Originally Posted by
francophile
I didn't reply because I assume someone else would already say it, but I guess maybe I truly am the only one who doesn't hate the product.
Helicomatic hubs. I guess I'm not big enough to bend the axles. I can appreciate the removal tool which also serves as other tools including the ever-coveted beer-popper, I don't find them any worse to repack than others, and i don't find they wear out any faster than anything else either.
I think they generally get a bad rap. But that's just my 2¢. Could the dust caps be better? Sure. Could they have better supported the axle for heavier people? Sure. Always worked fine for me though.
I don't think Helicomatic hubs are known for bent axles. In fact, they might have been the first hubs generally available on the market that placed the bearings near the end of the axle on the drive side. They do have a reputation for wearing more quickly than hubs with 1/4" bearing balls, though.