There’s a lot to think about when choosing your next bike from Halfords — and one of the biggest decisions is whether to go for hub gears or derailleur gears. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide which gearing system suits your riding style.
What Are Derailleur Gears?
Derailleur gears use a chain, a set of sprockets and a mechanism that moves the chain between them. This changes the gear ratio as you ride.
Benefits of Derailleur Gears
- Make cycling easier by letting you maintain a comfortable pedalling rhythm
- Great for hills and windy conditions
- Lighter than hub gears, helping you accelerate with less effort
- More efficient, allowing you to cover more distance with the same energy
Disadvantages of Derailleur Gears
- Need more regular maintenance
- Chains and sprockets must be cleaned and degreased every few hundred miles
- More exposed parts, so they can wear faster in bad weather
What Are Hub Gears?
Hub gears are built into the rear wheel hub. All the moving parts are sealed inside, which keeps the system protected from dirt and weather.
Advantages of Hub Gears
- Very low maintenance thanks to the sealed design
- Long‑lasting and reliable
- You can change gear while stationary — ideal for stop‑start city riding
- Cleaner setup, and the chain can be enclosed to protect clothing
What are the disadvantages of hub gears?
The disadvantage of hub gears is that they have a smaller range and the difference between the top and bottom gear is narrower.
Hub gears also aren’t as efficient as derailleur gears. However, the efficiency of hub gears tends not to deteriorate, and may even get better as the hub wears in.
The Raleigh Motus Hub Sparkling White Electric Hybrid Bike features hub gears and is the perfect bike for your weekend adventures. The alloy frame is light-weight, making the bike easy to manoeuvre and the comfortable upright riding position enables you to be more aware of your surroundings so you can enjoy riding your new bike safely and with confidence.
There has never been a better time to explore the collection of high-quality Raleigh bikes featuring hub and derailleur gears at Halfords. For over 130 years, Raleigh continue to produce iconic bikes. Raleigh continue to use technology and existing product knowledge to develop modern, innovative and stylish bikes.