Helius AM is here...

[Axe]

Jun 6, 2012 12:08 PM At local FedEx facility Tendered at FedEx Office

And Cane Creek Double Barrel Air is home. Should I skip the rest of the day?

Unfortunately, for the first half a year it will live with my old Coiler part kit. Not that it is a bad part kit, but not exactly what I want.

[Momentus]

Bring on the photos...

[norcosam]

Good news there,\photos please

[loamranger]

Axe, what 650b tyres and wheels are you using?

[Axe]

Axe, what 650b tyres and wheels are you using?

None yet for Helius. Will wait on Fox fork and new Schwalbe tires to become available. Will measure what will fit in the rear.

[Axe]

Bring on the photos...

Picked it up at Fedex over lunch. Parking lot cell phone photo so far.

Frame looks nice. Very purposefully built. Kinda like my Magura forks that I like - no elaborate spit and polish, but straight, true and well engineered where it matters. Of course I could only check how it all builds up and all the dimensions are right once I actually build it up.

[loamranger]

Colour looks good.

[Axe]

Colour looks good.

It turned out quite clean and understated in person - sky blue.

[Whafe]

Looks hawt Axe, looking forward to seeing this built up, and even more so your first ride report...

[Axe]

Well, before the build up, I am pretty annoyed at this moment.

Installed CCDBA - and at the longest travel setting dogbone touches the aircan if I put it to the back. Just barely - and only at maximum compression and extension, but there is contact. Probably would not happen when it is aired up, but I am not sure...

With air can forward - I can only install it with piggyback down, which renders bottle mount completely useless.

Damn. I need my bottle mount. Part of the decision to go with this frame.

I wonder if I can stil return Cane Creek DBA to universal and find XFusion Vector HLR somewhere - it has piggyback on the air can side.

Dang. It probably would not be of much use even with Vector.

I wonder if some sideloading low profile bottles exist.

[the_pilot]

Plenty of side loading bottle cages, not sure abut bottles.

I would have throughout Cane Creek would be pretty good about a return.

[Axe]

Plenty of side loading bottle cages, not sure abut bottles.

I would have throughout Cane Creek would be pretty good about a return.

Return would be to Universal Cycles, and stupidly I have opened the liltle plastic bag with their adjustment tool.

By all accounts I found it is the best shock - I hoped it will work with air can to the rear side.

It would take a very, very small modification to the swing link to clear the can. Just a millimeter wide notches in the edge, which I could do with a file, and I doubt it will affect strength much if at all, but understandably, I hesitate taking a file to a brand new expensive frame.

Weight with shock and rear axle was 3950g. Not too light, but good..

[Axe]

Hmm... not sure what to do. I have a week to return CCDBA, hope they do not object - no marks on it whatsoever, though I did open that little packet with adjustment tool... But my only other choice I would want is XFusion Vector HLR, and they are nowhere to be found aftermarket.

Still no guarantee it would fit though. I really do not want any simple can shocks like Monarch RT3 or Floar RP-whatever they have now. This frame needs a proper shock..

Maybe finding some solution with a low profile bottle would be easier... And I did order the second bottle mount on the downtube (intended for light battery and attaching pump..). I am not sure about riding with a heavy water bottle under the downtube.. though maybe it is all right... Nicolai's tubes are not butted from what I understand..

[Axe]

Arrgh.. Wrote to the XFusion guy, and they are all backordered - and he does not sell through online retailers because "they undercut MSRP pricing".. Cane Creek does not seem to have a problem. Grrr... I guess they do not want to sell aftermarket..

Any ideas on slim water bottles that are not for roadies only?

[loamranger]

It turned out quite clean and understated in person - sky blue.

I meant the car

[loamranger]

These might be slimmer? Shiva

[qbert2000]

Hmm... not sure what to do. I have a week to return CCDBA, hope they do not object - no marks on it whatsoever, though I did open that little packet with adjustment tool... But my only other choice I would want is XFusion Vector HLR, and they are nowhere to be found aftermarket.

Still no guarantee it would fit though. I really do not want any simple can shocks like Monarch RT3 or Floar RP-whatever they have now. This frame needs a proper shock..

Maybe finding some solution with a low profile bottle would be easier... And I did order the second bottle mount on the downtube (intended for light battery and attaching pump..). I am not sure about riding with a heavy water bottle under the downtube.. though maybe it is all right... Nicolai's tubes are not butted from what I understand..

what about a monarch plus?

[loamranger]

what about a monarch plus?

Even better BOS Vip'r

[Axe]

what about a monarch plus?

I thought about the Push version.. Surprisignly Push remove RS air shock service from their site. It ain't there anymore. I can find a link to their version through Google - more expensive that what I paid for CCDBA..

Did not have a chance to ride it... reviews had been not as good as CCDBA or Vector Air HLR..

Even better BOS Vip'r

No piggy back probably means not as consistent over long descends (like one hour non-stop as would be the intended use for Helius). No separate high/low speed adjustments. And I would rather have no flipping levers. But, obviously, I have no idea how it actually performs..

By all accounts CCDBA should be perfect - I just need to fit the darn bottle. I was expecting that aircan on the dogbone side will work - I think I saw some pictures in that orientation. Maybe I should in fact file down four notches..

Really wanted to ride it this weekend... any shock fiddling will delay it by a couple weeks at least.

[-jes]

No filey to keep the smiley

[Axe]

No filey to keep the smiley

Not sure I get it - are you trying to rub it in?

[ncig]

Why don't you use a camelback?

[-jes]

Not sure I get it - are you trying to rub it in?

Just light hearted advise against doing anything rash, thought you would regret taking a file to a very nice and expensive frame, I know I would.

There must be a more technical solution maybe offset shock bushes.

Burgtec Titanium Offset Shock Hardware | Burgtec

Or contact Nicolai or the importer and see what they recommend,

[qbert2000]

go ride has the vector air in stock in 7.875x2.25

X Fusion Vector Air HLR - Go-Ride.com Bicycle Shop, Salt Lake City, Utah.

not sure what your helius takes though

[Axe]

Why don't you use a camelback?

I overheat. It is a nuisance to keep clean. It is heavy. It is not needed for a couple hour long ride.

go ride has the vector air in stock in 7.875x2.25

not sure what your helius takes though

8.5x2.5

They will be in stock in a week or two at headquarters (they are local and very helpful).