🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Nov3.223724.23639@cypress.com> mjl@cypress.com (Mike La Bouff) writes:
>I have a 1984 vintage Maillard Helico-Matic rear hub that I am trying to locate
>a freewheel for.  Apparently these were discontinued by Maillard in the late 80's
>and are no where to be found here in the S.F. Bay area.  I have considered buying
>a new wheel/freewheel, but it is out of my budget.

If that helicomatic hub is on a Trek, you might be able to get them to
replace it. Trek used a lot of those hubs in the mid 80's. I got tired
of the poor shifting and complained to my Trek dealer just about 2-3
years ago. The dealer talked to the distributer and they replaced the
hub/freewheel on warrenty. They may not do it anymore and I could have
just ran into a nice guy but I know they had lots of complaints over the
years. It would be worth asking.

In article <022b02ap2a2201@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com>, jdr40@ccc.amdahl.com (John Ritter) writes:
> In article <1992Nov3.223724.23639@cypress.com> mjl@cypress.com (Mike La Bouff) writes:
> >I have a 1984 vintage Maillard Helico-Matic rear hub that I am trying to locate
> >a freewheel for.  Apparently these were discontinued by Maillard in the late 80's
> >and are no where to be found here in the S.F. Bay area.  I have considered buying
> >a new wheel/freewheel, but it is out of my budget.
> 
> If that helicomatic hub is on a Trek, you might be able to get them to
> replace it. Trek used a lot of those hubs in the mid 80's. I got tired
> of the poor shifting and complained to my Trek dealer just about 2-3
> years ago. The dealer talked to the distributer and they replaced the
> hub/freewheel on warrenty. They may not do it anymore and I could have
> just ran into a nice guy but I know they had lots of complaints over the
> years. It would be worth asking.

As the owner of a Helicomatic-equipped TREK from the mid-80s, I can also 
attest to the lack of precise shifting although some of the problem may
have been due to the Suntour Cyclone rear derailleur trying to span triple
chainrings.  Apparently, the only thing this hub had going for it was the
ease with which the freewheel cassette could be removed from the hub, 
ostensibly to replace a broken spoke on the drive side during the course
of a loaded tour (ie. no sag support). 

The removal of the cassette was accomplished with a small "bottle-opener"
wrench and no other vice or chain whips.  Also, because of the cassette
design, the bearings are closer to the axle supports (dropouts) which
places less bending moment on the axle thereby reducing the incidence
of axle breakage.  On the negative side, the cogs wore quickly, replacement
cogs were not widely available and the hub-cassette is very massive, even
without the cogs.  

I have long since removed my Helicomatic from service and have relegated it
to the status of a conversation piece.  I keep it for sentimental reasons
and use it only occasionally, as a paper weight.


Ross Thompson
AT&T Bell Laboratories
Whippany, NJ
rjt@hogpa.att.com

In article <022b02ap2a2201@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com> jdr40@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (John Ritter) writes:
>In article <1992Nov3.223724.23639@cypress.com> mjl@cypress.com (Mike La Bouff) writes:
>>I have a 1984 vintage Maillard Helico-Matic rear hub that I am trying to locate
>>a freewheel for.  Apparently these were discontinued by Maillard in the late 80's
>>and are no where to be found here in the S.F. Bay area.  I have considered buying
>>a new wheel/freewheel, but it is out of my budget.
>

I have a helicomatic freewheel in very good condition.  It has about 300 miles
of use on it.  I don't recall the size exactly but I believe it is 13-24.
If you are interested let me know.  I figure $15 + shiping is reasonable.
If you don't agree make me an offer.
--------------
Alex Rodriguez
Columbia University
New York City

I friend of mine got a hold of an old Peugot this sumemr, it had a Helicomatic
freehub on it, it seems to work great on his bike.  Anyway, he wsa interested in
getting a new set of cogs for it and was able to find some at a local shop, I 
think.  Let me try and find out where he got his new set of cogs from...
If you still are looking for a new set, let me know and I'll mail you the place
where he found his set.