Gears
All about the hub gear and derailleur
When choosing a suitable (*A) e-bike, a good gear cannot be missing, of course. Therefore, Muon has made a selection of high-quality hub gears from Shimano. Would you like to know more about this type of gear and what the differences are? Then read on immediately!
Hub gearing: easy shifting and maintenance
The hub gear is the most common gearing seen in bikes, and for good reason! First, the gear is neatly incorporated into the hub of the rear wheel. This makes the gear hardly noticeable and makes it fit nicely into the design of the e-bike. The mechanism of the gear is stored in the housing of the hub. This protects the system from dust and moisture and, unlike the derailleur gear, makes the gear easy to maintain and durable.
A hub gear changes levels simply by changing the gears in place. This is best done by shifting gears at a standstill. Although with a derailleur gear it is best to shift while riding a bike, this is not recommended with a hub-geared electric bike as it can cause damage to the hub.
Difference between hub and derailleur gears
Whereas you see a hub gear mostly on city bikes, you can find derailleur gears mostly on sporty bikes and mountain bikes. A derailleur gear uses different sprockets and works by changing the chain sprocket while cycling. Because of this, a derailleur has more gear options and the intermediate steps in shifting are more refined.
A derailleur gear does not use a (closed) chain case. Because the gears and chain are exposed to dust and weather conditions, they are more subject to wear and weather conditions. Therefore, a derailleur gear requires a lot more periodic maintenance than a hub gear. Also, this type of gear generally does not last as long as a hub gear.
Shimano Nexus 7 vs Shimano Nexus 8
Our (*B) e-bikes use Shimano Nexus 7 or Nexus 8 gears. Although both gears are low-maintenance and durable, there are actual differences.
In addition to the difference in number of gears, a Nexus 8 hub has a bigger shifting range (307%) than a Nexus 7 hub (244%). Switching range indicates the difference between the lightest and heaviest gears. A shift range of 250%, for example, means that the pedals in the lightest gear make 2.5 more revolutions than the heaviest gear.
Furthermore, the Nexus 8 uses direct drive. This ensures less resistance while cycling and you feel that the shifting is nice and smooth. When you switch to the fifth gear with the N8 hub, it runs one to one. This means that the rotation of your pedals and wheel are in sync, so no energy is lost in pedaling. Great light cycling!
Hub gears and derailleur: Q&A
What is the difference between a hub and derailleur gear?
A hub gear works by changing the position of the gears. This is best done by shifting gears at a standstill. A derailleur gear works by changing the chain cog while cycling. A derailleur has more gear options but requires more maintenance.
What are the characteristics of a hub gear?
An e-bike with hub gears is very popular and easy to maintain. Thanks to the housing, this gear is protected from dust and moisture. When used correctly, the hub is hardly strained. As a result, the hub gear lasts a long time. It is recommended to change gears at a standstill when using a hub gear.
What are the characteristics of a derailleur?
A derailleur gear is often found on sport bikes and mountain bikes. A derailleur works by staggering the chain on the sprocket as you pedal. This gives you more choice in your gears and the steps are more refined. A derailleur does not use a chain case and is more likely to wear from weather and dust.
What is the difference between Nexus 7 and Nexus 8?
The difference between a N7 and N8 hub gear is mainly in the shifting range. The Nexus 7 has a shifting range of 244% and the Nexus 8 has a shifting range of 307%. The higher the shift range is, the greater the difference between the lightest and heaviest gears.