the_pan_handle

So I keep reading the updates about the production, but wondering how many orders they need to clear from the crowdfunding?

I haven't got an order in. I want to put one in. Wondering how long I realistically will have to wait.

rhenning

Unless something changes drastically I would guess at least a couple of years or more if Helix is still alive. Roger

Ultralight

Currently about 120 delivered. Delivery started in March of this year if I remember correctly. Total sold is in the 1700+ range. Order will reopen after a few hundred are completed - how many exactly I don't know. There are two ways to acquire if you have not supported:
1. Wait for order to reopen.
2. Find one in the open market.

I do think that these sets the bar for folding bikes. Just amazing folded size and ride quality.

Newspaper_Nick

I remember this project from a couple years ago. I was thinking it was shelved until i saw this thread. Happy to see that pledgers are getting their bikes. From what i remember it was the coolest folding bike project. I still have my doubts regarding its fit for a person with a relatively short torso and longer legs (like myself). And i remember it being a little bit too expensive

wesgreen

At 250 bikes per year it would take about 6.8 years. Anyway, it's an amazing achievement and a step forward in bike design.

Ozonation

The Bromptons are touted to fit up to about 6'4" (maybe even a bit taller?). I'm 5'11" and my Brompton fits fine.

As for the Helix being expensive... yes, they're expensive. However, if you got in at the crowdfunding stage, you did get a lot of bike for the price, so compared to the amount I paid for my Brompton, the Helix would have represented a pretty good deal if you had been willing to take the risk of crowdfunding.

Revoltingest

Latest update has arrived.
Efforts to increase production continue.
Plans are interesting....to say more might be inappropriate.

rhenning

If it inappropriate why say anything at all? Roger

AvnerBen

200 bikes assembled and to be delivered by mid October. They are currently capable of more than 100 a month, aiming at 250 next year. The current estimate is to clear all Kickstarter orders by next spring(!). Two more developments to occur in parallel: accessories to commence soon, starting with mudguard and carrying case. The second is more interesting. They are considering the prospect of expanding and manufacturing for the general audience. a realistic price was mentioned. I am not sure if I am allowed to quote it, so suffice it to say that we backers, ofif we live to see our bikes, have made a fantastic deal indeed...

Muttmoments

You may want to re-read the proposed solution which states that it will have minimal impact on delivery times. Any impact on delivery time means “jump the line”.. anyone else have their hackles up now?

Ozonation

I cannot recall if anybody had posted images of the Brompton side by side with the Helix when both are folded, but if it helps anybody, here are some images of the two together. NOTE: The seat of the Helix can go down MUCH further, and would be virtually at the same level as the Brompton when both bikes are in their folded configuration.


I left the seat up on the Helix because: 1) my removable bottle holder on the top tube is in the way; 2) the quick release back rack is in the "out of the way" position; and 3) I was too lazy to pop the seat down and then try to remember my ride height later! So, in the images, don't let the seat height trick you into thinking the Helix is fantastically larger than the Brompton: larger by a bit, yes; by that much? - no.

And yes, the garage door could use a new paint job....



Side by side


Superimposed (sort of!)


Width from the top (ignore the handle bag and rack attached to the Helix).

Jipe

Even without taking into account the saddle and seat-post, Helix is significantly higher than the Brompton.

And remember ths Kickstarter campaign claims:

Revoltingest

People want to know the update has arrived so they can go read it.
(In the past, Helix has asked us to not divulge details.)

Revoltingest

I always inferred the claim....

"Helix was designed from the ground up to be the smallest and most compact folding bike in the world."

.....to be mean "smallest folding bike in its class, ie, 20" to 24" wheels".

Marketing puffery always needs to be translated into real worldspeak.
It folds smaller than my 20" Dahon Helios. That's pretty darn good
for a bike with significantly bigger wheels.

Jipe

My Birdy with 20" wheels is also smaller !


So, let say "smallest in its class , i.e. 24" wheels".

downtube

FYI I funded Helix and I'm waiting like everyone else. I just sent the below to Peter.

Peter,
You don't owe everyone a bike right away. It seems to me that you should start selling bikes to new customers. The backlog will get filled later. You should not assume debt to do the deliveries first. Sure you will get some slack from customers, however that doesn't matter. You have proven you can build the bikes. The wait may take 5-7 yrs. Eventually you should try to deliver, however you are in a different phase now.ThanksYan

Ultralight

Yes, I too read it to mean smallest fold in its class. If you consider that the Helix folds not a whole lot larger than the Brompton, it really is remarkable. 16" vs 24" wheel is a huge difference ride wise.

Yes, they latest announcement is very interesting and I too am good with that announcement. Supporters really got a killer deal indeed.

Jipe

Selling bikes to new customers only make sense if the price let some margin which probably means a huge increase wrt. the Kickstarter prices.

joewalp

As a Kickstarter backer, I'm curious about terms and disposition of circa 2016 Helix preorders. Was there a deposit? Was the deposit full price? Have you received project status updates? If so, how were those updates published? Have you recently received notification that retail sale will resume? Do you have any info about what quantity of preorders have been cancelled?

If you prefer not to post in this thread, please feel free to message me. This is not a legal fact-finding effort; I'm merely curious.

Lest there be confusion here, I ought to mention that the forum at helix.ca for Kickstarter backers is not open to preorder holders.

My obligatory on-topic comment is that I'm glad for opportunity to support innovation in folding bike form factor and manufacturing technology. I hope that the company thrives. The bike appears to have a healthy market among affluent apartment dwellers and casual recreational riders.

I'm moderately disappointed that its weight with fenders will be heavier than a 6-speed Brompton with fenders. The small weight difference won't impact me, but it makes the bike less relatively appealing to my wife. After we receive our bikes, I'll post impressions in the review thread.

Jipe

Normally, pre-orders can be cancelled as any order of an online product.

With the huge delay and the slow production that make expect an even longer delay, there were surely cancellations.

The weight is indeed disappointing.

For comparison, the latest third generation titanium Birdy with full suspension weight one kg less with its stock component that aren't high end at all.

spambait11

Ti Birdies now come with 24" wheelsets?

Jipe

Of course not, but 24" wheels are useless on a full suspension bike.

The Birdy is much more comfortable than a non suspended bike with 38x507 wheels.

Note that the Birdy disc accepts ETRTO 349, ETRTO 355 and ETRTO 406 wheels.

Schwinnsta

Is there suspension losses of efficiency due to bobbing of the shocks as there are with Moulton?

grayrest

Yes, that will happen on any bike with suspension and is why lockout is a feature. I ride a Birdy and can modify my pedal stroke to minimize bob up to about 100 rpm but I get bob at higher cadence or when I go out of the saddle. As long as the pedal stroke is good, those losses are relatively minor. If your goal is going fast on a Birdy, the first thing to fix is the body position and the second is the gearing. Hitting 100 rpm on a 52/11 gear ratio is only ~21 mph.

Acabal

The helix promises to be a great Nike but as of this post I think the airnimal is the overall winner. All parts on the airnimal are available and u can really depend on the bike. The helix is an experimental bike. Let's hope it catches on