Helicomatic Wheels.... what are these?

[Mark Cotton]

Hi all, need advice on these wheels.

In another instalment of my father's request to clear his old cycling stuff I stumbled across some wheels with Helicomatic (or Helico Matic?) hubs. I found about 7 rear wheels with nisi sprint rims, all unused and I know nothing about these other than the fact that they don't use screw on blocks or cassettes.... that confused me some what!

SO.... please help, what are these wheels?
What gears do they use?
Can you still aquire the gears?
Does anyone still use them on a retro machine that they own?
And the million dollar (probably not) question.... are they junk or worth a few quid at a push when I try to flog them?

Many thanks for any knowledge that you can pass on.

 

[cromoman]

There's a bit of information about them on Sheldon Brown's site.

They sound quite obscure.

 

[bowser]

usually found on old peugeots

 

[Old Ned]

I've got a lockring spanner.

 

[dutchie]

I've got a lockring spanner.

That was a nice gimmick at that time. The one with the bottle opener I suppose?

 

[hamster]

They are rare (partly because they broke) so there is some market for them to keep old bikes going. Try flogging them on the CTC forum, there are some strange old goats there who like them (and I speak as a CTC member).

If it's a rider, heave a sigh of relief and use cassette hubs.

 

[Mark Cotton]

thanks for the replies every one, they all have the lockring spanners with them I think. Probably worth chucking them on ebay, some money is better than nothing and them taking up space in the garage...... any one want them? I will do a real cheap price

 

[alanf1968]

The Helicomatic hub basically uses a thread that only makes about a half twist as it pushes onto the rear wheel, this is then held in place by a lock ring, this means that rather than with a standard wheel using a freewheel remover and a vice, the freewheel can easily be changed at the road side, the reason they are popular with some CTC members is that if on a long tour and going into hilly areas, you can change a close ratio freewheel for a wide range without the need to visit a workshop.
The downside is that you can only use Helicomatic freewheels which were rarely held in stock at your local bike shop, and were common on Peugeots because they were made in France and french manufacturers tended to use French parts hence you will see lots of Huret, Simplex, Rigida etc on those bikes too.

 

[latman]

I worked in a bike shop in the late 80s in Australia and remember there was a gunmetal ? coloured Gitane model that used Helicomatic freehubs too (we had stacks of the lockring/bottle opener tools!)

 

[Martynz]

Hey Mark, I bought one of your old nisi wheels off ebay, nice gear. I was planning to use it on one of my pugs but haven't been able to find a block yet! Just nice old kit anyway!