bykebykebyke

just purchased peugeot le vagabond, i plan on using this bike for some long tours and would like to replace the helicomatic hub after reading all of the horror stories associated with it. the dilemma i'm encountering is this, do i replace the original 126mm spaced 6 speed hub with a quality hub for touring (if so what are some of my options regarding this), or do i spread the rear to accommodate 130 or even 135mm spacing. i understand that this could effect the chainline which could open up another issue, but i was considering installing a sealed bb anyway (i still have yet to determine if it is french threaded but imagine it could be, which could make that quite the task as well). also will the simplex sx 610 long cage rear derailleur and the sja 102 front work with these different combinations. lastly, i believe i read somewhere that the stronglight crank has french threaded pedals (14mm), is there a clipless option for this anywhere? any ideas would be great, thanks.

NoReg

https://cgi.ebay.com/Maillard-Rear-Hu...item58886b6971

https://cgi.ebay.com/Joytech-Rear-Bic...item483e07b447

https://cgi.ebay.com/Campagnolo-vinta...item45f9b57a28

There is also Phil Wood

I would avoid cold setting to 135, to 130 it isn't a big deal. To me it would be more about keeping the wheel centered.

fietsbob

I highly recommend a Phil Wood Freewheel hub, freewheels are reliable ,
and the hub has an un bendable axle, and quality bearings

I toured for decades on my Phil Hub, 126 axle, 6 speed freewheels.

a good bike shop can tap out the crank arms to 9/16" for standard pedals..

Iowegian

Stronglight cranks come in both 9/16" and French threaded versions but as mentioned, it's an easy job to re-thread one from French threads.

+1 on a Phil Wood FW hub. They aren't cheap but they will last forever and it would allow you to keep your FD and RD. That and a 7spd hyperglide freewheel would work great. If you want a more modern drivetrain don't just toss the old Simplex stuff, if it's in good shape it has value.

If you need a French threaded BB, IMO the best current option is one from VeloOrange.com.

Happy Trails!

Thasiet

You can very possibly get away without a coldset just keep in mind that the fatigue life of metal under stress is less than without. Hence the very important task of stress-relieving of spokes when building up wheels. That said, the stress being introduced here is a whopping 2mm per side and should be insignificant especially if the chainstays are nice and long. If you want to stay with 126mm Phil is definitely the best option. Velo Orange has new 126 mm freewheel hubs but those don't seem particularly suitable for loaded touring due to their conventional diameter axle. The whole reason for the move to freehubs was that with a freewheel bike the right side bearings are so close to the centerline of the hub that axles were frequently getting bent/broken. The Phil hub sidesteps this by using a massively oversized axle.

bykebykebyke

i can see more clearly now, thank you

Sixty Fiver

We prefer freewheel hubs and thread on blocks here... I work with a builder of freewheel hubs who, at seeing his first Phil Wood hub, thought someone had stolen his design.



With the right design freewheels are still a nice option and we have run 8-9 speed freewheels with no issues... on tandems and touring bikes.

My touring bike runs a 7 speed block with a triple and I have more gear range than I will ever need and should I need to replace a freewheel on tour I can run anything from 5-7 with no compatibility issues.

cubabikermark

I am seeking a peugeot vagabond in 53-55cm
or a peugeot cross or other tourer

Canti brakes and wider tires needed----i want a fast canal path bike (in a peugeot!)

Thanks
mark
redbrickbikes@gmail .com

tcs

Hub, freewheels, wheels. Examples only, available from many sources, no connection to vendor other than occasional customer.

tcs

Maybe, maybe not. You'll just have to check the threading.

fietsbob

Helicomatic was the French approach to a Freehub. Gear cluster
does come off for spoke breaks, easily. if you got the lock ring tool ..

tcs

There have been some reports of Heliomatics giving good service for long periods of time. I've wondered if the issue with the undersize 5/32 ball bearings could be alleviated by using ceramic balls. At any rate, there are no spare cones/clusters readily available for these old hubs, so it's kind of a moot point.

A pair of slip-jaw pliers works fine.

fietsbob

pliers , if all you plan to do is take the freewheel off and throw the hub away,
the lock-ring is soft and wont last long doing that.