Looking back at the Maillard, Helico Matic hub it was/is a design that has it all...well as far as engineering goes. Let's just say the engineer was far ahead of the quality.
I first came across the Maillard, Helico Matic in the mid 80's when the store I worked at sold Trek bicycles spec'd with these hubs. Most people at that time used thread-on freewheels. Another option was the cassette, but these were the days of 6 speed clusters and Campagnolo, Super Records hubs ruled the road way. The Shimano cassette mechanism was a minority, but would soon grow in popularity as more and more cogs were added to the clusters over time.
The problem with the thread on freewheel was once the freewheels started going to 7 and beyond this lead to bent axles because of the demand put on them from having to become longer and longer. As you can see below the axle has to extend past the freewheel threads by a little over 30mm.
Below is a Helicomatic hub, and as you can see only has 8mm of axle extending out, making this axle a lot harder to bend. The cassette design would also have the same amount exposed.
One great thing about the design is the ease of removal. All you need is that thin spline wrench that can fit in your wallet, (pictured on the right). The freewheel requires a special tool,( in the case for a Regina America spline tool (They were made by Phil Wood)), and a wrench or vice to turn it. The cassette design uses the same tools as the freewheel only you need an additional chain whip (Not Pictured).
As you can see it's a 6 speed, and a rock solid design. To bad not rock solid parts.
Once you get the ring off, just pull...
....Voilà! Its off!
And one thing you still can't do today. Remove a freewheel without removing the quick release.
It's even called a "Helico Matic".
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