Finding the right electric bike opens up a world of motor and battery size options, but also includes an important decision: do you opt for hub drive or mid-drive? We all know derailleurs, but internally geared hubs are an intriguing high-tech alternative. For those who place a premium on reliability, ease of use, and cleanliness, then an e-bike equipped with hub gears could prove to be a wise purchase. This guide will take you through these twelve key benefits, grouped under five important categories, to help you understand why your next e-bike must have an auxiliary power source.
1. Unmatched Durability and Low-Maintenance Living
The biggest advantage of an internal gear hub is its ability to withstand the test of time – and that means less time in the maintenance stand and more time out riding. All the intricate shifting mechanisms are encased in the rear wheel's hub, out of the elements. This engineering decision presents a litany of long-term benefits, exactly what the daily or casual rider requires from their e-bike. Gone are the days of endless cleaning and maintenance – instead, all you need to do is keep on top of your service intervals, cutting down your time in the workshop and making sure that when you’re out there riding you can get those miles in without any gremlins. This set-up-and-forget proposition is a game changer in terms of day-to-day practicality.
No-Excuses Reliability:
The sealed hub protects against rain, snow, and mud from ruining your ride with an exposed derailleur and cassette. And that means predictable, silky smooth shifting performance wherever and whenever.
Greatly reduced cleaning:
No exposed cassette to gather grime and no derailleur to gunk up means that maintaining your drivetrain becomes as easy as wiping down your chain or belt.
Preserves Frame:
Protects the engine or motor from impact that would normally force a mechanic to bend, realign or replace a derailleur hanger.
Long Lasting Components:
As the gears are sealed and internally lubricated they wear far less. A good hub can last tens of thousands of kilometers.
Perfect Chainline:
Internal hubs do not require a front derailleur/chainring, leading to a perfect chainline which is nearly straight and efficient. This minimizes chains, sprockets and chain-wheel stress to eliminate component wear – all leading to a lifespan that can be two or three times longer than a traditional derailleur system.
2. A Superior, Simplified Riding Experience
On top of this durability, internal gear hubs will also give you a much smoother and "natural" ride. Among the popular features is the facility to shift gears even when the bike comes to a standstill. With a derailleur, this is not possible; here the chain needs to be in motion. For city riders who are forever stopping at traffic lights or in stop-and-go conditions, this is a game-changer. By the time you’ve reached the end of the road, in whatever gear that might be, you’re ready to drop down/move up a gear based on how well or badly your shift was. This plainness also applies to the all-around mechanics and looks of the electric bike, which takes away some of its intimidating factor for novices, while making it a bit more ideal for experienced cyclists.
Moving While Stationary:
As discussed, this is the signature move. Waiting at a light in a high gear? No problem. Just shift the shifter into first gear and you are ready to start without any effort.
Easy Shifting:
You just shift the grip shifter once to switch gears. Shifting can be a single, smooth sweep rather than a series of clicks, as achieved with a derailleur, and you’ll find yourself skipping over multiple gears at once.
Cleaner, Minimalist Design:
Without a rear derailleur, hanger, and large cassette cluttering the back of your bike, you get a much more streamlined, high-end look at your rear wheel which gives it an overall modern feel and design.
Silent Ride:
Due to the straight chainline design with no "chain slap" on a derailleur cage, internal gear hubs provide a surprisingly silent and smooth ride which allows you to take in the scenery even more.
3. Advantages in Long-Term Financial Sense and Smart Investment
An electric bicycle with an internal gear hub may cost a bit more upfront, but it is better value for money in the long run. The total cost of ownership is much less because of greatly reduced maintenance and replacement part requirements. Derailleur systems need to be kept in tune, which means adjusting cables and replacing cogs and chains more often (and these are expensive). An IGH also eliminates most of these costs. This makes it a smart buy if you’re planning to ride your e-bike regularly over the course of many years. The added longevity also translates to increased resale value, as well-informed second-hand buyers recognize that a hub gear system is built to last.
Less Wear:
A top-of-the-line chain on an IGH bike can outlast one on a derailleur system by thousands of kilometers. You will never have to purchase a brand new cassette.
Decreased Labor Costs:
No more visits to the bike shop for gear indexing or derailleur adjustments. An IGH generally requires an oil change just every 5,000 kilometers or thereabouts — a job that many users can do themselves.
