GEARS FOR E-BIKES: WHICH ARE THE BEST?

In recent years, e-bikes have become increasingly popular. This is due in no small part to the ever-improving technology that distinguishes these bicycles. Gears in particular are an important topic. In this blog post, we explain what to look out for in e-bike gears and which gears – derailleur gears or an internal geared hub – are the best.

GEARS ON A BICYCLE – A GLANCE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS

The idea of using gears with different ratios on a bicycle is almost as old as the bicycle itself. As early as 1869, a prototype rear derailleur was presented at the Salon du vélocipède de Paris. According to reports, French long-distance rider Paul de Vivie used different chain rings on a tour in 1889, and in 1895, Jean Loubeyre is said to have introduced the «Polycelere», the first genuine rear derailleur, which was offered in the «Compagnie Générale des Cycle» catalog.

Almost 130 years later, gears have become part of the basic equipment of virtually every bicycle. They make it easier to set off from a standing start, are the cyclist’s best friend when going uphill, and they also ensure that your knees don’t suffer and you don’t have to put in too much effort when the wind is blowing directly from the front on level ground. But not all gears are the same. Just as the areas of application of the various e-bike models – from mountain e-bikes to city e-bikes – differ, there are also different gear models that are tailored to the respective purposes of e-bikes.

GEARS FOR E-BIKES: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS?

In principle, there are two types of gears for an e-bike: derailleur gears and an internal geared hub. The most common form of gears on bicycles are derailleur gears. These consists of sprockets connected to chain rings by a chain. There is a front and a rear derailleur. Most derailleur gears are controlled by gear levers mounted on the handlebar, which cause the front or rear derailleur to push or pull the shift cable and thus to change the gear mechanically. However, you can now find electric gears too that change gears via wireless communication. Derailleur gears really come into their own in the open countryside: they allow you to find the right speed for every incline and make better use of your own energy and the power of the motor. Their disadvantage is that they require a lot of maintenance because the exposed gears are more susceptible to dirt and faults.

The other commonly used type of gears is the internal geared hub. This e-bike gear owes its name to the fact that it is located in the rear hub. In the case of an internal geared hub, gears are changed by what is known as a planetary gear. In this type of transmission, several gear wheels rotate around a wheel in the middle, thus ensuring the appropriate gear ratio. It is usually easy to operate with a simple rotary shifter on the handlebars and also works when you are waiting at traffic lights. Internal geared hubs have become very popular in recent years because they offer a very wide range of gears without taking up a lot of space in the bicycle frame. The advantage of the internal geared hub is that it is very easy to operate compared to derailleur gears, it is very tough and requires less maintenance. It also runs with virtually no noise. Some internal geared hubs also offer stepless gear changes, which makes switching between gears even more comfortable. You don’t have to worry about the number of gears or the choice of the correct speed with these gears.

THE RIGHT E-BIKE GEARS FOR THE RESPECTIVE E-BIKE MOTOR

Please note: Not every type of gear works with every type of motor. For example, choosing the right e-bike gears also depends on the type of motor fitted in the e-bike in question: front-wheel, rear-wheel or mid-drive motor.

A front-wheel motor lets you carry out all normal rear wheel gear changes – both with a coaster brake and a freewheel hub. An internal geared hub, on the other hand, cannot be used with a rear-wheel motor because this already takes up the space in the rear wheel. The exception is a hub integrated in the rear-wheel motor, which is why e-bikes with a rear-wheel motor usually have derailleur gears.

In an electric bicycle with a mid-drive motor, the driving power is transferred to the rear wheel. The advantage is that the motor output is boosted by being transferred through the gearbox. This results in a considerable torque on the rear wheel, which is very useful on inclines. The disadvantage is that all of the power generated by the drive and the rider is transferred to the gears. However, most internal geared hubs are only designed for the pedaling force of one person and not for the combined driving forces of a human and a motor. The power of mid-drive motors is therefore reduced in most internal geared hubs.

DERAILLEUR GEARS VS. AN INTERNAL GEARED HUB: WHICH E-BIKE GEARS ARE THE BEST?

What is the best type of gear for an e-bike? Derailleur gears on an electric bicycle? Or an internal geared hub? Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on the rider’s personal preferences and riding style. If you want a smooth ride with little maintenance, an internal geared hub is a good choice. On long tours over several stages, internal geared hubs often demonstrate their advantages over derailleur gears due to their robustness. Internal geared hubs may also be a better choice for city bikes that are used to commute to and from work in all kinds of weather. Internal geared hubs are often combined with a belt drive, especially on city e-bikes, which also ensures a quiet and low-maintenance ride. An internal geared hub is also beneficial for frequent stopping and restarting, as the gears can also be changed when you are standing still.

Derailleur gears, on the other hand, are the better option if you are looking for greater flexibility. Mountain e-bikes or sporty trekking e-bikes are thus usually fitted with derailleur gears. Derailleur gears show off their advantages not only because of the higher number of gears, but also because of their greater load capacity: derailleur gears in electric bicycles can cope with the highest of torques.

As already mentioned, one special feature of e-bike gears are electronic gears that can communicate with the drive system. In these models, the gear shift is in contact with the sensors of the drive system at all times. The system detects whether the gear ratio is correct and, if necessary, recommends a change of gear based on the pedaling frequency, power and speed. This not only saves electricity and spares the e-bike’s battery, it also reduces the amount of maintenance required by the gear-shift materials. Electronic gears are thus becoming increasingly popular and can be found in ever more e-bike models.

By the way: one question that is also very often asked in connection with e-bike gears is the question of the number of gears: how many gears do you need on your e-bike? Here too, the answer is quite clear: «It depends».

We also offer accessories for e-bike gears.  You can find these here.

23.02.2022