Circuit types
The choice of different types of gears and their different configurations is wide. To the already established manufacturers Shimano, Sram and Campagnolo, new ones like Pinion, Rohloff and Nuvinci are added.
Which type of gear you choose depends largely on your intended use. So if you know the main use of your bike, you can use this guide to choose the right type of gears.
The different types of gears can be divided according to their functional structure:
- Derailleur: mechanical, electric or radio controlled.
- Hub gears: mechanically, electrically or automatically operated
- Bottom bracket: mechanically operated
- Combination gears: mechanically operated
Derailleur gears
Derailleur gears are among the most commonly used gears on bicycles and are available in all price segments - from functional and inexpensive to classy and high-priced.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| mature, manageable technology | Requires care and maintenance due to many exposed moving parts |
| Maintenance mostly familiar | Wear of chain, gears and sprocket sets |
| Spare parts supply mostly always and everywhere possible | Switching only possible in motion |
| Available in all price ranges |
Hub gears
consist of planetary gears running in an oil bath in a fully enclosed rear hub. The shifting process takes place inside the rear hub, so the chain only needs to transmit power from a chainring on the crank to a sprocket on the rear wheel.
The hub shifting/timing belt combination eliminates much of the care and maintenance of the drive, which is especially interesting for everyday riders and commuters.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Almost maintenance-free function | Heavier than a conventional derailleur |
| sophisticated technology | Higher internal frictional resistance |
| No follow-up costs due to wear or maintenance of the gearshift | High-quality models are slightly more expensive than comparable derailleurs |
| Available in all price ranges | No change of gear ratio possible in the hub |
| Choice between freewheel hub and coaster brake possible | Shift cable replacement complex, specialist knowledge required |
| Use of a toothed belt instead of a chain possible | In the event of a defect, the hub must usually be sent to the manufacturer |
| Good protection against dirt due to complete encapsulation of the circuitry | |
| Switching possible when stationary |
Bottom bracket shifting
Input, output and shifting shafts are housed in a compact and enclosed housing. This unit is located in the bottom bracket area with a favorable center of gravity. It should be noted that this gear concept requires a special bottom bracket mount and therefore cannot be used with ordinary wheels.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Almost maintenance-free function | Special frame receptacle necessary |
| Very robust and insensitive to external influences | Higher internal frictional resistance |
| No follow-up costs due to wear or maintenance of the gearshift | More expensive compared to derailleurs |
| Switching possible when stationary | No change of the gear ratio in the bottom bracket possible |
| Good protection against dirt due to complete encapsulation of the circuitry | Shift cable replacement complex, specialist knowledge required |
| Use of a toothed belt instead of a chain possible | In the event of a defect, the gearbox must usually be sent to the manufacturer |
| Favorable position in the center of gravity of the bike | Heavier than a conventional derailleur |
Combination circuit
In a combination circuit, two circuit types are combined into one circuit.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| In the e-bike large number of gears feasible | Heavier than a conventional derailleur |
| Partial change of the translation possible | Higher internal frictional resistance |
| Switching possible while standing | More expensive compared to the pure derailleurs |
| Shift cable replacement complex, specialist knowledge required | |
| In the event of a defect, the gearbox must usually be sent to the manufacturer |