Smooth Belt Drive Suitable:
A number of e-bikes that use hub gears as the transmission choice often also come with a Gates Carbon Belt Drive. They are also clean, silent, don’t require any lubrication and their lifetime is over twice as long as a standard chain – that’s money saved in the end.
| Cost Factor | Internally Gear Hub (IGH) System | Traditional Derailleur System |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | More Expensive | Cheaper |
| Maintenance | Low (Every now and then: Oil change) | High (Frequently: Cleaning, lubrication, indexing) |
| Component Replacement | Rarely (depends on chain/belt, sprockets) | Often (Chain, cassette, jockey wheels) |
| Workshop Attendance | Uncommon | More Common |
| Long-Term Value | Outstanding | Moderate |
4. Looking High-Performance? Check out the ENGWE L20 3.0 Pro
While internal gear hubs are the high water mark of low-maintenance, a more expensive way to get a premium, strong and efficient ride comes from high-end mid-drives properly engineered. A classic example would be the ENGWE L20 3.0 Pro, which set a new benchmark for city commuting in terms of authority, cushion and brilliant "smart" techniques. It doesn't have an internal hub; its high-torque mid-drive motor punches well above its weight for practical comparison -- and in some cases flies way over the top. The L20 3.0 Pro is definitely a personal recommendation if you are the type of rider who values pure power, optimum comfort over rough roads in town and also wants to enjoy technology at its finest. This bike has been ‘well-designed’ by ENGWE and is a premium product in its class with options that are usually available on much more pricey models.
High Performance Mid-Drive Motor:
The key to the heart of this premium bike is a powerful Mivice 250W mid-drive motor generating an enormous 100Nm of torque. This enables you to start off powerfully with instant acceleration from a standstill and makes life easy when handling the hills.
Flexible torque sensor. Smooth and natural power delivery. The integrated torque sensor measures the pressure you are applying to the pedals so that support can be provided based on your riding style, for a smooth and natural ride.
Superior Full-Suspension Comfort:
The L20 3.0 Pro is the first local e-bike with a full-suspension system, for an uncompromised comfort experience. This model, featuring a hydraulic fork up front and 30mm bump absorption in the rear, has been designed to absorb 90% of vibrations that travel towards the surface so that rough city streets can be turned into smooth, comfortable sailing.
Unprecedented Range & Quick Charging:
The enormous 720Wh Samsung battery offers an industry-leading range of up to 160km on one charge. What’s more, it facilitates 8A fast charging, reducing charging time. It is stored on the vehicle.
Advanced Smart Security:
The built-in ENGWE IoT module provides full peace of mind. It is the first to also offer GPS tracking, along with 4G and Bluetooth connectivity, plus in-app real-time alerts to your phone – state-of-the-art protection against theft.
5. Search For Top Recommendations: Your Ideal Hub-Gear E-Bike
The bottom line: When you're ready to take the leap towards high quality and easy gear shifting, there are several brands who have invested in this technology. These are manufacturers that have built their names on making reliable, simple-to-use electric bikes well-suited to commuting and city life. Visiting their site can really help you see what styles and features are out there in the market for your hub-gear e-bike. From vintage-inspired Dutch-style step-throughs to futuristic tech-forward commuters, there's a hub-gear e-bike out there for just about every taste and use. By centering your attention on brands that are the best in these systems, you can be assured of a well-rounded and optimized package.
Gazelle:
The epitome of Dutch cycling, it’s the brand you’ll probably picture when you think of a comfortable city bike in an upright position. Many of their models, such as the Ultimate or Avignon series, are outfitted with dependable Shimano Nexus or high-end Enviolo internally-geared hubs and belt drives for a nearly maintenance-free ride.
Priority Bicycles:
A company that is all about low-maintenance biking in its entirety. Most of their bikes, electric or not (such as the Recent), use internal gear hubs such as Shimano and Enviolo, alongside Gates Carbon Belt Drives. They’re the perfect option for riders who never want to get any grease on their hands.
Riese & Müller:
A high-end German brand focusing on amazing engineering and top-notch components. The majority of their e-bikes are available with high-end Rohloff or Enviolo hubs, focusing on the hardcore commuter, tourer and ambitious space fleet-commandant that won’t settle for less than absolutely bombproof reliability and performance.
Tern Bicycles:
Best known for their folding bikes, Tern also makes fantastic compact cargo and commuter e-bikes. The HSD (as well as the GSD) are commonly available with internal hub gear options, making these machines very practical and robust solutions for urban utility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Are internal gears heavier than normal derailleurs?
A: Yes, the hub unit itself is a little bit heavier. On an e-bike where the motor and battery already add weight, this slight increase is barely perceptible and more than pays for itself in durability and low maintenance.
Q2: Can I change gears with a hub gear under load?
A: To ensure the smoothest and quickest shift, take pressure off your pedals momentarily as you switch. This allows the inner workings to engage without extra effort and without damaging the hub.
Q3: So, is the higher initial cost of a hub-gear e-bike really worth it?
A: If you are a daily rider, commuter, or someone who prioritizes reliability and minimal upkeep over the lowest possible sticker price, then yes. The long-term savings on parts and service make it the better financial decision over the years.
So, when you buy a hub-gear electric bike, you’re investing in greater riding enjoyment; your rides will also be simpler, and more reliable.
