Hubgear.net

Welcome to hubgear.net. The site is being constructed, slowly, but with the aid of some planks and Wellington boots you can wander around the building site.

We aim to provide a single resource for all hub-gear related information.

What's a hub gear? It's a type of gearing for pedal cycles where the mechanism is enclosed inside the hub (center) of the rear wheel. The best known example is the Sturmey-Archer 3-speed, whose basic design has been around for over a century.

Why should anyone use one, now that deraileurs can provide up to 30 gears with a vast range? Up to a few years ago, few serious cyclists would consider hub gears. With limited gear range, heavy weight and large steps between gears they surely couldn't compete with derailleurs. Then Rohloff introduced their Speedhub 500/14 hub. With a range comparable to mountain bike's range, 14 highly efficient gears to give comfortable steps between gears, and light weight, it put hub gears back into consideration. Oher manufacturers have since come out with offerings that lie between the humble 3- or 5-speed and the Speedhub in terms of price and performance.

The advantages of hub gears are:

Design:

Pedals nearer to bike centreline
Provide small-wheel bikes with high gears without needing an enormous chainring
Small-wheel bikes don't have rear derailleur close to the ground
chain cannot touch the rear tyre
Rear wheel is not dished, resulting in a stronger wheel

Use:

Simple to change gear
can change gear when stationary
Fewer external parts vulnerable to impact or snagging
Can be lighter
Can be more efficient
No risk of the chain coming off the chainring

Maintenance:

Less (or no) lubrication needed to the hub
Less chain lubrication needed
Longer life
Chains last longer - less wear and better design
Easier to clean the bike - Less dirt created/collected, fewer hard-to-reach places
Adjustment less critical than derailleur systems
Easier to change broken spokes