Maillard Helicomatic
 

Good evening folks

My Mercier has what looks like a 5 speed Helicomatic, I'm looking for a larger granny but most seem to be 6/7 speed. Will a 7 speed fit on the 5 speed hub and do I need a new lock ring to make it all work?

The larger sprockets from a 6 speed Helicomatic will fit on a 5 speed Helicomatic body. The smallest sprocket threads off (use two chainwhips) and the remaining sprockets are splined with spacers and slip off the body. Therefore if you find a 6 speed with the tooth counts you want, they can be interchanged.

Was there ever a 7-speed Helicomatic?

The photos are gone, but according to the Helicomatic Museum, yes.

https://www.borgercompagnie.com/heli...galleries.html


Also in the words of the Helicomatic Museum:

"I would suggest to all but the most fanatic about originality to stay away from Helicomatic or replace any Helicomatic hub with a model for which it is easier to source spare parts."

I didn't know that Maillard made a 5 speed cassette for the Helicomatic hub. I thought they were only 6 and 7 speeds.

Conversely, I was only aware of 5 and 6 speed - just guessed that 7 was around.

Here’s a silly question- I know the hubs have different quality levels- (400/500/600/700)- Do the freewheel/cassette thingys have different levels as well? Was there a “Maillard 700 Team Issue” Helicomatic freewheel cassette thingy- and how did it differ from, say, a 500 level unit?

I believe there was a "700" version of the Helicomatic as I think I've seen Heli hubs with the 700 decals on it.
I know that there were later/improved versions of the hubs with contact seals on them to keep the bearings "happy", but not sure if there was an upgrade of races and bearing quality and size to improve reliability.
I was surprised about to hear about the 5 speed cassette as if I remember correctly, the Helicomatic was introduced in the early 80's when most bikes already moved on to have 6 speed hubs.

I have a wheelset that is original to a 1985 Trek 720. It has a 5 speed Helicomatic hub.

My '84 Pug PH10LE has a Helicomatic 13-28 6 gear cassette.
Jon

I have a very good condition 13-21 6V 700 series cassette from a 1984 Trek 610. I am interested in selling.

The Helicomatics I've had have all been from Trek tourers- hence the 5 speeds in conjunction with the 'half step and a granny.'