slovene rider (he has a few Helix videos)
​​​​​​​

Rick_D

Dropping in to say I'm one of the waylaid Kickstarter folks probably destined to not receive my Helix derailleur w/ UL upgrade. Wanted one to fit in the tiny trunk of the car I bought back during the Helix campaign--seemed like the ideal accessory. Still have the car, still have no bike that fits.

Not considering a Brompton Ti as I don't trust the tiny wheels to adequately handle our shabby pavement and for $2.5k more than my phantom Helix, the value is not there.

Anyway, best wishes to Helix owners and to-be owners. It seems like a terrific bike.

Cheers,
Rick

john m flores 

Oh my! Sorry you're in this situation. I've got a Zizzo Liberté for errands - it's a great value folder. I've ridden as much as 30 miles on it. Not ideal but got the job done.

childcarepro

Can you clarify whether the Helix won't fit in your trunk, or whether you think you won't ever receive it? I thought he had shipped most of the orders.

Saitoh17

Isn't the ultralight derailleur just a standard Shimano dura-ace you can find anywhere? Doesn't seem like it would be hard to get hold of.

Rick_D

My belief is it would fit. I will never see the bike because I declined to pay the extra couple grand they want to make that happen.

Perhaps someday I shall get my KS payments back. The path to making that happen isn't terribly clear, I infer they're living hand-to-mouth keeping the doors open.

Cheers,
Rick

childcarepro

Bummer, one YouTuber said he got his on Kickstarter for $800 or $1300 something crazy like that. They wouldn't honor your price?

Rick_D

It was a two-step process: placed a presale order at substantial discount versus projected retail then, as the years passed and bikes trickled out, they offered an ultralight upgrade at added cost so I opted in with a second payment. Retail on my configuration now, when they're taking orders, is US $4,500 and making a third payment to reach that mark seems to be the only way to get a bike. Lacking that, I'm in refund limbo with quite a few others.

childcarepro

So you risked up front money on this KS project, then waited 8 years, and now he wants you to pay full retail because you wanted the upgrade? Doesn't sound great. While it's great that Peter didn't abscond with the cash, he should offer a hefty discount for your troubles, even if you want the ultralight version. I realize he's still underwater on his investments, but he should still do the right thing for his early backers IMO.

Rick_D

Almost--the timeline was 1. initial offering choice among three models; 1a. long wait for a four-digit bike as others slowly shipped; 2. ultralight upgrade prerelease offer for waitlist buyers; 2a.opt in, send payment #2; 3. wait some more IIRC the factory move occurred at some point here; 3a. the refund or pay full price proclamation. Which, I suppose, would have been payment #3.

And here we are, waiting on that refund. (In the meantime I've bought two bikes, neither a folder.)

mallomar

Have you received your bike? If so, what do you think and how did your delivery date compare to the initial delivery window? The start of my delivery window is next Monday but I still haven't received any production numbers, so it seems like I'm still going to be waiting a while.

Saitoh17

Oh geez I thought you meant you had the standard bike and was waiting for an ultralight kit.

Jipe

So, you are not a KS backer but a buyer of the presale?

While for KS backers, there is no legal obligation for the KS creator to deliver anything because they are a kind of investor in the product development that give money to help create the product, the buyers of the presale are customers having bought a product, the seller must provide the product at the price proposed by him and paid by the customers (If a seller propose a price for a product and a buyer accept and pay this price, the sale is complete, the seller must provide the product to the buyer).
If the seller doesn't do so, the customer can sue the seller, If there are several buyers in the same situation, they can make a global group action against the seller. They can also ask money to compensate for the damages caused by the seller who didn't deliver the product in time.

Rick_D

Not an endorsement but for lucky ducky Helix owners, they're offering presale on the long-rumoured bespoke rolling travel case. Construction details and dimensions given but oddly, no weight.

https://helix.ca/store/product/?productID=12

Still in business, so that's good.

wesgreen

Hats off to them if that case is really 62" as they claim.

Jonesandrew

[QUOTE=Rick_D;23059922] Construction details and dimensions given but oddly, no weight.

https://helix.ca/store/product/?productID=12


The pre-order campaign has only just been announced with predicted delivery in Jan 24 so maybe they haven't actually completed a production model yet and don't know the final weight.

kl25

I am not allowed to post links yet but they also have the rolling wheels now on the website in the "Upgrade" section for $88 CAD before tax. A bit steep for these but.

Bought them a few days ago. Will update here once they arrive.

I know there are cheaper solutions out there to fit a plastic roller wheel over the existing feet but I like the rubber rim on these Helix ones.

silverx

owned and love my helix for 2years

Btw:
- cannot compare helix weight with smaller wheels
with stock bike ~2kg difference not bad as have 8" wheels difference

- my opinion helix fold more efficient n compact as using helical hinges
can see from this link
www.facebook.com/groups/1076674012354442/permalink/5015623821792755/

- hopefully helix will release a lot of accessories next year
Also cannot compare with Brompton that already mature on market

- for me, best tire now is helix ultralight tire
btw, u can use any type of hb as helix use after market stem with most common size (31.8mm)

Pros helix compare with Brompton is can use alot of after market bike part (except front hub and fork) like hb, stem, crank, bb, rd, cassette and etc

I mod my helix using 12s AXS 10-30t with zirbel shifter and love it so much

silverx

Do u want try my bike? 😊

silverx

Yes its very difficult to find because only sell by helix 😁
can ask helix for pricing

Now best is using helix ultralight tire and hopefully helix can made more variant