wardie

I have an original stock 1984 Trek 520 that I recently purchased. The wheels are 27x1 1/4 6 speed Maillard Helicomatic rear hub and . Matrix rims . The LBS (very compentent people) said the rear wheel has had it. I had an old Benotto that had Shimano 6 speed freewheel/wheel combination that matched up perfectly and works. These rims are aluminum in color where as the Matrix rims are black in color and look better. Even though I have everything to upgrade this bike to 9speed I really want to try and keep it stock or near stock especially the 27". Can someone suggest a matched set of 27" wheels for this bike. It has cantilever brakes that possibly could work with 700's but I rather keep the 27's. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also looking for 14-32/34 shimano freewheel. Wardie

Charles Wahl

If you want to keep it "stock or near stock" then why not just rebuild the rear wheel. You didn't say whether the hub or rim was shot, or both. Matrix rims are not uncommon on eBay, though the 27" ones seem to be a bit rarer than the 700C. Other similar vintage rims would be Mavic G40 or MA40 (medium-dark gray, eyeletted) or Wolber Alpine (hard to tell from the Mavics from a couple feet). If your rim is really black, then you could use the Mavic Open Pro that's a current model, I think, and fairly ubiquitous if not. You might even be able to score a Mavic non-Helicomatic rear hub that would complement your current front hub.

jgedwa

Do we really want to recommend that anyone willingly put money into a rear Heliocomatic hub? Aside from finding the parts, does anyone have the tools to work on them? Do a quick search for the phrase "heliocomatic hell" on BF and see what turns up.

jim

p.s., I have a helio wheelset off a 520 hanging from the rafters that are looking for a good home.

redneckwes

lol, He probably has the Helico wheelset from MY 520

I'm deep enough in Helicomatic hell, but if the O.P. is not interested, and you decide to dump them Jim, I might be interested.

B.T.W. The 520 is slowly moving it's way to the front of the refurb line. If I had not bagged that Motobecane last week.

redneckwes

Wardie,
Measure your frame clearences well, early 520's were built tighter than later ones, Mine is an '83 and I can run fenders, or Michelin 27 X 1-1/4 world tours, but not both at once. So I run 27 X 1-1/8's on it. 700 might be a good solution.

Mine, last September, torn down for repaint now.

Edit: I took this pic when I was still trying to get the fenders to clear the world tours.

jgedwa

I think that is right, they came in the same batch as the 520 frame I sent you. It has been forever since I have looked at them, so I do not recall the condition. Off hand, I would say they are in good condition. I hung them up there without even looking at the bearing races. If you are interested I will check them out and give a more complete report. And they are of practically no value to me, so I would be glad to find them a home. Do remember to send pics of that bike when it is finished. (Always seems like good karma to have a bike on the road again after it has passed through my hands. And I highly doubt I would have ever built it up.)

Do you still like the 330? I had a larger red one that I really liked, but then sold it because I almost never used it anymore. I sold it to a college kid and I now see it locked up outside the dorm all weekend through every kind of weather. Is it totally wrong to steal a bike back? I got really good money for it, but still it hurts my heart to see MY bike out there. I go walking by campus alot with my girlfriend and she practically has to physically restrain me when I see it. Maybe in the future I will interview possible buyers like a baby adoption service.

Damn, now I am glum.

jim

redneckwes

Yup, still rolling along on the 330, I think it might go on a trainer for awhile, but right now it's still in commuter mode from the fall, fenders, rack, blinkies. It went through a few incarnations allready, I changed it over to 700 wheels a few months ago, and recently swapped the derrailleurs for 80's vintage 6 speed SIS,

520 is going to get a repaint this spring, I wanted to get it done this fall, but it diddn't happen, I might try and take it back to as factory as I can, with it being a first year 520 and all.

Charles Wahl

I don't believe that I did that; I'd never intentionally recommend that someone retain a component that seems to be so universally despised. While I suggested rebuilding the wheel, I also suggested finding a replacement hub.