Keep in mind that if you're really reading Sheldon Brown's description of a Helicomatic, you're justified in expecting a nuclear explosion from the hub taking out your bike in the middle of a long ride. Those who don't believe what he wrote (and it's the single most bit on his entire website that I consider bull****) just ride them and get rather good service out of them. Disclaimer: I'm not an overly-strong Neanderthal racer, so it probably works just fine for me.